Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 release dates and everything we know about the new season

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 is over, but there's plenty to dig into before one of the best anime of 2023 before we look ahead to Jujutsu Kaisen season 3.

If you've been watching from July then you might need a refresher on all things Jujutsu Kaisen season 2. For that, and so much more, be sure to scroll down to our essential guide to the latest season. That includes release date plans, cast list, a story recap, and so much more more.

Meanwhile, if you require a more in-depth look at the show's future, check out the Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 release schedule. And if you want more from the world of anime, see our guides on Demon Slayer season 4 and how to watch Neon Genesis Evangelion in order.

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 release dates: when are new episodes airing?

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 is available on Crunchyroll and Funimation in all territories.

An English-language dub is also currently airing around two weeks after its subtitled counterpart, so expect the finale in early January.

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 story: is it a prequel?

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 was a prequel-of-sorts - just not for very long.

Jujutsu Kaisen's first season ended with the conclusion of the Death Painting Arc, which ran from chapters 55-64 in the manga. The second season has now finished adapting Gojo’s Past Arc (Hidden Inventory/Premature Death), which covers chapters 65-79 in the manga.

That revolves around – you guessed it – Gojo's past, specifically a mission involving Gojo and Geto escorting a Star Plasma Vessel to Tengen. 

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 has now jumped back to the present day to adapt the Shibuya Incident (chapters 79-136). We're not heading into spoiler territory here, don't worry, but as you may have seen so far, the Shibuya Incident Arc all revolves around a plan to seal away Goto, spearheaded by Gojo and his new cursed alliance.

That's been confirmed to last two entire cours, and we've recently had confirmation it'll last for 18 episodes, bringing the total Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 episode count to 23 episodes.

Need a refresher on what's already gone down? Here's a spoiler-free recap. Having defeated the Cursed Wombs Eso and Kechizu, Yuji and Nobara join back up with Megumi. However, Sukuna – using a mouth in Yuji’s hand, because anime – eats the finger and moves him one step closer to regaining his power.

Expect the new season's Shibuya Incident arc to do with that encroaching evil, as well as that of the third Cursed Womb triplet, Choso, allying himself with series villains Geto and Mahito.

There's also the small matter of a mole in Jujutsu High, with teacher Utahime very much on the hunt for the duplicitous sorcerer. That will also form a large part of the next season.

In a final season 2 setup, Yuji, Megumi, Nobara (as well as Maki and Panda) are recommended for a promotion to Grade 1 Sorcerers – and Gojo invites them to take part in a new mission…

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 recap: the story so far

So far, we've seen Gojo and Geto (then second year students) being hired by Master Tengen to protect his Plasma Star Vessel, a girl named Riko. That proves easier said than done, with Riko being hunted down by the Q sect and the Time Vessel Association. The first episode ended with the latter hiring Toji Fushiguto to kill Riko.

The second episode sees Gojo and Geto properly 'meeting' Riko, though she decides against going to Jujutsu High for protection. Toji puts a bounty out on Riko's head, with the Star Vessel - after Geto fights off curse users - getting a text message revealing that her maid, Kuroi, has been kidnapped.

The third episode upped the stakes further, with Gojo and Geto taking the fight to the Time Vessel Association. Later, at Jujutsu High, Toji fights Gojo, who learns that his attacker was born with a Heavenly Restriction. In short: he's super powerful. Toji shows off his strength by seemingly killing Gojo.

On their way back to Tengen, Riko discusses whether she wants to be assimilated. Just as she reaches out to Geto, she's shot and killed by Toji. 

Geto fights back against Toji, who eventually defeats him after a failed attempt to absorb his cursed spirit. After healing himself using a Reverse Cursed technique, a newly-revived Gojo fights Toji and brings out the Hollow Purple attack. He completely destroys one side of Toji's body with his flashy new ability, killing Toji. With his dying breath, Toji reveals to Gojo that his son will be sold to Zenin Clan. The fifth episode ends with Geto and Gojo reuniting at a Time Vessel Association church, debating whether to kill the cultists.

The Hidden Inventory prequel arc drew to a close with a one-year time jump as Geto commits several heinous acts, including murdering an entire village. Having been sentenced to death, he is confronted by Gojo, who cannot fight his former friend. Geto is then installed as the Star Religious Group's new leader. The episode ends with Gojo waking up in the present, surrounded by our familiar protagonists: Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi.

To start the Shibuya Incident arc in the present-day, Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi (alongside Maki Zen'in and Panda) are officially nominated as first-grade sorcerers. We are also introduced to Yoko, a former classmate of Yuji's - and someone who has a crush on him. The traitor - mentioned at the end of the first season - is revealed to be Mechamaru/Muta.

Muta is then killed by Mahito and, in a dramatic turn of events, the entirety of Shibuya is enveloped by a veil, trapping those within. The episode ends with Gojo entering the veil.

