"Jujutsu Kaisen - Season Three: The Culling Game" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Yojimbo]

Episode 1 (47) "Execution" - January 8, 2026

While Yuji grapples with the weight of his sins, Naoya Zen'in and Yuta Okkotsu set out to execute him.

Episode 2 (48) "One More Time" - January 8, 2026

After fighting Yuta, Yuji learns his real objective. Megumi asks for Yuji's help to save his sister.

Sub Premiere: January 8, 2026
Dub Premiere: January 22, 2026

Related Discussion
-Jujutsu Kaisen News Thread
-Jujutsu Kaisen Season 1 Talkback
-Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Movie Talkback
-Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2 Talkback

External Links
-Crunchyroll page

Opening Theme Song - "AIZO" by King Gnu


Ending Theme Song - "Yoake no Uta" by jo0ji
​

 

[Space Cadet]

It was a nice pleasant surprise that we got two episodes for the premiere, I didn't realize that. As for both episodes, I enjoyed them overall. I liked the animation in the first one, especially during the fight with Naoya. The opening song by King Gnu is fine, I prefer the the previous songs, but maybe it'll grow on me.

 

[Yojimbo]

Great start! Amazing animation quality. Two amazing battles. Everyone's out to kill Itadori, sort of. Shinjuku isn't doing too well after last season, yikes. Itadori stayed in Shinjuku and is fighting pretty much at peak level from constantly battling cursed spirits, hmm.

Naoya's ascension to head ot the Zenin clan torpedoed by Gojo indirectly lol. But he just has to kill Megumi. But just that opening scene with him, what a prick. Total villain you love to hate. I guess in a way he's like Gojo but with no heart and selfish. Super speed... I think not. Those silhouttes of himself seem to point to something else like Choso suspected. Seems more like a projection of preset combo moves of some sort but he'd have to be pretty sure how his opponent would react and what they can do. Choso had the element of surprise Naoya not realizing he's a Cursed Paining until it was too late and he got pwn'ed by blood buckshot when it comes down to it. Getting used to cheering for Choso, lol. But then lmao, Yuta walks in and knocks him aside.

Yuta and Itadori's fight was epic. Long time coming for them to meet at last. Not surprised he needed Rika to win, ha. And that was an act to save him, lol. hee hee, and he technically didn't violate the pact. But all that talk about using a reverse curse technique to heal/resurrect him and the last second and also one being used on Maki (thank goodness!) still gives me some sliver of hope for Nobara to be brought back.

But oh no, Itadori's memory before he wakes up to Yuta. Those marks on who I guess was his mom Kaori... oh no, are they gonna reveal Itadori was a creation of fake Geto and he even stole Kaori's body at some point... like was Itadori going to just be another super vessel he inhabits to extend his life?! Or some scheme/deal he made with Sukuna in ancient times?! That makes some reveals at the end of last season make some more sense.

Cool, seems Yuki will have a bigger role.

i guess next week Tengen gives them the 411.

 

[Yojimbo]

Episode 3 (49) "About the Culling Game" - January 15, 2026

Itadori and his friends speak with Tengen about Kenjaku's objectives and their plans for the Culling Game.

 

[Space Cadet]

Listening to the rules of the Culling Game, I kinda felt deja vu since it kinda reminds me of the games played on shows like Alice in Borderland or Squid Game. Of course, this type of premise is not new. Looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

 

[Yojimbo]

Yeah, exposition to explain the game, linking up past incidents to show how it's all connected. May have to rewatch the rules part over the course of the season. So this ancient sorcerer Kenjaku is the one who stole Geto's body. Looking back, yeah, Toji killing Riko made so much waves. Kenjaku finding the Prison Realm. Geto having the right technique Kenjaku needed. And lol, Gojo taking two important items off the playing field that would have been a big help.

But if this Angel person gets killed, their plan to free Gojo goes sideways. Force a suspended third year to help, lol, that's gonna be fun. Maki will probably have to fight her way through all the Ze'nin to get to the vault, again that's gonna be fun. Long time coming.

edit: So it seems the new comedic relief Takaba is literally a failed comedian? Bit on the nose, lol.

