Jujutsu Kaisen season 3

Jujutsu Kaisen
Season 3
Digipak cover art for the first home media volume of the season, featuring (from left to right) Yuji Itadori, Yuta Okkotsu and Choso
No. of episodes11
Release
Original networkMBS, TBS
Original releaseJanuary 9, 2026 (2026-01-09) –
present
Season chronology

The third season of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime television series is based on the manga series Jujutsu Kaisen by Gege Akutami. An animated adaptation of the manga was originally announced in the 52nd issue of Weekly Shōnen Jump, which was published in November 2019.[1]

Following the conclusion of the second season, an unspecified anime sequel covering the "Culling Game" story arc from the manga was announced.[2][3] In August 2025, it was announced that the sequel would be the series' third season, currently titled The Culling Game: Part 1 (死滅回游 前編, Shimetsu Kaiyū: Zenpen), which premiered with a one-hour special featuring the first two episodes of the season on January 9, 2026. Shōta Goshozono returns from the previous season to direct, with Hiroshi Seko and Yoshimasa Terui respectively returning as series composition writer and music composer.[4][5][6][a] The Culling Game: Part 1 is set to conclude with an extended 27-minute episode on March 27, 2026.[7][b]

The season is adapting the manga's "Itadori's Extermination", "Perfect Preparation", and "Culling Game" story arcs.[9][2] The plot follows the Jujutsu Sorcerers entering the Culling Game,[10][11] with the main objective of fighting off Kenjaku[12] and freeing Satoru Gojo from the Prison Realm.[13] A compilation film of Shibuya Incident, which also featured the first two episodes of The Culling Game: Part 1, premiered in Japanese theaters on November 7, 2025, under the title Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution.[4]

The season is licensed by Crunchyroll for streaming outside of Asia, and began streaming an English dub on January 22, 2026.[4][14]

