Recently, the Anime series Jujutsu Kaisen took over the world by storm. Originally, the series was released as a Manga by the same name.
Since its release, it has gained immense popularity. The series is known to offer action, adventure, drama, and comedy. It’s also a bit mysterious which really helps stir up the plot.
As it’s a shonen series, Jujutsu Kaisen features multiple iconic fights and action-packed rivalries. These high-intensity battle scenes are what help keep the series moving forward.
The reason why the series has become so popular amongst Manga and Anime fans is that its story plot is extremely interesting and unique. However, the series is also praised because of its relatable characters.
If you’re interested in reading the Jujutsu Kaisen Manga, then you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I’ll be discussing all the basic details you need to know about this series and whether it’s actually worth reading.
You can treat this article as a guide to the world of Jujutsu Kaisen before you actually start exploring the Manga.
So let’s get right to it!
What is manga?
Manga is an umbrella term for a vast range of Japanese-produced and published comic books and graphic novels.
In contrast to American comic books, which are almost always printed in full color, Japanese manga is virtually typically published in black and white. Full-color prints are often reserved for limited editions.
What is Jujutsu Kaisen about?
The story of Jujutsu Kaisen revolves around a high school student named Yuji Itadoru. Yuji joined a secret organization of Jujutsu Sorcerers. He wants to kill a powerful curse known as Ryoumen Sukuna.
He’s a kindhearted teenager who joined his school’s Occult club for fun. However, the members of this club in reality are sorcerers, who are able to manipulate the energy between humans for their own use.
This entire series is based on an age-old conflict that continues to date. Supernatural monsters in this Manga are known as curses who are known to terrorize humanity from the shadows.
The powerful humans in the series are known as Jujutsu sorcerers and they’re able to exterminate these curses using mystical arts.
Yuji Itadori finds a dried-up finger of the legendary curse (monster), Sukuna Ryoumen. Yuji was attacked by a curse that was attracted to the finger’s power.
He tried to protect himself but his reckless decision led to the unleashing of the malicious Sukuna into the world again.
Yuji is able to control and confine Sukuna into his own body. But because Sukuna is a legendary curse, the Jujutsu world regards Yuji as a high-level threat and dangerous enough to be exterminated.
This Manga series is one of the most popular ones of all time. It has been able to sell over 65 million copies all over the world. Since its release in March 2018, there have been 19 tankobon volumes with 180 chapters of this Manga series.
Here’s a video on the complete timeline of Jujutsu Kaisen:
Who wrote Jujutsu Kaisen?
The Manga series, Jujutsu Kaisen, is written by Gege Akutami. Jujutsu Kaisen is one of Akutami’s most notable works and they’re particularly famous for this Manga series.
The Mangaka goes by their pen name, which is Akutami, and their real name, as well as gender, are unknown to the public.
Akutami has written several other Shonen Jump one-shots. These include Kamishiro Sousa and Nikai Bongai Barabarujura. However, these aren’t available in English.
Although their gender hasn’t been confirmed yet, they’re commonly referred to using he/him pronouns. However, the author’s notes left at the end of each chapter are accompanied by a one-eyed cat avatar which made fans assume that the Mangaka might be a woman.
The series’ stellar female cast also adds to this suspicion of the author being a female. Akutami doesn’t reveal anything about their personal life.
A fun fact is that it’s believed that Gege Akutami was inspired by the classic shonen Bleach when writing the Jujutsu Kaisen Manga. The creator has also confirmed this in an interview with the author of Bleach, Tete Kubo.
Their story is about the life of a teenage boy, Yuji, who’s a strong, passionate but also clumsy protagonist.
What makes this Manga series unique is that in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, all living beings can manipulate energy known as cursed energy.
This arises from their negative emotions and naturally flows throughout their bodies. Whereas, normal people aren’t able to control this flow.
What is the appeal of Jujutsu Kaisen?
To begin, the series provides action, adventure, and humor, with a dash of drama and intrigue to spice up the plot. Jujutsu Kaisen, like any other shonen series, offers plenty of bouts and action-packed rivalries that amp up the tension.
The other reasons are the following.
- The Awesome and Unique Lore of Jujutsu Kaisen
- The Character Buildup of Jujutsu Kaisen
- The Antagonists of Jujutsu Kaisen
- The Incredible Fights in Jujutsu Kaisen
Is Jujutsu Kaisen worth the read?
Jujutsu Kaisen is definitely worth a read because of its unique art, design, as well as original plotting of the amazing series by the creator.
Gege Akutami has done wonders with this Manga series. It’s regarded as one of the most enjoyable Manga ever. The art style is pretty amazing.
According to many fans, the characters of this Manga are extremely relatable and help drive the plot until the end. Many people tend to praise the animation and art style of this Manga. The panels and the fight scenes in those panels have their own fan base.
People have described getting goosebumps while reading the Manga. It keeps you on your toes!
The Manga series is also worth reading because of the way it portrays the dynamics of the characters. It focuses on a small main cast, specifically the trio of Itadori, Megumi, and Nobara.
All the characters in the series are incredibly unique and have well-defined personalities.
The Manga series also provides amazing character development, most of which comes from the interactions between the characters. Their personal experiences and fights also highlight the way in which they contribute to each character’s development.
Therefore, I believe that this Manga series is definitely worth investing your time in. You’ll enjoy its amazing art style as well as references and philosophy!
How different is the Manga from the Anime?
Usually, Manga and Anime of the same series are pretty similar. The same is the case with the Jujutsu Kaisen Manga which is identical to its Anime. However, there are a few minor differences.
These differences are in terms of the exclusive scenes which are only available in the Anime. The Anime of the series also has lengthier battles, running gags, and references.
However, one advantage of reading Manga is that there isn’t any censoring, unlike Anime. The enemy has more censorship. For instance, the manga depicts a lot of blood, but the Anime suppresses it.
Moreover, Jujutsu Kaisen Manga and Anime differ in terms of very small aspects. For instance, in the first episode of the Anime, Yuji is tied down in the midst of Satoru’s confrontation. However, this scene doesn’t occur until chapter 2 in the Manga.
However, there are many other aspects that are unique to each, Manga and Anime. Take a look at this table of comparisons between the Jujutsu Kaisen Manga and Anime series.
| Manga | Anime |
| Incredible artwork by the Mangaka | The fights are lengthier and more satisfying |
| The story’s structure is unaltered | The soundtrack adds to the show’s interest |
| Greater focus on character development | Comedic moments have more impact |
| Jujutsu Kaisen Manga is well ahead of the Anime | Side characters and their perspectives highlighted |
Final Thoughts
- Jujutsu Kaisen is written by the Mangaka Gege Atumaki. It was released in March 2018 as a prequel to Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
- Atumaki took inspiration from the classic shonen Bleach by Tete Kobu. They confirmed this in an interview with Tete Kobu.
- Jujutsu Kaisen is about a teenage boy named Yuji Itadori, who has joined the club to become a Jujutsu Sorcerer (powerful being).
- The sorcerers are working towards exterminating the curses who are the supernatural monsters in the series.
- This Manga series is definitely worth the read as it’s appreciated for the unique and stunning artwork as well as amazing characters.
- There are minor differences between Jujutsu Kaisen Manga and Anime. These are in terms of censorship, exclusive scenes, and lengthier battles.