So the latest episode of JJK is causing some controversy. While international audiences universally loved the episode, it was widely disliked within Japan. Detractors argue that the episode prioritized action scenes over emotional weight, and that what was originally intended as a dark and tragic arc ended up as an upbeat revenge fantasy.

To add my two cents to the discussion:

• The episode was a work of art that deserves a high rating off of the animation alone.

• That being said, the shift between the first and second half felt incredibly jarring. In particular, the choice of music felt distractingly bright and cheery considering the content of the episode.

• Some character interactions were slightly altered from the manga, which I felt removed some of the nuance and tragic elements of the scene.

• The Japanese fans are absolutely right that a large percentage of the international anime fandom cares more about hype moments and flashy fights than good writing.

What are your thoughts?