Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 set to premiere in January 2026 with the Itadori Execution Arc

Itadori Yuji as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 trailer
Itadori Yuji as seen in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 trailer (Image credit: MAPPA Studio)

The wait is finally over, as Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is returning to our screens much earlier than expected. During the anime’s fifth-anniversary livestream, the production team announced that Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 will premiere in January 2026, kicking off the long-awaited Itadori Execution Arc, also known as the Culling Game Part 1 (Shimetsu Kaiyu).

But that’s not all; before the season officially airs, fans will get a theatrical treat with a compilation film. Titled Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution - Shibuya Incident x The Culling Game Begins, the movie will feature a recap of the devastating Shibuya Incident arc and premiere the first two episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 in theaters worldwide starting November 7, 2025 in Japan, followed by a U.S. release on December 5, 2025 through GKIDS.

Itadori Yuji and Yuta, as seen in the anime (Image credit: MAPPA Studio)
Itadori Yuji and Yuta, as seen in the anime (Image credit: MAPPA Studio)

The third season will begin with the Itadori Execution Arc, immediately following the events of Shibuya. With Gojo incapacitated and the jujutsu world in chaos, Yuji Itadori becomes the center of controversy once again.

The higher-ups at Jujutsu High issue a new execution order for Yuji, viewing him as too dangerous due to Sukuna’s increasing influence. But Yuji is not alone. Standing against him is none other than Yuta Okkotsu, the main character of the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 movie, who makes his long-awaited return to the main story.


Staff and production details for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3

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The staff lineup for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 stays largely unchanged, guaranteeing continuity in both tone and quality:

  • Director: Shota Goshozono (returning from Season 2)
  • Series Composition: Hiroshi Seko (Attack on Titan Final Season, Chainsaw Man)
  • Character Design: Yosuke Yajima and Hiromi Niwa
  • Music: Yoshimasa Terui (known for JJK’s chilling and powerful OST)

Visually, the teaser mirrors MAPPA’s signature cinematic polish: muted colors shifting into bursts of cursed energy, sharp cuts accentuating violence, and a score that builds relentless tension. We can expect consistency in tone from prior seasons, ensuring a smooth transition from the devastation of Shibuya into the chaos of the Culling Game.


How have fans reacted to this news so far

Visual from Jujutsu Kaisen (Image credit: MAPPA Studio)
Visual from Jujutsu Kaisen (Image credit: MAPPA Studio)

The trailer has offered visually high-quality cuts, and a moody red palette reassured viewers that Season 3 will maintain the cinematic flair of the Shibuya Incident arc. Reactions ranged from simple hype to amazement that MAPPA continues to deliver movie-level animation for a TV series.

Characters like Maki also stole the spotlight in just a few seconds of screen time, with many fans declaring her upcoming moments as the season’s biggest draw. Overall, the teaser has reignited the hype cycle. Fans are bracing for a season that balances emotional fallout with relentless action, with three key expectations emerging:

  1. A faithful yet cinematic expansion of Yuji vs. Yuta.
  2. Spotlight episodes for Maki and other secondary characters.
  3. A smoother adaptation of the Culling Game’s chaotic pacing compared to the manga.

No matter what, one thing is certain: Jujutsu Kaisen fans around the world will be glued to their screens as Yuji Itadori’s execution and the deadly Culling Game begin.

Edited by Sroban Ghosh