Jujutsu Kaisen is an original manga series written and drawn by Gege Akutami. The highly anticipated anime series adaptation premiered in October 2020. The series follows our main protagonist, Yuuji Itadori, and his adventures after his friends obtain a supposedly possessed object that leads him into a dangerous loom of supernatural curses. So, is the anime worth watching?
This anime series is animated by the famed anime studio MAPPA. From the ground-breaking fight choreography from God of High School to the adaptation of manga Dorohedoro, MAPPA is home to some incredible action. It is no surprise that the audience had high expectations for the animation in this series prior to its release.
It is no overstatement when I say Jujutsu Kaisen completely surpassed my expectations. Right from the beginning, we are presented with a beautifully animated opening sequence paired with an intense theme song from J-pop songwriter Eve. This bold start immediately hooks the audience into the story. The animation for the fight scenes in this anime is also excellently done, and the flow of the action sequences truly makes the audience feel the weight behind each punch. The intricate weaving of lore and magic with real-world laws is quite unique and adds an element of reality and believability to the series.
Furthermore, the show uses the technique “show not tell” frequently. The audience is never shown what a new character’s superpowers are. Instead, we learn more about the characters bit by bit, whether it be through the character’s voice lines or the subtle actions they do. It keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. And thus, every time a new character appears, I instantly want to learn more about them and their background.
Overall, the engaging plot and well-developed cast set Jujutsu Kaisen up for success. From the funny character interactions to the emotional fight sequences, Jujutsu Kaisen is full of elements that make it an anime worth watching.
Written by Tammi Ip
Featured Art by Charmaine Hui
Charmaine is a graphic designer and writer for Island Currents. She’s also an avid cat lover and collector of stationary.
