The Ultimate Ranking of Jujutsu Kaisen Arcs: Unveiling the Epic Sagas!
Ranking the 11 Jujutsu Kaisen arcs by length, from longest to shortest From the intense Culling Game and Shibuya Incident, to the thrilling Kyoto Goodwill Event and Fearsome Womb Dive into epic storylines, intimate moments, and future plot setups in this captivating manga series
The Jujutsu Kaisen arcs vary in length and range from epic and complex storylines to more intimate ones that set up future plot events. This is crucial because author Gege Akutami typically employs a fast-paced storytelling approach, resulting in a natural flow and minimal distractions.
Consequently, the number of chapters allocated to each Jujutsu Kaisen arc is a compelling topic to explore. It sheds light on Akutami's prowess as an author and reveals when he goes all out. Presented in descending order, this list showcases Akutami's ability to condense intense action into a few chapters as well as his capacity for crafting sprawling arcs that have earned their place as modern shonen classics.
Disclaimer: This article contains massive spoilers for the Jujutsu Kaisen arcs mentioned here.
All 11 Jujutsu Kaisen arcs in the manga, ranked from longest to shortest
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The Culling Game arc stands out as the longest in Jujutsu Kaisen and has gained immense popularity for good reason. With Satoru Gojo still sealed away, Kenjaku, also known as Pseudo-Geto, devises a plan and introduces the Culling Game. This battle royale requires sorcerers to fight each other for points, while Kenjaku transforms ordinary people into Jujutsu sorcerers using Mahito's stolen abilities.
What makes the Culling Game arc truly captivating is its blend of a traditional shonen-style tournament with a perilous and chaotic environment. The participants are not simply competing for glory, but for their very survival. Throughout the arc, the main characters undergo significant personal growth and face individual challenges. For instance, Maki Zen'in confronts her own clan after many years, and Yuta Okkotsu rediscovers his fighting spirit.
11) Culling Game arc (from chapter 159 to 221)
Widely considered the best among Jujutsu Kaisen arcs (Image via MAPPA).
Among the arcs of Jujutsu Kaisen, the Shibuya Incident stands out as the pinnacle and a modern classic of the shonen genre. Kenjaku and his Curses devise a plan to isolate Satoru Gojo from the other sorcerers and imprison him, causing widespread chaos in Shibuya without their strongest ally.
The Shibuya Incident demonstrated Gege Akutami's fearlessness as an author, evident in the bold decision to seal away Gojo, the most beloved character, instead of taking the easier path. The deaths of Nanami Kento and Nobara Kugisaki serve as compelling examples of how the author injects higher stakes, further trauma, and intricacy into the character of Yuji Itadori.
10) Shibuya Incident arc (from chapter 79 to 136)
One of the most action-focused Jujutsu Kaisen arcs (Image via MAPPA).
The clash between Tokyo Jujutsu High and Kyoto Jujutsu High was arguably the most action-packed arc in Jujutsu Kaisen. While other arcs like the Shibuya Incident and the Culling Game have a mix of fighting and storytelling, this one is pure action from start to finish.
Furthermore, this arc introduces themes and subplots that will have future payoffs. These include the complicated relationship between Mai and Maki, Mechamaru's physical condition, and the growing friendship between Aoi Todo and Yuji Itadori. Additionally, this arc showcases the diverse range of Cursed Techniques, which will play a significant role in future arcs.
9) Kyoto Goodwill Event arc (from chapter 32 to 54)
The introduction of the main series (Image via MAPPA).
The Fearsome Womb arc marks the beginning of the Jujutsu Kaisen main series. It introduces key characters such as Yuji Itadori, Ryomen Sukuna, Satoru Gojo, Nobara Kugisaki, and Megumi Fushiguro. This arc focuses on establishing the battle system, plot, characters, and world-building. However, some misconceptions have arisen due to similarities between the main cast and Team 7 from Naruto, although Akutami diverges from this comparison later on.
8) Fearsome Womb (from chapter 1 to 18)
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One of the standout examples of "the calm before the storm" in the Jujutsu Kaisen arcs is Perfect Preparation. This arc focuses on the events leading up to the Culling Game arc and provides important context for the storyline. For instance, it involves the faked death of Yuji once again and introduces the characters to Tengen, a crucial development for future events.
While not the most action-packed of the Jujutsu Kaisen arcs, Perfect Preparation effectively lays the groundwork for upcoming events. It is during this arc that Akutami delves deeper into world-building, marking a significant turning point in the series. The Shibuya Incident also shares this milestone in the series.
