Jujutsu Kaisen has over 275 chapters, a prequel series, spinoffs, and one of the most talked-about manga endings in recent memory. If you’re starting fresh, it can feel overwhelming. This guide gives you everything you need to know to jump in, stay organized, and read the series in the right order.
No major spoilers in the overview sections below.
What Is Jujutsu Kaisen?
Written and illustrated by Gege Akutami, Jujutsu Kaisen is a dark supernatural action manga that began serialization in 2018 in Weekly Shonen Jump. The series follows Yuji Itadori, a high schooler with extraordinary physical abilities who becomes involved in the world of Jujutsu Sorcerers — people who fight and exorcise Curses: malevolent beings born from human negative emotions.
After consuming a powerful cursed object (a finger belonging to the ancient demon Ryomen Sukuna), Yuji becomes Sukuna’s host and joins Jujutsu High to train as a sorcerer.
The series is known for its:
- Explosive, intricately designed combat
- Unpredictable character deaths
- Dark, psychological themes beneath the action
- Some of the best villain writing in shonen manga
The Complete Jujutsu Kaisen Reading Order
Step 1: Start with the Main Series (Chapters 1–275)
The main Jujutsu Kaisen manga is where you should begin, full stop. Do not start with the prequel first — the main series sets up everything you need to know, and the prequel lands with far more impact once you’ve read it.
Main series arc breakdown:
| Arc | Chapters | What Happens |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction Arc | 1–11 | Yuji swallows Sukuna’s finger, joins Jujutsu High |
| Cursed Training Arc | 12–22 | Training, world-building, character introductions |
| Vs. Mahito Arc (Part 1) | 23–63 | First major battle arc, tone darkens significantly |
| Kyoto Goodwill Event | 64–112 | Tournament arc — iconic fights, major revelations |
| Death Painting Arc | 113–127 | Intense, intimate arc following the tournament |
| Shibuya Incident | 128–162 | The series’ most devastating arc. Nothing is safe. |
| Itadori’s Extermination Arc | 163–178 | Fallout from Shibuya, power shifts |
| Perfect Preparation Arc | 179–210 | New factions, new threats, escalating stakes |
| Culling Game | 211–261 | Massive, sprawling tournament with enormous consequences |
| Final Arc | 262–275 | The endgame. Controversial. Unforgettable. |
Note: The Shibuya Incident (Chapters 128–162) is widely considered the turning point of the series. Once you reach it, set aside a few hours — you won’t want to stop.
Step 2: Read Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (The Prequel)
After finishing the main series (or after Chapter 64 of the main series, if you want to read it earlier), read Jujutsu Kaisen 0 — a 4-chapter prequel originally published as a standalone volume.
JJK 0 follows Yuta Okkotsu, a student haunted by the spirit of his childhood friend Rika. It’s technically a prequel to the main series but introduces characters and plot threads that become very important later.
When to read it:
- Best option: After completing the main series. The prequel rewards readers who know the full story.
- Alternative: After Chapter 64 of the main series, when Yuta is first mentioned. This creates good narrative flow.
- Don’t read it first. You’ll miss most of its emotional weight.
Do You Need to Watch the Anime First?
No. The manga is the original source, and it covers everything the anime does — often faster, since you control the pacing. That said:
- If you’re already watching the anime: The anime covers roughly Chapters 1–127 across Seasons 1 and 2 (as of 2026). You can pick up the manga from Chapter 128 to continue the story without rewatching content.
- If you’re starting fresh: Either is a valid entry point. The anime has spectacular animation for the fights; the manga lets you read at your own pace.
Key Characters to Know Before You Start
You’ll meet a huge cast over 275 chapters. Here are the essential names:
The protagonists:
- Yuji Itadori — Our main character. Physically gifted, morally earnest, and Sukuna’s reluctant host.
- Megumi Fushiguro — Cool-headed, shadow-based abilities, complicated backstory.
- Nobara Kugisaki — Aggressive, confident, uses a hammer and nails as weapons (it makes sense).
The teacher:
- Satoru Gojo — The most powerful sorcerer alive. Fan favorite. Every scene he’s in becomes iconic.
The villain:
- Ryomen Sukuna — The ancient demon living inside Yuji. Not a simple evil — one of manga’s most compelling antagonists.
- Mahito — An early villain who represents the series’ most chilling philosophical threat.
What Makes Jujutsu Kaisen Worth Reading in 2026?
The manga concluded its main run, which means you can now read it beginning to end without waiting for updates. This actually makes it a better read than when it was ongoing — the pacing issues of weekly serialization disappear when you can just keep reading.
The ending is divisive. Some fans love it; others feel it was rushed. But the journey there — particularly the Shibuya Incident and Culling Game arcs — contains some of the most memorable manga chapters published in the past decade.
Whether or not you end up satisfied with the finale, Jujutsu Kaisen earns its reputation as a modern classic. The character writing, the fight mechanics, and the sheer emotional ambition of its darkest arcs put it in rare company.
Start Reading Now
All 275+ chapters of Jujutsu Kaisen, including the prequel JJK 0, are available on MangaTrek with HD pages and daily updates.
Read Jujutsu Kaisen from Chapter 1 →
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