"Jujutsu Kaisen" premiered in late 2020, it became popular in a short time and came out as one of the most talked-about anime of the year which is for a good reason. It is Adapted from Gege Akutami’s manga and the season one is animated by MAPPA. It lived up to its hype unexpectedly and has set a new standard for shōnen anime. Because of its memorable characters, perfect blend of fluid animation and high-stakes storytelling, another plus point is an unique world of curses and sorcery. Season one contains 24 episodes, it is one of the best anime I have encountered and I have added this to my top 10 anime list.
Plot and Storytelling
 |  |  |
The story begins with Yuji Itadori, who is a high school student with amazing physical abilities but he has no fixed direction in life. Things started to change dramatically when he had to encounter a cursed object. The cursed object is Sukuna’s finger which draws curses into his school. His friends were in trouble because they were carrying the cursed object of Sukuna and Yuji wanted to protect his friends, so he had to swallow the finger of Sukuna and unwilling became the host of Ryomen Sukuna, who is the King of Curses. Now Yuji's body was taken over by Sukuna and he was supposed to get executed but the Jujutsu sorcerers, led by the enigmatic Satoru Gojo arrived meanwhile Yuji overpowered Sukuna and got back into his own body. Gojo decided to give Yuji a choice, one of them is that he has to join Tokyo Jujutsu High and help them find the remaining cursed fingers of Sukuna, or he will get eliminated immediately....
To be honest Yuji is much better than other shōnen protagonists who has blindly chosen to chase power, Yuji’s motive is to let people die properly and not in fear. This adds an emotional depth to his character and adds deeper importance to every fight.
Characters
Each characters are one of the strongest assets of Jujutsu Kaisen. Yuji is emotionally grounded, witty, good hearted and a refreshing protagonist. He is surrounded by an equally compelling cast. Nobara Kugisaki is unlike the typical female characters she is fierce and independent. On the other hand Megumi Fushiguro's character has intelligence, stoicism and hidden vulnerability. Together, they form one of the best trio and their chemistry brings a perfect balance to the heavy storyline.
Then, there is Satoru Gojo with his carefree personality and over powered abilities which made him the iconic mentors of the most animes. He is both terrifying and comic relief. Gojo changes himself when the situation demands, it's like he knows when to act as his role. He dominates every scene he’s in with his intriguing charisma, but he never has overshadowed the growth of the main trio. Which I feel is a good thing for the show.
The villains are the most intriguing such as Sukuna even though he is inhabiting Yuji’s body, his presence is a living horror, his unpredictable nature and cruelty always keeps the viewers on edge. The cursed spirits such as Jogo, Hanami and Mahito are not only mindless monsters but also intelligent antagonists with chilling philosophies. Particularly Mahito is one of the most disturbing yet a fascinating villain amongst other villains.
Animation and Fight Sequences
 |  |  |
To be honest I have always been a big fan of MAPPA’s animation and they deserves a special praise. Every fight scene in "Jujutsu Kaisen" is a visually incredible. The choreography of the attacks, fluidity and attention to details of each battle is beyond typical action anime. Their fight is not only stylish but also brutal and emotionally satisfying. Also, I can not forget to mention about Gojo’s domain expansion, “Infinite Void,” which is one of the most breathtaking sequences in modern anime. The use of domain expansions cursed techniques adds a fierce element to fights, which makes them look more attention grabbing. The battles are totally engaging and unpredictable.
Themes and Emotional Depth
 |  |  |
"Jujutsu Kaisen" shines with it's different kind of themes such as fear, meaning and death. Well, the struggle of Yuji with his desire to provide people dignified deaths and mortality adds an intense emotional layer to the storyline.
The anime even explores the thin line between monsters and human beings. The antagonist's such as Mahito, his manipulation reflects how fragile human beings identity can be, while Yuji struggles to deal with the most dangerous maniac Sukuna who lives inside him. These psychological undertones has deepen the story of the anime.
Soundtrack
I personally have felt that the soundtrack has enhanced every scene, most of the fighting scenes looked mesmerizing because of it and adrenaline-pumping beats in battle. The opening theme, “Kaikai Kitan” by Eve, is one of my favourite.
Final Thoughts
Well, in my opinion "Jujutsu Kaisen" season one is more than a shōnen anime. The concept of curses, sorcerers, friendship, balance between heart-pounding action and emotional storytelling is mind-blowing. MAPPA’s stunning animation has made it successful. It got hype for it's quality storytelling so I would never say it's over-hyped because I do not believe that.
For newcomers to anime, "Jujutsu Kaisen" is a perfect choice to begin with. For seasoned fans, it can give thrills and emotional weight. Season one leaves viewers with satisfaction and wanting more from the next season. The Season one is an anime that will be remembered for years to come. So, if you still have not watched this anime yet then this a sign to start watching it. I am really excited for the new season and willing to share more of my experiences with you guys. Don't miss this master piece currently it has 2 season and season 3 is expected to arrive in 2026 and I hope the time passes very soon. My ratings for this anime is 10 out of 10.
Here is the trailer
Instagram
Translation by Google Translate
Images are from IMDB
Thumbnail source