Japan and Western Online Audiences Debate on the Latest Jujutsu Kaisen Episode

The release of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 4: “Perfect Preparation” drew in plenty of reactions from the fandom.

However, the reception of this episode was quite split, with a majority of international fans praising the episode’s animation quality, direction and Maki’s satisfying revenge while some Japanese audiences, with a few loud voices online,

One Twitter commentor named makura_aimers was at the center of the supposed backlash thanks to a post comparing the West’s reception of Episode 3: “About the Culling Game” at 7.7 on IMDb and Episode 4: “Perfect Preparation” at 9.8, citing how Western anime fans are blinded by bright effects and animation while getting bored over an otherwise well-presented exposition-heavy episode about the story and lore of the action series.

At the end, his one reply tweet states:

“I’m convinced. Coexisting with foreigners is impossible. Let’s close the country off. Our values are just too different.”

While many took this as a generally-shared sentiment among the Japanese, it has been clarified that many Japanese fans have also gone on to call out the Twitter user for their harsh, disrespectful comments, saying, among other things, that they are disrespecting the effort of animators and are also misrepresenting the sentiments of Japanese people.

One user even pointed out the user’s self-righteous agenda to turn a discussion about anime into one of national isolation.

While tempting to posit this as a manga reader (Japan) vs anime-only (international) debate, there are factors that often define the perception of the work.

The Japanese audience sees Perfect Preparation as a tragic story about the death of a family that should be taken seriously and solemnly, such that they neglect the intentional reference to Kill Bill and its intent to give a satisfying revenge arc.

Meanwhile, the Western audience view Perfect Preparation as a savage revenge story where, after the serious mourning of Mai’s death and catharsis of Ogi’s comes Maki losing her heart and instead entering into her emotionless, detached savagery, such that we also neglect apparent changes to the Zenin characters that are about to be killed by her.

Primarily, this has to do with the contrasting values from both sides.

One Redditor notes that while the West values family, they are more able to understand cutting off or even destroying abusive family members whereas a Japanese viewer reverences the traditional family structure and family values and thus view the Zenin Clan massacre as a tragedy.

Another issue has to be the perception of the “conflicting points”.

For the Japanese, it is the music choices and imagery clashing with the tone of the scenes and the “mischaracterization” of Jinichi Zenin, Toji’s brother.

In the manga, Jinichi immediately responded to Ranta’s confidence in him, since Ranta’s Jujutsu technique, “Paralyzing Gaze”, was holding Maki back, showing that Jinichi was a smart practical fighter.

In the anime, it seemed like Jinichi was taking his time, costing Ranta his life and also making him appear foolish.

Many Western fans have formed a meme around Jinichi “aura-farming” due to taking his time to slowly walk towards Maki, who Ranta earlier said is just like Toji, the man who could have ended the Zenin Clan on a whim.

However, one Twitter user, Masked_saiyan101, has theorized that what the anime was intending to present was that Jinichi simply accepted what was happening, especially since Ranta mentioned that the Zenin Clan is still alive because Toji chose not to destroy them on a whim.

This is shown in Jinichi’s solemn expression and we see that the fight has him be serious as he throws his Missile Fists down on Maki, a final act of pride and respect for the Zenin Clan.

Source: Twitter and Reddit

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