I can barely contain my excitement as I write this, fellow anime fans! The moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. MAPPA and Crunchyroll have officially announced that Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Part 1 will premiere on January 8, 2026, in Japan, with international fans getting to tune in on January 7, 2026. As someone who’s been following this series since the beginning, I’m absolutely thrilled to share all the juicy details with you!
The Official Release Date Breakdown
Let me break down exactly when you can mark your calendars for this epic return:
| Region | Release Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | January 8, 2026 | 12:26 AM JST |
| International (PT) | January 7, 2026 | 7:30 AM PT |
| International (ET) | January 7, 2026 | 10:30 AM ET |
I love how Crunchyroll is making this a global event! The fact that we’re getting the episodes on the same day (just different time zones) shows how much they care about us international fans. When I think about those early morning streams, I know I’ll be setting multiple alarms just to catch the premiere as it happens.
What We Know About The Culling Game Arc?
If you’re like me and you’ve been keeping up with the manga, you know that the Culling Game arc is where things get absolutely wild. This isn’t just another story arc – it’s a full-blown battle royale that changes everything we thought we knew about the Jujutsu Kaisen universe.
The Culling Game arc will adapt chapters 159 through 221 of the manga, but before we jump into that, Season 3 will actually cover the Itadori Extermination arc (chapters 137–143) and the Perfect Preparation arc (chapters 144–158) first. I think this is a smart move because it gives us the proper buildup to the chaos that’s about to unfold.
The Compilation Movie: Your First Taste of Season 3
Here’s something that got me really excited – we don’t even have to wait until January to get our first taste of Season 3! The compilation movie “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” is hitting theaters in North America on December 5, 2025. This movie will recap the Shibuya Incident arc from Season 2 AND include the first two episodes of Season 3!
I remember when I heard about this, I immediately started looking up theaters near me. There’s nothing quite like experiencing Jujutsu Kaisen on the big screen, especially with those incredible MAPPA animation sequences. The movie actually premiered in Japan on November 7, 2025, so our Japanese friends have already gotten a sneak peek at what’s coming.
MAPPA’s Commitment to Quality
One thing that really impresses me about this upcoming season is how much effort MAPPA is putting into it. From what I’ve read, production on Season 3 began over a year ago. That’s some serious dedication! When I think about how amazing Season 2 looked, especially during the Shibuya Incident arc, I can only imagine what they’re cooking up for us this time.
The returning staff includes series composer Hiroshi Seko and character designer Yousuke Yajima, which means we’re getting the same creative team that brought us the incredible first two seasons. I’ve always loved how consistent the art style and storytelling have been, and knowing that the same people are behind Season 3 gives me a lot of confidence.
What to Expect from Season 3?
Let me walk you through what I’m most excited about in Season 3:
The Return of Yuta Okkotsu
Yuta Okkotsu, one of the strongest Special Grade sorcerers and Gojo’s former disciple, is finally returning to Japan. And get this – he’s been assigned to execute Yuji! I’m dying to see how this confrontation plays out. When I watched the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie, I immediately became a Yuta fan, and seeing him back in the main story is going to be incredible.
New Characters and Antagonists
We’re getting some new faces, including Naoya Zenin, who will be voiced by Koji Yusa. From what I’ve seen in the teaser visuals, this guy looks like he’s going to be a major problem for our heroes. The Culling Game introduces so many new sorcerers and curse users that it’s going to be hard to keep track of everyone, but that’s part of what makes this arc so exciting!
Higher Stakes Than Ever
If you thought the Shibuya Incident was intense, you haven’t seen anything yet. The Culling Game is literally a matter of life and death for sorcerers across Japan. Ten colonies have been transformed into deadly battlegrounds, and Kenjaku’s plan threatens not just jujutsu society but the entire world. I’m on the edge of my seat just thinking about how our heroes are going to handle this.
The Animation and Visual Style
From the teaser visuals and trailers that have been released, I can tell that MAPPA is taking the animation to the next level. The key art shows a darker, more sinister visual tone that perfectly matches the source material. When I rewatched Season 2 recently, I was blown away by the fluid fight sequences and attention to detail, and it sounds like Season 3 is going to push those boundaries even further.
I’ve read that the animators are aiming for “fluid, high-impact fight animation” with a “more sinister visual tone.” That’s exactly what the Culling Game arc needs – it’s dark, brutal, and emotionally charged, and the animation needs to reflect that intensity.
Streaming Information
For those of us who’ll be watching from home (which is probably most of us), Crunchyroll has confirmed that they’ll be streaming Season 3 on the same day it airs in Japan. This is huge news for international fans like me who hate waiting for localized releases.
Crunchyroll has been the home for Jujutsu Kaisen since the beginning, and they’ve done an amazing job with the simulcasts. I remember staying up late for Season 2 episodes, and I’m already preparing myself for those early morning streams for Season 3. The exact streaming time will be announced closer to the release date, but based on previous seasons, I’m guessing it’ll be around the same time as other major anime premieres.
The Split Season Format
Here’s something interesting that I learned – Season 3 is being split into two parts, or “cours” as they call it in the anime industry. The first part, which we’re getting in January 2026, will cover the beginning of the Culling Game arc, and then we’ll likely get a break before the second part airs later in the year.
I actually think this is a smart approach. The Culling Game arc is massive, and trying to cram it all into one continuous season would be overwhelming. By splitting it, MAPPA can ensure that each episode gets the attention and quality it deserves. Plus, it gives us something to look forward to later in 2026!