Episodes

The Culling Game: Part 1

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [15][16]Directed by [c]Chief animation directed by [c]Original release date [a]
481"Execution"
Transliteration: "Shikkō" (Japanese: 執行)
Shōta GoshozonoYosuke Yajima & Hiromi NiwaJanuary 9, 2026 (2026-01-09)[e]
Following the events of the Shibuya Incident,[d] Tokyo has become infested with curses; Yuji Itadori and Choso exorcise them, which also serves as further training for the two. Naobito Zen'in succumbs to his wounds, and his will is read out to his brother Ogi (Maki's and Mai's father), his nephew Jinichi, and his arrogant, misogynistic son Naoya. Naoya is set to be the Zen'in clan's new head, but the will stipulates that due to an arrangement by Toji Fushiguro, if Satoru Gojo is out of commission, Megumi Fushiguro will succeed him instead. Naoya heads to Tokyo to use Yuji to lure Megumi to him, so he can kill them both. Having inherited Naobito's technique, Naoya overwhelms Yuji and Choso with his speed. Yuta Okkotsu then arrives, and the three immediately acknowledge his immense strength. When Naoya offers to let Yuta kill Yuji in exchange for his silence, Yuji flees and Choso battles Naoya. Yuji and Yuta clash, but the latter proves to be too powerful. Just as Yuji manages to break Yuta's katana, he is caught by his shikigami Rika, allowing Yuta to stab him in the heart.
492"One More Time"
Transliteration: "Mōichido" (Japanese: もう一度)
Directed by : Yōsuke Takada
Storyboarded by : Shōta Goshozono
Yosuke Yajima, Hiromi Niwa,
Sota Yamazaki & Mitsue Mori
January 9, 2026 (2026-01-09)[e]
Choso struggles against Naoya, but by flooding the underpass they are in with his blood, he emerges victorious. Yuta defeats Choso and heals Naoya in exchange for confirming Yuji's execution. Yuji sees a memory of his grandfather's conversation with his father Jin, being distrustful of his mother Kaori, who bears stitches on her forehead. Yuta reveals he faked Yuji's death after being tasked by Gojo with protecting him, being sympathetic to Yuji after his own experiences. Megumi appears to ask for his help, but Yuji refuses out of fear of Sukuna's continual threat. Megumi reveals his stepsister Tsumiki will be forced to participate in Pseudo-Geto's Culling Game, a battle royale of jujutsu sorcerers awakened after the Shibuya Incident. Yuji agrees to help, but tells Yuta to kill him if Sukuna emerges again. Knowing they must free Gojo, they head to Jujutsu High and meet up with Yuki Tsukumo and Maki, who survived Jogo's attack. Using Choso's connection to the Death Paintings as a guide, they enter the school's specialized underground chamber to consult immortal jujutsu sorcerer Master Tengen.
503"About the Culling Game"
Transliteration: "Shimetsu Kaiyū ni Tsuite" (Japanese: 死滅回遊について)
Directed by : Takumi Ichikawa
Storyboarded by : Shōta Goshozono
Mitsue MoriJanuary 16, 2026 (2026-01-16)
Tengen explains that the host in Suguru Geto's body is Kenjaku, and that the Culling Game's purpose is to gather enough cursed energy to force evolution throughout all mankind in Japan by assimilating with the omnipresent Tengen, destroying the world. His previous attempts failed due to a Six Eyes user's presence and Tengen's assimilation with a Star Plasma Vessel, but between Toji's killing of Riko Amanai,[f] Kenjaku acquiring Geto's body, and Gojo's sealing in the Prison Realm, his plan can now be completed. The sorcerers learn that the Culling Game will not end until every player is killed; however, they are allowed the creation of new rules, which they will use to free players. Tengen reveals they possess the "Back" of the Prison Realm, and that one of the players, the "Angel" Hana Kurusu, has a cursed technique capable of opening it. The group enact their plan: Choso and Yuki stay behind to protect Tengen, Maki will raid the Zen'in clan vault for cursed tools, Yuta will investigate a Game colony, and Yuji and Megumi will recruit Kinji Hakari, a third-year suspended from Jujutsu High. Meanwhile, Fumihiko Takaba, a comedian lamenting his failed career, is unknowingly a player.
514"Perfect Preparation"
Transliteration: "Ashi o Fukumu" (Japanese: 葦を啣む)
Directed by : Shōta Goshozono, Risa Suzuki
& Yuusuke Sunouchi
Storyboarded by : Shōta Goshozono
Yosuke Yajima, Hiromi Niwa,
Takako Shimizu & Sota Yamazaki
January 23, 2026 (2026-01-23)
