Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 & Culling Game Movie: All the Hype and Details!

Get ready, Jujutsu Kaisen fans, because the wait is almost over! After two years, Season 3 is officially on its way, bringing with it a highly anticipated movie compilation that offers an early peek into the next epic arc.

TL;DR: Quick Bites for the Cursed Energy Curious

• Early Look! A compilation film, "Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution," drops in theaters starting November 2025, featuring the first two episodes of Season 3.
• Naoya Zenin's Debut: The infamous (and controversial) Naoya Zenin's character design has been officially revealed, and he'll play a major role in the upcoming arcs.
• Season 3 Arrives January 2026: Get ready for the "Itadori's Extermination," "Perfect Preparation," and the massive "Culling Game" arcs to kick off the new year on Crunchyroll.

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Is Finally Coming: Here's What You Need to Know

Alright, Jujutsu Sorcerers and Cursed Spirit enthusiasts, it feels like forever, doesn't it? The buzz for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 has been deafening, especially after the epic (and emotionally draining) Shibuya Incident Arc wrapped up Season 2. But good news! MAPPA, the animation studio behind our beloved series, is ramping up promotions, dropping teasers, and confirming that our patience is about to pay off in a big way.

The journey through Yuji Itadori's cursed world is far from over. With a new compilation movie on the horizon and Season 3 slated for an early 2026 release, we're about to dive deep into some of the manga's most intense and talked-about storylines. From familiar faces making tough decisions to the introduction of characters who've already stirred up the fandom, there's a lot to unpack. Let's break down everything we know so you can be fully prepared for the next wave of cursed energy action.

The Big Screen Event: Diving Into 'Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution' and Its Early Look at Season 3

Before Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 officially kicks off, MAPPA is giving us a special treat: a compilation film titled "Jujutsu Kaisen The Movie: Shibuya Incident Special Edition × Culling Game Advance Screening" (also known simply as "Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution"). This isn't just a simple recap, folks. While it stitches together the thrilling, brutal events of the Shibuya Incident Arc from Season 2, it also packs a massive punch by including the first two episodes of the upcoming third season! That's right, an early preview of what's to come, hitting the big screen before anyone else gets to stream it.

The film first hits theaters in Japan on November 7, 2025. Shortly after, it makes its way to the UK and Ireland on November 14, 2025, courtesy of Crunchyroll and Sony Entertainment. North American fans can mark their calendars for December 5, 2025, when Toho Animation and Gkids bring it stateside. This worldwide screening is a brilliant move by MAPPA, rewarding loyal fans who've been waiting for more than two years since Season 2 concluded.

One of the most exciting aspects for those attending these screenings is the potential for an even more polished experience of Season 2's standout moments. Remember "Thunderclap," episodes 40 and 41, featuring the insane battle between Sukuna and Mahoraga? Those episodes were legendary, even amidst reports of animation team struggles and tight deadlines back in 2023. The Blu-ray release already offered some touch-ups, with additional scenes, reshades, and improved motion and color grading. Many are hoping this cinematic release will go even further, giving that sequence the grand, high-fidelity treatment it truly deserves on the biggest screen possible. Imagine witnessing that iconic fight with entirely new animations and alterations!

Whether you're reliving the intensity of Shibuya or getting your first taste of the Culling Game Arc's beginning, this movie is designed to be a significant event. It’s a chance to immerse yourself in the world of Jujutsu Kaisen, appreciate the animation on a grand scale, and get that much-needed dose of cursed energy ahead of the new season.

Naoya Zenin Unveiled: The Hype Around Jujutsu Kaisen's New Controversial Villainous Character

If you've been following the pre-Season 3 chatter, you've definitely heard the name: Naoya Zenin. On October 23, 2025, the anime's official website finally dropped his character design after months of teasing and making him seem like a mysterious, shadowy figure. And let's just say, the internet immediately lit up. While manga readers are already very familiar with him, anime-only fans are about to meet a character who's just as famous as he is controversial.

So, who is Naoya Zenin? As his name suggests, he's a prominent member of the powerful Zenin Clan, and not just any ordinary sorcerer. He's the youngest son of Naobito Zenin, and despite his age, he was considered the top contender to succeed his father as the clan head. However, after Naobito tragically succumbed to his injuries from Jogo's flames during the Shibuya Incident (where he fought alongside Kento Nanami and Maki Zenin against Dagon), Naoya's hopes for leadership were dashed by his father's final, unexpected decision. This left him feeling betrayed and fueled a deep bitterness that shapes his character.

