Jujutsu Kaisen needs its readers to be smart, and that's what made it so popular

Jujutsu Kaisen is one of those rare anime that dare to challenge me intellectually, and as someone whose personality has been shaped by anime and manga, I’ve come to truly appreciate that.

That’s exactly what Jujutsu Kaisen does. This particular franchise does not hold your hand. It doesn’t slow down to explain everything in painfully simple terms. Instead, it demands your full attention. This is one of the reasons it became so popular.

Yes, Jujutsu Kaisen is a mainstream hit. However, it’s not mainstream because it panders to the lowest common denominator. It earned its spot by asking more of its readers, and in doing so, it built a fan base of people who actually enjoy putting in the mental effort.

The most obvious reason I say this is the power system. If you’ve read or watched even a little of this series, you know this isn’t your average system where the setup is not fire versus water or keep on attacking till eventual victory.

In Jujutsu Kaisen, the more you understand about cursed energy, domains, binding vows, and reverse cursed techniques, the more rewarding the fights become. For instance, let me talk about Satoru Gojo’s Limitless technique. At first, this sounds like a cool power that allows him to manipulate space at an atomic level. However, if we actually go deeper to learn about his ability, it is rooted in real concepts of infinity, physics, and strategy.

There are fans who complain that the series is too confusing or that it doesn’t always explain itself clearly. Here’s the thing, it does explain itself. I believe it is a matter of just paying attention. In my opinion, it refers to seeing a shonen series where things are not oversimplified, as Jujutsu Kaisen expects you to be smart.

Here’s where I get honest: I don’t think Jujutsu Kaisen was meant for casual fans. And I don’t mean that in a gatekeeping way. What I mean is, Gege Akutami built this series with a very specific vision, and it’s not always easy to follow. That’s part of its identity. The series respects its readers enough not to dumb down things.

In a way, according to my knowledge, by adding extensive information in the series, Jujutsu Kaisen weeds out the passive viewer. If you like dissecting fight mechanics, decoding foreshadowing, and debating philosophical questions about death, fate, and the self, then this series is your playground. If not, that’s fine too, there are other series that serve different purposes. I love that Jujutsu Kaisen doesn’t try to please everyone.

Moreover, when I talk about complex systems, I need to mention the Culling Game arc. This is where even some longtime fans began to feel overwhelmed. I get it, the rules, the players, the points, the barriers, the ever-shifting objectives — it’s a lot, but that’s kind of the point.

Why Jujutsu Kaisen uses complex storytelling

I’ve heard people say it is too complicated, therefore it is bad. That logic doesn’t sit right with me. Some of the best stories in any medium, from Inception to Evangelion, are complicated, but that complexity means something. It gives the story room to explore deeper themes, to create unexpected twists, to mimic the unpredictable mess of real life.

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Finally, I believe the series embraces complexity but executes it so beautifully that it does not feel muddled or foggy. Some characters struggle with legacy, trauma, regret, identity, and hope, all within a brutal world governed by cursed energy and cruelty.

You can’t flatten that into simple terms. So yes, this series is hard to follow sometimes. The fights are dense. The rules are layered. The story is tragic and non-linear. But for me, that’s not a flaw.

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