How to Watch JJK in Order: The Ultimate Jujutsu Kaisen Viewing Guide

Feeling lost in the world of Cursed Spirits and Jujutsu Sorcerers? With multiple seasons, movies, and OVAs, figuring out the correct order to watch Jujutsu Kaisen can be more challenging than exorcising a Grade 1 curse. Getting the watch order right is crucial because the story builds upon previous events and character introductions. Watching things out of sequence can lead to spoilers, confusion about character motivations, and a diminished appreciation for the overall narrative.

Jujutsu Kaisen has quickly become a modern anime phenomenon, captivating audiences with its dynamic animation, compelling characters, and intricate power system. To truly appreciate the series’ depth and avoid any chronological mishaps, you need a clear and concise guide. This guide will take you through the optimal viewing order, ensuring you experience the full impact of Yuji Itadori’s journey and the epic battles against the forces of darkness.

What is the Correct Jujutsu Kaisen Watch Order?

What’s the correct viewing order for Jujutsu Kaisen, including movies and OVAs?

The generally accepted and recommended viewing order for Jujutsu Kaisen is to watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 first, followed by Season 1, and then Season 2. This order provides the best narrative flow and avoids potential spoilers for earlier plot points that are revealed in Jujutsu Kaisen 0.

While *Jujutsu Kaisen 0* was released theatrically between the first and second seasons, it serves as a prequel to the main series. Watching it first introduces key characters like Yuta Okkotsu and Rika Orimoto, providing context for their eventual appearances and mentions later in the anime. It also establishes the world of Jujutsu sorcery and curse techniques, making the initial episodes of Season 1 easier to understand. Jumping into Season 1 directly might leave viewers initially confused about certain concepts and character relationships that are more clearly explained in the prequel movie. Season 1 should be watched in its entirety, following the chronological order of its episodes. After completing Season 1, proceed directly to Season 2, which covers the Gojo’s Past Arc and the Shibuya Incident Arc. There are no OVAs that are absolutely essential to the main storyline, but some short promotional videos or special episodes might exist that are best watched after completing Season 2 to avoid any potential minor spoilers and fully appreciate the context. Therefore, the core experience revolves around the movie and the two main seasons.

Do I need to watch the JJK 0 movie before or after season 1?

The general consensus is that you should watch *Jujutsu Kaisen 0* after season 1. While *Jujutsu Kaisen 0* is a prequel, introducing key concepts and characters after you’re already familiar with the main cast and world-building of season 1 will enhance your viewing experience and provide a richer context for the movie’s events.

Watching season 1 first allows you to become invested in Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki, and Satoru Gojo. You understand their powers, personalities, and relationships. When you then watch *Jujutsu Kaisen 0*, you’ll recognize how the events and characters introduced in the movie impact the broader narrative of the main series. Certain reveals and connections will have greater weight and emotional resonance.

Ultimately, while watching *Jujutsu Kaisen 0* first won’t ruin the show, holding off until after season 1 is considered the optimal viewing order. It’s designed to give you a more satisfying and comprehensive understanding of the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. After watching *Jujutsu Kaisen 0*, you’ll be primed and ready for season 2 and future installments of the series.

Is there a filler list I should be aware of when watching Jujutsu Kaisen?

Fortunately, Jujutsu Kaisen has very little filler. The anime adaptation by MAPPA has been remarkably faithful to Gege Akutami’s manga, meaning you can largely watch the series in the order it was released without worrying about non-canon content disrupting the main storyline. Most episodes directly adapt manga chapters, contributing to the overall narrative.

While there aren’t filler episodes in the traditional sense (episodes completely detached from the main plot), some episodes might include minor anime-original scenes or expanded content that wasn’t explicitly shown in the manga. These additions typically enhance character development or provide a slightly different perspective on events, but they don’t fundamentally alter the core story or introduce elements that contradict the established canon. Therefore, they don’t qualify as filler that needs to be skipped.

Therefore, it is safe to say you can watch Jujutsu Kaisen in release order without concern that you are missing canon information or watching filler. Any minor additions from the anime are often viewed as improvements to the story, or helpful for characterization.

Where can I stream Jujutsu Kaisen legally and in order?

You can stream *Jujutsu Kaisen* legally and in order on Crunchyroll and Hulu. These services offer both seasons of the anime, including the *Jujutsu Kaisen 0* movie as available, ensuring you experience the story chronologically.

