Got to the second season of Juijutsu Kaisen and everything changed.

The animation had more frames and content and expression. The story pacing changed. The actual scene direction changed. I'm thinking of random scenes where Riko appears under water. They aren't actually random, they just feel that way in the moment. The way they articulated the characters personalities. Im watching the dubbed version and the dialog is actually very good. More of the short, pithy conversations that don't feel cringe.

It went from typical shonen to artsy shonen. Im 5 EPs in and I hope it doesn't let up.

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Local_Pickle_47172026-01-28 15:55

It doesn't, but I feel like the character writing tanked in the process and that's not an anime decision.

Dumey2026-01-28 16:28

I would agree, but also with the caveat that Season 2 is like an Avengers movie compared to Season 1 being the individual Marvel hero movies. That arc was about taking all the characters we had learned about and explored their themes and what they represent, and then clashing them all together for huge climactic results.

If you were to watch Avengers on its own, it's so full of conclusions and so little setup, that it wouldn't be able to stand on its own. JJK is similar in that Season 2 is a wrap-up of everything that Season 1 set up. It is definitely jarring to have that kind of pacing change, and like you said, the individual character writing took a dive because very little time was given to establishing new characters and backgrounds compared to the first season. But that was also kind-of the point. Shibuya arc wasn't meant to set up new plot points and characters, it was meant to conclude them.

Local_Pickle_47172026-01-28 16:47

You can argue that, but I also don't think all of the Avengers films are good either. I remember someone told me when it came out that Avengers 1 was the best movie ever. Boy, was I disappointed and even with the context of all related films it doesn't substantially improve the team up film.

There are plenty of other anime that handle such transitions not only better but use it to excel. I'm not taking Shibuya in isolation, but I can still examine it that way. The same thing applies to the current season as well in any case.

Dumey2026-01-28 17:56

I totally agree that it's a valid criticism that the Season can't stand on its own. I just think it's important context for others that there is a *reason* for the change in writing style, not just that the quality suddenly and inexplicably dropped.

noxiousfarts2026-01-28 19:05

Absolutely without a doubt. I find it hilarious to hear pacing because the pacing from Culling Game -> End of Story felt insanely rushed, poorly planned and character development and side plots just thrown to the wind to wrap the story up.

Also have never wrapped my head around the idea of cursed energy manipulation and whatnot. Just was a weird MacGuffin in general.

Nomar_952026-01-28 15:59

a lot of people think it's too much (which is fair), but I like MAPPA using it as an animation showcase (same with Chainsaw Man).

Loose_Service76112026-01-28 16:00

The jump is quality from season 1 to 2 is crazy and they somehow made it even better in season 3

bongmitzfah2026-01-28 16:09

Everyone says this but I liked the way season 1 looked more. Everything looked more clean.

Obi_Juan_Kenobie2026-01-28 16:13

Agreed. Like I get the argument - there's more animation, it's more fluid and dynamic, etc. But I just feel like something was lost in the process. It feels flat, washed out and like the original soul and unique artsyle has gone missing.

bongmitzfah2026-01-28 16:14

Your the first person to agree with me. Everyone calls me crazy lol. But ya washed out is a good way to describe it.

kaushik04082026-01-28 16:21

With how the s2 was made no wonder you think something was lost in the process.

AdNecessary76412026-01-28 16:45

I get people have different opinions, but I genuinely have no clue how anyone would look at season 2 as a whole and somehow have "washed out" as the first thing to comes to mind.

bongmitzfah2026-01-28 16:54

Man I really wish I could describe it. It just doesn't look right too me.

Warrior-pigeon-2026-01-28 16:40

The honest answer with the JJK adaptation is you just pick which season has problems that bother you the least. S1 was clean, traditional and well choreographed but had actual throw up for backgrounds and characters were slip and sliding all over it.

S2 and 3 have their own issues, JJK0 is S1 refined but plays it a bit too safe.

SadAnimator13542026-01-28 16:08

It doesn't let up throughout S2. S3 has less frames in a few places but the cinematography is arguably better than S2.

abandoned_idol2026-01-28 16:29

The cartoonish dialogue is still there, it's just not frequent because it is buried underneath lots of fancy anime direction.

Cold_Recording54852026-01-28 16:46

S2 and especially S3 are some of the best-looking anime ever produced so far, genuinely. Don't let the people in these comments drag your fantastic take down, if you're loving season 2 so far you will only come to love the rest of the adaptation more. Season 3 has been pure arthouse with so much love for cinema in general in a lot of places. Mappa are simply pioneers of the industry right now, untouchable.

noxiousfarts2026-01-28 19:03

I enjoy the quality of animation and detail very much, and I realize I'm in the minority, but after reading JJK and knowing what is to come...I just dont really find it to be all that special.

Unfortunate because it is great and the scenes are great but it just feels way too self-important.