The Jujutsu Kaisen franchise continues to captivate audiences worldwide. The latest offering, a compilation film of Season 2’s “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc, premiered in Japan on May 30, 2025. While anticipation was high, the film opened at #4 at the Japanese box office. This raises the question: is this a box office success or a cursed result? Let’s delve into the details of this release, what fans can expect, and the broader context of the Jujutsu Kaisen phenomenon.
What is Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death?
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death is a compilation film that revisits the “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc from the second season of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime. This arc, which originally aired as the first five episodes of Season 2, is crucial for understanding the complex relationship between Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto.
The arc explores their time as students at Jujutsu High, showcasing their friendship and the events that led to their eventual separation and antagonism. Key to the narrative is their mission to protect Riko Amanai, the Star Plasma Vessel, from those who seek to eliminate her. The choices and challenges they face during this mission irreversibly alter their bond and set the stage for the events of the main series.
Enhanced Experience for the Big Screen
According to Takahiro Sakurai, the voice actor for Suguru Geto, the film is more than just a recap. It is designed to provide a more vivid and powerful experience of the story through the characters’ eyes. The film features improved visuals, a new audio mix, and a new “Juju Stroll” short anime, a comedic, slice-of-life mini-anime featuring Satoru Gojo, Suguru Geto, and Shoko Ieiri. Additionally, the film includes an acoustic version of “Where Our Blue Is” by Tatsuya Kitani, the Season 2 opening theme, adding an emotional layer to the familiar story.
Studio MAPPA, known for its high-quality animation, has returned to oversee the film’s production. The original cast members reprise their roles, ensuring continuity and authenticity.
A Trip Down Memory Lane?
For fans who have already watched Season 2, the film offers a chance to relive pivotal moments with enhanced clarity and emotion. It serves as a refresher before diving into the next arc and Season 3. It’s a communal experience, allowing fans to cheer, gasp, and cry together in a movie theater.
Box Office Performance and Reception
Opening at #4 in the Japanese box office may seem underwhelming, especially considering the franchise’s popularity. However, several factors need to be considered. Compilation films often face challenges in attracting audiences who have already seen the original material. In this case, the “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc is readily available as part of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2.
Despite this, the film offers several incentives for fans to revisit the story on the big screen, including enhanced visuals and audio, a new “Juju Stroll” mini-anime, and the acoustic theme song. The film is also an opportunity for fans to experience the story in a communal setting, surrounded by fellow enthusiasts.
Critical Reception
Reviews of the film highlight its visual and auditory enhancements, praising Studio MAPPA’s animation and the emotional impact of the acoustic theme. However, some critics note the lack of new story content as a potential drawback for some viewers. As a compilation, the movie primarily packages the first five episodes of Season 2. While the enhanced visuals and sound are a treat, some fans may want to see new material.
North American Release
GKIDS has acquired the rights to distribute Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death in North America. The film will be released in theaters on July 16, 2025, in both subtitled and English-dubbed versions. This marks GKIDS’ first involvement with the Jujutsu Kaisen franchise, as Crunchyroll and Funimation previously distributed Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
A Strategic Release
The North American release is strategically timed to build anticipation for Season 3 of the anime, which is currently in production. It offers fans a chance to re-experience the story on the big screen and serves as a refresher before diving into the next chapter.
GKIDS’ decision to bring the film to North America reflects a commitment to delivering emotionally resonant, high-caliber anime experiences to audiences. They recognize the emotional storytelling, stunning animation, and psychological depth of this arc.
The Broader Jujutsu Kaisen Universe
Jujutsu Kaisen has become a cornerstone of modern anime, blending high-octane action, compelling character development, and psychological depth into a series that resonates with newcomers and veterans of the genre.
Manga
Written and illustrated by Gege Akutami, Jujutsu Kaisen was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from March 2018 to September 2024. The manga has sold over 100 million copies in circulation, making it one of the best-selling manga series of all time.
Anime
The first season of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime premiered in October 2020 and ran for 24 episodes. The second season premiered in July 2023 and aired for two cours (quarters of a year) for a continuous half-year run. The anime has been praised for its animation, action sequences, and faithful adaptation of the manga.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a prequel movie that was released in Japan in December 2021 and in North America in March 2022. The film was a massive box office success, grossing nearly $200 million worldwide. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is essential viewing for fans of the series, as it fills in the gaps for some key characters and provides context for events in Season 2.
Season 3 and Beyond
The anime is getting a sequel adapting the manga’s “Culling Game” arc. MAPPA will continue to produce the anime. Fans are eagerly awaiting news about the release date and content of Season 3.
Should You Watch the Compilation Film?
Whether or not you should watch Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death depends on your level of investment in the series and your preferences.
- Yes, if:
- You are a die-hard Jujutsu Kaisen fan who wants to re-experience the “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc on the big screen.
- You appreciate enhanced visuals and audio.
- You want to see the new “Juju Stroll” mini-anime.
- You enjoy the communal experience of watching a movie with fellow fans.
- You want a refresher before diving into Season 3.
- No, if:
- You have already watched Season 2 and are not interested in re-watching the same story.
- You are looking for new story content.
- You are not a fan of compilation films.
Final Verdict
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death may not be a groundbreaking addition to the franchise, but it offers fans a chance to revisit a crucial arc with enhanced visuals and audio. While its box office performance in Japan may not have been stellar, the film is a strategic release that builds anticipation for Season 3 and keeps the love of Jujutsu Kaisen alive. Whether it’s a box office jujutsu or a cursed result remains to be seen, but it’s undoubtedly a must-see for dedicated fans.
