Jujutsu Kaisen is one of the most popular anime series of recent years, captivating audiences with its dynamic fight scenes, intricate world-building, and memorable characters. If you’re new to the series, it can be a little confusing when trying to figure out the correct order to watch the anime. With its blend of television episodes, movies, and prequels, there’s a bit of navigation required to experience the series in its entirety.
This guide will walk you through how to watch Jujutsu Kaisen in chronological order, ensuring you don’t miss any essential plot points, character developments, or exciting moments.
The Jujutsu Kaisen Franchise Breakdown
Before diving into the watching order, it’s important to understand the structure of Jujutsu Kaisen as a franchise. It consists primarily of:
- Anime TV Series
- Movies (Prequels and Canon Films)
- Special Episodes
The anime is based on the Jujutsu Kaisen manga by Gege Akutami, which first debuted in 2018. It follows the story of Yuji Itadori, a high school student who becomes involved in the dangerous world of curses, supernatural beings that bring harm to humans. Throughout the series, Yuji and his friends battle curses while learning more about the mystical arts of jujutsu sorcery.
The anime’s release timeline can be slightly tricky due to the movie adaptations that are considered part of the main storyline. To avoid spoilers and confusion, watching in the right order is essential.
Recommended Viewing Order
1. Jujutsu Kaisen (Season 1)
The first step in your Jujutsu Kaisen viewing journey is to watch Season 1 of the anime series. Premiering in 2020, this 24-episode season introduces the central characters and sets the stage for the larger conflict involving curses and jujutsu sorcerers. Season 1 focuses on Yuji Itadori’s induction into the world of jujutsu after he swallows a powerful cursed object—the finger of a fearsome curse known as Ryomen Sukuna. Alongside Satoru Gojo, a top-tier jujutsu sorcerer, and his classmates Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki, Yuji embarks on a series of dangerous missions to protect the world from curses.
The episodes provide crucial background on the system of jujutsu sorcery, the nature of cursed objects, and the main antagonist, Sukuna. This season also sets up major themes like the conflict between jujutsu sorcerers and curses and the moral dilemmas surrounding using cursed energy.
2. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (Movie)
After finishing Season 1, it’s time to move on to Jujutsu Kaisen 0, which is a prequel to the main story. The film was released in December 2021 and provides important context for the events in the anime.
This movie follows Yuta Okkotsu, a high school student who is haunted by the curse of his childhood friend, Rika. Yuta becomes involved in jujutsu sorcery after his immense power is discovered, and he is introduced to Satoru Gojo and other sorcerers at Tokyo Jujutsu High. The movie not only explores Yuta’s journey but also delves into the backstory of Gojo and some of the key themes that will become important in later seasons.
Watching Jujutsu Kaisen 0 after Season 1 allows you to gain a deeper understanding of certain characters’ motivations, particularly Satoru Gojo, and how they shaped the events of the main series.
3. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (Core 1 & Core 2)
Season 2 of Jujutsu Kaisen is divided into two cores (part 1 and part 2) and was announced to release in 2023 and 2024. The first core adapts the Shibuya Incident arc from the manga, which is one of the most action-packed and emotionally intense storylines in the series. It explores the consequences of the conflict between sorcerers and curses, as well as the growth of Yuji and his friends. The second core of Season 2 adapts the Hidden Inventory/Premature Death arc, which further expands on Gojo’s backstory, as well as the origins of the infamous curse user, Geto Suguru.
By watching both parts of Season 2, you’ll continue to follow the main story, where new challenges, new characters, and shocking developments will keep you on the edge of your seat.
4. Special Episodes (If Applicable)
Depending on when you begin watching Jujutsu Kaisen, there may be special episodes or OVAs (Original Video Animations) that have been released. These episodes can often be seen as extra content that supplements the main plot and gives additional insight into side characters or events that weren’t fully covered in the main episodes.
These special episodes are typically set between the events of the seasons but are not absolutely essential for following the main story. However, they provide enjoyable filler content and occasionally feature key moments for certain characters, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for any new releases in the future.
Why the Order Matters
The viewing order of Jujutsu Kaisen is not arbitrary. There are two key reasons why following this recommended order enhances your experience:
1. Avoiding Spoilers
Since Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a prequel, it can spoil significant plot points if watched after the main anime series. Watching the movie before Season 2 ensures you don’t encounter any spoilers regarding the origins of major characters, especially Satoru Gojo and Geto Suguru.
2. Building Character Arcs and World-Building
The progression of Jujutsu Kaisen is centered around the growth of its characters, especially Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara. By following the order, you’ll see their transformations in a coherent way. The prequel film also gives you important context about the sorcerers’ world, making later developments much easier to follow and appreciate. Each piece of content builds on the previous one, and watching in the proper sequence ensures you experience the story at its fullest.
Additional Viewing Options: Manga and Spin-Offs
While the anime is the main entry point for most fans, there are also manga adaptations of Jujutsu Kaisen that provide more depth and backstory. If you’re particularly invested in the story, reading the manga can enhance your understanding of the world and its characters. Additionally, there are spin-off manga series, like Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College (which is adapted into Jujutsu Kaisen 0), that give further context to the events of the anime.
While the anime is enough for most fans, if you’re a dedicated Jujutsu Kaisen enthusiast, the manga and side stories will only enrich your experience.
Conclusion
Watching Jujutsu Kaisen in the correct order ensures that you experience the series in the most coherent and fulfilling way. Start with Season 1, move on to Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (the prequel movie), and then dive into Season 2 to continue the journey with Yuji and his companions. Keep an eye out for any special episodes or OVAs that may further expand the story.
By following this guide, you can enjoy the full scope of Jujutsu Kaisen’s thrilling action, deep character arcs, and intense emotional moments, all while avoiding spoilers and confusion along the way. Happy watching!
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