The first season of the Culling Game arc is nearing its end, and the tension around Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is higher than ever. After the intense premiere episodes in January 2026 that showed Yuta Okkotsu confronting Yuji Itadori, the story has moved into the deadly colonies. Now, with the finale arriving on March 26, 2026, the spotlight is shifting entirely to Yuta. There is a specific worry that the studio might repeat a past mistake just as Yuta is about to get his biggest moment in the series so far.
The Missed Moment That Still Stings for Fans
When the third season debuted on January 9, 2026, viewers were excited to see the clash between Yuta and Yuji. The fight was meant to show how much Yuji had grown since the Shibuya Incident. But when the episode aired, eagle-eyed fans noticed something was missing.
In the manga, during their fight, Yuji punches an entire car into the air to throw Yuta off balance. Yuta responds by catching the car and throwing it right back at Yuji. This moment was a big deal because it showed Yuji’s physical growth and surprised him with Yuta’s hidden power. In the anime adaptation, that car-throwing exchange was completely removed.
Fans quickly took to social media and forums to express their frustration. Viewers argued that the removal of this scene made Yuta look too strong without letting Yuji show his progress. The scene was swapped for a fight inside a theater, which many felt was a lesser replacement. This decision raised alarms for those who know what is coming next for Yuta in the season finale.
The Weight of the Upcoming Sendai Colony Fight
For those following the story, the upcoming Episode 12 is a major event. Titled “Sendai Colony,” this episode is scheduled to air on March 26, 2026, and will feature an extended runtime of 27 minutes, similar to the special episode focused on Maki.
This episode is expected to adapt some of the most famous chapters of the Culling Game arc, specifically covering Yuta’s arrival in the Sendai Colony. Unlike the brief skirmish with Yuji, this is a full-scale battle royale. Yuta will face off against powerful ancient sorcerers, including Takako Uro (voiced by Nana Mizuki) and Ryo Ishigori (voiced by Hiroki Tochi).
This fight is considered by many manga readers to be Yuta’s best fight in the entire series. It is the moment where he shows why he is a special-grade sorcerer, utilizing his Copy Technique, his immense cursed energy reserves, and his tactical genius against opponents who have centuries of experience. Given the importance of this moment, fans are worried that MAPPA might cut or rush parts of it.
Why This Moment Feels Different
The earlier cut of the Yuji vs. Yuta car scene was frustrating for fans, but the stakes for the Sendai Colony fight are much higher. This is the defining action sequence for Yuta in the first part of the season. If the studio were to compress this fight to fit the extended runtime, or worse, remove key interactions to save time, it would likely anger a large portion of the fanbase who have been waiting to see this specific arc animated.
However, there are reasons to be hopeful. The season has already proven it can handle massive action sequences. Episode 4, “Perfect Preparation,” which focused on Maki’s revenge against the Zenin Clan, ran longer than usual and was praised for its brutal, cinematic animation. That episode currently holds a 9.8/10 rating on IMDb, showing that when MAPPA gives a major character their moment, they deliver on the visual spectacle.
Furthermore, the finale is confirmed to be 27 minutes long, giving the animators a little extra breathing room to properly adapt the complex choreography of the Sendai battle.
Fan Expectations and the Battle for Accuracy
The divide in the fanbase regarding Season 3 has been interesting. While international fans have mostly praised the high-octane action and the animation style, some Japanese viewers have expressed concerns that the show is focusing too much on flashy fights at the expense of emotional depth.
For the upcoming Yuta episode, fans want a balance. They do not just want the flashy moves; they want the strategic depth and the raw power display that made Yuta’s character so popular in Jujutsu Kaisen 0. A user on social media pointed out that if the car scene was cut for pacing reasons, the studio must ensure they do not cut any of Yuta’s major techniques or dialogue in the finale.
The community is currently on edge. Some are excited, calling Yuta’s Sendai battle the “best fight of the Culling Game,” while others are cautiously reminding everyone to keep their expectations in check after the changes made in the opening episodes.
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What to Expect in the Finale
As of now, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 12 is set to release on Thursday, March 26, 2026. The episode will be available on Crunchyroll at 8:30 AM PT for audiences in North America, Central America, South America, Europe, Africa, Oceania, the Middle East, CIS, India, and Southeast Asia.
The trailer for the finale has already dropped, showing Yuta standing in the ruins of Sendai, ready to take on all comers. The animation in the preview looks fluid, and the extended runtime suggests that the team at MAPPA is aware that this is a crucial moment for the character.
Whether the studio has learned from the earlier criticism remains to be seen. But one thing is certain: all eyes are on Yuta Okkotsu. If the finale delivers on the promise of the manga, it will likely erase the memory of the earlier skipped scene. If it fumbles, it will confirm the fears that MAPPA is making a habit of trimming the wrong moments.
For more updates on anime releases and in-depth breakdowns of the Culling Game arc, keep checking back with VvipTimes for the latest news.
