At first glance, Gege Akutami’s Jujutsu Kaisen seems like just another copycat striving to live up to the Shonen Big Three, but looks can be deceiving. It certainly shares common settings and themes with its predecessors, but Jutusu Kaisen has a unique presence all its own that allowed it to forge a new path. Alongside Chainsaw Man and Hell’s Paradise, Jujutsu Kaisen rose to the task, becoming a solid member of the modern era’s Shonen Dark Trio.
When the anime first debuted in 2020, it offered a new perspective on popular story tropes. There are no guarantees for the heroes fans come to know and love along the Dark Trio’s journeys. And because the level of humor they manage to maintain endears fans to beloved characters, the stakes instantly feel higher each time they face an enemy. With Season 2 of the anime just around the corner, extant fans will likely want to prepare with a re-watch, while potential new fans are looking to dive in and get caught up before the premier. Here’s everything they need to know about catching up before Season 2, including where to watch.
What Is Jujutsu Kaisen About?
One of the things that makes Jujutsu Kaisen stand heads above other anime is the diversity of the characters and the attention to detail when it comes to their backstories. When first introducing protagonist Yuji Itadori, he seemed like an ordinary boy who loved baseball. Then he joined the school’s Occult Club at school, and his entire world was turned upside down when sorcerer-in-training, Fushiguro Megumi, tracked the very cursed object the Occult Club was using for their ritual. Itadori had no choice but to swallow the finger in order to protect and save his new friend. As he swallows the cursed finger the spirit of its possessor, Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, overtakes his body with plans to use his new vessel to finish the work he was unable to complete.
Sukuna could never have guessed that Itadori would be able to suppress, and at times even control, his spirit, but the power is still unpredictable. When powerful Jujutsu Sorcerer Gojo Satoro arrives to get things under control, he leads Itadori to the Tokyo Jujutsu High School where his fate is to be decided. Because of the cursed being possessing his body, the administration believes he is too dangerous and will have to be killed. On the other hand, if he can track down all of Sukuna’s finger and consume them, his death at the end will ensure the most powerful curse will never rise to torment the world again.
Itadori accepts his eventual fate, and in the meantime he’s given a chance to learn how to harness his abilities and use them to battle curses. Becoming a first year student alongside Megumi and Nobara, this new world of cursed energy begins to open up around him for the first time. Itadori has no choice but to take it in stride and learn to master his unexpected new abilities. Cursed energy is everywhere, released by the negativity of human emotions like guilt, shame and hatred. Since most people can’t control their emotions, Jujutsu Sorcerers use their magic to battle these curses and protect the world.
And therein lies the darkness of Jujutsu Kaisen. Fun-loving Yuji Itadori has no hope of completing his quest and going on to live a normal, happy life. He was marked for death the moment he swallowed Sukuna’s finger, but even knowing that going into the show, it’s impossible not to get attached to the endearing protagonist who doesn’t even break a sweat when considering his inevitable ending.
Where Can I Watch Jujutsu Kaisen?
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 is currently streaming only on Crunchyroll. Though a premium account is not required, paid subscribers can watch Season 1 parts 1 and 2 without ads. It is also available for digital purchase from Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, Apple TV and Vudu.
Where to Watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0
Prequel to the original series, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 follows Yuta Okkotsu, who is recruited to Jujutsu High School by Gojo Satoru after a cursed spirit named Riki that is attached to the boy kills a group of bullies. Much like Itadori, the higher ups as the school believe Yuta too dangerous to be allowed to live, but Gojo takes him under his wing in an effort to save him and hone his talents.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is streaming on Crunchyroll for premium subscribers only at this time. Premium subscriptions are $7.99/month, $9.99/mnth or $14.99/month and begin with a free 14 day trial. It is also available to digitally rent or buy from Vudu.
When is Season 2 of Jujutsu Kaisen Coming Out?
The upcoming second season of Jujutsu Kaisen debuts on July 6, 2023. It will be available to stream on Crunchyroll to premium subscribers one hour after its debut in Japan. At this time, there is no official news on when English dubs will begin airing.
