Jujutsu Kaisen (TV) Episode 4 Discussion

Zener said:

Well that's a first for me.I wonder what made people score it less initially(Art maybe?).Still,I am happy that an anime will shed light on its adaptation.AoT is in good(and maybe better) hands now.

Kaidu- said:
I can't be the only one who thought the pacing for this episode was just all over the place. It really did fell emotionless.

Kylesan17 said:
Why is this newly organized group taking on such important missions already? I don't understand the power system, its not explained well. Wouldn't they want top fighters assigned for a special grade curse? This shonen so far is shaky to me, its winning people over with top tier animation, but for me it needs more, its a weaker Bleach / Demon Slayer styled story. 3/5 for episode 4, I want to like this more but its rushed and things aren't elaborated on at all.

ElGoblino said:


Probably just you, this episode only had like 2 chapters adapted just like the rest.

q1w2e3r4t5 said:
in this episode, she was just a damsel in distress. Even when she was introduced, she was saved by Yuji during the hostage incident. So first it’s Yuji and now Fushigoro. Strong female character my ass. Every time, she gets bailed out by the guys. I honestly wish it was the other way around

Xenocrisi said:
Great episode but damn I was disappointed to how fast the special grade was killed. I was expecting at least a 2-episode mini arc. It felt too easy like that

Kaidu- said:
I can't be the only one who thought the pacing for this episode was just all over the place. It really did fell emotionless.

Kylesan17 said:
Why is this newly organized group taking on such important missions already? I don't understand the power system, its not explained well. Wouldn't they want top fighters assigned for a special grade curse? This shonen so far is shaky to me, its winning people over with top tier animation, but for me it needs more, its a weaker Bleach / Demon Slayer styled story. 3/5 for episode 4, I want to like this more but its rushed and things aren't elaborated on at all.

Raptors0verlord said:


so you prefer she becomes a mary sue then? where she is able to do everything from the get go rather then naturally develop into a strong character by overcoming hardships and gaining experience with time? ?

q1w2e3r4t5 said:
I do like characters like Diana from little witch academia but I like Akko as well. I don’t like at Nobara because she’s bitchy and weak. I’m like “if you’re weak, can you stop being annoying and pretending you’re strong even though you ain’t got shit to back it up” Yuji is weak too but unlike him, she doesn’t realize/accept the fact that she’s weak so I don’t see her developing physically or mentally

q1w2e3r4t5 said:
I do like characters like Diana from little witch academia but I like Akko as well. I don’t like at Nobara because she’s bitchy and weak. I’m like “if you’re weak, can you stop being annoying and pretending you’re strong even though you ain’t got shit to back it up” Yuji is weak too but unlike him, she doesn’t realize/accept the fact that she’s weak so I don’t see her developing physically or mentally

StormxNightmare said:
The animation and visuals of this anime are just insanely good... like damn :D
I liked the episode a lot, even tho I have some tiny "complaints" this time.

- the "proper death" thing was a little bit too long imo
- cliche argument between protag and the other more edgy male protag (Tai & Yamato vibes lmao)
- the female main character being the one who needs saving :x
- first time I thought the curse design wasn't that great (I think the special curse would've looked way better without the eyes - they made him look so goofy lmao)

IshigamiCrisis said:
What people are saying about Nobara isn't wrong though a bit harsh. As an anime-only, it was a little disappointing to see her action from the 3rd episode become like a drop in the bucket (especially w/ her interesting backstory and personal goals as a character). It's still too early so we should reserve judgment a little bit later when more episodes come out cause this is the first time and hopefully the last time?

We should really be focusing on how they really showed off the difference in power Yuuji was thought to have and what he actually has. Like c'mon can we really say the episode wasn't good when he went through a life-or-death crisis just trying to stall for time and losing some fingers in the process? I will admit the regen by Sakuna is OP but our guy lost control over his body. This is definitely too early to call it character development since we don't know what's happening, but we know there is depth in Yuuji's character at least. He wants to save others but he feels ashamed of the feeling that he wants to save himself at the possible expense of Sakuna killing someone.

whither said:
Why are we flashing back to things that happened only a few episodes ago? It's way too early for this shounen trope. Very tiring to watch, and completely drains the energy from the fights. This show hasn't built built up enough emotional weight for flashbacks to be effective yet.

We've only just been introduced to the MC's "driving goal" (giving people proper deaths), and he's already suffering from identity crisis and questioning his life choices. Again, not enough emotional weight established for me to care about his internal struggles yet.

The MC's typical desire to save everyone (even a corpse) no matter what is also predictable and tiring.

As the hallmarks of typical shounen rear up, my interest wanes. I think my initial positive reaction to episode 1 was a fluke. Though I still enjoyed the MC's curse and the violence.

ttcchen said:

I understand your disappointment for not seeing Nobara's fight, but is it really necessary to show her fight? the point of this episode is Yuji's characterization, as you've stated, so if Nobara's fight isn't crucial to the plot, then I don't see anything wrong with skipping over it. When her fights matter, that's when they will be shown to us.


