Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 (The Culling Game Arc) premiered on January 8, 2026, and is currently airing weekly on Crunchyroll.
This highly anticipated third season, officially titled Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game, adapts one of the manga’s most complex and battle-heavy arcs, following Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro as they participate in Kenjaku’s deadly sorcery battle royale. Animated by MAPPA and directed by Shota Goshozono, the season kicked off with a one-hour special and continues to release new episodes every Thursday.
The Shibuya Incident left the world of Jujutsu Kaisen in ruins, but Season 3 ramps up the chaos with the introduction of the Culling Game. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the currently airing season, from the intricate rules of Kenjaku’s game to the new powerhouse characters joining the fray. Whether you are an anime-only viewer confused by the new “colony” system or a manga reader eager to see Hakari’s domain expansion animated, this is your definitive HQ.
Release Date and Broadcast Schedule
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 officially began its broadcast in Winter 2026, marking the return of the series after a two-year hiatus.
Premiere and Cour Structure
- Premiere Date: January 8, 2026.
- Format: The season launched with a double-length (one-hour) special episode to set the stage for the Culling Game.
- Split Cour: The season is confirmed to run in two parts (cours). Part 1 is currently airing (January – March 2026), with Part 2 expected to follow later in the year to complete the arc.
Weekly Release Timing
New episodes simulcast globally on Crunchyroll shortly after their Japanese broadcast.
- Day: Thursdays
- Time: 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET / 5:00 PM GMT
- Dub: The English dub lags roughly 2 weeks behind the subbed release.
The Culling Game Arc: Plot & Premise
If Season 2 was about a terrorist attack (Shibuya), Season 3 is a battle royale survival horror. The plot shifts away from the school setting entirely, focusing on a nationwide game orchestrated by the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku (currently inhabiting Suguru Geto’s body).
What is the Culling Game?
The Culling Game is a ritual designed to force the evolution of humanity by merging them with Master Tengen. To achieve this, Kenjaku has created 10 barrier “colonies” across Japan. Sorcerers—both ancient ones reincarnated into modern bodies and newly awakened modern humans—are trapped inside and forced to kill each other to earn points.
The Mission
Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro enter the game voluntarily with specific goals:
- Save Tsumiki Fushiguro: Megumi’s sister has been unwillingly entered into the game.
- Free Satoru Gojo: They need to find a player named “Angel” who possesses the power to extinguish cursed techniques, the only way to open the Prison Realm.
- Protect Tengen: Kenjaku seeks to capture Tengen to trigger the merger.
New Characters and Cast
Season 3 introduces some of the most popular characters in the entire franchise. The “Tokyo No. 1” and “Tokyo No. 2” colony arcs expand the cast significantly.
Kinji Hakari
The suspended third-year student finally makes his proper debut. Hakari is a gambling addict with a Rough Cursed Energy that feels like “sandpaper.” He is considered by Gojo to be one of the few students with the potential to rival him.
- Ability: His Domain Expansion, Idle Death Gamble, is based on a Pachinko machine. If he hits a “jackpot,” he gains infinite cursed energy and effective immortality for 4 minutes and 11 seconds.
Hajime Kashimo
An ancient sorcerer from 400 years ago who made a deal with Kenjaku to be reincarnated. Kashimo is arguably the strongest player in the Culling Game at the start.
- Ability: His cursed energy has the properties of electricity. He doesn’t even need a domain to be lethal; his lightning discharge is a sure-hit attack. He is hunting for Sukuna.
Hiromi Higuruma
A former defense attorney who became disillusioned with the Japanese justice system. He awakened his technique just weeks before the game began but is already fighting at the level of a Grade 1 sorcerer.
- Ability: Deadly Sentencing. His domain is a courtroom where violence is forbidden. He acts as a prosecutor, and his shikigami “Judgeman” passes verdicts (Guilty/Innocent) that can confiscate an opponent’s cursed technique or give Higuruma an executioner’s sword.
Hana Kurusu (The Angel)
A mysterious player who co-exists with a symbiotic ancient sorcerer named “Angel.”
- Importance: She is the key to unsealing Gojo. However, she has her own philosophy: she wants to purge all reincarnated players, whom she views as defying the laws of nature.
Studio, Staff, and Animation
MAPPA returns as the production studio, with Shota Goshozono continuing as series director after his acclaimed work on the Hidden Inventory and Shibuya Incident arcs.
