One finger. One Choice. A lifetime of Curses. When Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 Episode 1 premiered, we thought we were getting another school-life action anime. Instead, we got a dark, psychological descent into a world where your own negative emotions can kill you. With Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 finally hitting screens this month, we’re revisiting the main characters of Jujutsu Kaisen and the moments that turned this series into a global phenomenon.
Why the Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 Trailer Broke the Internet
When the first Jujutsu Kaisen trailer dropped, fans were blown away by the animation quality from Studio MAPPA. It promised a dark, supernatural world filled with “Curses”, monsters born from human negative emotions. If you haven’t seen it yet, the Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 trailer perfectly sets the moody, high-stakes tone of the series, showing off the flashy combat and the eerie atmosphere that makes the show so unique.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 official trailer released in 2020
Quick Stats: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 at a Glance
- Total Episodes: 24
- Production Studio: Studio MAPPA (known for Attack on Titan & Chainsaw Man)
- Must-Watch Episodes: Episode 19 & 20 (The Yuji & Todo vs. Hanami fight)
- Current Status: Season 3 (The Culling Game) is rumored to currently airing as of January 2026!
- Streaming Platforms: Available on Crunchyroll and Netflix
Main Characters of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1
What really builds trust with the audience is the cast. The main characters of Jujutsu Kaisen aren’t just your typical “power-up” heroes; they feel like real people with real motives.
- Yuji Itadori: The heart of the show. He’s brave, kind, and carries a heavy burden.
- Megumi Fushiguro: A serious, talented sorcerer who uses “Shikigami” (shadow monsters) to fight.
- Nobara Kugisaki: A refreshing female lead who is just as tough and stylish as she is skilled in combat.
- Satoru Gojo: The cool, overpowered teacher who quickly became the face of the franchise.
Quick Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 Recap
[SPOILER WARNING]
The following contains full plot details for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 (Episodes 1-24). Proceed only if you have watched the season or wish to be fully spoiled.
- Episode 1: Yuji Itadori’s life flips when he swallows Sukuna’s finger to save his friends. Satoru Gojo intervenes, giving Yuji a choice: immediate execution or finding and eating all 20 fingers before dying.
- Episode 2: Yuji travels to Tokyo Jujutsu High. After an interview with Principal Yaga, he proves his resolve to seek a “proper death” and is officially enrolled.
- Episode 3: We meet Nobara Kugisaki. The trio’s first mission in an abandoned building reveals Nobara’s tactical brilliance and Yuji’s raw power.
- Episode 4: A “Cursed Womb” appears at a detention center. The trio is outmatched by a Special Grade; Megumi escapes while Yuji lets Sukuna take over to win the fight.
- Episode 5: Sukuna refuses to switch back and rips out Yuji’s heart. Before “dying,” Yuji has a final conversation with Megumi, who reveals his personal reasons for being a sorcerer.
- Episode 6: While the world mourns Yuji, he strikes a secret “Binding Vow” deal with Sukuna in his innate domain to come back to life. Gojo begins Yuji’s secret training using movies to control cursed energy.
- Episode 7: Gojo is ambushed by the volcano-headed curse, Jogo. Gojo uses this as a “field trip” for Yuji, revealing his face and his terrifying Infinite Void Domain Expansion for the first time.
- Episode 8: We meet the Kyoto students (Mai and Todo). Tensions rise between the schools, and the villains (Geto and Mahito) plot to seal Gojo.
- Episode 9: Yuji investigates “bloated” corpses with Kento Nanami, a professional sorcerer. We are introduced to Mahito, a curse born from human hatred of other humans.
- Episode 10: Yuji befriends Junpei, a bullied boy being manipulated by Mahito. Nanami fights Mahito in the sewers and realizes the curse can reshape human souls.
- Episode 11: Nanami nearly dies in a collapse, while Mahito tricks Junpei into attacking his school. Yuji arrives to stop him, leading to a tragic confrontation.
- Episode 12: Mahito transforms Junpei into a monster right in front of Yuji. In a fit of rage, Yuji pummels Mahito, discovering that he can damage Mahito’s soul because he shares a body with Sukuna.
- Episode 13: Nanami and Yuji team up for a 2-on-1 fight against Mahito. Mahito expands his domain, but Sukuna retaliates from within Yuji, forcing Mahito to flee.
- Episode 14: The Kyoto Event begins! Yuji “surprises” his classmates by jumping out of a box, but the reunion is awkward as the Kyoto principal orders Yuji’s assassination.
- Episode 15: The battle starts. Aoi Todo singles out Yuji, but instead of killing him, he starts “teaching” him how to fight better after realizing they have the same taste in women.
- Episode 16: Panda fights Ultimate Mechamaru in a battle of “cursed corpses.” We learn Panda’s secret three-core system and Mechamaru’s tragic backstory.
