After a two-year break, Jujutsu Kaisen finally returns with its third season, adapting the opening stretch of the manga’s ‘Culling Game’ arc. A lot has happened in the time since season two aired. The manga has concluded, a sequel series has already come and gone, and there was even a forgettable, half-baked video game adaptation thrown into the mix. Expectations, understandably, are high. So was it worth the wait? The answer is a mixed one.
Following the huge success of season two and its adaptation of the fan-favourite ‘Shibuya Incident’ storyline, season three faces an uphill battle. The ‘Culling Game’ arc is a very different beast, and MAPPA’s decision to split it across two seasons means this instalment only covers part of a much larger narrative. Even so, season three largely succeeds in elevating the source material and bringing it to life in spectacular fashion.
That success does not come without caveats. The ‘Culling Game’ arc is easily one of the most convoluted in the series. It introduces a wave of new characters, piles on rules and concepts at a relentless pace, and fragments the cast across multiple, only loosely connected plotlines. Some fan favourites are notably absent, which only adds to the sense of disconnect. As a result, the story can feel messy and, at times, difficult to follow.
What keeps it all together is the presentation. The animation and direction this season are outstanding, even by current industry standards. Few series can match it visually, with Demon Slayer being one of the only real comparisons. Like that show, Jujutsu Kaisen leans heavily on spectacle, and when it delivers, it does so at an incredibly high level. The final episode in particular stands out as a genuine highlight and may rank among the most impressive pieces of animation the series has produced to date.
Taken as a whole, season three feels somewhat incomplete, but also undeniably impressive. It is a season carried more by its visuals than its storytelling, yet those visuals are strong enough to leave a lasting impact. If you are here for high-quality, big budget fight sequences, this season absolutely delivers. If you are looking for a tightly structured, easy-to-follow narrative, you may come away disappointed.
