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

polygon.com:

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

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

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

Itadorfer offers you a Wiesi, do you accept? #fyp #anime #jujutsukaisen #wieselburger #austria

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 runs into Austrian versions of the main three characters in Jujutsu Kaisen — only they are “Austrian-fied,” given German names, and edited to wear what I can only assume are clothes that evoke specific cultural elements.

For instance, Kugisaki Nobara’s Austrian verison 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?! out loud.

I watched that particular TikTok in the middle of watching the first season. Since it was 2021, and I was at the height of