Advertisement
Gege Akutami’s masterfully crafted supernatural manga, “Jujutsu Kaisen,” has garnered a devoted following, particularly after its English translation opened it up to international audiences. Viz Media secured the rights for English-language distribution in North America, with print versions hitting shelves since December 2019. Additionally, Shueisha publishes the series in English on the Manga Plus platform.
The anime adaptation of “Jujutsu Kaisen” made its debut on MBS in October 2020, further expanding its fan base when the English dubbed version arrived on Crunchyroll a month later in November. This exemplifies how manga and anime, as an art form, have transcended language barriers, owing in part to the high quality of English subtitles and dubs that retain the essence and allure of the original narrative.
Production studios have also embraced the practice of translating the titles of manga/anime series that may be challenging for non-Japanese audiences to understand. Some notable examples of this trend include “Attack on Titan” (Original: Shingeki no Kyojin) and “Demon Slayer” (Original: Kimetsu no Yaiba), among others. While “Jujutsu Kaisen” has gained fame in its own right, you might still be curious about the official English title of the series and the true meaning behind it.
The official English title of “Jujutsu Kaisen” is “Sorcery Fight,” which on the surface aligns with the series’ focus on Jujutsu Sorcerers combating demonic Curses. However, it’s important to note that “Sorcery Fight” isn’t a direct translation of “Jujutsu Kaisen.” While “Jujutsu” does indeed mean sorcery or magic, “Kaisen” isn’t an established Japanese word; rather, Gege Akutami created it to imbue the title with deeper significance by combining two distinct Japanese characters.
The term “kai (廻)” signifies “around” or an unending cycle, and “sen (戦)” translates to “war” or battle/fight. When combined, “Kaisen (廻戦)” conveys the concept of an unceasing cycle of battle. This authentic translation renders “Jujutsu Kaisen” as “an everlasting battle of sorcery,” aligning seamlessly with the core theme of the series: that Curses coexist with humanity, ensuring an eternal struggle. At the heart of the plot is Yuji Itadori, a first-year Jujutsu Sorcerer at Tokyo Jujutsu High, who, alongside fellow Sorcerers, confronts a formidable Curse named Ryomen Sukuna, residing within Yuji’s own body.
For enthusiasts, the anime series can be enjoyed on Crunchyroll, while the manga is accessible on Viz Media’s official website.