Jujutsu Kaisen 0 2021

Yuta Okkotsu, a 16-year-old student at Tokyo Jujutsu High, finds himself at the center of a terrifying supernatural incident on the day of his graduation. As a group of seniors bullies him in a Tokyo high school, Yuta desperately pleads for them to stop. When one of the bullies threatens to kill him, Yuta calls out the name “Rika!” and suddenly, a powerful cursed spirit manifests from the walls, gravely injuring the bullies in an act of protection. This violent demonstration is recorded in a cursed spirit log, marking the beginning of Yuta’s troubled journey. Overwhelmed and frightened, Yuta is shown in a secluded room, repeatedly whispering, “I’m sorry,” as the blood of the injured students seeps out of a closet.

Following this incident, Yuta is detained while Satoru Gojo vigorously advocates for his case before the Jujutsu Council. Gojo believes that Yuta’s powers should not be punished with execution, citing that he was in control of the curse and had consented to its manifestation. His cursed energy is described as extraordinary, capable of overpowering even higher-grade sorcerers, which is why Gojo is determined to take responsibility for him. Eventually, it’s decided that Yuta will attend Tokyo Jujutsu High, under Gojo’s guardianship, where he is introduced to his new life and the strange, dangerous world of sorcery.

As Yuta wakes up dressed in Jujutsu High uniform, he meets fellow students Maki Ze’nin, Toge Inumaki, and Panda, who discuss the recent incident involving Yuta. Panda quickly clarifies that the injured students were only gravely hurt, but not killed, to reassure him. Despite their professional composure, Yuta is visibly nervous, sensing Rika’s lingering presence, which immediately causes the others to react defensively. Gojo introduces Yuta to the class, warning them about the young boy’s dangerous curse. When Yuta hesitantly introduces himself, Rika’s manifestation suddenly appears, intimidating his classmates, and forcing Maki to scold him for bringing a cursed spirit into their school.

Gojo then explains to the students about the root of curses in the world—linked to human negative emotions—and how Jujutsu sorcerers are tasked with exorcising these malevolent spirits. It’s revealed that Yuta’s curse stems from Rika, a girl he deeply loved in childhood. Backstory reveals that ten years earlier in Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Rika gave Yuta a ring and professed her love, hoping to marry him when they grew up. Tragically, Rika was killed in a car accident the very same day, but her curse clings to Yuta, promising to marry him and protect him forever.

Gojo warns the students that if they bully Yuta, Rika will retaliate fiercely, which makes them more cautious. The class then learns that curses, often born from intense negative emotions, are abundant in places like schools and hospitals. To exemplify Yuta’s potential, Gojo pairs him with Maki Ze’nin for a mission to retrieve two missing children at an elementary school. Inside, Maki demonstrates her exceptional curse exorcising skills, methodically destroying low-grade curses, and explaining that curses tend to gather in places filled with negative feelings. Yuta, awed by her strength, struggles to follow her lead but is eager to learn.

As they venture further, they are suddenly attacked by a colossal curse, which swallows them whole. Inside, they find the two children, injured and unconscious, with Maki nearly fainting from curse overload. Yuta, overwhelmed but determined, sees the curse manifesting in the children, and when asked what he wants, he reveals his desire to help others and live a life without fear of hurting anyone. He confesses that he merely wants to be needed and to have confidence in himself. Inspired, Yuta calls on Rika for strength, and she erupts in her full curse form, tearing through the massive curse and freeing them.

After rescuing the children, Yuta feels Rika’s presence shift—she begins to cry and gently scold him for almost losing control. Yuta promises her he will fight to free her from her curse and that he’s committed to making her happy. The jujutsu world recognizes his growing power, as Yuta manages to summon Rika willingly for the first time, which is a significant milestone in his control of cursed energy. Later, Gojo commends Yuta for his progress in understanding his cursed energy and hints that he might be stronger than he believes, just as he begins training him in swordsmanship to wield a cursed energy-imbued katana.

Meanwhile, darker forces emerge. Suguru Geto, a former jujutsu sorcerer turned malevolent curse user, is introduced as the antagonist. Geto has turned radical, aiming to create a world where sorcerers dominate humans, whom he derogatorily calls “monkeys,” and plans to wage war by summoning numerous curses and unleashing chaos. His actions include exorcising other curses in a disturbing display of power—showing disdain for human sentiment by labeling curses as “monkeys,” and conducting a ritual to gather thousands of curses for his war effort.

As Gojo, Yuta, Maki, Panda, and Toge prepare for inevitable conflict, Geto’s plans come closer to fruition. He makes a grand declaration about his crusade against humanity during the “Night Parade of a Hundred Demons,” targeting Tokyo and Kyoto. His crusade involves summoning immense curses and offering a twisted vision of a new world order. Notably, Geto believes in a ruthless vision of protecting humanity by eliminating the weak—an ideology that starkly contrasts with the ideals of his former friend, Gojo.

The story escalates to a climactic confrontation at Jujutsu High, where Geto infiltrates with formidable curses and fights Yuta with a host of powerful spirits. The clash reveals Yuta’s true strength, featuring the full manifestation of Rika’s curse once again as he fights to stop Geto’s destructive ambitions. Yuta, wielding the cursed katana imbued with Rika’s energy, demonstrates mastery over cursed spirits and vows to break the curse binding Rika, driven by love and a desire to prevent further bloodshed.

As the battle intensifies, Geto attempts a final, destructive spell meant to kill Yuta and absorb Rika’s curse completely. However, Yuta’s selfless love allows him to transform into a formidable sorcerer, fully summoning Rika in her full power—eventually overpowering Geto and destroying much of the campus. The conflict concludes with Geto retreating, his arm injured and defeated, while Yuta’s resolve stands firm. Gojo, observing from afar, reflects on Geto’s twisted ideals and hints at further conflicts ahead.

Ultimately, Yuta’s journey of self-discovery, love, and mastery culminates in freeing Rika, acknowledging their bond, and embracing his true potential as a special-grade sorcerer. The story closes with Yuta smiling confidently alongside his friends, carrying the ring that symbolizes his connection to Rika, and a sense that his path toward healing and heroism has only just begun. The post-credit scenes reveal him sharing a peaceful moment with Miguel in an African city, solidifying his newfound confidence and hope for the future.