The newest trailer for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 has arrived, setting the stage for an intense and emotional battle between two of Gojo’s students. The footage confirms the long-awaited and deadly serious fight between Yuji Itadori and Yuta Okkotsu, a direct result of the chaotic aftermath of the Shibuya Incident. The season, officially titled the Culling Game Arc, is scheduled to premiere in January 2026.
The Reason Behind the Fight
The conflict stems from a direct order from the jujutsu higher-ups. After the devastation Sukuna caused in Shibuya while using Yuji’s body, the authorities revoked the suspension on Yuji’s death sentence. They appointed the special grade sorcerer Yuta Okkotsu as his official executioner. This places Yuta in the difficult position of being forced to hunt down and kill a fellow student on the orders of the very society that once condemned him to death for being cursed by Rika.
Yuji is now living in exile, burdened with immense guilt for the deaths Sukuna caused. The trailer shows him emotionally broken, blaming himself for the destruction. This internal struggle complicates the fight, as Yuji is not fighting at his full strength because a part of him believes he might deserve this punishment.
A Chase Through the City
The battle begins as a high-speed chase through the abandoned streets of Shibuya. Yuta, with his katana drawn, pursues Yuji with relentless speed. The trailer highlights their incredible physical capabilities, with Yuji using overturned cars as obstacles and leaping through buildings in a desperate attempt to escape.
Yuta quickly realizes that Yuji is not an easy target, noting his opponent’s impressive physical strength and speed. He explains that he compensates for not being a natural power-type by reinforcing his body with vast amounts of cursed energy, a volume that is said to surpass even that of their teacher, Satoru Gojo. Every stroke of Yuta’s sword is a potential killing blow, forcing Yuji to be constantly on the defensive.
The Fight Intensifies
In a clever move, Yuji grabs a survival knife from a car and imbues it with his own cursed energy to block Yuta’s katana. For a brief moment, Yuji goes on the offensive, trading slashes with the special grade sorcerer. However, the difference in skill and energy control is vast. Yuta disarms Yuji with a powerful front kick, follows up with a fierce downward slash, and lands a deep cut across Yuji’s abdomen.
Refusing to give up, Yuji uses a daring move to break Yuta’s katana blade, trapping it under his foot and kicking it in half. For a moment, it seems the fight has shifted. But just as Yuji attempts to press his advantage, the fight takes an unexpected turn. A large, powerful cursed spirit with a white face materializes and restrains Yuji completely. Yuta asks the spirit, whom he calls “Rika,” to hold Yuji still.
Yuta tells Rika they’re just playing but then instructs her to hold Yuji steady. He then walks up to Yuji and thrusts the broken blade directly into his heart.
With blood pouring from Yuji’s mouth, it appears the execution has been successfully carried out. Yuta is later seen carrying Yuji’s body and telling the higher-ups that the task is complete.
New Characters and Conflicts
The trailer also introduces new faces and conflicts that will shape the season. A new character, Naoya Zenin, is prominently featured. As the proud and arrogant son of the Zenin clan, he allies with Yuta in hunting Yuji. This sets up a separate speed-based battle between Naoya and Choso, who fully embraces his role as Yuji’s protective older brother and tries to stop Naoya from interfering.
The footage also offers glimpses of a transformed Maki Zenin, who now appears more muscular and bears scars from her previous battles. The trailer hints at a tragic event involving her twin sister, Mai, which seems to be the catalyst for her new powerful appearance. Furthermore, the absence of Satoru Gojo is notable, confirming that the story will focus on the other sorcerers as they navigate the new threats without their strongest ally.
The Road to the Culling Game
This confrontation serves as the direct prelude to the main event of Season 3: the Culling Game. This is a massive, twisted battle royale orchestrated by the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku, who is possessing Geto’s body. He has created cursed zones across Japan, forcing sorcerers and awakened civilians to fight each other. The stakes are raised when Megumi’s sister, Tsumiki, is revealed to be trapped in one of these colonies.
Megumi tells Yuji to stop feeling sorry for himself and start saving people again, which was the whole reason Yuji became a sorcerer in the first place.
This plea from Megumi becomes a turning point for Yuji, pulling him out of his despair and giving him a new purpose. The resolution of Yuji and Yuta’s fight sets everything in motion for the heroes to enter this deadly game.
Early Access and Final Details
Fans won’t have to wait until January to get a taste of the new season. A compilation movie, Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, will be released in US theaters on December 5, 2025. This film recaps the Shibuya Incident Arc and will also screen the first two episodes of Season 3, giving audiences an early look at the beginning of the Culling Game. The movie will not be available on streaming platforms until after the season premieres in 2026.
The English voice cast has expressed their excitement for the upcoming season, with Yuji’s actor, Adam McArthur, stating that the battle scenes are “on a whole different level.” The cast has also shared hopes that the series finale could one day get a major theatrical release similar to Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle.
Also Read: Solo Leveling or Jujutsu Kaisen? Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Is Coming in 2026
