Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Guide: How to Watch & What to Expect

The wait is finally over. After the devastating events of the Shibuya Incident, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Part 1 has officially premiered today, January 8, 2026. With Gojo sealed and Japan in chaos, the stakes have never been higher.

Whether you are looking for the official streaming schedule or need a refresher before diving into the madness, this is your ultimate survival guide for the Culling Game.

Breaking Down the Official Trailer: What the Teaser Reveals

The Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game trailer didn’t just show us new characters; it set a tone of absolute desperation. If the Shibuya Incident was an explosion, the Culling Game is the radioactive fallout.

• The Return of Yuta Okkotsu: The most talked-about moment is the return of the JJK 0 protagonist. Unlike his appearance in the movie, Yuta now carries a grim, cold energy. The trailer confirms he has been tasked by the higher-ups with a terrifying mission: the execution of Yuji Itadori.
• A Fractured World: We see glimpses of a Japan in ruins. With the “Curtains” now expanding across the entire country, the trailer highlights that the barrier between the mundane world and cursed spirits has officially dissolved.
• The King Gnu Factor: The trailer is backed by a hauntingly high-energy track (reportedly by King Gnu once again), signaling that while the story is darker, the production value is staying at a peak level.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 official trailer released in 2025

Quick Stats: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 at a Glance

• Total Episodes: Expected 24–26 episodes (Split into two consecutive cours).
• Production Studio: Studio MAPPA (Led by Director Shota Goshozono).
• Opening Theme: “AIZO” by King Gnu (The same legends behind SPECIALZ).
• Arcs Covered: Itadori’s Extermination, Perfect Preparation, and The Culling Game (Part 1).
• Key Premieres: January 8, 2026 (Double-Episode Special).
• Streaming Platforms: Crunchyroll (Global) & Netflix (Select Asian regions).

Where to Watch Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 (Streaming Guide)

As of today, the world premiere is live! Here is where you can officially stream the new episodes:

• Global (US, UK, Europe, India, etc.): Crunchyroll remains the exclusive global home for JJK Season 3.
• Select Asian Territories: Netflix is simulcasting the season in regions like India, Singapore, and Japan (starting January 9).
• Release Time: New episodes drop every Thursday at 9:00 AM PT / 12:00 PM ET.

If you missed the theatrical event Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution last month, don’t worry, the first two episodes released today are the same ones shown in theaters, now available for home streaming!

The Road to the Culling Game: Ultimate Rewatch List

Before you jump into Episode 48 (S3 Ep 1), a rewatch is essential to understand the complex “Binding Vows” and new power scales. If you don’t have time for a full binge, watch these essential 5 episodes:

What to Expect: Season 3 Predictions & Arcs

The Culling Game is not just a tournament; it’s a “Game of Death.” Based on the premiere and the manga’s trajectory, here is what fans can anticipate:

1. The Return of the Protagonist: After being sidelined in JJK 0 and parts of Season 2, Yuta Okkotsu is back. But is he an ally or an enemy to Yuji?
2. New Faces, New Powers: Expect the debut of fan-favorites like Higuruma and Kashimo. These ancient sorcerers bring “Domain” rules that will break everything you thought you knew about cursed energy.
3. The MAPPA Evolution: Director Shota Goshozono is returning, promising a continuation of the fluid, cinematic style that made the Sukuna vs. Mahoraga fight legendary.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Release Schedule (Part 1)

Season 3 is expected to run for two cours (approx. 24–26 episodes). Here is the confirmed schedule for the first few weeks:

• Jan 8: Episode 1 & 2 (Special Double Premiere)
• Jan 15: Episode 3
• Jan 22: Episode 4
• Jan 29: Episode 5

Early Reviews: Our Reactions to the Double-Episode Premiere

Since the first two episodes of Season 3 launched today (January 8, 2026), the internet has been on fire. Here is the consensus from the early screenings and the Crunchyroll premiere:

• Cinematic Scale: MAPPA has clearly refined the “sketch-like” style from Season 2. The first hour feels less like a TV show and more like a continuation of the high-budget cinematography we saw in the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 film.
• The Mood: The premiere doesn’t waste time. It immediately dives into Yuji’s guilt. Seeing him navigate the wreckage of Shibuya while being hunted is heartbreaking.
• Initial Rating: Early fan polls are sitting at a 9.8/10. The pacing is lightning-fast, and the introduction of the new “Game Rules” is handled with slick, stylized motion graphics that make the complex manga plot easy to follow.

Predictions: What’s Next in the Culling Game?

As we move into the rest of the 2026 season, here are three things every fan should watch for:

1. The Combat Evolution: The Culling Game introduces “colonies” with specific rules. Expect fights that are less about “who is stronger” and more about “who can outsmart the game’s logic.”
2. Yuji vs. Yuta: This is the clash everyone is waiting for. Our prediction? This fight will be the “Sukuna vs. Mahoraga” of Season 3, a technical and emotional masterpiece that will redefine the series.
3. New Fan Favorites: Characters like Higuruma (the lawyer) and Hakari (the gambler) are set to debut soon. Early leaks suggest their Domain Expansions are the most creative animation MAPPA has ever attempted.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Nobara Kugisaki in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3?

While the Shibuya Incident left Nobara’s fate ambiguous, her status remains a major mystery for anime-only viewers at the start of Season 3. Without spoiling the Culling Game’s later stages, fans should keep a close eye on any mentions of her recovery status during the early “Perfect Preparation” arc.

2. Why does Yuta Okkotsu want to kill Yuji Itadori?

Following the Shibuya Incident, the Jujutsu higher-ups have reinstated Yuji’s death sentence. Yuta has entered into a “Binding Vow” with the authorities to act as Yuji’s executioner. This sets up the high-stakes conflict seen in the Season 3 premiere trailers.

3. Can I watch the Culling Game on Netflix?

Yes, but it depends on your region. While Crunchyroll is the primary global home for JJK Season 3, Netflix is simulcasting the episodes in select Asian territories, including Japan, India, and Singapore, typically starting one day after the global premiere (January 9, 2026).

4. Do I need to watch the “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution” movie before Season 3?

The Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution theatrical event was a compilation of the Shibuya Incident’s climax and a sneak peek at the first two episodes of Season 3. If you missed the movie, you can jump straight into the Season 3 premiere, as it covers the same essential new content.

5. Who is the main villain of the Culling Game?

The primary mastermind is Kenjaku (the entity currently inhabiting Suguru Geto’s body). His goal is to use the Culling Game as a massive ritual to generate enough cursed energy to merge the population of Japan with Master Tengen.

Conclusion

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 isn’t just a new chapter; it’s a total shift in the series’ DNA. With the Culling Game rules now in play and Yuta Okkotsu returning with a chilling new resolve, the world of Jujutsu High will never be the same. Whether you’re here for the high-octane MAPPA animation or the complex “Chess Match” style of cursed energy battles, 2026 is officially the year of JJK.

The first two episodes have already set a 9.8/10 bar, now we wait to see if Yuji can survive the game Kenjaku has rigged against him.

Want to stay ahead of the Culling Game? Don’t miss a beat, bookmark domain.com for weekly episode breakdowns, deep-dive power rankings, and the latest Shinime Anime as it breaks.