Maki returns to the Zen'in clan to find that Ogi has emptied the vault and wounded Mai. He defeats her and leaves the twins to be devoured by curses. When Mai resuscitates Maki, she dreams they are on a beach; knowing she will always keep Maki from reaching her potential as she lives, Mai sacrifices herself by creating a replica of Toji's katana, asking her to destroy the clan. With her Heavenly Restriction now as powerful as Toji's, Maki exorcises the curses and kills her father. The clan's fighting unit and elite sorcerers are sent, but she effortlessly massacres them. Maki is finally confronted by Naoya and they engage in a destructive battle. Naoya seemingly overwhelms her with his projection technique, but as he attempts to deliver a blow at his maximum speed, Maki reveals her speed has transcended beyond his projections, brutally defeating him. She finds her mother, slices her throat for doing nothing to stop the plot, and leaves Mai's body with Momo to finish off the clan. Naoya attempts to find Maki, but her mother stabs him with a knife in her last moments, admitting she is proud of the twins.
525"Passion"
Transliteration: "Netsu" (Japanese: )
Directed by : Masaomi Andō
Storyboarded by : Shōta Goshozono
Mitsue Mori & Yosuke YajimaJanuary 30, 2026 (2026-01-30)
Principal Yaga is revealed to secretly hold power considerable for Special Grade, as he can create an army of autonomous cursed corpses like Panda, or Takeru, Kusakabe's nephew, whose soul he resurrected in a cursed corpse. Following the Shibuya Incident, his execution is carried out by Gakuganji, despairing Panda, who escaped custody with Kusakabe's help. Yuji and Megumi sign up for an illegal fight club for sorcerers, hosted by Hakari and fellow expelled third-year student from Jujutsu High, Kirara Hoshi. In a mock-match against Panda, Yuji impresses Hakari enough to get invited into his private security room. Panda advises them against revealing they're from Jujutsu High. Hakari wants to invite Yuji to be his champion and get rich together once his fight clubs are officially recognized by the higher-ups, but Yuji gives himself away, causing a stand-off with Hakari.
536"Cog"
Transliteration: "Buhin" (Japanese: 部品)
Directed by : Seimei Kidokoro
Storyboarded by : Shōta Goshozono
Yosuke YajimaFebruary 6, 2026 (2026-02-06)
Megumi and Panda infiltrate the compound, when they are spotted by Kirara, who warns Hakari. Megumi attempts to convince Kirara to help them, but they refuse on account of Jujutsu High's conservative board and don't believe that Gojo has been sealed. Kirara uses their Cursed Technique, which appropriates the Southern Cross, allowing them to repel Megumi and Panda away from themselves and Hakari's door. Megumi eventually deduces the technique's function and uses his Ten Shadows to defeat Kirara. He once again asks for their assistance, just as Hakari and Yuji bust onto the roof. Yuji endures several unguarded punches from Hakari, declaring himself as a cog in jujutsu society for the purpose of exorcising curses, and willing to do anything to accomplish it. Seeing his firm resolve convinces Hakari to assist them. A Kogane then appears to inform the sorcerers of a new rule added to the Culling Game, allowing all players to view each other's status. The player who created the rule, a reincarnated sorcerer named Hajime Kashimo, voices his frustration at being unable to find strong opponents, desiring to fight Sukuna.
547"Tokyo Colony No. 1"
Transliteration: "Tōkyō Dai-Ichi Koronī (Ichi)" (Japanese: 東京第1結界コロニー)
Directed by : Takeru Satō
Storyboarded by : Shōta Goshozono
Hiromi Niwa, Takako Shimizu,
Tomomi Noda & Mitsue Mori
February 13, 2026 (2026-02-13)
After Panda informs the group of Yaga's death, Hakari agrees to help in order to use Megumi's position as the Zen'in clan head for his own benefit. Yuji's Kogane appears, revealing that he is already identified as a player, which he suspects is because of Sukuna. They use the Kogane to look for players that possess enough points to add new rules, to allow the ability to trade points and leave the Culling Game. Alongside Kashimo, they learn the other player with enough points is a man named Hiromi Higuruma; Hakari and Panda decide to enter the Tokyo No. 2 Colony to find Kashimo and Angel, who is supposedly also there, while Yuji and Megumi head to the Tokyo No. 1 Colony to find Higuruma. They enter the Colony but are immediately separated across the city. After fighting several sorcerers, Yuji meets an old classmate, Amai, who tells him where to find Higuruma. Simultaneously, Megumi encounters a woman, Remi, who also tells him where Higuruma is. However, Amai and Remi give them different locations.
558"Tokyo Colony No. 1 - Part 2"
Transliteration: "Tōkyō Dai-Ichi Koronī (Ni)" (Japanese: 東京第1結界コロニー)
Yōsuke TakadaYosuke YajimaFebruary 27, 2026 (2026-02-27)