- Visual Style: The Culling Game features a grittier, more desaturated aesthetic compared to the vibrant colors of Season 1. The animation emphasizes the complex rules of the new cursed techniques.
- CGI Usage: Due to the complex nature of certain colonies (like the giant cockroach curse Kurourushi), there is an increased (but blended) use of 3D CGI for massive scale battles.
Practical Information and Planning
How to Watch
- Streaming Service: Crunchyroll holds exclusive global rights (excluding Asia). You need a Premium subscription to watch the simulcast immediately. Netflix is streaming the season in select Asian regions (India, Southeast Asia) with a slight delay.
- Cost: Crunchyroll Premium starts at roughly $7.99/month (£4.99/UK).
- Download: Mobile users can download episodes for offline viewing via the Crunchyroll app, perfect for commuters.
Reading the Manga
If you cannot wait for the weekly episodes, you can read ahead in the manga.
- Starting Chapter: Season 3 begins adapting from Chapter 138 (Post-Shibuya).
- Where to Read: The official Shonen Jump app or Manga Plus by Shueisha. A subscription ($2.99/month) gives access to the entire back catalog.
Tips for Viewers
- Pay Attention to Rules: Episode 2 provides a massive “info dump” on the 8 Rules of the Culling Game. Do not skip this. The battles rely heavily on loop-holing these specific rules.
- Post-Credits Scenes: MAPPA often includes “Juju Sanpo” or crucial teasers after the credits. Always watch until the very end.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When did Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 come out? Season 3 premiered on January 8, 2026.
2. Is Gojo in Season 3? Satoru Gojo is currently sealed in the Prison Realm. While he appears in flashbacks and is the primary motivation for the main characters, he is not an active participant in the Culling Game battles.
3. Who is the main villain of Season 3? The primary antagonist is Kenjaku (Pseudo-Geto), who orchestrated the game. However, Sukuna (living inside Yuji) remains a looming threat, and ancient sorcerers like Kashimo act as antagonists within the colonies.
4. What are the rules of the Culling Game? There are 8 main rules, including: players must enter a colony within 19 days of awakening; if a player’s score remains the same for 19 days, their cursed technique is removed (killing them); and points are awarded for killing other players (5 points for sorcerers, 1 for non-sorcerers).
5. How many episodes is Season 3? While the exact count is unconfirmed, it is expected to be around 24-26 episodes, similar to previous seasons, split into two cours.
6. Is Nobara Kugisaki in Season 3? Nobara’s status remains ambiguous following the Shibuya Incident. She does not play a role in the early stages of the Culling Game arc.
7. Who animates Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3? Studio MAPPA is the animation studio, with Shota Goshozono serving as the director.
8. Can I watch Season 3 without watching the movie JJK 0? It is highly recommended to watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 first. The movie’s protagonist, Yuta Okkotsu, returns as a major main character in Season 3, and his backstory is essential.
9. Is the Culling Game the final arc? No. The Culling Game is the penultimate saga. It leads directly into the final arc, the Shinjuku Showdown.
10. Why is Yuta Okkotsu trying to kill Yuji? At the end of Season 2, the higher-ups ordered Yuji’s execution and appointed Yuta as the executioner. Yuta appears to accept this role to gain the trust of the higher-ups, but his true loyalties are revealed early in Season 3.
11. What is Hakari’s domain expansion? It is called “Idle Death Gamble.” It forces the opponent to participate in a romance manga scenario played out via a Pachinko machine. It is confusing to opponents, which is part of its effectiveness.
12. Is Season 3 on Netflix? Only in select Asian territories (like India, Hong Kong, etc.). In the US, UK, and Europe, it is exclusive to Crunchyroll.
13. Does Season 3 have a new opening song? Yes, the opening theme is performed by King Gnu, returning after their work on the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 theme and “SPECIALZ” from Season 2.
14. Are there recap movies? Yes, a compilation film titled Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution was released in theaters in late 2025, recapping the end of Shibuya and showing the first two episodes of the Culling Game.
15. Is Toji Fushiguro in Season 3? Toji is deceased, but his influence is felt heavily, particularly in the character development of Maki Zenin, who undergoes a massive transformation that draws parallels to Toji.
All 24 Episodes of JJK Season 3 Explained
This video provides a detailed breakdown of the expected episode count and plot points for the current season, offering a roadmap for what viewers can expect from the adaptation of the Culling Game arc.
