Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is the Perfect Entry Point for the Anime Phenomenon

If you’re even a little tuned in to which anime are popular nowadays, you’ve likely heard of Jujutsu Kaisen. The supernatural shonen series has made quite a splash in the last few years, with fans all over social media singing its praises. Still, most people only have so much free time, so it can be hard to decide which series might be up your alley. That’s where Jujutsu Kaisen 0 comes in. This prequel movie will be streaming on Crunchyroll as of September 21, giving potential fans the perfect avenue through which to check out if Jujutsu Kaisen is the series for them.

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No Prior Knowledge Needed

Unlike many other anime films, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is a prequel to Jujutsu Kaisen. It’s a canon story to the universe but takes place before the majority of the anime’s main group is introduced. You don’t need to know a single thing about Jujutsu Kaisen to enjoy Jujutsu Kaisen 0, as the mechanics and intricacies of its universe are all adequately explained in the film.

It’s Best Watched Prior to the Show

Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is unique in terms of its status as a prequel. The chapters of the series that the film adapts, now dubbed Jujutsu Kaisen Volume 0, were actually made and published before the main series. It was the popularity of Volume 0 back in 2017 that led to Jujutsu Kaisen becoming a full series, though 0 wasn’t adapted into anime form until now.

Since it was actually made before the main series, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is an excellent entry point for newcomers. It takes place before the start of the show and introduces characters who show up later — plus, it’s tonally the same as Jujutsu Kaisen. If you end up digging the film, not only will you also like the series, but you’ll also have some solid background information on its world and characters.

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A Great Sub and Dub

Everybody watches anime in their own way, but not all subs and dubs are created equal (though nowadays, things are generally far better). Luckily for you, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is excellent in both forms. There are different attributes to some of the performances across languages, but as someone who’s seen both versions more than once, I’m happy to report that you can’t go wrong either way.

The Length

The film is only an hour and 44 minutes long — much shorter than 24 episodes. Instead of watching multiple episodes, you can experience a complete story with the same tone as the series in less than two hours. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 features a tightly-paced and riveting narrative, so even if it ends up not being your thing long-term, you’ll likely still have a good time.

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The Visuals

Jujutsu Kaisen has quite a sharp style — one that is consistent between the prequel and the full anime. There are some truly stunning moments throughout both adaptations, with the various demon and curse designs standing out as especially fun to look at. If you’re interested in Japanese folklore and culture, you’ll find even more to enjoy about some of the designs and the history behind them, like Tamamo-no-Mae. Even if that’s not your thing, the stunning battle sequences are sure to catch your eye.