The 3rd season of Jujutsu Kaisen is characterized by truly incredible animations. Yet, it is a scene where just 2 characters have a conversation that becomes the favorite moment for the Anime viewers.
What kind of scene is it? At the end of the fifth episode of season 3, there is a very long, dialogue-heavy scene. In this, protagonist Yuji Itadori and Kinji Hakari talk to each other in a dark office. They are sitting at a table and drinking together. There is no action or fighting here, just the conversation between the two.
Yet, this very conversation is becoming the highlight of the episode. The special moment receives so much praise that it is even labeled by some fans as one of the best animations ever.
Quiet scene uses special technique
What is special about the scene? The conversation employs a technique called rotoscoping. In this process, real people are filmed acting out the scene, and the animators then draw frame by frame over these real recordings.
This results in extremely realistic movements. Often, subtle body language is enough to convey the feelings and emotions of the characters. For instance, from Yuji’s clothing and the light falling on it, it can be seen that his clothing looks more vibrant than in other scenes. This creates an extremely real and dense atmosphere.
According to a statement by the episode’s director, he even played the part of Hakari and Yuji himself with the director of season 3, Shota “Gosso” Goshozono. The creators apparently filmed themselves to provide the perfect reference for the animators.
However, this technique has gained a bad reputation in the past. The effect doesn’t always align with the physics in animes and therefore seems creepy or out of place to some viewers.
Additionally, many fans are reluctant to remember Aku no Hana from 2013. That anime opted to be drawn completely in rotoscoping. Consequently, the characters did not look anime anymore, but had realistic facial features that many fans found ugly and disturbing (see Reddit).
How is rotoscoping received in Jujutsu Kaisen? The directors struck a chord with the fans using this technique, but the right one. On Reddit, comments are piling up that this is one of the best scenes they have ever seen in the animation realm. Especially the perfect body language has blown away some viewers.
We are excited to see what the next episode of Jujutsu Kaisen has in store for us. To ensure you don’t miss the next episode and know when to tune in on the streaming service, you should keep an eye on the following page from MeinMMO: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: When does Episode 6 come out? Release, time, and streaming service overview
