Jujutsu Kaisen: Why ‘Execution’ is a Crucial Test for the Anime’s Future

The release of the theatrical event Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, which bridges the gap between the explosive Shibuya Incident and the forthcoming Culling Game Arc in Season 3, has ignited discussions among the global anime fandom. While the premise of seeing the fated confrontation between Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu on the big screen is high-octane spectacle, the core focus of this film may extend beyond the narrative. This movie, which combines a recap of Shibuya with the opening of Season 3, presents a massive, high-stakes opportunity for Studio MAPPA to address the anime’s most pervasive and damaging controversy: the severe production and labor issues that plagued the second season.

The Jujutsu Kaisen anime, despite its phenomenal global success and critical acclaim for its visuals, has been embroiled in a public crisis concerning its production studio. Throughout the airing of the Shibuya Incident Arc, numerous MAPPA animators—many working on the series—took to social media to detail a working environment defined by unreasonable deadlines, grueling crunch, and last-minute production chaos. This was not a minor complaint; it led to episodes being released with visibly unfinished segments, a lack of flow in certain key action sequences, and a palpable sense of burnout among the creative staff.

This controversy became the anime’s biggest fault line, undermining the artistic integrity of the work by focusing attention on the human cost of the spectacle. The high Commercial Potential and premium content of the Jujutsu Kaisen franchise ironically came at the expense of its creators’ well-being.

Execution: The Pivotal Moment for Quality Control

The film, Execution, is now a litmus test for the studio’s commitment to improved working conditions and consistent quality. Here’s why this release carries such a heavy weight:

• The Precedent of Movie Production: The 2021 prequel film, Jujutsu Kaisen 0, was a masterwork of animation, widely praised for its consistent quality. While it was subject to its own tight four-month production claims, a film format traditionally allows for a more focused, contained schedule than a sprawling, weekly TV series. For Execution, which recaps past content and introduces new, highly anticipated Season 3 material, the quality of the new footage must be flawless to demonstrate that the studio has learned from its recent struggles.
• The High-Stakes Sequence: The battle between Yuji and Yuta is one of the most intense and emotionally charged confrontations in the manga. It involves two of the franchise’s most popular characters and showcases Special Grade sorcery. If the animation for this sequence suffers from the same issues of inconsistent drawing quality or poor pacing seen in parts of the Shibuya Arc, it will be an immediate and highly publicized confirmation that the fundamental production problems have not been solved.
• Setting the Tone for Season 3: As the official kickoff for the Culling Game—an arc characterized by intense, complex battle royale scenarios involving a massive roster of new characters—Execution is designed to build hype. If the opening glimpse of the Culling Game is delivered with production issues, it will generate immense negative sentiment and lower the perceived quality of the entire upcoming season, impacting both viewership and international licensing value.

Key Controversies and Economic Implications (High-CPC Keywords)

Addressing the controversy effectively means more than just having a few well-animated scenes. It requires a tangible shift in the studio’s output. The key areas of concern that Execution must overcome are:

• Animator Overwork and Crunch Culture: This is the root of the problem. Positive reports on the production timeline and a noticeable increase in the quality of the entire film, not just isolated “hype moments,” would serve as the most powerful evidence of improvement. Fans are looking for a shift from unsustainable production schedules to a model prioritizing the staff’s well-being.
• Inconsistent Visual Fidelity: The Shibuya Incident Arc had moments of brilliance but also sudden dips in quality. Execution must deliver premium animation across the board to reassure the audience that the chaos of Season 2 is not the new baseline for the franchise. The visual presentation of major plot points is crucial for maximizing fan engagement and maintaining the anime’s market dominance in the dark fantasy shonen genre.

If Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution can deliver a film that is not only narratively compelling but also consistently animated with the pristine quality expected of a premium theatrical release, it will be a major step toward repairing the relationship between the studio and the dedicated fanbase. It would signal a healthy, sustainable production path for Season 3 and cement the series’ reputation based on its quality, not its controversies. Conversely, a failure to meet these high quality control standards would confirm fan fears, leading to severe backlash and potentially damaging the long-term brand value of one of modern anime’s biggest franchises.

This movie isn’t just a bridge; it’s a make-or-break moment for the Jujutsu Kaisen anime’s legacy.