Higuruma is a public defender who grew disillusioned dealing with both a corrupt system, as well as his clients decrying him when he is unable to achieve favorable pleas for them. When his emotional state breaks after another trial ends in his client being unfairly sentenced, Higuruma's cursed technique awakens, revealing a large shikigami, as he declares a "retrial" on the court. In the present, Yuji is taken to a theater in Ikebukuro by Amai, where Higuruma is stationed, while Remi lures Megumi to Shinjuku, to meet a reincarnated sorcerer, Reggie Star. Reggie is interested in Megumi and suggests working together, revealing his theories on the true purpose for the Culling Game, considering how most of the weakest sorcerers have already been weeded out, and the "bomb" Kenjaku has planned to drop on them. Yuji asks Higuruma to use his points to help end the Culling Game, but he refuses, believing the Game's rules are more just than society's flawed way of administering laws. When Yuji challenges him to a fight, Higuruma activates his Domain Expansion, trapping him inside a court.
569"Tokyo Colony No. 1 - Part 3"
Transliteration: "Tōkyō Dai-Ichi Koronī (San)" (Japanese: 東京第1結界コロニー)
Directed by : Teppei Okuda
Storyboarded by : Shōta Goshozono
Yosuke Yajima, Hiromi Niwa
& Tomomi Noda
March 6, 2026 (2026-03-06)
Inside Higuruma's Domain, a target is trialled for a crime they've committed, with his shikigami, Judgeman, overseeing the case. Yuji is charged with entering a pachinko parlor while underage. When he claims he was merely using the bathroom, evidence provided reveals his intentions to gamble. Judgeman declares Yuji guilty and confiscates his cursed energy, allowing Higuruma to overwhelm him with his exceptional sorcerer abilities. Before he can be killed, Yuji demands a retrial, and they return to the Domain. He is then charged for the mass murder in Shibuya, which Yuji confesses to, sentencing him to death. Higuruma is granted a sword to execute him, but becomes shaken by Yuji's admission of guilt, aware that Sukuna was truly responsible. Recalling when he refused a promotion to become a judge, Higuruma releases his technique on the basis that he is innocent. After they talk about their shared experiences in guilt over killing, Higuruma uses his points to add a rule allowing Culling Game players to transfer points to one other. He gives one point to Yuji and leaves, intending to turn himself in for those he killed when the Game ends.
5710"Tokyo Colony No. 1 - Part 4"
Transliteration: "Tōkyō Dai-Ichi Koronī (Yon)" (Japanese: 東京第1結界コロニー)
Directed by : Takumi Ichikawa
Storyboarded by : Shōta Goshozono
Yosuke Yajima, Takako Shimizu
& Sota Yamazaki
March 13, 2026 (2026-03-13)
Megumi is attacked by Reggie, Remi, and two of his underlings. He reluctantly saves Remi from an explosion caused by one of the underlings, Hazenoki, and after their Koganes announces Yuji and Higuruma's new rule addition, he kills the other. Megumi is cornered by Reggie and Hazenoki, when suddenly Takaba appears, stating he will help Megumi to make it an even fight. The three other sorcerers are completely befuddled by Takaba's nonsensical comedy routine, but when he demonstrates a great prowess with cursed energy, Megumi accepts his help, letting him handle Hazenoki, while he fights Reggie. The two fight across the colony, with Reggie using his cursed technique to manifest an endless amount of objects from the receipts attached to him. Megumi lures Reggie into a gymnasium, the latter seemingly getting the drop on him by overwhelming him with objects, but Megumi shocks Reggie by activating his Domain Expansion, using the gym to help complete it.
5811"Tokyo Colony No. 1 - Part 5"
Transliteration: "Tōkyō Dai-Ichi Koronī (Go)" (Japanese: 東京第1結界コロニー)
Directed by : Risa Suzuki
Storyboarded by : Shōta Goshozono
Mitsue Mori, Hiromi Niwa
& Tomomi Noda
March 20, 2026 (2026-03-20)
Cornered inside Megumi's incomplete Domain, Reggie retaliates by summoning cars and a house in an attempt to crush him. However, Megumi undoes the Domain, and the weight of Reggie's summoned objects destroys the gym's floor, causing both to fall into the pool below. With Reggie's receipts now unusable, Megumi uses his Divine Dog to mortally wound him. Reggie commends his strength, before revealing he does not know either Kenjaku or Tengen enough to answer about the Culling Game's true purpose. Before dying, he gives all of his points to Megumi. Meanwhile, Hazenoki continually fails to harm Takaba, whose Comedian Cursed Technique allows whatever he thinks to be funny to manifest into reality, nullifying any damage he receives. Hazenoki's Kogane informs him of Reggie's death, prompting him to leave. Megumi attempts to kill the defenseless Remi, but Tsumiki's words stop him and he collapses from his wounds, just as Angel lowers down upon him. Elsewhere, in the Sendai Colony, Yuta disrupts a four-way deadlock between its strongest players, Takako Uro, Ryu Ishigori, the special-grade cursed spirit Kurourushi, and foreign sorcerer Dhruv Lakdawalla, by killing the latter.
5912"Sendai Colony"
Transliteration: "Sendai Koronī" (Japanese: 仙台結界コロニー)
TBATBAMarch 27, 2026 (2026-03-27)

