Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen

A supernatural manga and anime series about students learning to fight cursed spirits using jujutsu sorcery.

Category
Anime/Manga
Release Year
2018
Origin
Japan
Tags
supernatural
action
school
demons
magic
shonen
Latest Release

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 – The Culling Game: Part 1 – 2026 Latest Updates

Last Updated: January 31, 2026
Crunchyroll views and global buzz are exploding!

Introduction

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 (呪術廻戦 第3期) is finally here! MAPPA delivers jaw-dropping animation once again, kicking off the deadly Culling Game arc with high-stakes battles and new rules. As a battle shonen fan, my biggest takeaway after the premiere episodes: the animation quality is insane—the domain expansions and hand-to-hand fights feel even more visceral than Shibuya. Pure adrenaline!

Spoiler-Free Plot Summary

After the chaos of the Shibuya Incident, Yuji Itadori and the surviving sorcerers enter a new deadly phase orchestrated by Kenjaku: the Culling Game. Players are forced into colonies across Japan to fight in a brutal tournament with cursed energy rules, ancient sorcerers revived, and massive stakes for the fate of the world. Themes of survival, alliances, betrayal, and the cost of power intensify as old and new threats collide in high-octane battles.

Basic Information

Release DateJanuary 8, 2026
StudioMAPPA
DirectorShota Goshozono
Main CastJunya Enoki (Yuji), Yuma Uchida (Megumi), Yuichi Nakamura (Gojo), Takahiro Sakurai (Geto/Kenjaku)
Episode Count12 (Part 1)
GenreAction / Supernatural / Dark Fantasy
RatingTV-MA

Box Office & Reception

Crunchyroll Global RankingConsistently #1 in Winter 2026 season
MyAnimeList Score~8.9+ (early episodes trending high)
HighlightsPraised for fluid animation, brutal choreography, and faithful arc adaptation. Some fans note pacing adjustments from manga.
Personal Rating9/10. The Culling Game's rules add fresh tension, and MAPPA's visuals make every curse technique pop.

New Character

Hakari Kinji

Hakari, a suspended third-year student from Tokyo Jujutsu High, is a gambling-obsessed powerhouse with a unique cursed technique tied to "jackpot" probabilities. His laid-back yet explosive personality and domain expansion make him a fan-favorite wildcard. As someone who loves high-risk fighters, Hakari feels like a real "all-in" gambler—charismatic, unpredictable, and ridiculously strong once he hits his groove. Voiced by Nobunaga Shimazaki (born December 6, 1988), a veteran seiyuu known for roles like Tanizaki in Bungo Stray Dogs and Yuno in Black Clover. His energetic delivery brings Hakari's cocky charm to life perfectly.

Location

Real-Life Inspirations for Key Settings

Key locations in The Culling Game arc rooted in real-life Japan:

Shibuya Scramble Crossing
Core of past arcs but ties into colony transitions; neon chaos vibe.
Sendai City (Miyagi)
Yuji Itadori's hometown; real streets and zunda mochi shops featured in flashbacks.
Aoyama Cemetery & Inokashira Park
Atmospheric spots inspiring Jujutsu High surroundings and quiet moments.
Sendagaya Tunnel
Used for hidden battles and colony entries.
Jujutsu Kaisen Overview

Detailed Overview Information

Basic Information

Full Name
Jujutsu Kaisen
Aliases
JJK, Sorcery Fight, Jujutsu Kaisen: Sorcery Fight
Type
Manga/Anime Series
Release Year
2018
Status
Ongoing
Origin
Japan
Region
Japan

Creation Information

Creator
Gege Akutami
Publisher
Shueisha (manga), Viz Media (English)
Original Work
Jujutsu Kaisen manga
Genre
Supernatural, Action, School, Shonen, Dark Fantasy, Horror

Content Information

Synopsis
High school student Yuji Itadori joins a secret organization of Jujutsu Sorcerers to kill a powerful Curse named Ryomen Sukuna, of whom Yuji becomes the host.
Main Characters
Yuji Itadori, Megumi Fushiguro, Nobara Kugisaki, Satoru Gojo, Ryomen Sukuna
Setting
Modern Japan with hidden supernatural world of curses and sorcerers
Themes
Death, sacrifice, friendship, power and responsibility, moral ambiguity, the nature of evil
Target Audience
Teenagers and young adults, shonen manga readers

Media Forms

Comics
Weekly Shonen Jump manga series
Animated Series
MAPPA anime adaptation, multiple seasons
Films
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 prequel film
Video Games
Mobile games, fighting games in development
Merchandise
Figures, clothing, accessories, collectibles
Books
Light novels, art books, character guides
Digital Content
Mobile apps, digital manga, streaming anime

Commercial Information

Sales
Over 80 million copies in circulation worldwide
Revenue
Hundreds of millions from manga, anime, and merchandise
Awards
Anime Awards, manga industry recognition
Critical Reception
Highly praised for animation quality, character development, and fight choreography
Cultural Impact
Major influence on modern shonen anime, international popularity
Market Value
One of the most valuable new anime/manga properties
Licensing Deals
Global distribution rights, merchandise licensing worldwide

Fan Culture

Fanbase
Massive global fanbase across all age groups
Communities
Active online communities, fan forums, social media groups
Events
Anime conventions, fan meetups, cosplay events
Quotes
I am you, Domain Expansion, Sukuna-sama, Gojo-sensei
Memes
Gojo blindfold, Sukuna fingers, domain expansion poses, character expressions
Cosplay
Extremely popular cosplay characters, especially Gojo and main students
Fan Art
Abundant fan art across all platforms
Fan Projects
Fan animations, tribute videos, analysis content
Cultural References
Referenced in other anime, social media trends, pop culture

Historical Development

2018
Manga serialization begins in Weekly Shonen Jump
2019
Manga gains popularity, anime adaptation announced
2020
Anime series premieres, becomes international hit
2021
Jujutsu Kaisen 0 film released, breaks box office records
2023
Second season of anime airs, Shibuya Incident arc

Related Links