With so much anime out in the world today, finding a binge-worthy one you’d like is a hassle for almost everyone. A quick and easy decision-making factor is simply reading through a recap or a review of the anime. Either of these two always helps one decide whether to give a particular anime series a chance, or just look towards another anime. To help you decide if Jujutsu Kaisen is a good anime, here is a comprehensive recap and review of the first season of the anime series.

Season 1 | Summary & Recap

The World of Jujutsu | Sukuna’s Wrath

Jujutsu Kaisen's first six episodes follow the misadventures of Yuji Itadori, a high school student who is endowed with extraordinary physical prowess. Yuji stumbles upon a cursed item at his school, which pulls him into the world of Jujutsu sorcery. Against warnings from Megumi (a Jujutsu High student), and in a bid to save his friends, Yuji swallows the cursed object, which causes Sukuna, the king of curses, to possess him. As Sukuna goes on a rampage, Satoru Gojo, Megumi’s teacher and the strongest Jujutsu sorcerer alive, steps in and knocks him out.

Seen as a threat by the Jujutsu Sect, Yuji is sentenced to death. However, he is granted the opportunity to postpone his sentence by gathering and consuming all of Sukuna's fingers. With the addition of Nobara Kugisaki, a new student, and their experience with curses on a trial assignment, Yuji's knowledge about curses increases. Afterward, the trio is sent to exorcize a cursed spirit in a prison, but just before they are killed, Sukuna takes control of Yuji's body.

Falling victim to Sukuna's plot, Yuji dies. His death becomes a pivotal moment that affects his friends deeply. While they grieve, a tournament with a sister school is staged. In the meantime, mysterious Suguru Geto teams up with evil spirits in an attempt to imprison Gojo, as he is the main stumbling block to their plots. After some time, Yuji makes a deal with Sukuna to resurrect. He becomes a recluse and trains hard to control his cursed energy under Gojo's guidance. Against Geto’s advice, Jogo, a fire-based cursed spirit, ambushes Gojo and ends up almost losing his life.

Sister School | Mahito

At the Kyoto Exchange Event, students from the Kyoto Jujutsu school, Mai Zen'in and Aoi Todo, arrive. Todo challenges Megumi, revealing the huge gap in their strengths, halted only by the intervention of Panda and Toge, students at Jujutsu High. Meanwhile, Gojo confronts Kyoto's principal, accusing him of endangering the first years and warning of an impending revolution fueled by powerful students like Yuta Okkotsu.

The story then shifts to the disturbing actions of Mahito, a cursed technique user, who manipulates Junpei Yoshino into his sadistic beliefs about the existence of curses. A tragic turn of events occurs when Junpei's mother is killed and Mahito exploits the situation to use Junpei in his fight against Nanami and Yuji. The emotional impact on Yuji intensifies as he grapples with his inability to save everyone.

Nanami engages in a fierce battle against Mahito and is thrown into nigh impossible situations. The conflict deepens with Yuji's attempts to save Junpei, who tragically succumbs to Mahito's manipulation. After attaining a level at which he can use Domain Expansion, Mahito tries using it to kill Yuji, but Sukuna intervenes and nearly kills him.

Kyoto Exchange | Special-Grade Hanami

Going deeper, the story intensifies as Geto, Jogo, and Mahito scheme to collect all of Sukuna's fingers to fully unleash his power and start the age of the curses. Their plan involves invading Tokyo Jujutsu Tech and setting the stage for a clash between the two schools during the exchange event. The Kyoto students, under the orders of their principal, plot to eliminate Yuji discreetly. Meanwhile, suspicions of a traitor within Tokyo Jujutsu Tech emerge.

The exchange event unfolds with strategic confrontations, revealing the tactical anticipation of the Tokyo students. There is some underlying tension and mild enmity between the students from both schools. Yuji engages in a fistfight with the unexpectedly cheerful Todo, who later gives him lessons on using cursed energy and becomes his sworn brother. Simultaneously, battles unfold between other students, exposing their techniques and past traumas.

The event takes a dramatic turn when a veil is cast, and a Special-Grade Cursed Spirit interrupts. The Special Grade, Hanami, proves formidable, prompting Yuji, Todo, and others to face the threat head-on. Gojo's intervention elevates the conflict, culminating in a display of overwhelming power, while Mahito secures one of Sukuna's fingers elsewhere.

Geto’s Plan | Sukuna’s Reveal

After surviving Gojo's attack, Hanami becomes the focal point in the ongoing conflict. Mahito executes a cunning plan to divert Gojo's attention, resulting in the theft of cursed objects and cursed wombs from under the school. Geto hints at a plan to be executed on October 31st at Shibuya, emphasizing the need to seal Gojo away.

The stakes rise as new curses emerge, leading to individual confrontations. While on a mission, the trio are faced with a deadly threat that forces them to confront the harsh reality of killing humans instead of curses. A shocking twist occurs when they discover that Sukuna can still act without taking full control of Yuji.