- Episode 17: The women of JJK take center stage. Nobara and Maki showcase their power, with Maki proving she is a beast despite having zero cursed energy.
- Episode 18: The “game” is interrupted when a veil drops. The Special Grade curse Hanami invades, forcing students from both schools to fight for their lives.
- Episode 19: Yuji and Todo team up against Hanami. Yuji successfully lands four consecutive Black Flashes, a feat that marks his evolution into a top-tier sorcerer.
- Episode 20: Todo reveals his “Boogie Woogie” technique (swapping places by clapping). The fight is a masterpiece of choreography until Gojo arrives and clears the field with Hollow Purple.
- Episode 21: A “breather” episode. The schools finish the competition with a game of baseball to decompress after the near-fatal invasion.
- Episode 22: The trio investigates a series of mysterious deaths at Yuji’s old middle school. They discover a “cursed bridge” and encounter the Death Painting brothers.
- Episode 23: Megumi faces a Special Grade alone and finally “breaks his shell,” unleashing an incomplete Domain Expansion to claim victory and a Sukuna finger.
- Episode 24: Yuji and Nobara engage in a gory fight against brothers Eso and Kechizu. Nobara uses her “Resonance” to turn the brothers’ own poison against them, ending the season with a brutal win.
What Makes Jujutsu Kaisen Different?
One of the biggest reasons this series ranks so high in fans’ hearts is that it doesn’t follow the “standard” rules of action anime. While most shows focus on the power of friendship, Jujutsu Kaisen focuses on the harsh reality of being a sorcerer.
MAPPA’s Incredible Animation
If you watch the Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 trailer again, you’ll notice how fluid the movements are. Studio MAPPA (the same studio behind Attack on Titan Season 4) used a mix of traditional hand-drawn art and 3D backgrounds to make the fights feel cinematic.
When you get to the middle of the season, specifically during the Kyoto Goodwill Event Arc, the animation reaches a whole new level. The way the main characters of Jujutsu Kaisen move during combat, especially Yuji and Todo’s teamwork, is often cited by critics as some of the best action choreography in the last decade.
The Power System: Cursed Energy
To truly understand our Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 recap, you have to understand “Cursed Energy.” In this world, negative emotions like fear, hatred, and grief create monsters. Sorcerers use those same bad feelings to power their own attacks.
It’s a “dark” system that adds a lot of weight to the story. Unlike other shows where characters get stronger just by screaming louder, JJK characters have to use strategy, math, and even “Binding Vows” (making a deal with yourself) to win.
Key Moments You Can’t Miss
If you go back and re-watch Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 Episode 1, you see Yuji make a deal with Sukuna. This “deal” is a ticking time bomb that hangs over the entire first season.
Other standout moments include:
- The Introduction of Nanami: A “salaryman” sorcerer who treats hunting monsters like a boring 9-to-5 job. He provides a great contrast to the younger characters.
- Domain Expansions: This is the peak of Jujutsu sorcery. When a character like Gojo or Sukuna uses a “Domain,” the entire art style of the show changes, creating a beautiful but deadly environment that is impossible to escape.
Why Season 1 Still Holds Up
Even as the series moves into much darker territory in later seasons, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 remains the perfect entry point. It balances humor with horror in a way that feels natural. You’ll find yourself laughing at the main characters of Jujutsu Kaisen during their school lunch breaks, only to be on the edge of your seat five minutes later when a high-stakes battle begins.
This balance is exactly why the show gained so much “trust” from the community, it knows when to be funny and when to be dead serious.
Final Verdict: Is It Worth the Hype?
After looking back at the Jujutsu Kaisen season 1 recap, the answer is a resounding yes. The series succeeds because it treats its audience with respect, it’s not afraid to be dark, complex, and emotionally challenging.
While Jujutsu Kaisen season 1 episode 1 starts with a familiar “school life” feel, the season quickly evolves into something much deeper. Whether it is the stunning fight choreography or the relatable struggles of the main characters of Jujutsu Kaisen, there is something here for every kind of fan. It’s a rare show that lives up to the massive expectations set by its own trailers.
Where Can You Watch It Now?
If you want to experience the journey for yourself, Jujutsu Kaisen season 1 is widely available on major streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and Netflix. For those looking to stay up to date, the brand-new Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game has just begun airing this January 2026, so now is the perfect time to finish your re-watch and join the conversation.
Final Thoughts
Jujutsu Kaisen isn’t just about flashy powers; it’s about the “proper death” Yuji seeks and the bonds formed in a world filled with curses. If you haven’t started yet, stop waiting and go watch the Jujutsu Kaisen trailer, your next favorite anime is waiting for you.
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