Book Review: Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1, by Gege Akutami

Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 1, by Gege Akutami is a manga style graphic novel. Yuji Itadori is resolved to save the world from cursed demons, but he soon learns that the best way to do it is to slowly lose his humanity and become one himself! In a world where cursed spirits feed on unsuspecting humans, fragments of the legendary and feared demon Ryomen Sukuna were lost and scattered about. Should any demon consume Sukuna’s body parts, the power they gain could destroy the world as we know it. Fortunately, there exists a mysterious school of Jujutsu Sorcerers who exist to protect the precarious existence of the living from the supernatural! Although Yuji Itadori looks like your average teenager, his immense physical strength is something to behold! Every sports club wants him to join, but Itadori would rather hang out with the school outcasts in the Occult Research Club. One day, the club manages to get their hands on a sealed cursed object. Little do they know the terror they’ll unleash when they break the seal. 

Jujutsu Kaisen is a graphic novel with a good balance of character development and action. There is a great deal of world building that needs to go into a series starter, and this was done well in conjunction with the character introductions and start of growth. Itadori is a young adult that is dropped into a situation that he does not fully understand, but is trying to catch up and do his best to honor he grandfather's last wish. At the same time he is a little flighty and naive. Going along with him as he tries to find his place and the world of fighting curse energy is explained to him and readers alike is quite the adventure. I feel like there is so much more to learn about the major characters and the world, and look forward to reading more. My biggest issue is one that I often have with series like this, that the hook or cliff hanger at the end left me feeling like I was cheated out of some kind of resolution or ending. I knew this was likely, and is a common effort made to get readers hooked and eager for the next book. Sometimes it works, and other times it just makes me mad. In this case their ploy worked ad I am eager for volume two.

Jujutsu Kaisen is a well written and drawn manga with plenty of character development and action. I look forward to continuing to read this series.