After the emotional roller coaster of the Shibuya Incident arc, Jujutsu Kaisen is finally heading back to our screens with Season 3 — and this time, Crunchyroll is kicking off a major new phase of the story. If you’re wondering exactly when it drops, what manga arc it covers, and whether you need to watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 beforehand, this guide breaks down everything US viewers should know before January 8, 2026.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Release Date and Time on Crunchyroll
Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen premieres on Crunchyroll on January 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. The launch is part of Crunchyroll’s Winter 2026 lineup and will roll out in territories covered by the platform, including North America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Oceania.
New episodes will be available in simulcast, with the original Japanese audio and subtitles, alongside a French dub. As with earlier seasons, Crunchyroll is positioning the series as a flagship title for the season, so expect prominent placement on the platform’s homepage.
If you’re looking to catch up, both previous seasons of the anime and the movie Jujutsu Kaisen 0 are already streaming in full on Crunchyroll, making it easy to marathon everything ahead of the new arc.
Which Manga Arc Is Covered in Season 3?
Season 3 adapts The Culling Game (known in French as “La Traque meurtrière”), one of the most pivotal arcs in Gege Akutami’s manga. The story picks up in a Japan still reeling from the devastation of the Shibuya Incident.
This arc doesn’t just raise the stakes; it completely restructures the power dynamics in the world of jujutsu sorcery. New rules, new zones of conflict, and a deadly ritualized system of combat turn the entire country into a massive battleground.
Why The Culling Game Is a Turning Point for the Anime
Rather than being a simple follow-up to the Shibuya Incident, The Culling Game functions as a narrative reset. The world knows more about curses and sorcerers, and the fallout from Shibuya has pushed the jujutsu hierarchy into crisis.
Yuji Itadori now faces the consequences of everything that’s happened. He’s officially classified as a dangerous threat and becomes the target of a death sentence. To carry out that order, the authorities bring in a familiar name for manga readers and movie fans: Yuta Okkotsu, the main protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
The Culling Game itself is built around a complex set of supernatural rules: zones, points, and lethal confrontations that function almost like a twisted tournament spread across Japan. The structure forces characters into brutal choices, emphasizing not just who is strongest, but who is willing to cross certain moral lines.
For anime-only viewers, this will likely be one of the densest arcs to follow, with constant shifts in locations, alliances, and strategies. In exchange, it also delivers some of the series’ most creative fights and high-concept curse techniques.
Do You Need to Watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 Before Season 3?
To put it plainly: yes, you really should watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 before starting Season 3.
The movie introduces Yuta Okkotsu, his backstory, and the nature of his power — all of which are essential for understanding his role in The Culling Game. Season 3 assumes familiarity with Yuta, treating him less as a newcomer and more as a major returning player whose decisions can reshape the conflict.
Even beyond Yuta, certain emotional beats and character motivations in The Culling Game land harder if you’ve experienced the film. For viewers in the US, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is available on Crunchyroll, which makes it easy to slot into your rewatch plan.
Creative Team, Episode Count, and Production Details
On the production side, Season 3 stays within the same creative ecosystem as the previous seasons, keeping the anime visually and tonally consistent while pushing into darker territory.
- Studio: MAPPA
- Director: Shota Goshozono
- Series Composition / Script: Hiroshi Seko
- Character Design: Yosuke Yajima and Hiromi Niwa
- Music: Yoshimasa Terui
The season is planned for 24 episodes, covering the first half of The Culling Game arc. Based on this count, the broadcast is expected to run from January through mid-June 2026, aligning with a two-cour schedule typical for major shonen adaptations.
With the manga having officially concluded in September 2024 after 271 chapters, the anime has a clear endpoint in sight. Season 3 is part of that endgame push, gradually tackling the final large-scale arcs that define the conclusion of Akutami’s story.
Where Jujutsu Kaisen Stands in Today’s Anime Landscape
Since its debut, Jujutsu Kaisen has grown into one of the defining action anime of the 2020s, particularly for US audiences who discovered it via streaming. The mix of high-speed combat, horror-tinged curse designs, and morally ambiguous characters has made it a staple alongside franchises like Demon Slayer and Attack on Titan.
Season 3 arrives at a moment when the manga is already complete, which is a major advantage for adaptation. Instead of padding the story with filler or stalling on key plot developments, MAPPA can plan its pacing with the full map of the narrative in hand.
For fans, that means The Culling Game won’t just be another stop along the way — it’s a clear step into the final stages of the overarching conflict, where every new rule and revelation pushes the series closer to its ultimate resolution.
How to Get Ready for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3
If you’re in the US and planning to jump into Season 3 as soon as it drops on Crunchyroll, here’s a quick prep path:
- Revisit the Shibuya Incident arc (Season 2’s second half) to refresh the key casualties, political fallout, and changes in the jujutsu hierarchy.
- Watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 to fully understand Yuta Okkotsu and his relationship to the main cast and the larger curse ecosystem.
- Check your Crunchyroll settings (language, subtitles, notifications) so you’re ready for simulcast drops starting January 8 at 6:00 p.m.
With all that in place, you’ll be ready to follow The Culling Game without missing crucial context.
Key Takeaways for Season 3 on Crunchyroll
- Premiere: January 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. on Crunchyroll
- Arc Adapted: The Culling Game, directly following the Shibuya Incident
- Episodes: 24, covering the first half of the arc
- Required Viewing: Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is highly recommended before starting Season 3
- Availability: Simulcast with subtitles and a French dub, in all major Crunchyroll territories including North America
FAQ
When does Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 come out on Crunchyroll?
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 premieres on January 8, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. on Crunchyroll as part of the platform’s Winter 2026 lineup. The release is global across regions covered by Crunchyroll, including the United States.
Which manga arc does Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 adapt?
Season 3 adapts The Culling Game arc, which directly follows the Shibuya Incident. This storyline introduces a deadly ritualized game spread across Japan, new sets of rules, and major shifts in the power structure of jujutsu society.
Do I need to watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 before Season 3?
Yes, it’s strongly recommended to watch Jujutsu Kaisen 0 before starting Season 3. The film focuses on Yuta Okkotsu, who becomes a key character in The Culling Game. His history and abilities are crucial for understanding his actions and importance in the new season.
How many episodes will Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 have?
Season 3 is scheduled for 24 episodes. This run will cover the first half of The Culling Game arc, with the broadcast expected to continue through roughly mid-June 2026 if it airs weekly without major breaks.
