Since the release of the movie “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train” in 2020, which garnered over $500 million worldwide, anime creator companies have realized the potential and value of anime movies. The release of “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” this month was a result of the anime-driven movie industry frenzy.
After anime producers saw the success of the Demon Slayer movie, this sparked the release of several popular anime such as “Jujutsu Kaisen 0” and One Piece Film: “Red.” “Jujutsu Kaisen 0” made nearly $200 million globally, sparking mixed reactions from fans. “I thought ‘Jujutsu Kaisen 0’ was okay,” said senior Atharva Anthati. “But the overall plot was very basic.” With this much success from mainstream anime, this led to an increase in pressure and hype for future anime releases.
Currently, “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” has made $42 million globally, having been released only 9 days ago, causing mixed reactions from fans. “I enjoyed it as it was how Jujutsu Kaisen [the show] was supposed to begin,” expressed senior Tiffany Ku. “It was cool seeing it incorporated into the storyline, although the main character changed from Yuta to Yuji.” Ku continued.
The sudden increase in the number of watchers of anime in the past five years can be attributed to anime’s alluring characteristics compared to other movies and shows. “I think anime tends to be a bit more escapist than live-action media due to its animated nature,” said Anthati. “With recent global developments and problems, it becomes more comforting for viewers.”
Most people can agree that seeing their favorite movie or show in theaters is a completely different experience from watching it at home. “For a long time, anime fans have been waiting to see their favorite shows continue on the big screen,” shared Ku.
Anime has increased in popularity because its competition has decreased in quality. “The reason they [anime movies] are becoming so popular is that people want to see more anime in the theaters,” voiced Anthati. “As such, anime movies that have a lot of care put into them are often doing better than Hollywood movies even though they have lower budgets and are from overseas.”
“Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” not only provides a satisfying continuation of the current show, but it also represents the dominating stance that anime is taking. Both in streaming services and in theaters as more and more people realize the value of the deep and complex themes of anime.