Hmm, so if this is the final season maybe this arc deals with Kenjaku then Part 2 of this season deals with Sakuna?

 

[Yojimbo]

Episode 4 (50) "Perfect Preparation" - January 22, 2026

After going to collect their Cursed Tools, Maki awakens her true potential & slaughters the whole Zen'in Clan.

Programming Note: English Dub begins today as well.

 

[Space Cadet]

Wow. What can I say. Maki just showed why she's not someone you can mess with. That was BRUTAL. Imagine if this show aired on weekday Toonami back in the day. The editors would have had a heart attack, lol.

 

[Yojimbo]

And that's why Maki is my favorite character in this show.

Then they all died. Big mistake to attack her in the Kill Bill room.

RIP Mai. Whoa, she left Maki Toji's sword! Cools.

Had a feeling and was hoping Maki would be the one to crack Naoya's ability and nail him.

Ah, but sure, a couple Zen'in weren't home. So Maki will has some left to hunt down. But no cursed tools raided but has Toji's sword, not that got very interesting.

 

[wonderfly]

From the front page of AnimeSuperhero.com:

"Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game: Episodes 48-49 Recap"​

"This week begins the dub of the action packed and gorgeous season premiere of Jujutsu Kaisen and as the title implies, everyone is out to execute protagonist Yuji Itadori because he is the host of the villainous Sukuna. MAPPA really went to town on the production values of this episode. Probably the downside of this episode is introducing and cramming a bunch of new characters who intent to kill Yuji without getting the audience to really know these characters. So without further ado, let’s recap the episode.

The episode begins with Yuji washing his hands because of the guilt he feels about having Sukuna inside of him. This simple action of washing his hands is animated with lots of flair for a non action scene. Then we get to see Yuji fighting monsters."

Read the full episode recap here.

 

[Frontier]

It's finally time for a homecoming...as Maki returns to the Zen'in clan. And of course Naoya is as much of a sexist bully to her as he was back when the were kids, but she doesn't have any more time to waste on him or this rotten family. Though even her mom yells at her and complains about giving birth to her.

Well, yeah, obviously Megumi wants nothing to do with the Zen'in clan. But they can use him to get all the cursed weapons they're going to need to fight in the Culling Game. So Maki will just be in and out! Easy right?

Too bad the Zen'in clan planned to kill Megumi, Maki AND Mai to consolidate their power and undermine the Gojo clan. In fact the sisters' dad, Ogi, is the one who came up with it. And he had ample motivation to kill both sisters because they were a a stain on his honor that prevented him from becoming head of the clan. So he starts with Mai and, despite Maki's best efforts, slices her too...so both sisters can become Curse chow because that's all he thinks they're good for. Maki is powerful, but she was nothing out of the ordinary for the Zen'in clan.

But Mai cradles her sister...and with the last of her power, gives back what she took from her as her twin. Because that's the nature of Jujutsu, and a sacrifice had to be made, with the promise of Maki finally being powerful enough to destroy the source of their misery. But even acknowledging that, all Maki ever wanted was her sister, to build a place where they could be happy together, and she doesn't want to see Mai go. Even if her last words...were calling her "Big Sister" like they were kids again. MAI NOOOOO.

Maki lost her sister, but she gained immeasurable power...becoming the second coming of Toji. Her father thinks he's still hot stuff but she kills him in a split second. And the rest of the Zen'in clan is next.

My condolences to the Kukuru squad who all ended up victims to Maki's slaughter like she's The Bride from Kill Bill. And what a lovely slaughter it was!

The Hei clan? No matter what they threw at her, she withstood it and killed them. I guess at least poor Ranta died thinking that Jinichi had actually beaten her...before Mai walked past him with Jinichi's head in her hand.

