Jujutsu Kaisen arrived in Weekly Shōnen Jump in 2018 and almost immediately became one of the fastest-growing manga series in history. By 2021, it had outsold One Piece in Japan for that year — a feat almost no series has achieved. This guide explains what the series is, why it matters, and how to start.
What Is Jujutsu Kaisen About?
Yuji Itadori is a physically extraordinary high schooler who, in a single bad night, swallows a cursed object — a finger belonging to the most powerful and evil sorcerer in history, Ryomen Sukuna. Rather than being killed, Yuji becomes Sukuna's vessel, able to contain the curse. Tokyo Jujutsu High recruits him on one condition: he must swallow all of Sukuna's 20 fingers before being executed. What follows is a dark action story about sorcerers who exorcise monsters made of accumulated human malice.
The series is written and drawn by Gege Akutami, who is known for subverting shōnen conventions: characters die permanently, protagonists do not always win, and the story's emotional register is closer to tragedy than triumph. This gives it an edge that distinguishes it from peers.
Manga or Anime?
The anime adaptation by MAPPA is excellent — arguably one of the best-produced shōnen anime of the decade. The fight choreography and visual design are exceptional. Either entry point works well. The manga moves faster and has the complete story; the anime offers spectacular production values for the arcs it covers.
Recommendation: the anime is an excellent starting point for the first two seasons. Continue with the manga from where the anime leaves off, as the later manga arcs have not yet been animated.
What Makes It Different from Other Shōnen?
Three things: the curse system is based on negative human emotions rather than generic magic, which gives the worldbuilding a psychological coherence. The power hierarchy is clear and consistent, meaning fight outcomes feel earned. And the series is genuinely willing to harm its characters — not just temporarily, but permanently. This raises the stakes in a way that most shōnen intentionally avoid. It makes every major battle feel consequential rather than predetermined.
Where to Start
- Manga Plus — Free, official, includes first and latest chapters.
- Viz Manga — Complete archive, $2.99/month. Recommended.
- Crunchyroll — Both seasons of the anime are available. Season 2 covers the Shibuya Incident, widely considered one of the strongest arcs in recent shōnen manga.