Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: 7 Things to Expect from the Culling Game Arc

Following the intense and devastating conclusion of the Shibuya Incident arc, fans of Jujutsu Kaisen have been on the edge of their seats, waiting for news on the next chapter of the anime. The wait is finally over, with Studio MAPPA confirming that Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 will premiere in January 2026, adapting one of the most brutal and pivotal arcs of the manga: the Culling Game.

The Culling Game arc is a significant departure from previous storylines, shifting the focus from a contained urban battle to a nationwide, deadly free-for-all. As the stakes escalate to an unprecedented level, here are 7 key things to expect from Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3.

1. The Culling Game Begins: A Battle Royale on a National Scale

The core of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 will be the Culling Game, a colossal battle royale orchestrated by the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku. This game forces newly awakened sorcerers and reincarnated ones from the past to fight to the death in various “colonies” across Japan. The objective is to accumulate points by killing other players. This arc promises a relentless and unforgiving series of battles, testing the limits of every sorcerer involved. It’s a ruthless system designed to harvest a massive amount of Cursed Energy for Kenjaku’s ultimate, and horrifying, goal.

2. The Return of Yuta Okkotsu

Anime-only fans were given a major shock at the end of Season 2 with the return of Yuta Okkotsu, the protagonist of the prequel movie, Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Yuta, a Special Grade Sorcerer, is back in Japan with a new mission: to execute Yuji Itadori for the chaos he unleashed as Sukuna’s vessel during the Shibuya Incident. This setup creates a tense and emotional conflict, as Yuta, a character driven by a desire to protect his loved ones, must now hunt down a fellow sorcerer. The confrontation between Yuji and Yuta is one of the most highly anticipated moments of the season.

3. Yuji Itadori’s New Resolve

The events of Shibuya left Yuji shattered, burdened by the immense death and destruction he feels responsible for. He lost his home, his friends are gone or in peril, and the Jujutsu High elders have reinstated his death sentence. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 will explore a more mature, somber Yuji as he grapples with the fallout. Instead of running from his fate, he embraces it, vowing to save as many people as he can within the Culling Game while seeking to free Gojo and fight Kenjaku. This arc will be a definitive test of his moral compass and his ability to endure unimaginable pressure.

4. The Fate of Nobara Kugisaki and Other Fan-Favorite Characters

The fates of several key characters were left ambiguous at the end of the Shibuya arc. While the death of Kento Nanami was a heartbreaking certainty, Nobara Kugisaki’s status is still unknown. The manga provides answers, but the anime will finally reveal her fate. Furthermore, the season will feature the return of characters like Megumi Fushiguro, Maki Zenin, and many others as they enter the Culling Game with their own objectives. The Culling Game’s format allows for the introduction of new characters and the development of existing ones in isolated, high-stakes scenarios.

5. The Zenin Clan’s Downfall and Maki’s Awakening

The Zenin clan, one of the three great jujutsu families, will be a central focus of a major sub-arc. After being deemed a failure by her family, Maki Zenin returns to confront them, leading to a cataclysmic event that will change the power dynamics of the jujutsu world forever. This arc is a brutal but cathartic journey for Maki, where she finally achieves her true potential by breaking free from the shackles of her clan’s expectations. The animation for this sequence is expected to be some of the most stunning and visceral of the entire season.

6. An Unprecedented Level of Cursed Techniques

The Culling Game introduces a host of new, powerful sorcerers and cursed techniques. From the reincarnated sorcerer Hajime Kashimo, who seeks to fight Sukuna, to the enigmatic lawyer Hiromi Higuruma, who possesses a unique Domain Expansion, the season will be a visual feast of creative and destructive cursed techniques. The arc is famous for its one-on-one battles and high-speed combat, and with Studio MAPPA’s track record, fans can expect jaw-dropping animation that surpasses even the Shibuya arc.

7. Satoru Gojo Remains Sealed

For fans hoping for a quick return of the strongest sorcerer, it’s important to manage expectations. Satoru Gojo remains sealed within the Prison Realm for the entirety of the Culling Game arc. His absence is the central catalyst for the plot, forcing the younger generation to step up and fight in a world without their strongest protector. The narrative focus will be on Yuji, Yuta, and their allies as they navigate this new, dangerous reality, with the ultimate goal of freeing Gojo becoming a primary, long-term objective.