-flashbacks aren't always meant to make you emotional
-so you prefer a one-dimensional cardboard shounen mc who doesn't show any depth to him until like episode 20? people complain about shounen protags being too stereotypical and not having enough nuance right from the start, then they complain when we DO see nuance in the protag right from the start ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
-well yuji's desire to save the dead criminal here is pretty relatable tbh. he's not trying to save the "criminal" here, he's saving the mother. Because she'd never be able to have closure without seeing her son's death first hand. Sure, the son has done terrible stuff, but that doesn't mean his mother has to suffer with him. Any normal human who can feel compassion would want to do the same thing in Yuji's situation, unless they are like Megumi and know how dire the situation is (explained more in the upcoming episodes) and how they really don't have time to haul that guy's corpse with them
-this is a shounen series so you should be expecting some "hallmarks", however, what makes this series great is how it can turn cliches over their heads. It uses cliches in interesting ways that makes it entertaining to watch (like the "demon inside protagonist" being the main antagonist of the series instead of just a powerup). so just because you think you're spotting lots of cliches doesn't mean they're going to be utilized like they were in other shounen series
-

ttcchen said:



-flashbacks aren't always meant to make you emotional
-so you prefer a one-dimensional cardboard shounen mc who doesn't show any depth to him until like episode 20? people complain about shounen protags being too stereotypical and not having enough nuance right from the start, then they complain when we DO see nuance in the protag right from the start ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
-well yuji's desire to save the dead criminal here is pretty relatable tbh. he's not trying to save the "criminal" here, he's saving the mother. Because she'd never be able to have closure without seeing her son's death first hand. Sure, the son has done terrible stuff, but that doesn't mean his mother has to suffer with him. Any normal human who can feel compassion would want to do the same thing in Yuji's situation, unless they are like Megumi and know how dire the situation is (explained more in the upcoming episodes) and how they really don't have time to haul that guy's corpse with them
-this is a shounen series so you should be expecting some "hallmarks", however, what makes this series great is how it can turn cliches over their heads. It uses cliches in interesting ways that makes it entertaining to watch (like the "demon inside protagonist" being the main antagonist of the series instead of just a powerup). so just because you think you're spotting lots of cliches doesn't mean they're going to be utilized like they were in other shounen series
-

whither said:


We are 4 episodes in, so not far along enough that extensive flashbacks are needed for us to remember something we may have missed. If the flashbacks aren't for emotional weight, then why are they there at all? Just to fill time? I think they ruin the pacing of the fights. They're aren't showing anything we aren't already fully aware of.

I didn't even think the MC was one dimensional in episode one. I found him more intriguing without his straight forward goal of "giving people good deaths" but then immediately questioning his resolve. I enjoyed the idea of this laid back yet hilariously strong dude got dragged into weird demon shit who has no choice but to go along with it, otherwise he'd be executed. Having angst about your goal isn't the only way to have a good main character. Why are you lumping me in with other people who complain about whatever you're talking about when I've said nothing of that sort?

Outside the world of shounen protag logic, no one would get that hot headed about dragging a corpse out just to show someone else that the dead person is indeed dead. I don't doubt that kindhearted people would want to give others closure, but this MC was literally about to throw fists with his friend over it. I don't find that level of anger believable.

The "demon inside" thing was not the trope I was weary of. That happened in episode 1 and I was totally down for it. What is causing my growing disinterest is exactly what I mentioned above: the way the fights are paced (spliced with way too many flashbacks) + the MC's driving goal / internal conflict (very angsty, but with not enough build up to resonate with me).

ttcchen said:


If you're not aware of that trope then I'm guessing you haven't watched lots of anime (haven't checked your profile). If so, then you clearly aren't aware that the amount of flashbacks in this episode is nowhere near as "too much" as you've claimed. You should check out other shounen series (especially Naruto) THAT's when flashbacks are too much. THIS is not.

Yuji was going to throw fist with Megumi not because their ideals clashed, but because of Megumi's attitude. He legit pulled back Yuji by his hoodie like he was a dog and then straightup ordered him to leave it like he was above Yuji or something. In Yuji's perspective, of course he'd get pissed to be treated like this. But in Megumi's perspective, he's doing this because he know how serious the situation is and Yuji doesn't (once again, this will be explained in episode 7 at this rate).

I'm lumping you with these other people because that's exactly what you're coming off as. You complain when the protagonist gets development, which he SHOULD, like it's a bad thing. His driving force "giving people proper death" indeed is quite naive, and it's a good thing that he learned his lesson early on in his "adventure" instead of later.

edit: but seeing you've already dropped this series. i guess there's no point explaining any more to you. just keep on believing what you will and miss out on this amazing series.

XselfesterX said:
The demon shivered and his expression just transformed from happiness to depression.

RayReynolds said:
this is just kind of boring me, despite it was ostensibly one long action scene, but it's not being particularly impressive on the directorial/choreography aspect

There's no story for the monster of the week, not even to the level of Garo or Dororo. (even this cheap plot is too much effort for the writers) It literally begins with them being told "Hey, here's a random encounter. Go, uh, fight it." And then they kind of fight it, I guess. That's the whole story and all the dramatic elements of the entire episode.


Even then, it blows its stakes pretty early by ripping an arm off. Since we know that's not going to actual be serious, everything after that isn't much higher than torture porn. And then he re-taps into The Darkness Within, in the same way that we already saw before, but I guess this monster is somewhat different? It just feels like I've already seen this episode, not just in a countless other Jump shows, but from this very show itself, only a couple weeks ago.

Kaidu- said:

I didn't mean the pacing was fast, it was just all over the place. Too many things happening at once, too many tone changes and even a unnecessary sequence break when the black-haired character escaped to save the girl.

ttcchen said:
now that i think of it, this episode is chapter 8 in the manga. I originally wanted to drop the manga before i read ch8, but the innovative characterization of the supposedly powerup tool, Sukuna, had me keep going, and I'm glad i did. I think those who dropped it were like me except they didn't reach ch8 before writing this off as another cliche shounen manga and thinking Sukuna is just like Kurama (what i thought at first).