The 43rd episode (2nd season, 19th episode) of the TV anime "Jujutsu Kaisen", which is based on the manga by Gege Akutami, which is being serialized in "Weekly Shonen Jump" (Shueisha) “Rihi 2”(Right and Wrong, Part 2) was broadcast on MBS and TBS on November 30th. Episode 43 depicted the fierce battles between Yuji Itadori vs. Mahito, and Mahito's clone vs. Nobara Kugisaki. Junya Enoki, who plays Itadori, and Asami Seto, who plays Kugisaki, talked about the behind-the-scenes of the recording.
*Excerpts from the interview are posted here. The full interview and other images can be found on MANTANWEB here.
--Episode 42 (Episode 18 of the 2nd season) A fierce battle was depicted from "Right and Wrong". How did you feel about recording?
Seto: I felt that there was an overwhelming difference in power between Nobara and Mahito. Nobara doesn't even say it, but I'm sure Nobara herself knows this, and I was moved by how she fights to find what she can do to make a difference in this situation. Carrying Nobara's strong heart, I also took on the challenge of dubbing.
Enoki: I think of Itadori as someone who tries to gain his own value by helping others. After witnessing Nanami's final moments, she is overcome with despair at not being able to save the person she trusted, but Kugisaki, who still believes in her worth, fights by her side. I thought that this would be an opportunity for Itadori to look forward again, and I knew I had to make the most of it.
--From episode 42, Kugisaki's impressive scene was drawn. Looking back at the developments so far, what was the scene that left a deep impression on Seto?
Seto: There were many shocking scenes, but the one that really left an impression on me were the flashback scenes. Now that I can see how the current Nobara was formed, I used to say, ``There are only the worst people in the countryside,'' but when I look back on my memories, that's not really the case. This leads me to the last words I spoke to Itadori. I think her "life was not bad", including all her memories of the countryside and her time at Jujutsu High School.
--However, Itadori 's heart reaches its limit when he sees Kugisaki. What kind of thoughts did you put into the word "Kugizaki" that you uttered at that time?
Enoki: I tried to think about myself by applying myself to Itadori. If it were me, I would want to deny it once and for all. Denial, escaping reality, and then despair...I put that feeling into the line ``Kugizaki''. I haven't actually experienced it, so I don't know if it's correct.
Seto: I understand. If I were Nobara, I don't think I would have said things like ``Life wasn't so bad!'' or ``Tell everyone about it'' at the end. But Nobara did. Why is that? I discussed this with the director and theater staff. Each of us has our own interpretation, and once again, the recording session was one in which we felt that it was difficult and time-consuming to find the right answer to the character's feelings.