Jujutsu Kaisen Watch Order: Complete Guide

Jujutsu Kaisen has grown from a breakout 2020 debut into one of the biggest anime of the decade — but between a hit prequel film and a flashback-heavy second season, the viewing order trips up a lot of newcomers. This guide lays out the complete Jujutsu Kaisen watch order two ways: the simple release order we recommend for first-time viewers, and the chronological order for rewatches. We also cover what each entry adapts, how many episodes it runs, and where to stream everything.

The Short Answer: Jujutsu Kaisen Watch Order

For your first watch, follow the order the story was released in. It is the pacing the creators intended, and it makes the big emotional beats land the way they were meant to:

• Jujutsu Kaisen — Season 1 (24 episodes)
• Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (prequel film)
• Jujutsu Kaisen — Season 2 (23 episodes)
• Jujutsu Kaisen — Season 3: The Culling Game (currently airing)

That is it — one season, one movie, then two more seasons. Everything below just explains why, and what each part covers.

Jujutsu Kaisen Watch Order in Detail

1. Jujutsu Kaisen — Season 1 (2020–2021)

Season 1's 24 episodes introduce Yuji Itadori, an ordinary high-schooler who swallows a cursed object — a finger belonging to the legendary curse Ryomen Sukuna — and is pulled into the hidden world of Jujutsu Sorcerers. Produced by studio MAPPA, it adapts the manga's opening arcs, from the Fearsome Womb through the Death-Painting Arc, and establishes the core cast: Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki, and the impossibly powerful teacher Satoru Gojo. This is your starting point. New to the cast? Our Jujutsu Kaisen character guide breaks down everyone's role and abilities.

2. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (The Prequel Film)

Released in Japanese theaters in December 2021, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a prequel set about a year before Season 1. It follows Yuta Okkotsu, a boy haunted by the cursed spirit of his childhood friend Rika, as he enrols at Jujutsu High. Although it takes place before the series, the film was made after Season 1 and is best watched second: it deepens characters you have already met — especially Gojo and Suguru Geto — and its ending flows straight into the story's next stage. Based on the manga's "Volume 0," it is a self-contained, emotionally charged entry widely regarded as one of the franchise's high points.

3. Jujutsu Kaisen — Season 2 (2023)

Season 2's 23 episodes are split into two very different halves. The first arc, Hidden Inventory / Premature Death, is a flashback to Gojo and Geto's student days — a quieter, tragic origin story that reframes everything you thought you knew about them. The second arc, the Shibuya Incident, is a brutal, months-in-the-making set piece widely praised as some of the best animation MAPPA has ever produced. This is where Jujutsu Kaisen shifts from a great shonen into an unforgettable one.

4. Jujutsu Kaisen — Season 3: The Culling Game (2026)

Season 3 premiered in January 2026, adapting the Culling Game arc — a deadly, nationwide battle royale that follows the fallout of Shibuya. For the full background on the new season, its split-cour structure, and returning cast, see our Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 guide.

Chronological Order (For Rewatches Only)

Because Season 2 opens with a major flashback, some fans like to rewatch the series in in-universe chronological order. We only recommend this once you have already seen everything — the flashback hits far harder when you already know the characters. In story order it looks like this:

• Season 2, Hidden Inventory arc — Gojo and Geto's past (the earliest events)
• Jujutsu Kaisen 0 — the prequel film, about a year before Season 1
• Season 1 — Yuji's story begins
• Season 2, Shibuya Incident arc — the fallout continues
• Season 3: The Culling Game — the current arc

Notice that this splits Season 2 in half, which is exactly why we suggest saving chronological order for a second watch.

Where to Watch Jujutsu Kaisen

All three seasons of Jujutsu Kaisen stream on Crunchyroll, both subtitled and dubbed. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is available to stream on Crunchyroll in many regions and to buy or rent on major digital storefronts. Availability changes by country, so check your local Crunchyroll catalogue for the most up-to-date listings.

Do You Need to Watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 First?

No — and we would actively suggest you do not. Even though Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a prequel, it was written to be watched after Season 1. Seeing the series first means the film's cameos, callbacks, and its final scene carry real weight instead of passing you by. Save it for slot two.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Jujutsu Kaisen 0 canon?

Yes. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 adapts the official prequel manga (Volume 0) by Gege Akutami and is fully canon. Its characters and events feed directly into the main story.

How many episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen are there?

Season 1 has 24 episodes and Season 2 has 23, plus the feature-length Jujutsu Kaisen 0 film — with Season 3 adding more as it airs. That comes to roughly 60-plus episodes and one movie in total.

Can I skip the movie?

You can follow the main plot without it, but you would miss Yuta Okkotsu, a major character who returns later in the story. It is short, excellent, and well worth the two hours.

Is there any filler in Jujutsu Kaisen?

Barely any. Jujutsu Kaisen is an unusually faithful adaptation with almost no anime-original filler, so you can watch straight through without skipping episodes.

Is the Jujutsu Kaisen manga finished?

Yes. Gege Akutami's original manga concluded in late 2024, so the story already has a definitive ending. The anime is now steadily working its way toward adapting that finale across its remaining seasons, which means there is a clear finish line in sight for viewers who prefer to know a series is complete before diving in.

Does the watch order change if I only want the main story?

Not really. Season 1, Season 2, and Season 3 already tell the central story in order, and Jujutsu Kaisen 0 slots neatly in between as the second thing you watch. There is no confusing web of specials, recap episodes, or side-story OVAs to plan around — one movie and the numbered seasons are all you need.

What should I watch after Jujutsu Kaisen?

If you love MAPPA's darker, action-heavy style, Chainsaw Man is the natural next step. Want to test how much you remember first? Take our Jujutsu Kaisen quiz or find out which JJK character you are.