Season 1 | Analysis & Review

Most Shonen anime have a lot of things in common, aside from being in the same demographic. The opening episodes always briefly tell of the main character’s drive, serving as a guiding principle/excuse for all that they do throughout the series. Just like Jujutsu Kaisen, some well-known anime that fall into this category include Demon Slayer, Naruto, and Hunter X Hunter, among others. While some reviews might not sit well with some people, it is paramount to understand that these are borne purely out of the viewer's perspective, which isn’t always the same with everyone. Nevertheless, if you don’t agree with all I say about Jujutsu Kaisen’s first season, I trust you’d still agree with some. So, let’s get right to it.

Story | 6/10

At the beginning, the story swiftly introduces our protagonist as a high school student, offering initial insights into his personality. The passing of his grandfather births his inclination to do good and aspire to be a "hero," though that term serves more as a placeholder than an accurate description.

The primary issue, in my view, lies not in the anime's rapid start but rather in Yuji’s personality. His singular motivation, derived from his grandfather's encouragement to help people because of his strength, lacks depth (even Principal Yaga confirmed this). It would have been acceptable if the author had delved into Yuji’s past, highlighting the significance of his granddad. Merely stating that his grandfather was there for him isn't sufficient, turning a potentially rich motive into a somewhat dull one that can't carry the weight of a complete personality.

Shifting back to the storyline, the initial episodes introduce not only Yuji but the entire main cast, including Gojo, Sukuna, Megumi, and Nobara, in a remarkably brief timeframe. Honestly, this felt rushed to me. While having the main character appear in the first episode is common, the swift introduction of numerous characters hampers the opportunity to elucidate their motives and roles in the overarching narrative. The glimpses into their pasts provide an inadequate understanding of these characters. Despite variations, the motives seem formulaic – the classic "I must save people because someone affected me in the past."

But here they are, our team embarking on an unending quest to battle curses and protect innocents. While this theme is common in many Shonen anime, with Bleach being the most popular example, JJK handles it quite well. The ranking systems for both monsters and jujutsu sorcerers provide clarity on the danger level of a situation and the character's likelihood of success. This straightforward approach captivates the viewer, making the show easy to follow. What impresses me is the seamless progression from routine missions to confronting a formidable adversary with world-threatening plans. Despite the potential cliché, the execution is commendable. The characters contribute significantly to this, but I'll delve into that later.

The author adeptly bridged the gap between the first and second arcs. In the initial 6-7 episodes, the characters engaged in playful activities, allowing viewers to adapt to the show. Introducing 2 or 3 unexpected twists injected a delightful surprise and a refreshing quality. Then came Junpei, an intriguing and relatable character marking the start of the new arc. The collaboration between Junpei and antagonist Mahito maintained constant tension. The uncertainty of whether Junpei would succumb to anger or follow Itadori to the good side added suspense. This plotline generated new tensions as Junpei's suffering and hatred transferred to Itadori. Consequently, Itadori now harbors a grudge against Mahito and his allies.

And what came next? The quintessential element found in any Shonen anime—a tournament! The experience offers a blend of humor, poignant flashbacks, engaging fights, and a personal highlight—the camaraderie between Itadori and Todo, making it a delightful watch. Anticipating Mahito and Hanami's infiltration wasn't surprising. Their successful escape followed the typical Shonen anime tournament arc pattern: while two groups battle, an enemy group infiltrates, and both groups join forces against the enemy. It's a common occurrence, not necessarily a flaw, but somewhat overused.

So, considering all this, what do we have? A compelling narrative? While the anime does cover these aspects, an internal voice questions the sense of déjà vu, pondering if we've encountered something similar before. It's not a lack of understanding or appreciation; perhaps it's my inability to see the supposed "greatness" of this show. In the end, I refuse to hail it as the next big thing.

While JJK has undoubtedly gained massive popularity, it doesn't distinctly stand apart from most Shonen anime, some of which boast equally captivating concepts. It's executed quite well, admittedly, yet the initial idea faced limitations from the start. As it failed to transcend those boundaries, the story, sadly, remains slightly above average.

Characters | 8/10

Perhaps my take on the story was a bit harsh, and I apologize for that. However, where Jujutsu Kaisen truly shines is in its characters! Well… some of them.

Let’s start with our protagonist, Yuji. Surprisingly, he and Megumi might be considered some of the less captivating characters, at least in my view. Yuji is like vanilla ice cream—edible but not particularly special. His motives and goals seem too straightforward, especially considering the potential to delve deeper into his connection with his grandfather (as I mentioned earlier). While he has his moments of humor and shines occasionally, he remains a typical Shonen main character.

The desire to protect friends, belief in the power of friendship, not the brightest guy around, never giving up, and steadfast commitment to goals—these traits make him somewhat predictable. As an author, you have creative freedom with your characters, but avoiding clichés or executing them exceptionally would have been a preference, as they aren't universally liked. In the end, he's an okay protagonist, developing as expected and doing what you would anticipate.

