10 Perfect Anime You Need To Watch Before Jujutsu Kaisen Returns

After a long wait, Jujutsu Kaisen is coming back with its third season this January. Even though the Jujutsu Kaisen manga finished over a year ago, the series is still incredibly popular with both fans and critics. This is especially true with the release of Jujutsu Kaisen’s new continuation, Jujutsu Kaisen Modulo, and the anime’s return is a great way to maintain that momentum.

Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 is expected to be a major anime release in 2026. However, with the premiere still some time away, there’s still a lot of great anime to enjoy in the meantime. Several shows particularly stand out, and any dedicated Jujutsu Kaisen fan wouldn’t want to miss them.

10) D.Gray-man

TMS Entertainment’s D.Gray-man is set in a different version of the 19th century, where humanity is under attack by the evil Millennium Earl and his dangerous army of Akuma. The only hope for people lies with the exorcists of the Black Order, who fight back using Innocence – a power that opposes the Akuma. And the newest member of the Black Order, Allen Walker, may have a deeper connection to these events than anyone realizes.

Similar to Jujutsu Kaisen, D.Gray-man is an anime focused on exorcists defending people from monsters. It’s a really enjoyable show with fantastic action sequences and a well-developed story. In fact, Jujutsu Kaisen has actually made references to D.Gray-man in the past, making it a great choice for fans of the series.

9) Chainsaw Man

In MAPPA’s Chainsaw Man, a dangerous fight with a powerful Devil leads Denji to merge with his companion, Pochita. This gives him the ability to transform into the terrifying Chainsaw Man. Afterward, Denji is hired by the government as a professional Devil Hunter. Even though the job is risky, it offers Denji the best opportunity to finally experience a normal life.

I’ve always seen Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man as similar series – both are newer, darker fantasy stories packed with intense action. That connection really shines through in how amazing their anime adaptations are. Honestly, very few anime feel as compatible as these two, and with the Chainsaw Man movie on the way, it feels like the perfect time to dive in and start watching.

8) My Hero Academia

In Bones Film’s My Hero Academia, Izuku Midoriya longs to become a hero, even though he’s born without any special abilities. After unexpectedly meeting his hero, All Might, Izuku gets the opportunity to show everyone he has the potential to become not just a hero, but the very best.

Although My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen have very different moods, My Hero offers a fantastic mix of exciting action and touching stories, making it just as enjoyable to watch, and perhaps even more so. Both shows are among the most popular anime of recent years, and with the final season of My Hero Academia being released, that statement holds even more weight.

7) Dark Gathering

In OLM, Inc.’s Dark Gathering, Keitaro Gentoga hopes for a typical college experience, even though he can perceive the supernatural world. However, his life takes a turn when he encounters Yayoi, a girl who shares his abilities. She involves him in her quest to capture and control dangerous spirits, all as preparation for a confrontation with the spirit that took her mother’s soul.

I’ll be honest, Dark Gathering wasn’t always the prettiest anime, but the writing was *so* good and the characters were really well-designed. It always felt like a genuinely thrilling action horror story, and it surprisingly had a lot of heart! Honestly, I think Dark Gathering actually did a better job of portraying the whole exorcist thing than Jujutsu Kaisen did, so if you’re hyped for Jujutsu Kaisen season 3, I’d say this is the *perfect* thing to watch beforehand.

6) Soul Eater

Within the universe of Bones Film’s Soul Eater, monsters are undeniably real and pose a continuous danger to humans, particularly witches. Under the direction of Lord Death, students at the DWMA train to become skilled Meisters and powerful living weapons. They work together to overcome these threats, and through a connection called soul resonance, they unlock each other’s full potential.

I’ve noticed that Soul Eater is another anime centered around fighting monsters, but what really sets it apart is its quirky style. The action, visuals, and writing are all so unique that it feels like a perfect match for Jujutsu Kaisen, offering something completely different. In my opinion, Soul Eater really delivers a fresh take on the monster-hunting theme, and it’s clear to see why it remains a beloved classic.

5) Dandadan

Science Saru’s Dandadan tells the story of Momo Ayase and Okarun, who unexpectedly gain supernatural abilities after a frightening meeting with aliens and spirits. Unfortunately for Okarun, this encounter also results in a rather unfortunate loss. Together, they must train their newfound powers to restore Okarun to his former self, battle the dangers they face, and, as time goes on, develop romantic feelings for each other.

Dandadan, much like Jujutsu Kaisen, is considered a standout urban fantasy anime of recent years. It truly lives up to the hype with its beautiful artwork, imaginative animation, and surprisingly well-written romantic elements. The similarities between Dandadan and Jujutsu Kaisen are clear, and that connection is even stronger now that Dandadan season 3 is also being made.

4) JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure

I’m a huge fan of David Production’s JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure! It’s a really unique series because it follows the Joestar family – and every member ends up with the nickname “JoJo”. Basically, each JoJo gets thrown into these incredibly bizarre adventures where they have to save the world from all sorts of evil. What makes it even cooler is that a lot of the fighting involves people controlling these amazing supernatural powers called Stands – both allies *and* enemies have them, which makes for some really unpredictable battles!

JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure essentially established the trend of imaginative and intricate fights in anime, and considering how much Jujutsu Kaisen relies on that same approach, it’s clear that it heavily borrowed from it. JoJo and Jujutsu Kaisen complement each other wonderfully, and with Steel Ball Run scheduled for release in 2026, now is the perfect moment to begin watching.

3) Yu Yu Hakusho

In Studio Pierrot’s Yu Yu Hakusho, when troubled teen Yusuke Urameshi unexpectedly dies saving someone’s life, the spirit world offers him a second chance. He’s reborn as a spirit detective, tasked with using his newfound powers to shield humans from the constant threat of demons.

Being one of the earliest urban fantasy anime series, Yu Yu Hakusho greatly shaped Jujutsu Kaisen. Its strong storytelling and surprisingly good animation make the influence clear. It’s rare to find a ’90s anime that’s as memorable or enjoyable as Yu Yu Hakusho, and fans of Jujutsu Kaisen definitely shouldn’t miss it.

2) Hunter X Hunter

In Madhouse’s Hunter X Hunter, Gon Freecss begins a journey to become a Hunter, hoping to find his father and experience adventure. While he enjoys making friends and learning about his powerful, yet enigmatic, Nen abilities, Gon soon discovers the harsh realities of the world he was so eager to explore.

Hunter X Hunter definitely had a big impact on Jujutsu Kaisen, especially considering how similar the characters and power system are. Given how good Hunter X Hunter‘s animation and thoughtful storytelling are, this influence makes sense. Hunter X Hunter is frequently mentioned as one of the greatest anime ever made, and it’s not hard to understand why.

1) Bleach

In Studio Pierrot’s Bleach, Ichigo Kurosaki gains the abilities of a Soul Reaper to defend his family and friends from dangerous creatures known as Hollows. However, Ichigo quickly finds himself facing challenges far beyond just fighting monsters, often becoming the sole person capable of saving the world from larger threats.

Thanks to its exciting fights, well-developed characters, and detailed world, Bleach rightfully deserves its spot as a major success for Shonen Jump. In fact, its supernatural elements and unique visual style likely had the greatest impact on Jujutsu Kaisen. Jujutsu Kaisen owes a lot to Bleach, making Bleach the ideal anime to watch before Jujutsu Kaisen comes back – it’s the best choice, hands down.

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2025-10-05 02:43