As the Shibuya Incident continues, Yuji fights a Grasshopper Curse at Shibuya Station, soundly defeating it. Jogo and Hanami are stalling for time with Gojo, who eventually has enough of Jogo's taunting and killing. He removes his blindfold and, after only taking them semi-seriously, steels himself for a real fight.

Gojo kills Hanami, but is eventually confronted by his one-time friend Geto, who we (and Gojo) know is being controlled by the sorcerer Kenjaku. In all the mayhem, Gojo is also trapped by the Prison Realm, with Yuji being made aware of Gojo's predicament.

Gojo manages to help Geto break free slightly, with his hand choking out the body that's being controlled by Kenjaku. Unfortunately for the sorcerer, he's then sealed shut inside the Prison Realm and is forced to rely on Yuji, who lets the other teams around Shibuya know about Gojo's situation.

Yuji, Ino, and Megumi eventually take down the veil covering Shibuya, letting some sorcerers leave. However, Gojo and the civilians caught in the conflict are still trapped. Nobara and Nanami then fight Shigemo, with Nanami comprehensively coming out on top in an incredible show of strength. In the depths of the subway, Mei Mei and Ui Ui bump into 'Geto'... 

Jujutsu Kaisen episode 13 saw Choso seek revenge against Yuji after the death of his brother in the first season's Death Painting arc. Choso gains the upper hand on Yuji and is about to kill him when he becomes overwhelmed by memories showing him with his brothers... and Yuji. What gives?

Uh, about that. While episode 14 delights in the touches of visual flourish, the focus shifts to another scrap. Nanami, Maki, and Naobito come to blows with the cursed spirit Dagon leading to another dimension entirely. A lovely change of scenery to the Shibuya subway, though the cliffhanger comes when Megumi appears to save everyone, only to be surprised by the return of someone else entirely. The 15th episode sees Sukuna awaken once more whilst the most recent episode, the 16th instalment, sees him fight Jogo - and that isn't the only conflict in that chapter, as we also saw the Fushiguro battle. How exciting!

Episode 17 sees Megumi make a last-gasp attempt to defeat Haruta by summoning the shikigami Mahoraga. Sukuna swoops in and saves Haruta, before defeating Mahoraga. However, he only does so with his Domain Expansion ability Malevolent Shrine, which kills everyone in a certain radius, including Haruta.

In episode 18, Nanami is killed by Mahito. Nobara fights a double of Mahito in episode 19, seemingly succumbing to her wounds at the episode's end... Yuji, it's fair to say, has not had a good few hours in Shibuya.

Distracted by his situation, Yuji is continually attacked by Mahito. Todo then helps Yuji snap out of his predicament, while Nobara's body is stabilized. Todo and Yuji team up to fight Mahito, but episode 20 ends with the latter unleashing human souls onto the pair to help turn the tide.

'Metamorphosis' continues Yuji and Todo's fight against Mahito. The pair eventually get the upper hand, with Yuji hitting his Black Flash. On the brink of defeat/death, Mahito is offered a way out by 'Geto'...

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 cast

Goto (Yuichi Nakamura) and Geto (Takahiro Sakurai) featured heavily in the first five episodes as part of the Hidden Inventory/Premature Death arc. Other characters featured in the arc include Shoko (Aya Endo), Kento Nanami (Kenjiro Nanami), Mei Mei (Kotono Mitsuishi) Utahime Iori (Yoko Hikasa), Riko (Anna Nagase), and Toji (Takehito Koyasu).

Jujutsu Kaisen main characters from the present day, including Yuji (Junya Enoki) Nobara (Asami Seto), and Megumi (Yuma Uchida).

Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 trailer: first look at the Shibuya Incident arc

The first Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 trailer was released as part of the Jump Festa event. Showcasing brief snippets of some of the season's key players, the Japanese teaser is a tantalizing glimpse of what's to come, even without any real footage. 

Now, though, we've skipped ahead to the Shibuya Incident. Want to know what's coming next? The new Jujutsu Kaisen season 2 trailer is here to whet the appetite, showcasing the next chapter of Yuji, Nobara, and Megumi's adventures. Watch it below.

Do I need to watch the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie before season 2?

We’d certainly recommend it. The Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie being a prequel to the main series, but it also informs the events of season 2.

The movie centers on swordsman Yuta Okkotsu, who will – mild spoilers – play a more prominent role in the Jujutsu Kaisen anime as it wears on. He’s also one of the most popular characters from the manga series, so you should really go and see what all the fuss is about.

There's also a post-credits scene which sets up future events in the anime. It revolves around Yuta heading back to Japan and into the fold of the main series.

In completionist terms, it’s also worth seeking out – it fleshes out the world and the curse-heavy concept of the universe, all while making for a compelling story in its own right. 

It can likely be skipped if you’re pressed for time, but we really suggest you seek it out.

Where can I watch Jujutsu Kaisen?

If you need to catch up on Jujutsu Kaisen, then all 24 episodes of the first season and the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll. New episodes air every Thursday.

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