In only a single season, MAPPA’s adaptation of Jujutsu Kaisen managed to have probably the greatest debuts in recent times, with a extremely anticipated second season due subsequent yr. That success has now been translated into the upcoming U.S. theatrical launch of Jujutsu Kaisen 0, a prequel that goals to supply a brand new viewpoint on the supernatural world born from Gege Akutami’s 2018 manga. The movie launched in Japan late final yr and have become a smash, breaking field workplace data and forcing theaters to broaden their unique restricted screenings.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 treads a few of the identical floor as the primary anime—a teenage boy discovers that Japan is crammed with malevolent spirits known as Curses, and joins the ranks of the Jujutsu Sorcerers who exorcise them—however shifts the primary character from charming meathead Yuji Itadori to Yuta Okkotsu. An extraordinarily shy and always anxious boy following the loss of life of his childhood love Rika, Yuta finds that his childhood good friend has herself since grown into a robust Curse that ruthlessly assaults anybody who tries to hurt him. 0 is origin story for Jujutsu Kaisen with a extra emotional, romantic core than these tales often have, and by chance, Yuta received’t be alone as he begins to really alter to his uncommon scenario.

Several of Jujutsu Kaisen’s heroes we’ve met within the present already, it seems, turn out to be main gamers in Yuta’s journey. Sporting barely new seems to be and possibly a bit rougher across the edges than how followers had been launched to them again in season one (in any case, they are youthful and fewer skilled), these fan favourite Sorcerers—the weapons professional Maki Zenin, Cursed speech person Toge Inumaki, a literal Panda named Panda, and their silly mentor Satoru Gojo—are a welcome presence all through the movie and make up a few of Jujutsu Kaisen 0’s finest moments. Plus Yuta will want all the assistance he can get, for the reason that evil Sorcerer Suguru Geto is being introduced over from the present as nicely.

Ahead of Jujutsu Kaisen 0’s theatrical launch within the west later this week, io9 talked to the newcomers of Jujutsu’s English solid, Kayleigh McKee (Yuta Okkotsu) and Anairis Quiñones (Rika Orimoto), together with its veterans—Allegra Clark (Maki Zenin), Matthew David Rudd (Panda), Xander Mobus (Toge Inumaki), Kaiji Tang (Satoru Gojo), and Lex Lang (Suguru Geto)—in regards to the latest addition to the hit collection.

Justin Carter, io9: These characters—Maki, Inumaki, and Panda—had been largely used as comedian aid again in season one. How’s it really feel getting the area to be extra fleshed out and carry some heavier materials?

Allegra Clark: Getting to play all the degrees of Maki was actually enjoyable. In the primary season, she’s performed for comedy, however she’s additionally extra critical of the three of them. There’s a lot extra anger in her right here within the film, and enjoying the sooner components of her arc earlier than she will get to loosen up had been so fascinating to do.

Xander Mobus: I like the dynamic that these three have within the present, and all of us received these little moments to trace at what was happening beneath. They’re all very goofy, however they’re nonetheless highly effective Sorcerers, so it was enjoyable simply going balls to the wall for the movie.

Matthew David Rudd: Panda’s function is so completely different from the others, because it’s extra of a nurturing function. He’s very massive brother or fatherly, only a accountable particular person hat you’ll be able to depend on. And isn’t simply translating for Inumaki, he’s emotionally translating what characters can’t categorical and ensuring Yuta feels comfy on this group. He’s kinda just like the coach in junior excessive. [laughs]

io9: It’s fascinating that you just say that, Matt, as a result of Panda feels precisely the identical right here as he does within the collection. Maki and Inumaki have meaty moments with Yuta, however Panda doesn’t. Do you suppose he wanted a solo journey to have a bonding second with Yuta?

Rudd: I’ve received a lot affection for Panda, and I like that he’s there to maintain everybody afloat. He’s right here extra for emotional growth moderately than the bodily, and he’s received moments with each character. It’s what he does within the present too; with Nobara [in episode 16], he takes a success that will’ve killed her. In this film, he doesn’t care if he lives or dies, he’s simply right here to guard his pals. I like that about him.

Clark: This class of children is so fascinating since you’ve received a child who can barely communicate, one who’s a little bit of a dick, and… Panda. Oftentimes, Panda is comedian aid, however beneath all of it, there’s a lot heat and caring. When you see him go full protector, it looks like a full end result of who he’s.

io9: Kayleigh, Anairis, because the leads of the film, the connection your characters have drives every thing occurring within the movie. How was it having to do that romance that’s each real and idyllic, but in addition deeply tousled for the each of them?

Kayleigh McKee: To painting it on my finish with Yuta was actually fascinating. He’s received such conflicting emotions, and he doesn’t actually know what to do with himself! I really feel like he’s each joyful and scared that Rika’s there, so it’s a battle inside, each about her and himself. He nonetheless carries that survivor’s guilt.

