The highly anticipated Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death compilation film has made its debut in Japanese theaters, opening on May 30, 2025. While expectations were high for this cinematic revisit of a fan-favorite arc from the anime’s second season, the film opened at #4 at the Japanese box office during its opening weekend. This result might come as a surprise to some, considering the franchise’s immense popularity and previous box office successes.
Initial Box Office Performance
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death earned 198 million yen (approximately US$1.38 million) and sold 138,000 tickets in its first three days across 150 theaters in Japan. While these numbers are respectable, they weren’t enough to secure a top-three position.
In comparison, Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback continued its strong run, holding the #2 spot in its seventh weekend. The Detective Conan film added 346 million yen (US$2.43 million) on 242,000 admissions.
What is the Hidden Inventory / Premature Death Arc About?
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death compiles episodes from the first half of season 2, focusing on the foundational story of Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto during their student years. The arc explores their mission to protect Riko Amanai, the Star Plasma Vessel, from those who seek to prevent her from merging with Master Tengen. It delves into the complexities of their friendship, the disagreements that begin to surface, and the tragic event that ultimately leads to their falling out.
This arc is considered one of the best in the Jujutsu Kaisen series, and the film adaptation promises improved visuals, a new audio mix, and a new “Juju Stroll” short anime featuring Gojo, Geto, and Shoko Ieiri. An acoustic version of “Where Our Blue Is” by Tatsuya Kitani, the Season 2 opening theme, is also featured in the film.
Factors Influencing the Box Office Opening
Several factors could have contributed to the film’s #4 opening:
- Competition: The Japanese box office is currently experiencing strong competition from other popular films. Detective Conan: One-eyed Flashback has been a consistent performer, and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning also drew significant audiences.
- Compilation Film: As a compilation film, Hidden Inventory / Premature Death retells a story already familiar to many anime fans. While the enhanced visuals and new content offer added value, some viewers may prefer to wait for the next season with a completely new storyline.
- Manga Conclusion: The Jujutsu Kaisen manga concluded in September 2024, which might have slightly shifted the focus of some fans away from the anime adaptation. However, the manga ended with a total of 30 volumes, the final two of which were released simultaneously in December 2024, with Volume 30 featuring a special epilogue, indicating continued interest in the series.
North American Release
Despite its opening weekend performance in Japan, Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death is still highly anticipated in North America. GKIDS has acquired the rights to distribute the film, with a release date set for July 16, 2025. The film will be screened in both subtitled and English-dubbed versions.
This marks GKIDS’ first involvement with the Jujutsu Kaisen franchise, signaling the growing influence of anime in the West.
What to Expect from the Film
Here’s what fans can anticipate from Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death:
- Emotional Storytelling: The Hidden Inventory arc is known for its emotional depth, exploring the complexities of Gojo and Geto’s relationship and the tragic events that lead to their separation.
- Stunning Animation: Studio MAPPA, the animation studio behind the Jujutsu Kaisen series, is known for its high-quality animation. The film promises to showcase the arc’s action sequences and emotional moments with enhanced visuals.
- New Content: In addition to the re-edited footage from Season 2, the film will include a new “Juju Stroll” mini-anime, offering a lighthearted and comedic interlude.
- Acoustic Theme Song: An acoustic version of “Ao no Sumika,” the anime’s second season opening theme, will add another layer of emotion to the film’s soundtrack.
The Road Ahead
While Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death may not have topped the box office charts in its opening weekend in Japan, it remains a significant release for the franchise. The film provides fans with an opportunity to relive one of the most important arcs in the series on the big screen, with enhanced visuals and new content.
The North American release in July is expected to draw large audiences, and the film’s performance could influence the anticipation for Season 3, which will adapt the “Culling Game” arc.
Season 2 Recap
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 adapted two major arcs from the manga: the “Hidden Inventory / Premature Death” arc and the “Shibuya Incident” arc.
Hidden Inventory / Premature Death Arc: This arc serves as a prequel, exploring the backstory of Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto during their time as students at Jujutsu High. It showcases their friendship, their mission to protect Riko Amanai, and the tragic events that lead to Geto’s descent into darkness.
- Gojo and Geto’s Mission: In 2006, Gojo and Geto are tasked with protecting Riko Amanai, the Star Plasma Vessel, who must merge with Master Tengen to maintain the stability of the jujutsu world.
- Toji Fushiguro: The mission is complicated by the appearance of Toji Fushiguro, a skilled assassin hired to kill Riko.
- Gojo’s Awakening: During the battle with Toji, Gojo is fatally injured but manages to unlock a new level of his powers through reverse curse technique.
- Geto’s Turning Point: Riko is eventually killed by Toji, and Geto begins to question his beliefs and the value of protecting non-sorcerers.
- Geto’s Defection: Haunted by the ugliness of humanity, Geto embraces a new purpose: to create a world without curses by eliminating all non-sorcerers. He slays an entire village of people who turned against two young curse users, marking his final descent into darkness.
Shibuya Incident Arc: This arc is a large-scale conflict that takes place in Shibuya, Tokyo, involving jujutsu sorcerers and cursed spirits.
- Gojo’s Sealing: The cursed spirits, led by Geto (who is later revealed to be Kenjaku in Geto’s body), launch a plan to seal Satoru Gojo using the Prison Realm.
- Yuji’s Struggle: Yuji Itadori and the other jujutsu sorcerers must fight against the cursed spirits to save Gojo and prevent further chaos.
- Nanami’s Death: Kento Nanami, a seasoned jujutsu sorcerer, confronts transfigured humans and is eventually killed by Mahito.
- Nobara’s Injury: Nobara Kugisaki encounters Mahito’s clone and is injured by his technique, leaving her fate uncertain.
- Sukuna’s Rampage: Megumi Fushiguro is nearly killed by Haruta Shigemo, forcing Megumi to unleash his ultimate shikigami, Mahoraga. Sukuna intervenes, saving Megumi but causing widespread destruction in Shibuya.
- Shibuya’s Aftermath: The Shibuya Incident results in numerous casualties and significant damage, shaking the foundations of the jujutsu world.
Will There Be a Season 3?
Yes! A sequel covering the “Culling Game” arc has been announced. MAPPA will continue to produce the anime.
More Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is a manga series written and illustrated by Gege Akutami. It was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump from March 2018 to September 2024. The series follows Yuji Itadori, a high school student who becomes entangled in the world of jujutsu sorcery after ingesting a cursed finger belonging to the powerful Ryomen Sukuna.
The Jujutsu Kaisen manga has been a massive success, with over 100 million copies in circulation. The anime adaptation, produced by MAPPA, has further boosted the series’ popularity, attracting a global fan base.
In addition to the anime series and the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 film, the franchise includes light novels, video games, and various merchandise.
Final Thoughts
Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death offers fans a chance to revisit a pivotal chapter in the series’ history. While its opening box office performance in Japan may not have met the highest expectations, the film remains a significant event for the Jujutsu Kaisen community. With its enhanced visuals, new content, and emotional storytelling, the film is poised to resonate with audiences in North America and beyond.
