Jujutsu Kaisen is finally back on Crunchyroll with its highly anticipated third season, and the anime is jumping straight into one of the most intense arcs of the manga: the Culling Game. If you’re trying to figure out exactly when each new episode hits Crunchyroll in the US (and how this season fits into the larger story), this guide breaks everything down in one place.
When Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Premieres on Crunchyroll
Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen began streaming on Crunchyroll on January 8, 2026. To kick things off, the platform dropped the first two episodes at the same time instead of spacing them out, giving fans an immediate deep dive into the new arc.
After that double premiere, Crunchyroll switches to a weekly release model: one episode every Thursday, following a consistent schedule through late March 2026.
The Culling Game Arc: What This Season Covers
This new season adapts the Culling Game arc, one of the longest and most complex storylines in Gege Akutami’s manga. Rather than a simple tournament, the Culling Game is a deadly survival contest engineered by Kenjaku, forcing sorcerers and new players into a web of rules, zones and brutal battles.
Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro are thrown into this system, where every decision matters. The Culling Game is structured like a lethal strategy game: points, barriers, shifting alliances and overwhelming stakes. It’s designed to push cursed energy users far beyond their limits and dramatically reshape the balance of power in the jujutsu world.
As the season unfolds, viewers can expect a large roster of new characters, intricate rule-based confrontations and steadily rising tension surrounding the futures of Satoru Gojo and Ryomen Sukuna. Season 3 isn’t just another batch of episodes; it’s a turning point that sets up the endgame of the series.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode Release Dates on Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll and the production committee have locked in the schedule for the first half of Season 3: 12 main episodes, plus a recap, airing weekly through March 2026.
Here’s the confirmed release calendar for Season 3, Part 1:
- Episode 1 – January 8, 2026
- Episode 2 – January 8, 2026
- Episode 3 – January 15, 2026
- Episode 4 – January 22, 2026
- Episode 5 – January 29, 2026
- Episode 6 – February 5, 2026
- Episode 7 – February 12, 2026
- Recap episode – February 19, 2026
- Episode 8 – February 26, 2026
- Episode 9 – March 5, 2026
- Episode 10 – March 12, 2026
- Episode 11 – March 19, 2026
- Episode 12 – March 26, 2026
New episodes are scheduled to drop on Thursdays at 6:00 p.m. French time, with a runtime of around 23 minutes each. For US viewers, that corresponds to early afternoon or late morning depending on your time zone (for example, 12:00 p.m. ET / 9:00 a.m. PT when simulcast timing lines up).
How Season 3 Fits Into the Overall Story
From a narrative standpoint, Season 3 is a cornerstone for Jujutsu Kaisen. The Culling Game arc is one of the manga’s longest segments, and its adaptation needs room to breathe. That means more time spent on strategies, rules and shifting alliances rather than only nonstop action.
Across these episodes, the anime expands the world of jujutsu sorcerers, introduces a wave of new fighters and begins to answer questions that have been lingering since the Shibuya Incident. Power levels are recalibrated, factions are tested and the line between ally and enemy becomes less clear.
Even as Yuji and Megumi step into the Culling Game’s “stages,” crucial plot threads involving Satoru Gojo’s fate and Ryomen Sukuna’s long-term goals continue to hang over the story, adding extra suspense to every weekly release on Crunchyroll.
Weekly Viewing: Why the Release Rhythm Matters
With a steady Thursday release window, Season 3 is structured for weekly communal viewing. The rule-heavy nature of the Culling Game arc actually benefits from this pacing: fans get time between episodes to analyze rules, speculate about strategies and debate character decisions on social media and forums.
The recap episode scheduled for February 19, 2026, serves as a midpoint checkpoint. For newcomers or casual viewers, it’s a chance to catch up on key events and characters. For manga readers and hardcore fans, it’s a breather before the story ramps up again with Episode 8 and beyond.
Key Highlights for Fans to Watch For
- New characters and factions: The Culling Game brings in many new sorcerers and players, each with distinct abilities and agendas.
- Complex, rule-based fights: Battles are less about raw strength and more about understanding and bending the game’s rules.
- Strategic storytelling: Expect more planning, negotiations and long-term plays alongside the usual high-impact fight animation.
- Raised stakes for the endgame: Choices made in Season 3 directly shape the path toward the series’ conclusion.
When Does Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 3 Come Out?
If you’re specifically looking for Episode 3, it lands on Crunchyroll on January 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. French time. US viewers will see the simulcast within the usual Thursday slot, adjusted to their local time zone once Crunchyroll updates the schedule for their region.
How Many Episodes Are Planned for Season 3?
The first cour (Part 1) of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 consists of 12 episodes, plus one recap episode included in the broadcast run. While only this initial block is officially confirmed so far, the length and importance of the Culling Game arc strongly suggest additional episodes in a later cour to cover the rest of the story.
Is Season 3 a Weekly Release on Crunchyroll?
Yes. After the two-episode premiere on January 8, 2026, new episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 are released weekly on Thursdays on Crunchyroll, following the schedule listed above. This weekly cadence will continue through late March 2026 for the first cour.
FAQ
When will Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 3 be available on Crunchyroll?
Episode 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is scheduled to stream on Crunchyroll on January 15, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. French time. In the US, it will appear on the platform on the same day, with the exact hour adjusted to your local time zone once Crunchyroll updates its regional schedule.
How many episodes are confirmed for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 so far?
For now, the first cour of Season 3 has 12 episodes officially confirmed, plus a recap episode that airs mid-season. Future episodes beyond this initial batch have not yet been formally announced, but the Culling Game arc is long enough that more content is expected.
Does Crunchyroll release new Jujutsu Kaisen episodes every week?
Yes. After the double-episode premiere, Crunchyroll is releasing one new episode of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 every Thursday. The only exception within the first cour is the recap episode on February 19, 2026, which replaces a standard episode for that week.
Do I need to watch previous seasons before starting Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3?
Absolutely. Season 3 picks up directly after the Shibuya Incident and dives straight into the Culling Game, referencing events, characters and power shifts from earlier seasons and the movie. To fully understand the stakes and character motivations, you should watch Seasons 1 and 2 (and ideally the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 film) before jumping into Season 3.
