Few modern anime series have taken the world by storm as rapidly as Jujutsu Kaisen. Gege Akutami’s dark fantasy about cursed spirits and the sorcerers who exorcise them has attracted millions of viewers with its fluid animation, complex characters, and unrelenting tension. As new anime seasons and a feature film expand the story, new fans and rewatchers alike are asking one question: what is the best order to watch everything? The franchise now includes the original 2020 television season, the prequel movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0, and a sprawling second season that covers two separate arcs—one set years before the main plot and one that pushes the present-day narrative into its most devastating territory. This guide breaks down both chronological and release order approaches, explains the timeline, and helps you craft the viewing experience that suits your style.

All the Anime in the Jujutsu Kaisen Universe

Before comparing orders, it’s worth mapping exactly what has been animated so far. The core anime series is produced by MAPPA and streams internationally on Crunchyroll. Here is every major installment:

  • Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 (October 2020 - March 2021, 24 episodes). Adapts the manga from the beginning through the Death Painting arc, introducing Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki, and Satoru Gojo, and ending with the thrilling Kyoto Goodwill Event and the beginnings of deeper conspiracies.
  • Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (December 2021, feature film). A theatrical adaptation of Gege Akutami’s prequel manga volume, originally titled Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical School. It follows Yuta Okkotsu, a student haunted by the cursed spirit of his childhood friend Rika, and his introduction to Jujutsu High a year before Yuji’s story begins. The film was a box office hit and is essential canon.
  • Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (July - December 2023, 23 episodes). Split into two distinct parts:
    • Hidden Inventory / Premature Death (Episodes 1-5). A flashback arc set in 2006, exploring Gojo and Geto’s high school days and a pivotal mission that reshapes the jujutsu world.
    • Shibuya Incident (Episodes 6-23). A direct continuation of the main storyline starting on October 31, 2018, picking up immediately after the events of Season 1 and plunging the series into its most intense stretch of battles and heartbreak.

Future arcs, including the Culling Game, have been announced, but for now the complete animated canon consists of these three major works. Spin-off material like the comedic Juju Stroll shorts, stage plays, and light novels add flavor but are not required to understand the main plot.

Understanding Release Order

Release order simply means watching every episode and film in the sequence they first aired or became available to the public. This is the path the original creators and the production committee laid out, with each new piece building on what came before and assuming the audience has the information provided up to that point. For a series like Jujutsu Kaisen where reveals are carefully timed, release order preserves narrative surprises and character entrances exactly as intended.

The Release Order List

  1. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 (Episodes 1-24)
  2. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (theatrical film)
  3. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (Episodes 1-23, watching Hidden Inventory first, then Shibuya Incident)

With this approach, you’ll meet Yuji and the Tokyo students first, learn the rules of cursed energy alongside them, and feel the weight of the world before stepping back in time to see how Yuta’s story recontextualizes many of those rules. The Hidden Inventory arc, though a flashback, is placed deliberately at the start of Season 2 to deepen the tragedy that follows in Shibuya. Watching Season 1 first also means you recognize certain characters and terms when they appear in the film, without having their full backstory spelled out too early.

What Chronological Order Means for Jujutsu Kaisen

A chronological watch reorders the episodes by in-universe calendar dates so that events unfold from earliest to latest in the story’s timeline, regardless of when they were produced. On paper this seems appealing: you get a linear history of the jujutsu world. But Jujutsu Kaisen deliberately jumps through time for thematic effect, so a strict chronological order changes the impact of key moments significantly.

To align everything by the in-story timeline, you would need to watch:

  1. Season 2, Episodes 1-5 (Hidden Inventory / Premature Death) – set in 2006, this arc follows Gojo and Geto as second-year students and shows the chain of events that leads to Geto’s defection and Gojo’s rise as the strongest sorcerer.
  2. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (film) – takes place in November 2016, one year before Yuji consumes Sukuna’s finger. Yuta joins Jujutsu High, and the evening parade of a hundred demons unfolds.
  3. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 (all 24 episodes) – the main story begins in June 2018 when Yuji swallows the finger, and covers his first months as a sorcerer up through September 2018.
  4. Season 2, Episodes 6-23 (Shibuya Incident) – begins on October 31, 2018, directly after Season 1’s ending.

