When I finally jumped on the Jujutsu Kaisen train, I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and wow, I get it now. It has been a while since a new anime got my attention. Despite growing up reading manga and watching anime, this show and many others did not register on my radar until now. Season 1 is one of those rare anime debuts that manages to balance epic fights, emotional storytelling, and laugh-out-loud humor without losing sight of its darker, horror-inspired core.

Yuji Itadori is an instantly likable protagonist, one of the easiest to like. He’s funny, earnest, and compassionate in a way that feels genuine. His first interaction with Sukuna (the demon inside him after swallowing that cursed finger) had me laughing right away, setting the tone for how Jujutsu Kaisen handles its dark subject matter with levity.

Since I saw the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie first, Yuji’s situation, being forced into a “choice” that really isn’t one, reminded me a lot of Yuta’s story, and it highlights that the exorcist council or whatever are quick to dispatch anyone remotely tied to a bad spirit. You can tell that this show isn’t afraid to dish out heavy consequences.

It’s impossible not to notice – at least for me – the Team 7 parallels: Yuji as Naruto, Megumi as Sasuke, Gojo as Kakashi, and Nobara rounding it out with Sakura’s role. But here’s the twist: Nobara, even if her personality rubbed me the wrong way at first, isn’t the useless one like Sakura was at first. She’s fiery, skilled, and refuses to take a backseat. Honestly, the amount of badass women in this anime is refreshing; there’s hardly a damsel in distress in the bunch.

And speaking of Gojo? Seeing him in action is great. He’s cocky, he knows he’s powerful, and he’s funny.

What surprised me most about Jujutsu Kaisen is how well it balances different tones (horror, humor, Action, and Heart). One moment, you’re chuckling at the Kyoto principal randomly pulling out an electric guitar, and the next, you’re deep in a horror-laced fight that feels straight out of a nightmare.

Kento Nanami is the most grounded and serious to me, while Mahito’s twisted philosophy provides some chilling tension but is more fantastical. Junpei’s arc, in particular, really hit me hard. His tragic story, and that quote about pressing a button to kill those who hate you, sticks with you. It was gut-wrenching, frustrating, and honestly cemented Mahito as one of the most despicable villains in the show.

Part of the hype around Jujutsu Kaisen is the animation and the fights, which it absolutely delivers. Every fight feels dynamic, stylish, and specific to each character. Whether it’s Gojo flexing his powers, Yuji by himself, or teaming up with Nobara, or even the smaller scuffles, the action just keeps getting better as the season progresses. And it makes the episodes go by faster.

Season 1 of Jujutsu Kaisen blends humor, horror, action, and heart into one of the most bingeable anime I’ve watched in a while. With its cast of memorable characters, philosophical undertones, and jaw-dropping animation, it’s clear why this show is being hailed as one of the next big thing in anime.

Now I’m more than ready to see where Yuji’s journey (and Sukuna’s ominous deal) takes us next. But I wonder, what did they add or take out from the manga? Because I don’t think I’ll be reading that.

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