Introducing Japanese Manga and Anime ~ "Jujutsu Kaisen" and Tokyo - A City Where Reality and Fiction Intersect~
Manga and anime have become a major cultural force that captivates not only people in Japan, but audiences all around the world. The intricate storylines, delicate portrayals of characters’ inner emotions, and overwhelming visual beauty have earned anime and manga high praise in many countries.
In recent years, streaming services like Netflix and Crunchyroll have made anime more accessible for viewers abroad. This allowed viewers to enjoy the latest Japanese anime almost as early as local Japanese audiences, and contributed to expanding the fan base even further.
In this article, we’ll be taking a closer look at one of the most popular recent works among them -“Jujutsu Kaisen”.
Jujutsu Kaisen is a dark fantasy set in modern-day Japan. It depicts the battles between “sorcerers,” who use unique techniques and supernatural powers known as “cursed energy” to exorcise “curses”, which are born from human negative emotions. The story also portrays conflicts with “curse users”, human beings who manipulate curses for their own purposes, skillfully intertwining human drama with supernatural battles.
The story mainly takes place in Japan’s capital city, Tokyo. In Jujutsu Kaisen, Tokyo is not merely a backdrop. Tokyo’ high population density is a hotbed for curses, as more humans yield more emotions which creates curses. Because of this, the city is deeply intertwined with the core of the story.
Tokyo, a Place Where Curses Gather
In the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, people’s negative emotions create "curses" and “cursed spirits.” Because of this, cities with large populations, where friction between people are more common, and emotional stresses run high, tend to also have a large gathering of curses.
One of the reasons Jujutsu Kaisen resonates so deeply with readers and viewers, is that it’s more than just a fantasy story; it visualizes the “curses” that lurk within modern society. In the story, most people cannot see curses despite creating them. This logical tie-in of the real world to the plot makes it easier for audiences to immerse themselves in the world and experience its eerie realism by believing they may potentially, actually be a part of it.
Although the series establishes that curses, curse users, and jujutsu sorcerers have existed since ancient times, the main storyline focuses especially on curses manifested in modern society. It pushes us to reflect on modern life’s unique stressors. Jujutsu Kaisen portrays the suffering of contemporary life in the form of “curses,” tying the story further into the real, daily world.
Real-Life Locations Within the City of Tokyo
Jujutsu Kaisen features numerous real-life Tokyo locations and landmarks throughout its story.
■ Shibuya
In the “Shibuya Incident” arc of season 2, the city of Shibuya serves as the main setting. Iconic spots such as the Scramble Crossing and the inside of Shibuya Station are faithfully recreated, making this area a hugely popular visitation site among fans.
Many of the arc’s battles take place within the station complex, allowing visitors to recognize familiar locations. Here are a few notable examples:
★ Shibuya Station, Fukutoshin Line platform
This is the location where the Special-Grade curse, Hanami, blocks off the platform with its curse-plants. It is also the place where “the Strongest Sorcerer”, Satoru Gojo, was sealed into the “Prison Realm” by the enemies' trickery. These are some of the key scenes in the “Shibuya Incident” arc, memorably depicted in the anime, and often referenced on the internet as well. Among fans, it’s known as one of Shibuya’s must-see Jujutsu Kaisen spots.
★ Shibuya Hikarie Floor 1 Concourse
This is where main character and sorcerer-in-training, Yuji Itadori, and a cursed spirit (in human form),Choso, engage in an intense battle. The structure of the real Shibuya Hikarie area is recreated with striking realism, giving the fight an incredible sense of unease and urgency, and making it one of the most talked-about action scenes in the arc, and possibly even the entire series.
■ Shinjuku
In front of a certain globally famous fast-food chicken shop in Shinjuku, lies a scene that marks a huge turning point in Jujutsu Kaisen.
It is here that Suguru Geto turns his back on his former best friend, Satoru Gojo, and walks away. This moment confirms Geto’s defection to the dark side - setting him on the path of a Curse User, while Gojo continues his life as a Sorcerer. From that point on, the two follow completely opposite destinies.
For fans, this spot symbolizes the heartbreaking severing of their bond - a truly bittersweet *“sacred” spot.
*Translator’s Note: Amongst fans in Japan, real-life spots that serve as a setting for manga or anime are usually referred to as “sacred spots”, or “holy sites”. The origin of the phrase is uncertain, but as a largely areligious culture, the use of religious words to reference something non-religious is not often regarded as offensive or taboo, and is commonly used in many scenarios.