This sequence gives you a full historical picture in order, but it robs you of the gradual discovery that makes the series so compelling. Watching Hidden Inventory before anything else reveals Gojo’s full power and his relationship with Geto before you ever meet Yuji. You would see Geto’s past before you even know who the present-day Geto (or whoever is wearing his body) is, severely undercutting the mystery and the shock of Season 1’s finale and the film’s emotional core. For this reason, we strongly advise against strict chronological order for anyone experiencing the story for the first time.

A Softer Chronological Approach: Movie First

Some fans suggest a compromise: start with Jujutsu Kaisen 0 because it is a prequel, then move to Season 1 and Season 2. The film was produced after Season 1, but its story takes place earlier. Watching it first can introduce you to the world through Yuta’s eyes and allow you to spot early cameos when you eventually meet the Season 1 cast. However, this order still front-loads information about cursed tools, domain expansions, and a certain fan-favorite sorcerer whose introduction in Season 1 is designed to be larger-than-life. If you choose this path, be aware that you will lose the slow-burn reveal of Jujutsu High’s faculty and the atmospheric buildup that Season 1 provides.

Comparing Release Order and Chronological Order

To help you decide, here is a side-by-side look at the trade-offs.

Release Order

  • Intended narrative rhythm: The anime’s creative team structured reveals around this sequence. Plot twists, character deaths, and power awakenings land harder when viewed as aired.
  • Character development: You grow with Yuji and his classmates first, then explore the past. This mirrors the manga’s own structure, where volume 0 was published early but the flashback arc came much later to deepen the tragedy.
  • Suspense and mystery: Questions about Geto, Gojo’s past, and the nature of curses are raised in Season 1 and answered deliberately in the film and Season 2’s flashback, creating a satisfying detective-like experience.
  • Cultural context: Many inside jokes and callbacks in the movie were written with fans of the original series in mind. An after-credits moment in Jujutsu Kaisen 0 directly connects to events you only understand after Season 1.

Chronological Order (Strict or Movie-First)

  • Linear timeline understanding: You’ll never need to pause and figure out when something happens. The world-building feels continuous, and you’ll see how certain institutions and techniques evolved.
  • Context for Yuta and Geto: Meeting Yuta first can make his brief mentions in Season 1 more meaningful. Similarly, knowing Geto’s full backstory from the start can add a layer of tragedy to every subsequent appearance.
  • Risk of spoilers and diminished impact: The biggest downside. The Shibuya Incident’s emotional devastation relies heavily on your attachment to characters built across Season 1 and the film. Watching key flashbacks before that groundwork is laid can leave the climax feeling less earned.

There is no official “correct” order, but based on audience and critical consensus, release order preserves the story’s emotional architecture far better than any chronological alternative. If you are a rewatcher who already knows the story beats, experimenting with chronological order can be a fascinating way to catch details you missed the first time, but for a fresh experience, trust the release schedule.

If you’re diving into Jujutsu Kaisen for the first time, this step-by-step path combines the best of release order while explaining what to expect at each stage.

Step 1: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 (Episodes 1-24)

Start with the original 24-episode run. Episode 1 throws you right into Yuji’s ordinary world before it shatters. The season builds the core trio’s dynamic, teaches you about cursed energy, and ends with several tantalizing mysteries. Pay close attention to the post-credits scenes and the final episodes’ revelations about the mastermind lurking in the shadows. This foundation is non-negotiable.

Step 2: Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (The Movie)

After Season 1, the film slots in perfectly. You’ll recognize Jujutsu High, see younger versions of Gojo, Maki, Toge, and Panda, and meet Yuta Okkotsu, whose story runs parallel to the main timeline one year earlier. The movie fleshes out concepts like Rika’s curse, domain barriers, and the true nature of Geto’s plan. It also sets up critical relationships that Season 2 will draw on. Available on Blu-ray and digital platforms, or via select streaming services, it’s an essential bridge.

Step 3: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 (Episode 1-23)

Now you’re ready for the emotional gauntlet of Season 2. Watch the episodes in their released order:

  • Episodes 1-5 (Hidden Inventory / Premature Death): A flashback to Gojo and Geto’s 2006 mission to protect the Star Plasma Vessel. The arc is packed with revelations about the Jujutsu society’s darker corners and explains the rift that shaped the entire world you know from Season 1 and the movie.
  • Episodes 6-23 (Shibuya Incident): The present-day battle on Halloween night in Shibuya. Every thread from Season 1, the film, and the Hidden Inventory arc converges in a relentless series of fights. The experience is all the more powerful for having followed the release order, because you’ll understand exactly why each character is fighting and what’s at stake.