Maki vs Naoya! Naoya can't believe Maki is anywhere close to the level of Toji, thinking she's nothing more than an impostor, but even after massively wailing on her with his 24FPS...she finally reads his movements and punches his skull into pieces. Now THAT finally shut him up.

Not even the sisters' mom is spared, though Maki seems to recognize she was trying to warn her of what the plan is...and she leaves her mom alive long enough to finish off Naoya. I guess deep down the mom DID love her daughters and hated this clan as much as they did, and they all got their revenge!

I'm sorry Momo...but at least you got Mai's body. Maki lost her heart in losing her sister, but she still has a reason to fight now. And the Zen'in Clan will never hurt anyone ever again.

 

[Yojimbo]

Episode 5 (51) "Passion" - January 29, 2026

Yaga is executed. Yuji and Fushiguro go to Hakari's fight club hoping to meet him and recruit him.

 

[Space Cadet]

*Prince voice* "This is what it sounds like, when pandas cry...."

I also liked how Yuji and Panda simulated their fight for the crowd and camera. Also, Yuji can't keep secrets lol.

 

[Yojimbo]

So the flashback basically is Yaga creates Panda, cursed corpse that has its own energy. The higher-ups flip out because new things are scary to them and challenge their rule. They imprison Yaga and motion to get him classified as Special Grade so they would have justifiable reason to in execute him, because theoretically an army of cursed corpses could lead to a coup. Yaga claims he doesn't know so then officially it’s treated as a one-off random occurrence that can't be duplicated, Yaga isn’t perceived as a threat anymore. But...

RIP Principal Yaga. Mm, so the higher ups are using the chaos to eliminate special grades they can't control. But I guess in this case, they also slapped on 'being an accomplice' to Gojo and wanting to know his technique's secret. Basically, they are greedy cowards who want to stay on top and wipe the playing board clean a little.

Still that was nice of him to help Kusakabe with his sister and her son.

So... don't use sorcery but ok to fight a panda?

Yeah, heh, everyone knows Yuji is a terrible liar but impressionable.

"The SCPA won't stand for this!"

Hakari and Kirara seem like some interesting additions to the cast. Kirara's face when he brings up his exes, lol.

Who's Gojo? I was like "C'mon, Yuji. You're cooked now." You were doing so well at first, lol. But great animation in that convo scene. The fixed camera POV was a nice touch.

 

[Frontier]

In creating Panda, Masamichi Yaga had created life. And obviously the Jujutsu World didn't know how to handle that without threatening Yaga with life imprisonment...unless he could tell them how he did it. But sometimes life just...finds a way.

Man, Yaga's got his own 100 Acre Woods with the Cursed Corpses he's created living peacefully in Tengen's domain. At least they're safe there, as he sees them off one last time. Because his bill has come due from Jujutsu Society without Gojo there to protect him and Gakuganji is ready to play him a requiem.

Kusakabe still a real one to the bitter end. Panda was being used as bait but Kusakabe frees him. I mean, Yaga reunited Kusakabe and his sister with Takeru, the child she lost and was desperate to see again, and who wouldn't do all that they can for a guy like that? Even if Panda is too late to save him.

Yaga leaves Gakuganji with the "curse" of how he was able to create life out of dolls, and just as Gakuganji is ready for a fight...Panda doesn't even bother with him. Panda is a panda, he knows there's no point in blaming Gakuganji for Yaga's death. But he's still a Panda who can cry over losing his father. And that's REAL humanity.

Yuji and Megumi are going undercover in Jujutsu Fight Club! All to recruit wayward 3rd Year Hakari (Kazuya Nakai!). Honestly, Yuj is like the perfect person to recruit into a fight club and is a complete natural at it...even when his opponent is Panda who had the same idea as the rest of the team. Just look at that play fighting! They really put on a fabulous show for the audience! TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP TAP! And Panda sealing the deal with the worse acting finish of all time.

Hakari embraces passion and money, and his lover (?) Kirara is by his side cuddling up to him...they love what he's passionate about even if they don't love when he brings up his exes (of which there are quite a few because he comes off like a compulsive gambler). And they're both Jujutsu High 3rd Years.

