Jujutsu Kaisen 0 - What We Know So Far

"Jujutsu Kaisen" cemented itself as an international hit with anime fans during its first season. The particular mix of the series' dark fantasy world, charming characters, hilarious comedic moments, and studio MAPPA's spectacular animation work has helped make "Jujutsu Kaisen" one of the most binge-worthy supernatural anime today. Everyone is still waiting on official word for a Season 2 of the series, but an announcement from MAPPA hasn't been made. However, all is not lost when it comes to new "Jujutsu Kaisen" content. Instead of going forward, the series is going back to where it all began for series creator Gege Akutami.

Titled "Jujutsu Kaisen 0," the upcoming movie is based on Akutami's first attempt at the entire series. As Viz Media tweeted when it announced publication for western fans, "Jujutsu Kaisen 0" is a manga prequel one-shot to the whole "Jujutsu Kaisen" series. With MAPPA set to animate the film, and fans hungry to dive back into the supernatural hit, anticipation for "Jujutsu Kaisen 0" is already high.

Here's everything we know so far about "Jujutsu Kaisen 0."

Shortly after Season 1 of "Jujutsu Kaisen" aired its final episode back in March of this year, an official Twitter announcement appeared about a movie based on "Jujutsu Kaisen 0." Initially, a release for sometime this winter was the only date revealed about the film. However, thanks to a special event in Japan for the series, that all changed. We've now got a better idea of when to expect "Jujutsu Kaisen 0."

Via Anime News Network, during the "Juju Fes 2021," an event meant to celebrate the "Jujutsu Kaisen" series, it was announced that "Jujutsu Kaisen 0" will premiere in Japanese theaters on December 24, 2021. That's not a bad Christmas gift for "Jujutsu Kaisen" fans in Japan. Unfortunately, an international premiere for the movie has not been officially confirmed yet. With the movie debuting in Japan so close to the end of 2021, "Jujutsu Kaisen 0" will likely come out for international fans sometime in 2022. Based on its popularity, it's likely we could see it at least before the late summer of 2022.

We might have become used to seeing the adventures of our favorite first-years in Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School, but "Jujutsu Kaisen 0" will feature a different protagonist. Therefore, it's unlikely that we'll see any of Yuji Itadori. As seen in the manga and confirmed in the brief trailer, the movie stars Yuta Okkotsu, a timid boy haunted by his childhood friend Rika. Yuta becomes a first-year at Jujutsu High, and this is where we'll see some welcome returning characters from the main series.

Fan-favorite blind-folded teacher Saturo Gojo returns in the prequel film, as he takes an interest in Yuta and his powerful cursed energy and helps him enroll in the school. Also, the familiar trio of Maki Zenin, Toge Inumaki, and Panda appears this time as first years. The trio is originally a supporting cast of second-year students in the main series, so it'll be wonderful to see a bit of their first time at the school and their relationship with Yuta. Finally, as the antagonist, the movie will feature Suguru Geto, who will be a significant danger to Yuta and his friends.

Much like the main series anime, "Jujutsu Kaisen 0" should closely follow its source material. The plot from the manga deals with Yuta Okkotsu, whose childhood friend Rika was killed in a traffic accident. Rika haunts Yuta as a powerful but uncontrollable curse, which grabs the attention of Jujutsu Sorcerers, including Saturo Gojo. While Yuta is at the point of wishing for his own death thanks to the curse and the harm it brings to others, Gojo offers the teenager an opportunity to enroll as a first-year at Jujutsu High. It's there that Yuta could learn how to control his curse and use it for good.

The movie will delve into Yuta's time as a student at the school as he learns how to control his power and shed his shyness when he befriends fellow first-years Maki Zenin, Toge Inumaki, and Panda. The movie may have a different protagonist In Yuta, but his story is unique yet also familiar within the world of "Jujutsu Kaisen." Also, fans can expect it to contain the same great dark fantasy setting and impressive animated action sequences as the main series.