Anairis Quiñones: For me, I’m an enormous fan of psychological issues. It was actually enjoyable to determine what the dynamic was between Rika and Yuta, and it says lots about how a lot they cared for one another. I feel that the movie does an actual good job of exploring their relationship, each by way of how Yuta embraces her and is typically petrified of her, and the way Rika herself responds to that.

io9: More than something, JJK 0 is a love story, and shonen anime doesn’t at all times do romance nicely. To you, what’s it that makes an ideal shonen romance?

Quiñones: What actually makes a shonen romance for me is the lengths that one character will go to for one more, or extra apparently, what they’ll do for one another. So many shonen protagonists will go on a grand journey for the individual that they love, however the associate doesn’t get a lot.

McKee: It’s a complexity of character. The data of how they received to the place they’re greater than them simply pondering that they’re cute earlier than they wind up collectively. Having one thing greater than that, just like the care between two folks actually exhibiting they usually settle for these traumatic incidents actually will get to me. Even although Rika’s a toddler, there’s nonetheless a play between them and a complexity between their interactions. It’s each very compelling and candy, in addition to type of unhappy to see.

io9: Even with Rika hanging round him, Yuta’s most likely probably the most regular particular person on this universe. But he’s talked up as a giant deal within the anime, and is predicted to turn out to be fairly highly effective down the highway. What was your method in retaining him relatable regardless of all that?

McKee: I knew characters had a sure vitality when Yuta was talked about, and once we first began recording strains, I might see that he’d begin to come into his personal. I used to be very all in favour of exploring that, but in addition ensuring his evolution was as natural as doable. He’s a traumatized teen, and he is aware of he’s received a ghost defending him and killing folks. Going from that to studying that he can shield folks kicks off one thing inside him offers him some hope for his personal scenario. Connecting with the opposite characters at Jujutsu High helps give him a brand new semblance of regular, and he begins to suppose that he can have a brand new life for himself.

io9: Kaiji, Lex, this film peels again a few of the historical past between Gojo and Geto. But the rationale for the fallout between the 2 males received’t be revealed till season two, what was it like exploring their relationship in reverse order?

Kaiji Tang: It’s been… fascinating. You don’t get quite a lot of perception on their relationship in season one, however now that it’s being launched by the movie, each the viewers and us as actors have a greater understanding about the entire story about Gojo. Geto’s been such a gift drive within the story to date, and when you acknowledge his ideology and viewpoint, and the way it conflicts with how tight he and Gojo was once, it’s actually heartbreaking.

Lex: Geto’s in a unique state of being for the collection, and so for the movie, we get to see him as he’s crammed with life. Because he’s very ideological, you get a greater sense of what he believes in, the place he was dissatisfied in life, and the place his life took a flip. There’s just a few flashbacks the place you uncover what his and Gojo’s relationship is made out of, and the way they had been finest pals at Tokyo Jujutsu High as classmates. You see how their earlier experiences collectively actually outline the place they’re within the timeline of the movie.

io9: Your characters are each extremely highly effective, however many of the preventing is completed by their allies respective followers moderately than themselves. Geto’s actively assembled followers, however Gojo simply occurs to be an teacher whose college students are considerably obligated to comply with him. What is it about your respective characters that you just suppose that makes Yuji, Yuta, Mahito, and so forth so keen to comply with them?

Tang: [laughs] Yeah, Gojo’s one of the highly effective Sorcerers on the earth, almost a messiah determine. But to the youngsters, he’s only a beneath common trainer, and it’s simply the funniest factor on the earth how they deal with him with such disrespect!

Lang: Speaking for Geto, I’d say that he’s received good intentions, however he’s actually flawed. His ideology has taken him on a path exterior of compassion and empathy. As a viewer, you’ll be able to type of relate and need him to get again on monitor. It’s touching as a result of we join with our hearts to what they’re going by. He’s not making an attempt to be a villain, he’s simply overwhelmed by his ideology as a result of he’s been harm and dissatisfied by humanity so many instances.

Tang: For Gojo, I feel being born with a loopy quantity of Jujutsu vitality made it laborious for him to attach with folks, he was mainly in Gojo World. It’s a reasonably lonely life, and once you come throughout one other character on the identical stage, after all you’re gonna join with them! Really highly effective characters at all times draw a sure sect of individuals. I really feel like quite a lot of their magnetism comes from the truth that they’re bigger than life, however it may additionally isolate you. And that’s what makes Gojo’s break up from Geto all of the extra tragic.

Both of those guys are two sides of the identical coin: Geto thinks he’s appropriate, and Gojo thinks he’s appropriate. Ultimately, it finally ends up being worse for each of them, however that’s the weak spot of character and ego that they share with everybody. Being so inflexible in life hardly ever rewards you ultimately, and I feel we see that play out for each these characters.

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 releases in theaters on March 18.

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