Recap special

No.
overall
No. in
season
Title [19]Original release date
54.5SP"The Culling Game: Special Episode"
Transliteration: "Shimetsu Kaiyū: Zenpen - Kanwa" (Japanese: 「死滅回游 前編」 閑話)
February 20, 2026 (2026-02-20)
A recap special covering events from the first seven episodes of the third season

Music

For the first part of the season's "Culling Game" arc, the opening theme song is "Aizo", performed by King Gnu,[6] while the ending theme song is "Yoake no Uta" (よあけのうた; lit.'Song of Dawn'), performed by Jo0ji.[20]

Home media release

Japanese

Vol. Discs Episodes Date Ref.
The Culling Game: Part 1[g] 1 2 48–50 April 15, 2026 [21]
2 51–53 May 20, 2026 [22]
3 54–56 June 17, 2026 [23]
4 57–59 July 15, 2026 [24]

Notes

  1. ^ a b MBS lists the third season's episodes as airing on Thursdays at 24:26, which is effectively Fridays at 12:26 a.m. JST.[17]
  2. ^ It is set to air on March 26 at 24:26, which is effectively March 27 at 12:26 a.m. JST.[8]
  3. ^ a b Production staff information is taken from the ending credits of each episode.
  4. ^ As depicted in the second season's Shibuya Incident arc
  5. ^ a b Episodes 48 and 49 aired back-to-back as a one-hour special[18]
  6. ^ As depicted in the second season's Hidden Inventory / Premature Death arc
  7. ^ Shimetsu Kaiyū: Zenpen (死滅回游 前編)

