Jujutsu Kaisen will return to theaters with Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death, a compilation film adapting the first half of season two. The announcement was made at Anime Japan 2025, where MAPPA also released the movie’s first trailer. The film will revisit Gojo Satoru’s high school years and his complex relationship with Geto Suguru, events that were previously explored in season two of the anime.
The new trailer highlights key moments from the Hidden Inventory and Premature Death arcs, focusing on Gojo and Geto’s missions and the events that shaped their paths as sorcerers. Fans were reminded of the emotional depth and intense battles that defined the arc, with MAPPA’s high-quality animation and strong character dynamics once again at the forefront.
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death plot and production details
Gojo Satoru (Credits: Mappa)
The Hidden Inventory and Premature Death arcs originally aired as part of Jujutsu Kaisen season two, which premiered in July 2023. The story follows a young Gojo Satoru and Geto Suguru as they are tasked with protecting Riko Amanai, a Star Plasma Vessel. Their mission is complicated by the appearance of Toji Fushiguro, whose deadly skills and complex motivations push Gojo and Geto to their limits.
The arc explores the roots of Gojo and Geto’s bond and the tragic rift that ultimately forms between them. Gojo’s evolution into the strongest sorcerer and Geto’s shift toward darkness are central to the narrative’s emotional core. The compilation movie will condense these events into a theatrical format, providing a streamlined and cinematic viewing experience.
This marks Jujutsu Kaisen’s second theatrical release following Jujutsu Kaisen 0 in December 2021. That prequel film, which adapted Gege Akutami’s manga of the same name, focused on Yuta Okkotsu’s introduction to jujutsu sorcery under Gojo’s guidance. The film was a critical and commercial success, setting high expectations for the upcoming compilation release.
Future of Jujutsu Kaisen and season three update
◤￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣￣ 劇場版総集編 #懐玉・玉折 本予告 ＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿＿◢ 5/30(金)劇場公開!! 主題歌 #キタニタツヤ 「 #青のすみか (Acoustic ver.)」 https://t.co/CQmhF19Vpc #五条悟 #夏油傑 #最強の2人 の青い春がスクリーンで蘇るー #呪術廻戦 #JujutsuKaisen pic.twitter.com/2ODHTpAVCV — 『呪術廻戦』アニメ公式 (@animejujutsu) March 23, 2025
While MAPPA’s focus on the compilation film has excited fans, it has also raised questions about the status of Jujutsu Kaisen season three. The third season was announced in December 2023 and is expected to adapt the highly anticipated Culling Games arc. However, no major updates about the new season were shared at Anime Japan 2025, leaving fans uncertain about its release timeline.
Given MAPPA’s production schedule and the complexity of adapting the Culling Games arc, some speculate that season three may not premiere until 2026. The studio’s decision to release a compilation film before season three could be aimed at maintaining fan engagement while ensuring the next season meets high expectations.
Jujutsu Kaisen’s first two seasons and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 have established the franchise as a dominant force in the anime world. The emotional weight and intense action of the Hidden Inventory and Premature Death arcs have already resonated with fans, making the upcoming movie a strategic move to capitalize on the series’ growing popularity.
Satoshi Kon made his mark on the global anime scene with the release of Perfect Blue in 1997. The psychological thriller, which delved into the dark side of Japan’s idol industry, earned widespread critical acclaim and drew comparisons to Alfred Hitchcock and Dario Argento. Kon’s innovative storytelling continued with Millennium Actress (2001), a poignant reflection on Japanese cinema history that cemented his status as one of anime’s most visionary directors. He followed this with Tokyo Godfathers (2003), a heartwarming story of three homeless individuals trying to reunite a lost baby with its parents, and Paprika (2006), a mind-bending exploration of dreams and reality that inspired films like Christopher Nolan’s Inception.
Kon’s career was cut short in 2010 when he died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 46. Despite his relatively small body of work, Kon’s films have left a profound impact on the anime industry and global cinema. His distinctive narrative style, psychological depth, and surreal visuals have inspired both Japanese and Western filmmakers. However, despite this global recognition, Kon’s legacy in Japan has not been as well-preserved.
Challenges in preserving Satoshi Kon’s legacy
Perfect Blue (Credits: Yoshikazu Takeuch)
At the Niigata International Animation Film Festival, producers Masao Maruyama and Taro Maki—who worked on several of Kon’s films—expressed concern over the diminishing awareness of Kon’s work among younger Japanese audiences. Maruyama, who collaborated with Kon at Madhouse before founding Studio MAPPA, highlighted how Perfect Blue was made under difficult circumstances with a small team, yet Kon’s creativity thrived in that environment. Maki, who produced Millennium Actress, lamented how Kon’s films are buried on streaming platforms and not given the prominence they deserve despite their artistic significance.
Maruyama stressed that it would be a “waste” if Kon’s films were forgotten. Kon’s shift from manga to animation allowed him to explore complex visual and narrative structures, setting his work apart from other anime films. Maki recalled his reaction upon seeing Perfect Blue for the first time, saying he was amazed that such a complex and intense film could be made within the anime medium.
Anime scholar Ryusuke Hikawa, who moderated the discussion, pointed out the contrast between Kon’s reception at home and abroad. He noted that Kon’s work is widely studied and admired in Europe, where his influence on directors like Darren Aronofsky and Christopher Nolan is well-documented. Aronofsky famously referenced Perfect Blue in Black Swan, and Nolan’s layered narrative style in Inception reflects Kon’s exploration of dreams in Paprika.
Global impact and hopes for future recognition
Madhouse and MAPPA founder Masao Maruyama says he feels that the general public in Japan has somewhat forgotten director Satoshi Kon (Perfect Blue, Paprika). In a talk event after a screening of Kon’s movies, anime critic Ryusuke Hikawa agreed with him saying that while Kon is… pic.twitter.com/JFcOuDckxm — Manga Mogura RE (Anime & Manga News) (@MangaMoguraRE) March 21, 2025
Kon’s legacy remains strong internationally, where his films are regarded as groundbreaking works of psychological storytelling and artistic innovation. His ability to blend reality and illusion, coupled with his exploration of human psychology, set him apart from other anime directors. Yet in Japan, his films have not been given the same level of reverence.
Maruyama and Maki hope that renewed attention to Kon’s work will inspire younger generations to rediscover his films. Kon’s body of work represents a rare blend of artistic experimentation and emotional depth, making him a unique figure in the anime world.
“His films should be loved forever,” Maruyama said. For those who have experienced Kon’s cinematic visions and those yet to discover them, his work remains a lasting gift to the world of cinema.
