As fans eagerly await the much-anticipated second season of Jujutsu Kaisen, many of them are returning to rewatch the first. With a lovable cast of characters and one of shonen anime's most innovative power systems, it's no question why the series has already become a cult classic.
Taking the world by storm after being released in the Fall of 2020, the anime's first episode gave the series a strong starting point, and it continued to amaze fans from there. With a great sense of humor and visually stunning action scenes, Jujutsu Kaisen has only gotten better since its first episode.
10 Juju Strolls Are A Hilarious Addition To The End Of Each Episode
Even though Jujutsu Kaisen is a dark fantasy shonen series, it never lost its sense of humor. The addition of Juju Strolls to the end of each episode is perfect. Fans could go from being on the edge of their seats as their favorite characters battle against terrifying cursed spirits, then have something to laugh at by the end of the episode.
These short comedy skits are a great addition to the anime, and fans hope they continue in the second season. Some of the funniest Juju Strolls aired during the most intense moments in Season 1, so it'd be great if they were included during Season 2's Shibuya Incident.
9 Each Story Arc Is Better Than The Last
Only a handful of story arcs have been adapted, but the first season was an action-packed hit. Each arc was better than the last, and none of them fell flat or disappointed the audience. Jujutsu Kaisen hit the ground running after the introduction arc, and only continued to get better.
It wasted no time cutting to the chase about the harsh realities of jujutsu sorcery and got right up in the viewer's face about the true nature of cursed spirits. The series was also quick to make each character's personality distinct from the last, ensuring that nobody faded into the background.
8 The Series Has A Great Sense Of Humor, Unlike Many Of Its Contemporaries
Many shonen series rely on slapstick comedy to characterize the cast. Others have no comedy whatsoever and cement their settings as dark, dreary, and nothing to poke fun at. Jujutsu Kaisen, however, has a unique sense of humor that separates it from many of its contemporaries.
Yuji isn't afraid of making himself the butt of a joke and makes recognizable pop culture references that the audience can latch onto. Gojo is a sarcastic wonder with a snappy one-liner for every situation. Even Nanami's blunt stoicism and bleak view of adulthood are written humorously into the story to show the contrast between him and his peers.
7 Yuji Proved Himself An Outstanding Protagonist
Yuji didn't have a bright future at the beginning of Jujutsu Kaisen, and it seems like his fate has only gotten bleaker as the series progresses. Instead of becoming a tragic anti-hero or wallowing in his sorrow, he continued to be the relatable everyman he was at the beginning of the series. Yuji never lost his smile or his great sense of humor.
He's capable of befriending anybody from all walks of life. However, he's not quick to blindly redeem or forgive his enemies, either. One of the most pivotal moments in Season 1 was when Yuji realized that there's no reasoning with cursed spirits and charged after Mahito with homicidal intent for the first time in his life.
6 Jujutsu Kaisen Is Full Of Well-Written Villains
Villains are always some of the most interesting characters in any work of fiction. However, some shonen series have disappointed fans in recent years with their lackluster and predictable villains. Fortunately, Jujutsu Kaisen gave the viewers what they were looking for.
The patchwork curse, Mahito, pleasantly surprised fans with his eerily happy-go-lucky disposition as he toys with the human psyche. The King of Curses, Sukuna, is still a mysterious figure despite possessing the protagonist. Many of the most powerful villains' cursed techniques haven't even been revealed yet, pointing toward the possibilities for both their power and the potential of cursed energy altogether.
5 The Combined Might Of Yuji, Nobara, & Megumi Outshines Every Other Main Shonen Trio
Yuji reinvents every trope for typical shonen protagonists and exceeds expectations. The decision not to make Megumi become Yuji's rival was genius and broke another shonen stereotype. Nobara is a total spitfire who redefines what it means to be a strong female lead in shonen anime.
Together, they make one of the most badass teams in the genre and continually amaze viewers with their unique dynamics. Unlike Naruto's Team 7 or Attack On Titan's leading trio, none of the characters feel contrived or poorly written. Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi are three well-thought-out individuals who never blend into each other or fade into the background.
4 Jujutsu Kaisen Is Full Of Visually Stunning Fight Scenes That Keep Viewers On The Edge Of Their Seats
Jujutsu Kaisen's fights always live up to the hype. Many fans agree that the fights are hard to process in the manga, so everybody was delighted when the series' best fights were adapted so beautifully in the anime. Gojo's first scuffle with Sukuna was quick but brilliantly executed, showing off just what the strongest sorcerer and the King of Curses were capable of.
Nanami and Yuji's fight against Mahito has one of the most intense in Season 1. It proved Yuji's sheer willpower while characterizing the patchwork curse as an indiscriminately cruel monster. Megumi's battle against the Finger Bearer was a pivotal moment for him that gave the audience a glimpse at the full potential of his Ten Shadows Cursed Technique. Yuji and Todo's fight against Hanami during the Goodwill Event is a visually stunning masterpiece.
3 Jujutsu Kaisen Introduced More Lovable Characters
The world of Jujutsu Kaisen is full of harsh realities, but its lovable cast of characters is a bright spot in an otherwise dreary world. Yuji, Megumi, Nobara, and Gojo are already lovable as they are, but many of the series' side characters are just as praiseworthy.
Toge Inumaki can't say anything beyond rice ball ingredients, but the audience fell in love with him because he's clearly a kindhearted person with a great sense of humor. Maki comes off too strong at first, but she has an inspiring backstory that makes the audience root for her. Aoi Todo is a divisive character, but everybody loves his hilarious bromance with his "best friend," Yuji.
2 Cursed Energy Is Full Of Possibilities, And The Series Gradually Reveals Its True Potential
Many shonen series opt to show off their most overpowered character from the start and use them as an example for the protagonist to eventually surpass. However, Jujutsu Kaisen's cursed energy is a balanced power system with endless potential. Unlike its contemporaries, this series gradually reveals its power system's true potential.
Satoru Gojo is the world's strongest sorcerer, but fans have only seen a fraction of his abilities. Sukuna is the King of Curses, but anime-only fans have yet to see the true potential of his Domain Expansion: Malevolent Shrine. Rika proved herself worthy of the Queen of Curses title in the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie, but that's not the full extent of her powers. Even Megumi's Ten Shadows Cursed Technique is currently unfinished, leaving anime-onlies to wonder what other shikigami he has in his arsenal.
1 Jujutsu Kaisen's World-Building Is More Intricate Than Viewers Initially Thought
Fans were initially unaware of just how deep Jujutsu Kaisen's world-building truly is. Viewers were astonished by the obvious power struggle between the upper echelons of jujutsu society versus average sorcerers. They already have enough on their plate since they're humanity's last line of defense against cursed spirits and users. However, their job is ten times harder with the higher-ups breathing down their necks.
Gojo is the strongest, which gives him political leverage against the higher-ups. Even Gakuganji or the Zenin clan cannot go against Gojo's word since his family now holds the most power. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 introduced Suguru Geto's cultlike tactic to wipe out the non-sorcerers, posing another obstacle for jujutsu society to overcome.