Voice Cast and Production Details
While we don’t have the complete voice cast list yet, we do know that the main cast members will be returning:
- Junya Enoki as Yuji Itadori
- Yuichi Nakamura as Satoru Gojo
- Yuma Uchida as Megumi Fushiguro
- Asami Seto as Nobara Kugisaki
And as I mentioned earlier, Koji Yusa will be joining the cast as Naoya Zenin. I’m curious to see who else they’ll announce for the new characters introduced in this arc.
Why This Season Is So Anticipated?
I’ve been thinking about why Season 3 feels like such a big deal, even compared to the previous seasons. I think it comes down to a few things:
First, the Culling Game arc is where the story really expands beyond what we’ve seen before. It’s not just about Tokyo Jujutsu High anymore – the entire country of Japan is involved, and the stakes are global.
Second, we’re at a point in the story where major characters are facing life-or-death situations, and the outcomes are genuinely unpredictable. When I read the manga, I was constantly shocked by what happened next, and I can’t wait to see how these moments are adapted.
Finally, MAPPA has proven time and again that they can handle intense action sequences and emotional moments with equal skill. If Season 2 is anything to go by, Season 3 is going to be a visual and emotional masterpiece.
My Personal Excitement and Predictions
As someone who’s been following Jujutsu Kaisen since it first aired, I have to admit that I’m more excited for Season 3 than I’ve been for any anime in a long time. The Culling Game arc is where the story really comes into its own, and seeing it animated by MAPPA is going to be incredible.
I’m particularly excited to see how they handle the fight scenes. The manga has some of the most creative and brutal battles I’ve ever seen in a shonen series, and I can’t wait to see them in motion. I’m also really curious about how they’ll handle the more emotional moments – there are some scenes in this arc that absolutely wrecked me when I read them, and I’m both excited and terrified to see them animated.
If I had to make a prediction, I think Season 3 is going to be even more popular than Season 2, which is saying something considering how huge the Shibuya Incident arc was. The combination of high-stakes action, character development, and shocking twists is going to make this a must-watch for anime fans everywhere.
How to Prepare for Season 3?
If you’re like me and you want to be fully prepared for Season 3, here’s what I recommend:
- Rewatch Season 2: The Shibuya Incident arc sets up a lot of what happens in the Culling Game, so a refresher would be helpful.
- Watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0: If you haven’t seen it yet, the prequel movie introduces Yuta Okkotsu, who plays a major role in Season 3.
- Check out the compilation movie: “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” will be in theaters in December and will give you the perfect lead-in to Season 3.
- Read the manga (optional): If you don’t mind spoilers, reading the Culling Game arc will give you an idea of what to expect.
FAQ Section
When exactly does Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 premiere?
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 premieres on January 8, 2026, in Japan at 12:26 AM JST. International fans can watch it on January 7, 2026, at 7:30 AM PT or 10:30 AM ET on Crunchyroll.
Where can I watch Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3?
Crunchyroll has exclusive streaming rights for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 outside of Asia. They’ll be simulcasting the episodes on the same day they air in Japan.
What arc will Season 3 cover?
Season 3 will cover the Itadori Extermination arc, Perfect Preparation arc, and the beginning of the Culling Game arc (chapters 137-221 of the manga).
Is there a movie before Season 3?
Yes! “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” is a compilation movie that recaps the Shibuya Incident arc and includes the first two episodes of Season 3. It premieres in North America on December 5, 2025.
How many episodes will Season 3 have?
Season 3 is expected to have 24 episodes total, split into two parts or “cours.” The first part will air in early 2026, with the second part likely coming later in the year.
Who is animating Season 3?
MAPPA, the same studio that animated Seasons 1 and 2, is returning for Season 3. Key staff members like series composer Hiroshi Seko and character designer Yousuke Yajima are also returning.
Will the main voice cast be back?
Yes, the main voice cast including Junya Enoki (Yuji), Yuichi Nakamura (Gojo), Yuma Uchida (Megumi), and Asami Seto (Nobara) will all be returning for Season 3.
What is the Culling Game?
The Culling Game is a deadly tournament orchestrated by Kenjaku where sorcerers and non-sorcerers across Japan are forced to battle each other. It’s one of the most intense and story-rich arcs in the entire series.
Should I watch the compilation movie?
If you want a refresher on Season 2 and want to see the first two episodes of Season 3 early, then yes! The movie is also a great way to experience Jujutsu Kaisen on the big screen.
How can I stay updated on Season 3 news?
Follow the official Jujutsu Kaisen social media accounts and Crunchyroll’s news section for the latest updates. You can also bookmark this page as I’ll be updating it with new information as it becomes available!
Final Thoughts
As I wrap up this article, I’m getting more and more excited for January 2026. Jujutsu Kaisen has become one of my favorite anime series of all time, and the fact that we’re getting such a high-quality adaptation of the Culling Game arc is a dream come true.
The combination of MAPPA’s incredible animation, the talented voice cast, and Gege Akutami’s brilliant storytelling is going to make Season 3 something truly special. I have a feeling that this is going to be one of those seasons that people talk about for years to come.
So mark your calendars, set your alarms, and get ready for the return of Jujutsu Kaisen. The Culling Game is about to begin, and I can’t wait to experience it with all of you!