English Dub Season Review: Jujutsu Kaisen Season One

Overview: With the help of his friends, Megumi (Robbie Daymond) and Nobara (Anne Yatco), Yuji Itadori (Adam McArthur) will combat the evils of the Jujutsu world. Under the tutelage of Gojo Satoru (Kaiji Tang), he’ll also put his own ideology to the test along the way. 

Our Take: Growing at an unprecedented rate and in what feels like record time, Jujutsu Kaisen has become a demonic success. Gege Akutami’s supernatural showcase has built its own domain expansion in the hearts and minds of Shonen fans worldwide. One that stands so immensely strong that very few franchises have hope of crushing it right now (other than perhaps a certain Demon-slaying sword wielder). With the franchise gobbling up manga sales like Sukuna fingers, a prequel film in the works and various arcs left for the anime to adapt, the series is at an all time high and showing no signs of pumping the brakes. However, the question becomes: Is the show’s freshman debut worthy of all the praise it’s receiving?    

JJK centers on Yuji Itadori, a freakishly strong yet still totally normal high school student who must navigate the world of Jujutsu sorcery. This man is prime choice material for a Shonen protagonist if I’ve ever seen one. But thankfully without any of the cliches that would come with the paint by numbers variety. 

Yes, he’s got all the great attributes you’d want in a main character, he’s kind and good natured. But he’s also really goofy and a constant joy whenever he is on screen because of it. However most important, is how he’s anything but a stagnant character who never seemingly changes. Yuji’s fundamental beliefs are constantly being called into question and evolving as he faces more and more dangerous threats such as cursed spirits who take numerous demonic forms. However none of these compare to the King of Curses that inhabits his Itadori’s body like a bad tuna salad, Ryomen Sukuna. His unadulterated evil nature acts as a constant test of character for Yuji, either rejoicing in his shortcomings or rubbing them in his face, especially the ones that end up costing lives in the process. Couple that with his whimsical tendency for carnage and the innate desire to throw the world into pure chaos and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect recurring antagonist. 

But of course they are not alone because you need an equally interesting supporting crew to help round out the main cast. This takes shape in Yuji’s first year friends and classmates at Jujutsu High, Megumi Fushigoro and Nobara Kugisaki. They each bring their own set of unique characteristics that differ so greatly from our main hero. Fushigoro is a more subdued sorcerer and therefore is a great match for Yuji’s more positive upbeat making for some great comedic moments with them. But, like Yuji, that just scratches the surface as he too undergoes change with him learning to have more confidence in his ability later on down the line. Then there’s the classy lady of the group, Kugisaki, and she is yet another great addition. Nobara has an energetic glow not to mention a toughness about her that makes her not only incredibly likable but capable and strong willed. These two qualities lend itself to her hilarious animated chemistry with Itadori and make for some imposing moments with enemies, respectively. Also for making Fushigoro, funnily enough, either the butt of jokes or on the receiving end of their overwhelming friendship.   

Finally, this whole wacky brigade is led by their even wackier teacher, Gojo Satoru. The perfect ring leader who has a complete disregard for any protocol whatsoever and moves at the beat to his own drum, much to the irritation of Megumi and higher-ups in the Jujutsu world. However much to the delight of fans such as myself, as he is hands down one of, if not the most, fun characters in the entire series. Whether it’s dominating enemies through blows that are as rough as his cutting wit, rebelling against the tired and warped system or just being lovably immature, there’s never a boring moment when Gojo’s around. He bounces off Yuji, especially well due to both of their lighthearted personalities, and has a good  mentorship rapport with both him and Megumi giving them much needed advice and tutelage. However is also brutally menacing to enemies due to this insane level of power that makes him so ridiculously overpowered it’s practically comical. 

Besides the main characters, there are loads of side characters throughout Japan that Jujutsu establishes. All of them offer very unique personalities and you’ll sure as heck never meet the same character twice. Inumaki, a second year sorcerer, who only speaks in fish ingredients and battles exclusively through his voice. His classmate, Maki, a tough cursed weapon wielding badass with no energy of her own but is in a league of her own. Or Panda, which if the name didn’t already give away, is a talking Panda! And the real kicker is that’s just three of many! Need I say more?

The cursed spirit and user enemies of the series take many different forms  with oddball and disturbing designs that are always freaking in their own original way. But the big dogs of the series are that of four special grade cursed spirits, beings whose emotional range, intelligence and power are far beyond the common cannon fodder. Each represents different types of human greed making each hauntingly distinct and threatening in their own way. Such as Hinami modeled after the decaying planet’s grief over human treatment or Jogo representing the fear of natural disasters like volcanic eruptions. But in truth it’s Mahito and Kamo with the disposition of an erratic child with your average everyday murderous tendencies and his cunning cutthoat scheming that make them the true adversaries, respectively. 

The other main star of the show is studio MAPPA. It is not hyperbole when I say there is not one poorly animated fight in this entire season. The animation staff are absolute masters of the craft delivering stunning frames ranging from amazing sorcery effects to exhilarating hand to hand combat. Not to mention there’s an amazing rock/hiphop soundtrack that is the perfect beer and wings combination. 

There is also an incredible lineup of talent across the board. Adam McArthur gives a lot of heart and humor as Yuji. Ray Chase is perfectly hellish as Sukuna. Anne Yatco exudes strength and grace as Nobara. Robbie Daymond nails Megumi’s dry wit and vulnerabilities. Kaiji Tang delivers Gojo with style in spades. These VAs with flawless execution show why they are veterans in the industry cast because they absolutely kill it.  

Jujutsu Kaisen is a quintessential example of how you perfect a modern Shonen and make it fresh and original. Deliver diverse and dynamic characters,, a banging soundtrack, interesting villains and, of course, phenomenal fights and stunning animation. Just like the manga series it’s based off of, to call it a page turner doesn’t even begin to do it justice.