Manga Origin and First Publication
Jujutsu Kaisen began as a manga series written and illustrated by Gege Akutami. It launched in Weekly Shonen Jump on March 5, 2018, published by Shueisha. The series quickly rose in popularity and became one of the most discussed shonen titles in 2018 and 2019.
Before Jujutsu Kaisen, Gege Akutami published the one-shot Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical School in Jump GIGA in 2017. That pilot introduced core ideas and characters that later shaped the main series. Shueisha then greenlit the full serialization based on reader response and editorial strategy.
Anime Adaptation Timeline
The first Jujutsu Kaisen anime season aired from October 3, 2020, to March 27, 2021, on MBS and other networks. Studio MAPPA produced the series, with Hiroshi Seko handling scripts and Tadashi Hiramatsu designing characters. The show premiered in Japan and streamed internationally on platforms such as Crunchyroll and Hulu.
Season 2 of the anime aired from July 6, 2023, to December 28, 2023, continuing the Shibuya Incident arc. MAPPA returned as the studio, and the season adapted key manga chapters while expanding fight choreography and animation quality. Streaming services and Japanese broadcast partners carried the episodes worldwide.
Global Reach and Industry Impact
Jujutsu Kaisen manga volumes have ranked consistently on Oricon and Nielsen BookScan charts since 2019. By 2024, the franchise generated billions of yen in merchandise, home video, and licensing revenue. It is frequently cited as one of the top-selling shonen properties in Japan and globally.
Industry analysts compare Jujutsu Kaisen with other major shonen franchises in terms of tankobon sales and digital engagement. The series also influenced anime production schedules and marketing cycles at MAPPA and Shueisha. For broader context on media and entertainment market trends, see resources like Forbes and official reports from the Anime Industry Association.