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When Does Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Come Out and Will the New Movie Bridge the Gap?
The wait is over for fans of the popular anime series Jujutsu Kaisen. After much anticipation, new details about the third season have been officially announced, bringing a wave of excitement to the global community. The upcoming season is confirmed to premiere in January 2026 and will adapt the highly anticipated “Culling Game” arc from the manga.
The Culling Game Begins in January 2026
During a special live-streamed event celebrating the 5th anniversary of the Jujutsu Kaisen anime, it was revealed that the third season will officially begin airing in January 2026. This news was a highlight of the event, which was streamed on Crunchyroll. While a specific day in January has not yet been announced, the confirmation of the month provides a clear timeline for fans to look forward to.
The new season will be available for streaming worldwide on Crunchyroll, with the exception of Asia. New episodes are scheduled to be released weekly, on the same day as their broadcast in Japan, ensuring that international fans can keep up with the story as it unfolds.
MAPPA, the animation studio celebrated for its work on the first two seasons, will return to produce Season 3. The production team includes returning talent such as Hiroshi Seko for the script, Sayaka Koiso and Hiramasa Tadashi for character design, and Yoshimasa Terui as the composer, ensuring a consistent level of quality and style.
A New Action-Packed Trailer
A teaser trailer for the new season was released, offering a glimpse into the intense events of the “Culling Game” arc. The trailer highlights several key moments that fans have been eager to see animated.
- Yuji vs. Yuta: The trailer prominently features a confrontation between Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu. Yuji is shown in a state of despair, burdened by the belief that he is responsible for the deaths that occurred during the “Shibuya Incident”. This emotional turmoil leads to a fierce battle with Yuta, a former protagonist who is now tasked with a critical mission.
- Maki’s Awakening: Viewers also get a look at Maki Zenin, hinting at her significant development and role in the upcoming arc.
- The Culling Game: The trailer teases the brutal tournament orchestrated by the antagonist, Kenjaku, which will serve as the central plot of the season. Many new characters are expected to be introduced as part of this deadly game.
- Other Characters: Glimpses of other beloved characters like Choso, Yuki Tsukumo, and Megumi Fushiguro are also included, suggesting their involvement in the unfolding chaos.
Special Edition Movie Coming in 2025
To prepare fans for the new season, a special edition movie titled Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution – Shibuya Incident x The Culling Game Begins is set to be released. The film will premiere in theaters in Japan on November 7, 2025. A North American release is slated for December 5, 2025.
This movie will serve as a bridge between the second and third seasons. It will feature a recap of the “Shibuya Incident” arc, which concluded the second season, and will also include the first two episodes of Season 3. This gives fans an early look at the “Culling Game” arc months before the full season premieres. This release strategy follows a trend seen with other popular anime, building hype and providing a cinematic experience for dedicated followers.
A Split-Season Release
The announcement also clarified that Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 will be released in a split-cour format. The January 2026 release is specifically for “Part 1” of the “Culling Game” arc. This means the season will be divided into at least two parts. While the release window for the second part has not been confirmed, it is speculated to air later in 2026, possibly during the summer or fall anime season. This approach allows the production team to maintain a high standard of animation quality for what is the longest arc in Gege Akutami’s manga. The manga itself concluded in late 2024, leaving the anime to carry the story to its conclusion for a massive global audience.