Naoya is notorious in the fandom for being a misogynistic and arrogant individual with a cunning gaze and confident smirk. His villainous tendencies have garnered him a mixed reception – many hate him, but just as many praise his effective role as an antagonist, especially as a nemesis to Maki Zenin. This mixed bag of opinions has kept him high in popularity polls since his manga debut, and it's clear his anime introduction will continue to divide the community.

He's not just a minor character either; Naoya will be a central figure in the upcoming Itadori's Extermination and Perfect Preparation Arcs, which directly lead into the massive Culling Game. His arrival signals a shift in the narrative, introducing a more "grounded antagonistic element" compared to the overarching threats of Mahito, Sukuna, or Kenjaku. The promotional video for the compilation film featured brief glimpses of Naoya, and his full debut is set for the "Culling Game Advance Screening" movie. While his character design is out, we're still waiting on the reveal of his voice actor, which is another detail sure to ignite further fan speculation.

What to Expect from Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Unleashed and Beyond Its Deadly Rules

The main event, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, officially titled "The Culling Game, Part 1," is set to premiere in January 2026. Anime fans in North America and beyond will be able to stream new episodes weekly on Crunchyroll, airing simultaneously with their release dates in Japan. The new season will adapt several pivotal arcs from Gege Akutami's manga, including the "Itadori's Extermination Arc," the "Perfect Preparation Arc," and finally, the colossal "Culling Game Arc."

This season promises to elevate the stakes like never before. After the catastrophic events of Shibuya, our sorcerers are thrust into a new, deadly game orchestrated by Kenjaku. The Culling Game raises the ultimate stakes, pushing Yuji Itadori and his allies to their absolute limits. The trailer teases intense new battle scenes, including the much-anticipated confrontation between Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu, the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen 0. Yuta, now a Special Grade sorcerer, is tasked by the jujutsu higher-ups to execute Yuji, setting up a heartbreaking and action-packed clash.

We'll also see more of beloved characters like Megumi Fushiguro. The latest teases have given us "heartbreaking glimpses" of Megumi, hinting at the harrowing experiences that await him as the season delves into the roughly 70 chapters of manga content leading up to his next major developments. Expect appearances from Choso and the ever-present Ryomen Sukuna, ensuring that the battles will be nothing short of breathtaking.

MAPPA has proven time and again their ability to deliver top-tier animation and thrilling action sequences, even under immense pressure. After the critical acclaim for Season 2 and the massive success of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (which pulled in a global box office of 26.5 billion yen), expectations for Season 3 are sky-high. The promise of "overwhelming tension and stunning action sequences" in the new footage is a clear indicator that MAPPA is ready to deliver another masterpiece.

The Culling Game isn't just about fights; it's about survival, difficult choices, and the further unraveling of the complex world of jujutsu sorcery. With new allies and enemies being introduced, this season is poised to be an emotional rollercoaster, packed with moments that will keep fans talking for weeks.

So, whether you're catching the movie in theaters or waiting for the weekly drops in January, prepare yourselves. The next chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen is going to be an unforgettable ride, cementing its place as one of the most exciting modern shonen anime.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jujutsu Kaisen's Next Big Chapters

When is Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3's official release date?

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, titled "The Culling Game, Part 1," is slated to premiere in January 2026. A specific date has not yet been announced, but new episodes will be released weekly on Crunchyroll, simultaneously with their Japanese broadcast.

Can I watch the first episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 early?

Yes, you can! A compilation film, "Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution" (also known as "Jujutsu Kaisen The Movie: Shibuya Incident Special Edition × Culling Game Advance Screening"), will include the first two episodes of Season 3. It debuts in Japan on November 7, 2025, in the UK/Ireland on November 14, 2025, and in North America on December 5, 2025.

What manga arcs will Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 cover?

Season 3 is confirmed to adapt the "Itadori's Extermination Arc," the "Perfect Preparation Arc," and the highly anticipated "Culling Game Arc" from the original manga.

Who is Naoya Zenin and why is he generating so much buzz?

Naoya Zenin is a controversial new character making his full anime debut in the upcoming season. He is a prominent member of the Zenin Clan, known for his arrogant, misogynistic personality and villainous tendencies. His character design was recently revealed, and he will play a key antagonistic role in the arcs leading up to the Culling Game, making him a major topic of discussion among fans.

Sources:

• Official MAPPA and Toho Animation announcements
• Recent reports from ComicBook.com, Polygon, FandomWire, Popverse, and ScreenRant