Is Jujutsu Kaisen Zero Canon To Gege Akutami'S Story?

Short and enthusiastic take: absolutely canon — 'Jujutsu Kaisen 0' is a prequel created by Gege Akutami and sits within the same continuity as the main series. It introduces Yuta Okkotsu, explains why he's so important later on, and gives context to things you see in 'Jujutsu Kaisen'. The movie version fleshes out scenes and dramatizes some beats (I cried at a moment they extended), but those changes are mostly expansions rather than rewrites, and they don't break the timeline.

If you want a viewing order tip: the prequel stands on its own so newcomers can jump straight into '0' without getting lost, but longtime readers will find extra emotional payoff since they already know characters and lore. For me, rereading the original prequel chapters after watching the movie was fun because you spot the little differences and the things the adaptation leaned into. It's canon, it matters, and it makes the whole story feel richer — worth your time whether you're new or knee-deep in fandom.

I get why people argue about this one — it's a favorite debate at conventions and in my group chats. To be blunt: yes, 'Jujutsu Kaisen 0' is canon to Gege Akutami's story. It was written by Akutami as a prequel that introduces Yuta Okkotsu and the events that shape his arc, and those events sit squarely in the continuity of the main series. From the way characters reference Yuta later on to the fact that his status and experiences directly influence developments in the main storyline, nothing in '0' feels like an alternate timeline or a throwaway side project — it's part of the same narrative universe.

That said, canon doesn't mean there aren't small differences between the original manga chapters and the film adaptation. I read the prequel on a sleepy train ride and then watched the movie with friends at a late-night screening; the film expands certain scenes, tightens pacing, and sometimes adds emotional beats to land better on screen. Those additions were made to suit the medium, and they were handled with care — Akutami's original material is clearly respected. So if you're nitpicking for panel-by-panel fidelity, you'll find tweaks, but those tweaks don't break continuity. They mostly enhance character moments and clarify motivations.

For people who want practical advice: if you're brand-new, 'Jujutsu Kaisen 0' works wonderfully as an entry point because it introduces the world and has a contained, emotional story. If you're already deep into the series, '0' enriches your understanding of Gojo, of how special grades like Yuta come to be, and why certain characters act the way they do. Personally, I found Yuta's arc heavier and more tragic than the main series' early chapters — it made subsequent scenes in 'Jujutsu Kaisen' hit harder for me. So yes, it's canon, it's meaningful, and it’s one of those pieces that makes the whole series feel fuller rather than contradictory — which is exactly the kind of thing I like to revisit when I want the world to feel alive again.