References

  1. ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (November 24, 2019). "Jujutsu Kaisen Manga Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved November 24, 2019.
  2. ^ a b Mateo, Alex (December 28, 2023). "Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Gets Sequel Adapting 'Culling Game' Arc". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  3. ^ TVアニメ「呪術廻戦」続編「死滅回游」の制作決定!スペシャル映像も公開. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. December 28, 2023. Archived from the original on December 28, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Loo, Egan (August 31, 2025). "Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3's Teaser Unveils Part 1's January 2026 Debut". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on August 31, 2025. Retrieved August 31, 2025.
  5. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (November 7, 2025). "Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Part 1 Anime Debuts on January 8". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 20, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  6. ^ a b Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 19, 2025). "Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Part 1 Unveils More Cast, King Gnu Opening Song in New Trailer". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 20, 2025. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  7. ^ Mateo, Alex (March 19, 2026). "Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Part 1 Anime Ends With Extended 27-Minute Episode". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on March 19, 2026. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  8. ^ 「呪術廻戦」第3期「死滅回游 前編」最終話「仙台結界」は本編拡大SP. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). Natasha, Inc. March 20, 2026. Archived from the original on March 20, 2026. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  9. ^ Fang, Sam; Aravind, Ajay (April 22, 2024). "Everything to Expect In Jujutsu Kaisen's Culling Game Arc". CBR. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  10. ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (December 20, 2024). "Jujutsu Kaisen Anime Reveals May 30 Debut for Season 2 Arc's Compilation Film, Visual for 'Culling Game' Arc". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on December 21, 2024. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
  11. ^ Marable, Lawrence (July 23, 2025). "Jujutsu Kaisen: Hidden Inventory's Post-Credits Scene Just Proved That JJK Is Far from Finished". CBR. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  12. ^ Egan, Toussaint (December 28, 2023). "Jujutsu Kaisen confirmed for season 3". Polygon. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  13. ^ Samaddar, Arpita (June 4, 2025). "Major Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Announcements Could be Made This July at Anime Expo 2025". IGN India. Retrieved August 4, 2025.
  14. ^ "Crunchyroll Announces Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Anyway, I'm Falling in Love with You Season 2, Roll Over and Die English Dub Cast". Anime News Network. January 22, 2026. Archived from the original on January 22, 2026. Retrieved February 28, 2026.
  15. ^ "Episōdozu | Terebi Anime "Jujutsu Kaisen" Kōshiki Saito" EPISODES | TVアニメ「呪術廻戦」公式サイト [Episodes | TV Anime "Jujutsu Kaisen" Official Site]. jujutsukaisen.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 25, 2025. Retrieved December 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "Watch Jujutsu Kaisen - Crunchyroll". Crunchyroll. Retrieved May 14, 2025.
  17. ^ 「呪術廻戦」第3期「死滅回游 前編」は来年1月8日から、禪院直哉役は遊佐浩二. Comic Natalie (in Japanese). November 7, 2025. Archived from the original on November 7, 2025. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  18. ^ [新]『呪術廻戦』第3期 #48「執行」,#49「もう一度」【死滅回游 前編】[字][デ]. TBS (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 10, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  19. ^ "Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game Special Episode". YouTube. Crunchyroll. February 20, 2026. Retrieved February 27, 2026.
  20. ^ Mateo, Alex (January 8, 2026). "Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Part 1 Anime Unveils Ending Theme Song, Visual". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on January 9, 2026. Retrieved January 9, 2026.
  21. ^ ""Jujutsu Kaisen - Shimetsu Kaiyū: Zenpen" Burū-rei & Dī-Bī-Dī Maki Ichi Shokai Seisan Genteiban" 「呪術廻戦 死滅回游 前編」Blu-ray & DVD Vol.1 初回生産限定版 ["Jujutsu Kaisen - The Culling Game: Part 1" Blu-ray & DVD Vol.1 First Limited Edition]. jujutsukaisen.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  22. ^ ""Jujutsu Kaisen - Shimetsu Kaiyū: Zenpen" Burū-rei & Dī-Bī-Dī Maki Ni Shokai Seisan Genteiban" 「呪術廻戦 死滅回游 前編」Blu-ray & DVD Vol.2 初回生産限定版 ["Jujutsu Kaisen - The Culling Game: Part 1" Blu-ray & DVD Vol.2 First Limited Edition]. jujutsukaisen.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  23. ^ ""Jujutsu Kaisen - Shimetsu Kaiyū: Zenpen" Burū-rei & Dī-Bī-Dī Maki San Shokai Seisan Genteiban" 「呪術廻戦 死滅回游 前編」Blu-ray & DVD Vol.3 初回生産限定版 ["Jujutsu Kaisen - The Culling Game: Part 1" Blu-ray & DVD Vol.3 First Limited Edition]. jujutsukaisen.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.
  24. ^ ""Jujutsu Kaisen - Shimetsu Kaiyū: Zenpen" Burū-rei & Dī-Bī-Dī Maki Yon Shokai Seisan Genteiban" 「呪術廻戦 死滅回游 前編」Blu-ray & DVD Vol.4 初回生産限定版 ["Jujutsu Kaisen - The Culling Game: Part 1" Blu-ray & DVD Vol.4 First Limited Edition]. jujutsukaisen.jp (in Japanese). Archived from the original on January 15, 2026. Retrieved January 15, 2026.