Jujutsu Kaisen (S1; 24 Episodes) – Anime Review

TL;DR: Jujutsu Kaisen (S1) is a dark, violent, and heavily occult-themed anime with intense action, graphic gore, and emotionally heavy subject matter. While it features a morally grounded main character and compelling storytelling, it includes disturbing visuals, references to sexual violence, extreme bullying, and unsettling Curse designs. This series is best suited for older teens and adults, particularly those comfortable with supernatural and occult themes. Parents with spiritual or content sensitivities should approach with caution.

Review Note

While I have previously watched Jujutsu Kaisen, it had been some time since I last viewed the series in full. For the purpose of this review, I rewatched the first several episodes in detail and then briefly revisited the remainder of Season 1 episode by episode to ensure accuracy and consistency in content notes.

Section 1: Jujutsu Kaisen (Season 1; 24 Episodes) — At a Glance

Anime Summary | Taken Directly from MyAnimeList

Idly indulging in baseless paranormal activities with the Occult Club, high schooler Yuuji Itadori spends his days at either the clubroom or the hospital, where he visits his bedridden grandfather. However, this leisurely lifestyle soon takes a turn for the strange when he unknowingly encounters a cursed item. Triggering a chain of supernatural occurrences, Yuuji finds himself suddenly thrust into the world of Curses—dreadful beings formed from human malice and negativity—after swallowing the said item, revealed to be a finger belonging to the demon Sukuna Ryoumen, the King of Curses.

Yuuji experiences first-hand the threat these Curses pose to society as he discovers his own newfound powers. Introduced to the Tokyo Prefectural Jujutsu High School, he begins to walk down a path from which he cannot return—the path of a Jujutsu sorcerer.

Genres & Themes

Action, Gore, Occult, School Life, Shounen, Supernatural

MyAnimeList Rating

R-17+ | Violence and Profanity

The Anime Momma Rating

R-17+ | Violence, Blood and Gore

Section 2: Star Levels

Each category below is rated on a five-star scale:

⭐️ = very little present | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = a lot present

Action/Violence Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Addiction Level: ⭐️☆☆☆☆ (1/5) and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Blood/Gore Level: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Inappropriate, Heavy, or Mature Themes or Conduct: ⭐️⭐️☆☆☆ (2/5)
Alternative Lifestyle Themes: ⭐️☆☆☆☆ (1/5)
Level of Magical Elements: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Level of Romance: ⭐️☆☆☆☆ (1/5)

Section 3: Star Levels—Explained

Action/Violence Level

While Jujutsu Kaisen does not open with nonstop action, it does not take long before violence becomes a central element of the series. After establishing Itadori Yuuji as a high school student with a fascination for the occult, the first episode escalates quickly—culminating in Yuuji physically attacking a Curse despite not initially being able to perceive them.

As the series progresses, viewers are shown frequent battles between Jujutsu Sorcerers and Curses. These encounters often take place in abandoned buildings or at night, though not exclusively. Sorcerers rely on ancient techniques and cursed energy, often paired with weapons such as blades, spears, or other tools. While many Curses are animalistic or low in intelligence, others are highly strategic, capable of speech, planning, and manipulation.

Addictiveness Level

I chose to give this category two ratings. For the rating of 5/5 stars: I did this because Jujutsu Kaisen is widely obsessed over and adored. It is often grouped alongside titles like Demon Slayer and My Hero Academia as part of anime’s “next big three.” Many viewers find it incredibly engaging and binge-worthy.

Personally, however, I found this series harder to connect with, hence the second rating of 1/5 stars. I am not typically drawn to anime with heavy occult themes, and I found portions of the series spiritually uncomfortable. This is an important note for parents who share similar sensitivities.

Blood/Gore Level

This series contains significant blood and gore. Injuries range from bloodied hands and combat wounds to extreme depictions, including dismemberment and the removal of internal organs.

In Episode 7, Gojo Satoru removes a Curse’s head directly from its body, though the moment is stylized in black and white. Throughout the season, possession, bodily distortion, and graphic injury appear repeatedly.

One character, Mechamaru, operates a mechanical body remotely due to the severe condition of his real one. His physical form is heavily burned, wrapped in bandages, and sustained through medical intervention.

In Episode 22, a naked man is shown nailed to a wall and forcibly fed a Curse. His eyes bleed, and the scene is visually disturbing. He later transforms into a Cursed Spirit.

Additionally, many Curses themselves are grotesque in appearance—often resembling warped combinations of animals, humans, and objects. These designs, paired with the moral weight placed on sorcerers’ decisions, contribute heavily to the series’ disturbing tone.

Inappropriate, Heavy, or Mature Themes or Conduct

The series includes occasional sexualized comments, such as characters commenting on physical appearance or partial nudity. Profanity is present throughout.

In Episode 24, there is a particularly heavy reference involving sexual assault and forced pregnancies, resulting in multiple terminations that later manifest as Cursed Spirits. While this content is discussed more than shown, it is emotionally intense and not appropriate for younger viewers.

Alternative Lifestyle Themes

There are very few instances of alternative lifestyle themes in this series.

Level of Magical Elements

Magic is central to the story. Jujutsu Sorcerers utilize cursed energy and cursed objects as weapons, which range from traditional blades or firearms to more unconventional tools such as voice-based techniques and magic.

Level of Romance

Romance is minimal. Most references are lighthearted comments about attractiveness or joking inquiries about personal “types.”
One recurring dynamic involves Sukuna’s unusual, deep-seated interest in one Fushiguro Megumi. While not portrayed as romantic, it may be interpreted differently by some viewers due to its intensity and fixation.

Section 4: Specific Notes for Parents & Guardians

Nobara Kugisaki, one of the main female characters, uses a straw doll, hammer, and nails as her primary weapons. She embeds Curse’s spirits into the doll and drives nails through it to inflict harm, which may be unsettling for some viewers.

Episodes 9 and 10 contain depictions of extreme bullying, including physical violence, cigarette burns, and forced ingestion of insects. These scenes can be deeply triggering for individuals with similar lived experiences.

Family conflict is another recurring theme—ranging from emotional neglect to complete disownment. While anime often emphasizes the importance of family (whether biological or chosen), Jujutsu Kaisen presents a more fractured and complex dynamic.

Despite the darkness of the series, it is worth noting that Itadori Yuuji remains morally grounded. He consistently expresses concern for others and demonstrates a strong desire to protect life, even questioning whether his own actions might harm those he cares about.

Final Thoughts

Jujutsu Kaisen is not a casual watch. It is intense, emotionally heavy, and visually disturbing at times. While it offers strong themes of sacrifice, responsibility, and moral conviction through Itadori Yuuji, those messages are delivered in a world filled with graphic violence, grotesque imagery, and deeply unsettling subject matter.

For older teens and adults who are comfortable with supernatural and occult themes, this series can spark meaningful conversations about choice, consequences, and what it means to protect others—even at great personal cost. However, for younger viewers, spiritually sensitive households, or anyone prone to emotional overload, this anime may feel overwhelming rather than enriching.

As always, the goal isn’t to label a series as “good” or “bad,” but to recognize who it is for. Jujutsu Kaisen demands emotional maturity, content awareness, and often parental guidance to be watched responsibly. Anime can be powerful storytelling—but not every story is meant for every stage of life.

Thank you so much for reading this review.

Read Following: Jujutsu Kaisen (Season 2) – Anime Review.

And for fans of this series—congratulations on the upcoming release of Season 3 this week! 💛

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