'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 Is Finally Here: Does the New Chapter Live up to the Previous Two Seasons?
If you haven't started Jujutsu Kaisen yet – drop everything, binge the first two seasons to enjoy the third one together with everyone else.
After more than two years, the third season of the world's most popular anime series, Jujutsu Kaisen, launched on Crunchyroll. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the adaptation of the pivotal Culling Game arc, renowned for its violence and complexity.
Can MAPPA, a studio known for its exceptional work as well as its labor issues, maintain or even surpass the incredibly high standards set by previous seasons?
The first episodes provide a definitive answer: yes, and then some.
What Is 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 About?
The action takes place after the Shibuya disaster. The world of sorcerers is in crisis: Tokyo is overrun with curses, Satoru Gojo has been sealed, and the hunt is on for Itadori's head. Meanwhile, the head of the Zenin clan dies, and his last will jeopardizes Megumi's life.
The ancient mage Kenjaku, possessing Suguru Geto's body, sets his grand and cruel plan into motion. He launches the Culling Game, a massive battle royale involving thousands of people across Japan.
To stop the carnage and save the country, Itadori and his fellow students must become participants in this deadly game, the rules of which they have yet to understand.
'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 Animation Is Even More Impressive Than in the Previous Two Chapters
MAPPA demonstrates not only technical mastery but also a true artistic evolution. From the very beginning, the season impresses with its cinematic quality – dynamic camera work, bold angles, and visual experimentation breathe life into even static dialogue scenes.
The studio blends 2D and 3D, traditional Japanese graphics, theatrical techniques, and digital glitches to create a unique visual language.
The references to world art deserve special attention. The opening and the animation itself are generously sprinkled with homages to Utagawa Kuniyoshi, Gustav Klimt, Egon Schiele, and Edvard Munch. These homages not only decorate the frame, but also serve as subtle hints about the characters' fates.
The battle between Choso and Naoya, which instantly became a meme, is a striking example of how animation can surpass reality by offering spectacles that are impossible in live-action films.
What Went Wrong With Episode 3?
The only noticeable hiccup at the start of the season was the third episode, which contrasts sharply with the momentum of the first two. Devoted almost entirely to a monologue by the ancient sorcerer Tengen, it explains the rules of the Culling Game in detail.
This led to a temporary but noticeable drop in viewer ratings. Fans compared the episode to a PowerPoint presentation, and the information overload caused mild confusion. However, this move was strategically necessary.
In the manga, the opening of this arc was also filled with explanations. Dedicating an entire episode to them allows future episodes to avoid interrupting the fast-paced action with endless explanations.
'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 Not Only Maintains the Standard, but Also Takes the Title to a New Level
Jujutsu Kaisen continues to set the standard for shonen anime, where no character is safe from death and the tension mounts with every passing minute. Having learned from past mistakes, MAPPA split the season into two parts for a more sustainable production.
The series is now a visionary anime that boldly experiments with form while preserving the gripping core of the story, not just a manga adaptation.
The first block of episodes firmly establishes the series as a top contender for the title of best anime of 2026. This proves that Jujutsu Kaisen has no intention of resting on its laurels and is ready to set new standards for the entire industry.
