Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 episode 5 review: Premature Death

If you ever found yourself asking, “what will drive Geto down the darker path, forever altering his camaraderie with Gojo?” this episode  of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 definitely has an answer for you.

So… Yeah.

Jujutsu Kaisen has been on fire with this new season. This episode, titled “Premature Death”, had me smiling in the beginning with the intro credits, but had me horrified towards the end. It left us all on edge as we saw my favorite blue-eyed sorcerer Gojo push through his limits, reminding us why he’s considered the top Jujutsu sorcerer. After his near-death experience in episode four, Gojo’s stand against Toji demonstrated the sheer power behind those blue eyes.

When the episode begins, we’re met with a very internally dead Geto. Though Gojo tries to cheer him up with his regular silly antics, it’s clear that their philosophies are starting to diverge, threatening their longtime partnership and breaking our hearts into tiny pieces.

Starting from the top:

It is August 2007, a year after the events of the first four episodes. Gojo reveals his evolved technique to Shoko and a somber Geto, who is having some intense and serious internal conversations. Gojo reveals that he can now automatically assess which threats are most pressing, prioritizing them while maintaining his Limitless technique. Geto, feeling somewhat sidelined, questions his purpose as a sorcerer.

The signs of cracks in their bond are becoming evident.

A new character, Yuki Tsukomo, a special-grade sorcerer, is introduced. Her notorious reputation of refusing missions has raised quite a few eyebrows. But what’s more interesting and thought-provoking is her mission – she wants to create a world where cursed spirits aren’t born, providing an alternative to exorcism.

In a tragic turn of events, Yu Haibara, one of Gojo and Geto’s pupils, meets his end during a mission that was supposed to be a simple elimination of a grade-2 cursed spirit. Nanami explains how it all unfolded – the cursed spirit in question had been worshipped as a deity by the local people, which amplified its strength to that of a grade-1 curse.

Geto’s path to darkness takes shape as he kills 112 villagers by using absorbed curses instead of helping the village get rid of them. In doing so, he makes his statement – he wants a world completely rid of non-sorcerers so sorcerers may thrive and be able to keep curses from being born. Or something like that.

Gojo is understandably heartbroken. His best friend, his pal, his bromance partner has become a shell of who he was and has been absolutely corrupted by the chaos that comes with absorbing curses. Gojo chooses not to end Geto’s life after confronting in Shinjuku, emphasizing that salvation can only be sought by those ready to be saved. Geto was very much not wanting to be saved, as we CLEARLY see through what happens next.

Geto takes an even darker path by returning to the Star Religious Group, looking for followers and a platform to gather curses and wealth. When the group members resist his new leadership, he coldly and brutally murders one of them to establish his dominance.

Meanwhile, while we’re recovering from the disturbing scene we just watched, Gojo discovers Toji’s son, Megumi, and notices their striking resemblance. As he attempts to go into Megumi’s powers and family history, Megumi displays a complete lack of interest, already having drawn his own conclusions about his father and why he left him behind. When Gojo mentions the proposition of being sold to the Zenin clan, Megumi says it should only happen if it benefits his sister. Aware that it won’t, Gojo is honest about the fact that no, it will most definitely, 100% not benefit his sister.

We then see a familiar and welcome sight: Gojo waking up to Megumi, Yuji, and Nobara calling his name after being summoned to his office.

Yeah, this episode most definitely left an aftertaste, much like episode 3 when Riko gets abruptly shot in the middle of a very uplifting moment with Geto. I am STILL not over that. Watching these dire moments unfold was still quite the experience for those of us who already knew this is what these events were leading up to. Also, if you haven’t yet, I highly recommend the movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (it’s available on Crunchyroll). It goes deeper into Gojo and Geto’s fallout and feelings after Geto decidedly turns to the… Dark side of the sorcery? Yeah. Something like that.

But for this episode, what stood out the most was the gradual representation of Geto’s crumbling spirit and the complete inaction of anyone around him to do anything about it. You could practically see and hear his breaking point – the Star Religious Group’s applause, the tension-building music. This episode had you walking in his shoes, feeling his transformation bit by bit – an undeniably sorrowful element.

However, the episode did an excellent job when it comes to connecting the past and the present. Understanding Gojo and Geto’s story gave greater clarity to their tragic conclusion. This arc, perfectly executed by MAPPA, provided closure that their relationship’s end deserved.

Now we just have to wait until the next episode.

What did you think of Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 episode 5?