Jujutsu Kaisen fans eager to watch Season 3 Episode 8 will have to wait an extra week, as the anime takes a short break due to the 2026 Winter Olympics programming in Japan. Instead of airing on February 19, 2026, the highly anticipated episode is now scheduled for release on February 26, 2026. A special recap episode will air this week to fill the gap .
The delay comes at a frustrating moment, right after Episode 7 left viewers with a major cliffhanger. Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro have officially entered the Tokyo No. 1 Colony, putting them one step closer to finding the mysterious new sorcerer Hiromi Higuruma . But there is good news hidden in this schedule change. The animation team at MAPPA is using this extra time wisely, and the director has already promised that Episode 8 will be something special .
Why Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 8 Is Skipping Its February 19 Release Date
The reason for the delay is pretty straightforward. Japanese television networks are currently broadcasting the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, which run until February 22, 2026. This major sporting event has pushed back several regular programs, including Jujutsu Kaisen .
This week, on February 19, Japanese TV will air Episode 7.5, a special recap episode that covers the “Perfect Preparation” portion of Season 3. The recap episode will also air 94 minutes later than the usual time slot, moving from the regular 12:26 a.m. JST to 2 a.m. JST on February 20 . International streaming platforms like Crunchyroll will follow this delayed schedule, meaning the recap will be available about an hour after it finishes airing in Japan .
For fans in different parts of the world, the adjusted schedule means:
- United States (East Coast) : No new episode on February 19; recap available February 20
- United States (West Coast) : Similar delay, with recap streaming early February 20
- United Kingdom : Viewers will get the recap instead of a new episode this week
- India : The recap will stream instead of Episode 8 on February 19
- Australia : Fans face the same one-week wait for the actual continuation
Once the Olympics conclude, Episode 8 should return to its regular Thursday time slot of 12:26 a.m. JST (which translates to February 26 at 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET) .
Director’s Promise: Why Episode 8 Will Be Worth the Extra Wait
Hiromi Niwa, the chief animation director for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, has been actively communicating with fans about the delay. Instead of just apologizing, Niwa is building excitement for what comes next .
According to his posts on social media, Episode 8 (which is the 55th episode overall) is shaping up to be one of the most impressive installments of the season. Niwa even made a bold statement suggesting that new viewers could jump straight into Episode 8 without prior context and still enjoy it . That is high praise for an episode that falls in the middle of a complicated arc.
The director also explained why the recap episode is actually helpful at this point in the story. He mentioned that having a recap now, when Yuji and his friends are seriously joining the Culling Game, lets everyone review the characters’ goals and feelings before things get even more intense .
Animation quality is another reason for the delay. The Culling Game arc features some of the most complex fight sequences in the entire manga. By taking an extra week, the MAPPA team can ensure that the action scenes meet the high standards fans have come to expect .
Higurma Finally Arrives: What to Expect in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 8
The biggest reason fans are excited about Episode 8 is the long-awaited arrival of Hiromi Higuruma. This new character has been teased for weeks, and the search for him reached its peak in Episode 7 .
Hiromi Higuruma is a former defense attorney who became a sorcerer after the Culling Game began. He is often compared to the late Kento Nanami because of his strong moral compass, his professional demeanor, and his tendency to wear a suit even in battle . Like Nanami, Higuruma follows rules strictly and carries a deep sense of justice, which makes him a perfect foil for Yuji, who is still dealing with guilt from the Shibuya Incident.
Episode 8, titled “Tokyo No. 1 Colony, Part 2,” will show Yuji and Megumi finally tracking down Higuruma. Their meeting is not going to be friendly. Since Higuruma has already accumulated 100 points in the game, he is a primary target . What makes this encounter different from typical shonen battles is that Higuruma fights using a domain expansion that relies on judgment and courtroom rules rather than pure physical strength.
Here is what fans can look forward to in Episode 8:
- The official introduction of Hiromi Higuruma in the anime
- A battle that tests Yuji mentally as much as physically
- Deeper exploration of the Culling Game’s rules and structure
- High-quality animation for the opening fight sequences
- Possible hints about what Sukuna is planning from inside Yuji
Recap Special: What to Expect From Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 7.5
For those wondering what will air this week instead of Episode 8, the recap special titled “Perfect Preparation” will compile key moments from the first seven episodes of Season 3 . This is not just a clip show with no value. The recap will help viewers understand the complex rules of the Culling Game before the tournament fully begins.
Important moments that will likely be covered include:
- Kenjaku’s revelation about Yuji’s birth
- How the team decided to split up to find Higuruma and the Angel
- The explanation of how the Culling Game points system works
- Each character’s personal motivation for participating
Episode 7 ended with Yuji and Megumi stepping into Tokyo Colony Phase 1, unsure of who they can trust . The recap will remind everyone why finding Higuruma matters and what is at stake if they fail .
Streaming Details: Where to Watch Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 8
Crunchyroll remains the primary streaming home for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 in most regions worldwide. The platform typically uploads new episodes about an hour after they finish airing in Japan . For Episode 8, fans can expect it on Crunchyroll starting around 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET on February 26, 2026.
In some Asian territories, Netflix also carries the series, though availability varies by country . Netflix subscribers in regions like India and parts of Southeast Asia should check their local listings for specific release times.
For viewers in the United Kingdom, Crunchyroll is the go-to platform. Australian fans can also access the series through Crunchyroll with subtitles shortly after the Japanese broadcast.
The recap episode (Episode 7.5) will follow the same streaming pattern on February 20, appearing on Crunchyroll about an hour after its 2 a.m. JST broadcast .
Also Read:
The Culling Game Arc Explained Simply
For those who need a quick refresher, the Culling Game is a deadly battle royale set up by the villain Kenjaku. Sorcerers are forced to fight each other in colonies across Japan, collecting points by killing other players . The game has strict rules, but players can add new rules by spending 100 points.
The good guys—Yuji, Megumi, Panda, and Kinji Hakari—entered the game for one main reason: to find someone called the Angel. The Angel has the power to open the Prison Realm, which is where their teacher Satoru Gojo remains trapped . To find the Angel, they first need to collect enough points, which means hunting down high-value players like Higuruma.
Episode 8 marks the point where the game truly begins. The preparation phase is over, and the real battles are about to start . With only a few episodes left in the first cour (which ends in late March 2026), the pace is about to accelerate dramatically .
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