To watch *Jujutsu Kaisen* in order, begin with Season 1 (episodes 1-24), then watch *Jujutsu Kaisen 0* (the movie), and finally proceed to Season 2 (episodes 25 onwards, which covers the Hidden Inventory/Premature Death and Shibuya Incident arcs). Crunchyroll is a dedicated anime streaming platform and typically offers new episodes soon after their release in Japan, often with subtitles in multiple languages. Hulu provides a broader selection of content but still makes *Jujutsu Kaisen* available shortly after release. Keep in mind that streaming availability can vary by region due to licensing agreements. Confirm that the service offers *Jujutsu Kaisen* in your specific country before subscribing. Always prioritize legal streaming options to support the creators and the anime industry, which allows for more high-quality content to be produced.

What’s the difference between the TV series and the movie’s plot?

The *Jujutsu Kaisen* movie, *Jujutsu Kaisen 0*, is a prequel to the main TV series. It focuses on Yuta Okkotsu, a cursed high schooler who becomes a student at Jujutsu High a year *before* Yuji Itadori and his classmates. The TV series, on the other hand, primarily follows Yuji’s story as he becomes Sukuna’s vessel and learns jujutsu alongside Megumi and Nobara.

While both the movie and series are part of the same overarching narrative, they tell distinct, self-contained stories. *Jujutsu Kaisen 0* explores Yuta’s relationship with Rika Orimoto, the cursed spirit bound to him, and his training under Satoru Gojo. It delves into his personal growth and acceptance of his powers, culminating in a major showdown. The TV series, beginning after Yuta has already gone overseas for further training, introduces a completely different cast of characters in Yuji, Megumi, and Nobara, and focuses on their missions, growth, and the escalating threat of curses and cursed spirits. Essentially, the movie provides crucial backstory and context to certain characters and events that are referenced in the TV series. For example, it establishes Suguru Geto’s motivations and actions, which directly impact the events that unfold in the main storyline. Although not essential for understanding the core plot of season 1, watching *Jujutsu Kaisen 0* enriches the viewing experience by providing a deeper understanding of the world, characters, and underlying conflicts present in the TV series.

Can I skip anything in Jujutsu Kaisen and still understand the story?

While it’s technically possible to skip certain episodes or arcs in *Jujutsu Kaisen* and still grasp the main plot, it’s highly discouraged as you’ll miss crucial character development, world-building details, and setup for future events. Skipping content will likely lead to a less enriching and potentially confusing viewing experience.

Each arc in *Jujutsu Kaisen*, even those that seem less directly connected to the central conflict, contributes to the overall understanding of the characters’ motivations, the intricacies of the Jujutsu world, and the escalating stakes of the story. For example, seemingly “slice-of-life” moments often offer valuable insights into the relationships between the main trio and their mentors, highlighting their growth and vulnerabilities. These smaller moments ultimately inform their decisions and actions later on in the series, impacting your emotional investment in the characters.

Furthermore, skipping arcs can result in confusion regarding specific cursed techniques, domain expansions, and power scaling. These elements are often introduced gradually, and skipping the introduction of a technique or character can make subsequent appearances less impactful or completely perplexing. To fully appreciate the nuances of the plot and the complex relationships between characters, it’s best to watch *Jujutsu Kaisen* in its entirety.

Is there a recommended watch order for someone new to anime?

For Jujutsu Kaisen, the recommended watch order is straightforward: start with the first season of the anime (24 episodes), then watch the prequel movie *Jujutsu Kaisen 0*, and finally, proceed to the second season. This order ensures you experience the story chronologically and understand character relationships and backstories as they’re intended to be revealed.

The reason for watching *Jujutsu Kaisen 0* after the first season, despite it being a prequel, is that the first season introduces the core concepts, characters, and power system of the world. Watching the movie afterward then provides crucial context and backstory for Yuta Okkotsu and other characters who become more relevant in later arcs of the main series, particularly during the second season. Jumping straight into the movie could spoil some reveals and make the overall experience less impactful. Following this order provides the best viewing experience, allowing you to fully appreciate the narrative progression and character development. The second season builds upon the events of both the first season and the movie, resolving storylines and exploring themes that are set up earlier. Therefore, watching in the intended order is crucial for understanding the full scope of the Jujutsu Kaisen universe.

Alright, you’re all set to dive into the world of Jujutsu Kaisen! I hope this guide helped clear up any confusion and gets you started on your journey with Yuji and the gang. Thanks for reading, and enjoy the ride! Be sure to check back for more anime recommendations and guides in the future. Happy watching!