‘Austrian’ versions of Jujutsu Kaisen characters live rent-free in my head

The first arc of Jujitsu Kaisen‘s second season was incredibly propulsive and ended in tragedy. The first five episodes were all set in the past, and after spending some time exploring Gojo and Geto’s tragic backstory, we’re back in modern times.

This fast-paced, action-packed, and ultimately devastating arc was one of the best stories the anime has done, focusing on the show’s most interesting and compelling relationship. It’s bittersweet that the anime is now back in modern times.

But for me personally, it’s not just sad to say goodbye to young Gojo and Geto; it is also very embarrassing to return to Yuji, Nobara and Megumi, because of a certain TikTok from 2021 that broke my brain.

That video is called “Me visiting Jujutsu High in Austria:” and it was posted by TikTok user and cosplayer StoeDan in 2021. In front of a green screen, StoeDan takes a walk through his native Austria and encounters Austrian versions of the three main characters in Jujutsu Kaisen – only they are “Austrian-fied,” German given names, and edited to wear what I can only assume are clothes that evoke specific cultural elements.

For example, the Austrian version of Kugisaki Nobara is called Kuchlsacker Nobarbara and she wears a blue dirndl instead of her school uniform and stands in front of what appears to be a Christmas shop. I don’t know enough about Austrian culture to understand the specific nuances of these exaggerated stereotypes, but boy it’s so funny and satisfying to say Kuchlsacker Nobarbara?! loud.

I watched that particular TikTok while watching the first season. Since it was 2021, and I was at the height of my TikTok obsession and still struggling with pandemic brainworms, ‘Me visiting Jujutsu High in Austria’ drilled into my soul. It’s so infected me now that I can’t refer to any of the main trios Jujitsu Kaisen characters without immediately thinking of their “Austrian-sona” first and then mentally correcting myself.

Itadori Yuji? No, that’s Iterdofer Jürgen and he’s walking around wearing a helmet and overalls, and a Wieselburger beer in his hand. I have to force myself to remember that Megumi isn’t actually called Megumichael and that the name Megumichael doesn’t actually exist.

This wasn’t StoeDan’s first “X Characters in Austria” TikTok – the title actually belongs to his first Video Jujutsu High in Austria, showing Gojo and only Gojo – and it wouldn’t be his last either. He was going to make some more Jujitsu Kaisen TikTokslike videos for other anime, essentially creating a cinematic universe of Anime in Austria. Each of these is pretty funny for anime fans, though none of the others stuck in my head quite as hard as the first one I saw. (Though I’ll give an honorable mention to whoever he swapped Jujitsu Kaisens panda character for a brown bear named braun bear).

StoeDan’s Anime in Austria series seems to have died out in 2022. But while he’s not posting, the new season is back, which means “Me visiting Jujutsu High in Austria” has once again moved to the forefront of my brain, where it lives free to rent at all times.