Honestly? I wasn’t expecting much.
I’d seen all the hype. Everyone was talking about Jujutsu Kaisen. Social media was filled with Gojo memes, fan art, and dramatic anime fights. But I’ve seen flashy shows before—great animation, but sometimes all the hype would be just overboard.
One lazy Saturday evening, I opened Netflix out of boredom. I had just finished another show, and Jujutsu Kaisen popped up in the “most popular” tab. I hesitated. Then I clicked.
The first few minutes were quiet just a boy, a dying grandfather, and a strange sense of something bigger creeping in. But when that boy—Yuji Itadori, swallowed a cursed finger to save someone else…
I knew this wasn’t going to be just another action anime.
I got interested immediately, I was hooked.
Jujutsu Kaisen is an anime series that takes place in a world where curses (hatred, fear, and sorrow are the negative human emotions that give birth to curses) freely exist. They lurk in hospitals, in schools, in train stations and even in quiet homes. And only some special individuals like Jujutsu sorcerers are able to see and combat them.
Our protagonist Yuji Itadori is not really a hero. He is a typical teenager with unbelievable strength and a heart that has overly many cares. Once he consumes one of the most deadly cursed items, which is the finger of Ryomen Sukuna, the King of Curses, he becomes the vessel of Sukuna.
However, he does not lose himself; Yuji makes a decision: when he has to die at some point, he will do it in benefit of people. He is seeking a meaningful death.
That was what did me.
It was that single decision, a decision filled with tears, anger and optimism, that set everything in motion.
Yes, Jujutsu Kaisen has incredible battles. The animation is crazy- liquid, quick, and colorful. The mannerism of the characters with the manner of moving, screaming, and even bleeding, is all natural.
However, the combats are not only about cool moves.
Each battle has a lot of emotion. It doesn t matter whether Yuji is trying to deal with his guilt, Megumi with his silent sorrow, or Nobara with the impetuous pride, every battle is a tempest of emotions brought outward. When Gojo gets all out, or when Yuji and Todo are perfectly synchronized together, it is not that there is adrenaline. It’s art.
What is my favorite moment? In the fight between Yuji and Nanami and Mahito.
It was not just a battle, but a lesson of humanity. Mahito is a curse, which experiments with human souls. Seeing Yuji attempting to rescue innocent human beings and at the same time attempting not to lose his own sanity... it broke me.
This story really got me asking myself some questions like
What Does It Mean to Live a “Good Life”?
Yuji’s grandfather told him: “Help people. Die surrounded.” That one line shaped his journey. But as he loses more people, and as the weight of death piles up, Yuji begins to wonder—what if I can’t save everyone?
That question haunted me too. It’s so easy to feel powerless in our real world. So watching Yuji struggle, really struggle—with grief, guilt, and purpose, felt deeply personal.
Gojo Satoru, who is, most likely, the strongest character in the manga, teaches us this in every scene. He’s strong. It is so powerful it is frightening. However, he is lonely. Seeing him smile underneath that blindfold, and laugh at stupid jokes, and yet have the burden of the need to protect everyone on his shoulders- that made me respect more than the hype.
The series keeps telling us: power alienates. But these characters continue to engage in fighting not on their behalf.
I also learnt that Pain Is Inevitable. What We Do With It Defines Us. Jujutsu Kaisen doesn’t shy away from pain.
Characters die. Innocent people suffer. And there are no perfect endings. But somehow, it never feels hopeless.
There’s always a spark of resistance. A clenched fist. A voice screaming, “Not today.”
That’s what makes the story unforgettable.
During the show, I felt everything. Anger. Laughter. Fear. Love.
Watching Yuji cry after witnessing his first loss… it reminded me of my own moments of helplessness. Watching Nobara fight with blood on her face and pride in her heart that reminded me that confidence doesn’t mean you’re not afraid. It means you fight anyway.
And after the final episode of season one, I just sat there. Still. Thinking.
About people I miss. About pain I carry. About how we all have curses internal ones fears, doubts, traumas.
But like Yuji, we get up. We fight. Not because it’s easy, but because someone else might need saving. Even if that person is ourselves.
Jujutsu Kaisen may appear to be a popular anime. However, it is not just about curses, fights, and slick visuals.
It is the story of making the right choices in a mean world. Approximately, about bearing the pain without letting it corrode your heart. Losing people and yet continuing your forward motion not because you are unscathed, but because they would prefer you to.
It helped me recall that our vices, be it the fleshly or emotional demons, do not define us. It is not who we are, but how we come back up after being broken.
Therefore, in case you are in need of a show that will excite your eyes, break your heart and sew it back up with hope and fire, then you should look no further than Jujutsu Kaisen.