Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 9 aired on March 5, 2026, and fans are calling it one of the most powerful episodes of the entire series. The confrontation between Yuji Itadori and Hiromi Higuruma inside a unique domain expansion turned into a deeply personal battle about guilt, justice, and responsibility .
The episode, titled “Tokyo No. 1 Colony, Part 3,” continues the Culling Game arc as Yuji finds himself trapped inside Higuruma’s domain, Deadly Sentencing. What follows is not just a physical fight but a courtroom drama where Yuji’s soul is put on trial .
Higuruma’s Domain Expansion Steals the Show
The episode opens with Hiromi Higuruma activating his domain expansion, trapping Yuji Itadori in a courtroom setting. Unlike modern domain expansions that guarantee a sure kill, Higuruma uses an older style of domain that follows strict legal rules . Inside this space, violence is prohibited until a verdict is reached.
Judgeman, Higuruma’s shikigami, serves as both judge and jury. The first charge against Yuji is entering a pachinko parlor as a minor back in 2017. Yuji tries to lie his way out, claiming he only went inside to use the bathroom, but the evidence proves him guilty . The punishment for this first crime is temporary confiscation of his cursed technique. Since Yuji never had a technique to begin with, he simply loses access to cursed energy for a while .
Yuji Confesses to Shibuya Mass Murder
The real emotional weight of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 9 hits when Yuji demands a retrial. This time, Judgeman charges him with mass murder during the Shibuya incident on October 31, 2018 . This was when Sukuna took control of Yuji’s body and killed hundreds of innocent people.
To Higuruma complete surprise, Yuji immediately confesses to the crime without any hesitation. This confession triggers the death penalty, and Higuruma receives the Sword of Execution, a blade that can kill with a single cut .
The episode dives deep into Yuji psychology during these moments. Yuji has always carried guilt about Shibuya, even though he had no control over Sukuna actions. His grandfather dying wish was for Yuji to save people, but instead, his body was used for mass murder. This guilt has defined his character since the incident .
Beautiful Animation and Fight Choreography
MAPPA studio delivered stunning animation for the physical confrontation between Yuji and Higuruma. Once Yuji loses access to cursed energy, he has to fight using only his natural strength and combat skills. Higuruma wields his gavel, a cursed tool that can change size and automatically returns to his hand .
Fans on MyAnimeList praised the episode direction. One user wrote, “They absolutely delivered on all fronts. The direction, emotions, and funny moments as well. The action, as always, was spectacular. A treat for the eyes” . Another fan commented that the episode was “beautiful from the animation, to the ost and to the conversation” .
The fight choreography highlights how Higuruma became a prodigy sorcerer in just two weeks. Despite his short time as a jujutsu user, he easily holds his own against Yuji, who has months of combat experience .
Higuruma Character Development Shines
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 9 also develops Higuruma backstory and motivations. Before the Culling Game, Higuruma was a defense attorney who became disillusioned with Japan legal system. He saw too many guilty people walk free while innocent people suffered. This experience made him bitter and cynical .
When Yuji confesses to a crime he technically didn’t commit, it shakes Higuruma to his core. Yuji willingness to take responsibility challenges Higuruma belief that everyone is selfish. One fan on Reddit noted, “The lighting for this part is probably my favorite thing” about the episode .
The Emotional Verdict
Instead of executing Yuji, Higuruma uses his authority to declare Yuji innocent. He argues that Yuji lacked mental control when Sukuna committed the murders, so he cannot be held legally responsible . This moment shows Higuruma returning to his roots as a defender rather than a prosecutor.
The episode ends with Higuruma using his 100 points to create a new rule for the Culling Game. This rule allows players to transfer points between each other. He also gives one point to Yuji so he won’t lose his technique for the next 19 days .
Fans are calling this transformation one of the best in the series. A comment on MyAnimeList read, “Higuruma is a well defined character, clear personality, clear philosophy, and clear conscience. He’s very cool indeed”.
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Where the Story Goes From Here
With Higuruma now on Yuji side, the Culling Game takes a new direction. The lawyer even mentions he might turn himself in for killing 20 sorcerers after awakening his powers . This sets up his continued involvement in the arc.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is scheduled to run until March 26, 2026, with only a few episodes left in this first cour . The anime is adapting the Culling Game arc from Gege Akutami original manga, and fans expect a cliffhanger ending before a potential fourth season .
New episodes stream every Thursday on Crunchyroll for international audiences . The episode is available in multiple languages with subtitles shortly after the Japanese broadcast .
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For more detailed breakdowns of the Culling Game arc and exclusive interviews with the voice cast, stay tuned to VvipTimes for complete Jujutsu Kaisen coverage.