For the full experience, consider watching the Juju Stroll after-credit chibi segments as they appear, though they are purely comedic and optional.

Exploring Spin-Offs and Bonus Content

While the main anime and film carry the canon story, Jujutsu Kaisen’s popularity has spawned a variety of spin-off material. None of these are required to follow the core plot, but they can enrich a fan’s appreciation.

  • Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 0 (manga): The original prequel manga that inspired the film. It offers slight differences and additional nuance, available in English via VIZ Media.
  • Jujutsu Kaisen: Thorny Road at Dawn (light novel): A collection of short stories set during the series’ timeline, focusing on slice-of-life moments and character interactions that the main narrative skips.
  • Jujutsu Kaisen 2nd Season Blu-ray bonus episodes: Short anime-original clips that expand on certain gags and downtime moments. These can be watched after completing the respective arcs.
  • Stage plays and audio dramas: Japanese-only productions that reenact or supplement arcs, mostly of interest to completionists.

For anime-only fans, the primary experience remains the television series and the movie. The manga continues well past the Shibuya Incident, and a third season is already in production. Sticking to release order will prepare you seamlessly for whatever comes next.

Addressing Common Viewing Questions

Can I skip Jujutsu Kaisen 0?

Technically, you could skip the film and still understand the broad strokes of Season 2, because the anime briefly recaps Yuta’s situation. However, skipping it would leave a gap in your understanding of several key dynamics—especially involving Yuta, Miguel, and the nature of Geto’s motivations. The film is also a visual spectacle. We recommend it as essential viewing.

Should I watch Season 2’s Hidden Inventory arc before or after the movie?

Release order places the movie before Season 2, and that’s the safest bet. The Hidden Inventory arc gains extra pathos when you already know what becomes of Geto and how the world views Gojo. Watching the film first also lets you recognize characters like young Gojo and Shoko in the flashback without being distracted by entire new backstories. The studio clearly intended the film to be experienced before Season 2.

What about the Jujutsu Stroll and other shorts?

These comedic segments are non-canon and can be enjoyed at any time. They often parody moments from the episodes they accompany, so they work best if you’ve just watched the corresponding episode. No special ordering is required.

I’ve already seen Season 1. Can I jump straight to the movie?

Yes. That is the intended next step. After Episode 24 of Season 1, go directly to Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Then proceed to Season 2. The transition is smooth and aligns with the release timeline.

Why Release Order Wins for New Viewers

When a story is as carefully plotted as Jujutsu Kaisen, the order in which information is released shapes the entire emotional experience. Watching the series in release order allows you to feel the jarring shock of certain betrayals, the weight of Gojo’s imprisonment, and the adrenaline of the Shibuya conflicts exactly as the manga readers did. It lets the anime operate as a conversation between the past and present, teasing mysteries that are later unraveled with surgical precision.

That said, there is no wrong way to enjoy a series you love. Once you’ve completed the story in release order, a chronological rewatch can feel like reading a history book of the jujutsu world—revealing clever foreshadowing and small details that slipped past the first time. Many fans enjoy creating their own custom orders, and the series is robust enough to support that experimentation.

Preparing for the Future

The anime’s next major chapter will adapt the Culling Game arc, a storyline that picks up directly after the Shibuya Incident’s devastating conclusion. If you follow the release order listed here, you’ll be perfectly positioned to roll right into Season 3 with no confusion. There have also been rumors of additional anime-original episodes and potential side-story adaptations. As always, the production committee at MAPPA has shown a commitment to maintaining a coherent viewing experience, so any new projects will likely slot into the release timeline in a way that respects existing material.

Final Recommendations

For a first encounter with Jujutsu Kaisen, follow the broadcast sequence: Season 1, then the movie, then Season 2. This path respects the artistic decisions of the director and screenwriters, delivers surprises where they hit hardest, and slowly assembles a world that feels enormous and lived-in. If you’re revisiting the series, a chronological rewatch can shed new light on character motivations—just be prepared to lose some of the narrative tension that makes the first ride so unforgettable.

No matter which route you take, the important thing is to immerse yourself in a story that manages to balance breakneck action with genuine human emotion. The world of jujutsu sorcery is dark, funny, and deeply rewarding, and there has never been a better time to start watching. If you need a reliable streaming home for the series and film, check the official Jujutsu Kaisen website for regional availability, or head to Crunchyroll which holds international streaming rights for all episodes and the film in many territories. For supplementary manga reading, VIZ Media offers the original volumes that started it all.