7) Perfect Preparation (from chapter 144 to 158)
A key point among Jujutsu Kaisen arcs (Image via MAPPA).
Hidden Inventory, also known as Gojo's Past, plays a pivotal role in the series by providing essential context to various elements. It particularly sheds light on the enigmatic Suguru Geto and introduces Toji Fushiguro, a character whose impact on the present events is significant.
Furthermore, this arc showcases Akutami's distinctive approach as a shonen mangaka, defying traditional tropes. The tragic demise of Riko Amanai exemplifies this deviation. Additionally, it delves deeper into Satoru Gojo's motivations for becoming a teacher and reveals insights into his dynamic with Megumi, Toji's son.
6) Hidden Inventory (from chapter 65 to 79)
The most important battle in the series (Image via Shueisha).
This ongoing arc in Jujutsu Kaisen promises potential growth in chapter numbers. It builds upon the previous Culling Game arc and delivers the highly anticipated showdown between Satoru Gojo and Ryomen Sukuna. The entire arc centers around their epic battle, generating intense discussions among fans. Each new chapter sparks analysis and heated debates on the possible outcome and fans' preferences on which character should emerge victorious.
5) Shinjuku Showdown (from chapter 222 to 235 thus far)
One of the most important Jujutsu Kaisen arcs (Image via MAPPA).
This arc in Jujutsu Kaisen, particularly in the anime, had a significant impact on both the fandom and the development of Yuji Itadori's character. It highlighted the harsh reality that not everyone can be saved and shattered the typical shonen expectations for Yuji.
Yuji and Nanami Kento are given the task of dealing with a potential Jujutsu sorcerer named Junpei Yoshino, a teenager who faces bullying and isolation at school. However, they soon discover that Junpei is being manipulated and influenced by Mahito, a Curse born from human hatred, who aligns with Kenjaku. This leads to a gripping confrontation between the opposing sides.
4) Vs. Mahito (from chapter 19 to 31)
The Megumi-focused arc in the series (Image via MAPPA).
This arc in Jujutsu Kaisen places a strong emphasis on Megumi Fushiguro's character development, his motives, and his weaknesses as a sorcerer. Additionally, it delves into the intriguing concept of Death Painting, resulting in the creation of hybrids that are part-human and part-Curse.
The anime adaptation of this arc deserves commendation for its exceptional portrayal of the intense battles, elevating them to a whole new level. However, the arc's greatest achievement lies in its exploration of Megumi's character. It sheds light on the reasons behind his mental barriers in combat and also unveils the significance of his sister, Tsumiki, in the forthcoming events.
3) Death Painting (from chapter 55 to 64)
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The leaders in the Jujutsu world have long desired to eliminate Yuji Itadori as he harbors the dangerous entity Ryomen Sukuna. This particular story arc focuses on their pursuit of Yuji's life, which escalates following the devastating events of the Shibuya Incident. After witnessing Sukuna's slaughter of countless individuals in Shibuya, the higher-ups are resolute in their mission to end Yuji's life, with Yuta Okkotsu being the designated individual for the task.
This story arc serves as Yuta's comeback in the series, delving into the aftermath of the Shibuya Incident and exploring Kenjaku's machinations involving the Culling Game. Additionally, it brings back Yuki Tsukumo, the influential sorcerer who inadvertently led Geto astray, alongside numerous other crucial plot elements.
2) Itadori's Extermination (from chapter 137 to 143)
The arc that started it all (Image via MAPPA).
The first arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, called Cursed Child, was made into the movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0 with Yuta Okkotsu as the protagonist. Although author Gege Akutami intended it to be a standalone story, there are some differences in the battle system and character portrayals, like Geto's outgoing personality and Gojo's power levels, compared to the main series.
However, this arc serves as a solid beginning for one of the most popular modern shonen series, incorporating compelling elements such as Yuta's drive to become stronger and Geto's ambition to change the world. While it may have some flaws, it is understandable as Akutami is still starting out as a mangaka and is still exploring his style.
1) Cursed Child (from chapter 1 to 4 of its own miniseries)
Overview of Arc Variety in Jujutsu Kaisen
Expand TweetJujutsu Kaisen showcases a remarkable assortment of arcs that seamlessly connect, resulting in an incredibly enjoyable manga. This is a testament to Gege Akutami's talent for introducing diverse elements throughout the series, a skill many authors often struggle with.
