‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ review: Gojo ascends in “Hidden Inventory 4”

A recurring motif in the first season of Jujutsu Kaisen was the realization of strength in the face of certain death. This manifested in a sense of euphoria from our beloved Jujutsu High first years and even the special-grade curse Mahito, with each instance a character breaking out in nearly maniacal laughter. Season two hasn’t needed to create this kind of tension, since the students in this flashback are far more advanced in their skills – or at least it seemed that way at first. In “Hidden Inventory 4,” the storyline concludes by bringing Jujutsu Kaisen season two in alignment with the previous season by showcasing the ascension of Satoru Gojo. 

However, another revelation is first needed, this one for Geto in his brawl against bastard man Toji in retaliation for his brutal murder of Rika. Much like Geto’s previous brawls, we’re given a chance to see his tactics at work: rather than rely on the power of the curses he’s collected, Geto likes to close gaps and fights as quickly as possible with his own hands. He’s clearly outmatched by the Sorcerer Killer though, with Toji even doing Geto the courtesy of explaining in great detail how he’s managed to completely undo Jujutsu High’s security and its brightest students. This triggers Geto enough to get cocky; and he’s quickly undone just like Gojo was by Toji’s sheer physical technique. As a final insult, Toji rubs in that Geto gets to live because there’s no telling what happens to the curses he’s collected if he dies – whereas if he had a Shikigami summoning technique he’d be worth Toji putting in the work. 

This talk of bloodline luck and power is a line in the sand for what the audience is supposed to make of Geto. Compared to the genetically blessed Gojo or Toji’s son Megumi (who he doesn’t even realize he’s referencing yet), Geto is just never going to be as powerful. He was even taken down by, as Toji refers to himself, a lowly monkey – one who couldn’t even bother to kill him. This is a total defeat for Geto, on top of the horror of seeing a girl brutally murdered in front of him and hearing his closest friend may have suffered the same fate. 

Gojo, of course, did not die, and that’s Toji’s only and final mistake. Tracking the killer after he delivered the body of Rika to his benefactors, Gojo confronts Toji again. Quickly, Toji deduces something has changed, as Gojo seems only half engaged with the fight. The animation reflects this, as the sky glows golden and Gojo waxes poetically about now finally understanding the scope of his cursed technique. He cackles at the revelations his near-death experience has brought and it really is all shot and staged like some sort of heavenly figure ascending into the sky. There’s been some concerns in the community about Shōta Goshozono taking over as series director this season, but this sequence makes it abundantly clear his leadership still understands not only what this particular arc needs, but how best to align it with the larger Jujutsu Kaisen aesthetic and themes. Gojo’s first ever Hollow Purple hits just as hard visually as it did when the series first showed us it, which is no small feat. 

If there is a weakness to this episode, it’s the moments in-between these Toji battles. The Star Religious Group does fill Toji in on their goals and why they hired him in the first place, but it all flies over his head. Jujutsu Kaisen is a series that has a lot more to say about modern goings on than it lets on at first, and the Star Religious Group is clearly an example of the very real and controversial religious organizations that Japan has seen rise in popularity over the past couple of decades, to the point of having impacts on actual Japanese politics. While it would have been an equally controversial choice, using the anime to expand on this connection would have allowed this otherwise one-off villain to stand out more to viewers.

As if these two visually satisfying fights weren’t enough response to the murder of Rika, “Hidden Inventory 4” rolls the credits early so that we can sit instead with the haunting image of Geto catching up to Gojo in an extended post-credits scene. He’s recovered Rika’s body from the cultists, but it was hardly a challenge as they stand there and applaud as he approaches his friend, their charge’s cold body in his hands. Gojo, still high on his own power, simply asks if he and Geto should just kill these believers out of retaliation. The question shakes Geto much harder than it did four episodes ago, but he manages to hold his conviction, if only because logic wins out. The moral dilemma at the core, the mission and purpose of Jujutsu Sorcerers, will continue to hang both of their heads, a stark reminder that things aren’t even as bad as they’re going to get this season.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 is available now on Crunchyroll. 

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Featured Image © Gege Akutami/Shueisha, JUJUTSU KAISEN Project