■ Takeshita Doori (Street)
While Takeshita Street in Harajuku doesn’t actually appear in the main series, it’s mentioned in conversation in the movie, “Jujutsu Kaisen 0”.
Around 10 years after his defection, Suguru Geto appears before Satoru Gojo and his students, accompanied by his new allies, to declare war against the Jujutsu Sorcerers. However, the confrontation does not escalate into a fight, as some of Geto’s companions apparently “want to eat crepes from Takeshita Street and the shop is about to close”, and they withdraw temporarily, choosing to prioritize his crew members’ desires at that time.
The scene, in which Geto casually reveals his destination to his supposed enemies, subtly conveys the composure and confidence of his group and has left a memorable impression on fans. It has also left fans joking theorizing that Geto secretly wanted his former best friend to join them.
Although the specific crepe shop isn’t identified, walking down Takeshita Street and wondering,
“Could it have been this one?”
has become one of the small but delightful ways for fans to enjoy their own Jujutsu Kaisen world exploration.
■ Fictional Locations
Before you go searching for all the locations shown in the series, it is also important to be aware that not all locations mentioned in the series actually exist in real life.
The protagonist, Yuji Itadori, and his friends attend “Tokyo Metropolitan Jujutsu Technical High School”, which is said to be located deep within the mountains of Tokyo, in a fictional area called Mushiroyama Fumoto.
Although the real-life model for this location has not been confirmed, the setting features a mix of temple and shrine architecture alongside ordinary school buildings and dormitories, creating a distinctive atmosphere that blends the sacred with the everyday.
While the school itself is fictional, in the story itself, they present the school with the official front as “a religion-affiliated academy with dormitories on site”. One can’t help but imagine that somewhere, hidden within the real world, there might just be a school like Jujutsu High quietly operating in secret.
Read or Watch Jujutsu Kaisen!
The opening theme song and music video for the first season of the anime, "Kaikai Kitan" by Eve
The Jujutsu Kaisen manga has already been completed, so if you’d like to binge-read the entire series, we can recommend the collected volumes or check out official online distribution services.
The anime is set to premiere its third season in 2026. As of now, seasons 1 and 2 have been released, along with the theatrical film, Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
If you would like to watch the series in chronological order, the recommended viewing sequence is:
Season 2 (Cour 1) → Movie: Jujutsu Kaisen 0 → Season 1 → Season 2 (Cour 2)
This order allows you to follow the story’s timeline and better understand the characters’ relationships and development. Of course, watching in release order also offers its own kind of enjoyment - so feel free to choose the style that suits you best!
Merchandise and Collaborations
For many fans, collecting character merchandise and attending collaboration events are some of the most exciting ways to enjoy their favorite series.
Product / Event Collaborations and Pop-up Shops
In 2024, a special collaboration event titled “Jujutsu Kairō (meaning ‘Corridor’)”was held at Tokyo Skytree. The event allowed visitors to fully immerse themselves in the world of the series through themed exhibits and exclusive merchandise.
Pop-up shops, on the other hand, are smaller, events that appear at specific locations for a limited amount of times, usually for a few days. They often offer exclusive items and event-only specials that cannot be found anywhere else, making them rare and highly sought-after opportunities for fans.
In addition, Jujutsu Kaisen, like other Shonan-genre animanga, frequently collaborates with capsule toy lines (gachapon), convenience store products, and other everyday items - allowing fans to easily access Jujutsu Kaisen items, and enjoy the series in a wide variety of forms across Japan.
Merchandise Shops
At Animate, one of Japan’s largest chains specializing in anime, manga, and game merchandise, you can find Jujutsu Kaisen goods year-round. In Tokyo, other popular shopping spots include Akihabara, Tokyo Character Street, and Nakano Broadway, all of which are packed with stores where you can easily find a wide range of anime merchandise.
Summary
In Jujutsu Kaisen, Tokyo is more than just a background - it is almost a living, breathing part of the story, embodying human emotions, the distortions of society, and even a glimmer of hope, thanks to the unsung heroes that are Jujutsu Sorcerers.
The stress and loneliness we experience in everyday life might, in a sense, be a type of “Curse”. Perhaps that’s why the world of Jujutsu Kaisen feels so close to us - almost as if it exists right beside our own.
Immersing yourself in that feeling, exploring Tokyo from a new perspective, or visiting real-life locations, events, and merchandise shops connected to the series can be a fun and meaningful way to experience Jujutsu Kaisen beyond the screen.
