First aired in 2020, Jujutsu Kaisen has made a name for itself as one of the biggest and best shonen anime airing right now. With the Jujutsu Kaisen manga and recent movie success, there is plenty of potential for more content in the future. But, if you’re just starting out, what is the best Jujutsu Kaisen watch order: should you watch the movie first?
About Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen takes place in a world where curses formed from negative cursed energy seek to torment humankind. It’s up to Jujutsu Sorcerers, trained to manipulate cursed energy into powerful attacks, to keep the evil curses at bay.
The main story follows Yuji Itadori, a high school student in an occult club who accidentally finds himself caught between a Jujutsu Sorcerer and a curse when the club unseals a cursed rotten finger. To save himself and his friends, Yuji swallows the finger, unlocking its power for himself.
It turns out that the finger belonged to one of the world’s most powerful curses, Ryomen Sukuna. Yuji is sentenced to death for awakening the power, but the experienced Sorcerer teacher Satoru Gojo offers a compromise: Yuji will train with them to control the power, then find and consume Sukuna’s remaining fingers, after which he will be executed to kill the curse.
The Jujutsu Kaisen series then follows Yuji and other sorcerers as they hone their abilities and fight against curses, all while the relationship between Yuji and Sukuna becomes more deep and complex.
How Many Series and Movies are There for Jujutsu Kaisen?
As of the time of writing, there is only one season of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime. There is also one movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
A second season of the anime has been announced. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 will continue the story from season 1 and is set to release sometime in 2023.
Should You Watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Before the Anime Series?
It is possible to watch the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie before watching the anime as it is a prequel designed to appeal to new and existing fans. Ultimately, it’s up to each person whether they watch the movie first or the series.
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is not just a prequel in the storyline but is based on a manga that was written before the actual Jujutsu Kaisen manga that led to the anime. The movie has been praised for how it allows new fans to enjoy the series, and in terms of story and plot technicalities, nothing is missed by watching the film first and then the series.
The one thing that fans of the original series mention is that the film features many characters that are first introduced in the anime series. Watching the anime first provides a bit more context to these characters, which can lead to a slightly deeper experience with the movie.
However, some people say that watching the film first provides additional information for watching the Jujutsu Kaisen anime, particularly making the villains appear deeper and more intriguing.
Jujutsu Kaisen Watch Order
What order you watch Jujutsu Kaisen ultimately comes down to personal preference – there is no ‘best way’ to watch as both the anime and movie deliver unique experiences in the same universe.
The general consensus is that the best Jujutsu Kaisen watch order is the order of release:
- Jujutsu Kaisen (Anime)
- Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (Movie)
- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (TBC, 2023)
This watch order allows you to follow Yuji Itadori’s journey through his eyes and learn about the world of curses alongside the MC. It also provides a bit more context to the movie, which can enrich the experience.
However, if you struggle to get into the original anime series, it’s recommended that you watch the movie first:
- Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (Movie)
- Jujutsu Kaisen (Anime)
- Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (TBC, 2023)
Watching the movie first introduces the key concepts of Jujutsu Kaisen quickly in an action-packed theatrical release. Then, armed with this additional information, you can understand the background of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime a little more, providing a deeper experience.
Ultimately, there is nothing to be lost regardless of what watch order you choose. You can just sit back and enjoy this wild world of curses and sorcerers!
Related: Who are the Special Grade Sorcerers in Jujutsu Kaisen?