Honestly Yuji can normally get along with anybody and he and Hakari actually hit it off at first. It really seemed like things were going well with Hakari opening up about how he wants to make his Fight Club legit in this turbulent new era of Jujutsu...until Yuji played dumb about Gojo...which is when Hakari knew he was likely a narc. And it seems like Hakari can make stuff...appear? He had like a door appear around Yuji when he attacked him? Either way, this mission has gone off the rails.

 

[PicardMan]

From the front page of AnimeSuperhero:​

​

Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game: “About the Culling Game” Episode 50 Recap​

As the title implies, this week’s dub episode is about The Culling Game. To be more precise, almost the entire runtime of the episode was dry exposition about how the Culling Game works.

Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game: "About the Culling Game" Episode 50 Recap - Anime Superhero News

As the title implies, this week's dub episode is about The Culling Game. To be more precise, almost the entire runtime of the episode was dry exposition about how the Culling Game works. The main highlight of the show has always been seeing cartoon characters with over the top powers punch each othe

animesuperhero.com

 

[Yojimbo]

Episode 6 (52) "Cog" - February 5, 2026

Fushiguro and Panda fight Kirara to try and persuade them while Yuji attempts to convince Hakari.

 

[Space Cadet]

Really smart strategy to stop Kirara's technique, had to use the literal stars to figure it out. Also, glad Yuji isn't a normal human, otherwise he would already be dead by Hakari's punches. Glad, they were able to convince both Kirara and Hakari to go along with their plan.

 

[Yojimbo]

That amusing however great a sorcerer Megumi was, it only came down to remembering something as banal as a constellation then figuring out the pattern in 3D.

lol Kirara's face when Megumi said Gojo was sealed.

Figures Itadori's strategy was as simple as taking punches until Hakari was impressed, lol.

Great, another sorcerer who knows Sukuna.

 

[Frontier]

Fushiguro Shadow Stealth Takedowns! Also, never underestimate a Panda! He'll beat you up an steal your food!

They just HAD to run into Kirara who immediately pegged them as plotting something and warned Kin-chan. There is nothing Kirara won't do to protect Hakari, even if it means taking on Megumi and Panda and keeping them busy. And their Cursed Technique, Loves Rendezvous, is perfect for twisting Megumi and Panda around, hitting them with their own techniques, or just throwing them around everywhere.

Kirara doesn't just have star eyes or star symbolism draped over their body...they also tag people with stars AND use a Southern Cross themed technique. It might have succeeded had Megumi not been taught about it by Tsumiki...and Kirara had a terrible poker face.

The gang isn't with Jujutsu High any more, but that's not going to easily convince Kirara, especially when the beef between Kirara/Hakari and the conservatives of the Jujutsu Society run deep. If only they could be more open to newer ways of utilizing curses or expressing oneself in Jujutsu world. But hey, Nobara!

Oh yeah, Gojo is totally sealed! That's absolutely believable.

When in doubt, leave a Demon Dog out and hope it tackles your opponent when they cancel their technique and send everything hurtling at you...so Megumi can lock in Kirara!

Megumi has bowed and pleaded with Kirara to believe them, and it seems like Kirara is willing to hear them out...but Hakari has got a beef to settle with Yuji, and he's not going to be satisifed until he's beaten him.

But Yuji isn't going to fight back. If letting himself get beaten up so they can "talk" is what it takes, he'll do it. Because ultimately all he has left is being a cog in the Jujutsu Curse Exorcising machine, and he'll do anything, bear any pain, to be able to do it. And there's passion in that, something Kirara makes Hakari acknowledge, and Hakari just can't ignore a passionate person in need! That's what Kirara loves about him.

Dang, they haven't even made it to the Culling Game and they're already adding rules to it!? Courtesy of Hajime Kashimo (Ryohei Kimura!) someone much older than they look and who is looking for a challenge...and especially Sukuna.