Now, let's talk about Satoru Gojo. What stands out for me is the perfect synergy between him and Yuji. Their personalities align seamlessly. Dismissing claims that he's a mere copy of Kakashi from Naruto, I find them vastly different. Gojo, apart from his blindfold and strength, shares nothing with Kakashi. Kakashi is more reserved, calmly assessing situations and employing intelligent strategies, while Gojo revels in toying with his enemies. In the fight with Jogo, he enjoys teasing him before unveiling his true skills to finish him off. His playful personality contributes to his likability, making him a character you can't help but appreciate.

Nobara and Megumi not only serve well as companions to Yuji but also stand strong as individual characters. Nobara, with some typically girly traits like a love for fashion and flair for looks, can switch between being serious or silly. Similarly, Megumi, being more on the quiet and thoughtful side, adds diversity to the anime, preventing it from becoming one-dimensional. Despite their pasts shaping their reasons to persevere, their motivations are as uninteresting as Yuji's, representing a missed opportunity for depth. Some could argue that their development linked to their backgrounds is well-executed, but I can only express my opinion.

As for the other characters from the Tokyo school, my initial reaction was disbelief – a talking panda and a guy constantly listing meal ingredients felt like a joke. However, against my expectations, I grew to appreciate them. In particular, Maki left a lasting impression, possibly surpassing Nobara with her strong and independent personality.

The female characters, in general, break away from the typical weak and oversexualized portrayal often seen in other shonen anime – a noteworthy commendation to the author.

This trend also holds for the characters from Kyoto. Among them, one man stands out both in likability and fighting skills – none other than Todo. His charismatic and cool demeanor, paired with his unique search for his one and only brother, struck a chord with me. Initially finding his trademark question odd, I later enjoyed watching him and Itadori form a strong friendship, making their joint battles thoroughly entertaining.

To wrap this up, let's talk quickly about the curses, with Sukuna and Mahito as the main focus. Somehow, Sukuna makes me think of Gilgamesh from Fate because he is both cocky and powerful. "Know your place, fool," his famous line, says it all about him and makes him stand out from other curses. Even though he's not the best, his appearance makes a huge difference and makes him the leader of the weaker beings who think they are strong when they aren't.

There is something strange about Sukuna, especially when he talks about Megumi. He hints at interesting plans that make the whole thing more interesting. On the other hand, Mahito seems like a more likable person. Even though he does horrible things, his consistently goofy and funny nature makes him seem less bad. Because of his character, I feel sorry for him, which makes me wonder if it's a good thing to feel sorry for a bad guy who wants to destroy the world. No matter what, I can't deny that Mahito is an interesting figure, and I can't wait to see more of him in the future.

Art & Animation | 8/10

The action sequences are intense. This isn't your typical action anime where the protagonists just hit each other and win by sheer force of will; rather, the varied abilities of the characters provide a layer of strategy and tactics that makes the action more engaging. The art style is largely constant; looking at it alone, you wouldn't be able to tell it apart from other anime. However, the studio spared no expense when it came to the intricate set design and surroundings.

The animation is silkier than a baby's bottom; the scenes spring to life through rapid camera movements and perspective shifts, yet they aren't so hectic that you lose track of what's occurring or find it boring. From the cursed energy glow-ups to the rushing stream, the animation was very stunning.

When the action sped up, I enjoyed how the animation style would shift to feature different elements, like the ocean and surroundings or the effect of strikes and attacks. The character design is decent in comparison to its predecessors, according to some, but I enjoy it. The appearance of the curses and the people around them is purposefully tailored to their abilities and character traits. Not all of them have significant meaning or planning, but some of them are incredible. In all honesty, it is superb!

Sound | 8/10

Jujutsu Kaisen has excellent music. Despite scenes that have a significant amount of conversation, it is not imposing. On top of that, the anime has some amazing battle soundtracks that get you pumped up for the action. It's not particularly outstanding or groundbreaking, but it serves its purpose admirably. Also, the soundtrack at the beginning and the ending of each episode is just breathtaking; it's been a long time since I've heard music this good. The voice acting is top-notch; this is not surprising given the number of skilled and experienced voice actors who contributed to the production of the anime.

Enjoyment | 5/10

Now it almost hurts to say that in the course of watching the 24 episodes of season one, I couldn’t bring myself to binge-watch it. While it has its iconic and intriguing moments, there are moments it just falls into a boring streak and I just have to take a break from it to get into other things.

To be clear, I don’t dislike everything about JJK, because there are always moments when you’d be like “Woah, what’s gonna happen next?” and then you’d be thrown into a barrage of intriguing, edge-of-your-seat scenes! Or… it just gets into another set of normal scenes. But that happens now and then in other anime too, doesn’t it?

Overall Score | 6/10

From all objective standpoints, JJK remains a Shounen anime all fans must see. While I hope season two offers something better, the first season did its bit of introducing us to the franchise, and now that we know it, it’s surprisingly making waves, and just might be the next big thing.