A grim, unrelenting aftermath of Shibuya – Firstpost

Director: Shōta Goshozono

Studio: MAPPA

Cast: Junya Enoki, Yuma Uchida, Megumi Ogata, Yuichi Nakamura, Takehito Koyasu

Language: Japanese

If you are in love with Jujutsu Kaisen, then I am sure your heart broke during the previous season, the Shibuya Incident arc. There were moments when it genuinely felt crushing, to the point where the mind refused to accept that these were “just” anime characters. I kept asking myself: how much more heartbreak can this series possibly deliver? Mind you, I am someone who has only watched the anime and not read the manga. So, I began watching The Culling Games almost out of routine, something the JJK fan in me could not skip, but also something I approached cautiously, still nursing the wounds left by the last season.

The weight of what came before looms large as the Culling Games arc begins. The loss, the horror of the bloodshed, and the guilt consuming Yuji (Junya Inoki) permeate every scene. Nothing has reset. The damage remains.

Yuji Itadori’s mental state sets the tone almost immediately. He is no longer the impulsive, wide-eyed protagonist driven by an uncomplicated sense of justice. Instead, he moves through these episodes burdened by guilt, responsibility, and the understanding that survival itself comes with consequences. The series allows that weight to sit quietly, without over-explaining it, trusting viewers to remember what Shibuya took away.

The introduction of Yuta Okkotsu (Megumi Ogata)adds another layer of tension. Once framed as an awkward outsider, Yuta now stands as a composed and frighteningly capable sorcerer, tasked with executing Yuji.

Meanwhile, with Gojo Sotaru (Yuichi Nakamura) sealed in the Prison Realm and Naobito Zenin dead, the power dynamics have shifted significantly. Megumi Fushiguro (Yuma Uchida) is chosen to take over as the head of the Zenin clan due to Gojo’s absence, a decision that does not sit well with Naoya Zenin (Koji Yusa). The easiest way to reclaim control is simple: eliminate Megumi, and Yuji too, who remains target number one.

Visually, MAPPA continues to deliver with confidence. The animation is precise rather than flashy, and the environments feel heavy and lived-in, especially the urban spaces still bearing the scars of past chaos. There is action, but it is never indulgent. The series remains focused on consequence rather than spectacle.

The Culling Games themselves are introduced as a rigid, rule-bound system that prioritises survival over heroism. The mechanics may feel dense at first, but that complexity appears intentional. This is not an arc built around emotional catharsis or easy victories. It is structured like a long, punishing game where every decision carries weight.

Episodes 1 and 2 function largely as groundwork, but they do so without feeling hollow. They establish mood, stakes, and intent with clarity. The Culling Games does not promise comfort or relief. It promises escalation. And if this opening is any indication, Jujutsu Kaisen is preparing to test both its characters and its audience in ways it has not before.

With the arc already being called one of the most gruesome, it will be interesting to see what unfolds next. Manga readers, of course, know what is coming, and the chatter is only fuelling expectations. One thing, however, is certain: 2026 is off to a solid start.

4 out of 5 stars.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MPfZhgLiK6w

All seasons of Jujutsu Kaisen are streaming on Crunchyroll and Netflix. A new episode will be dropping every Thursday.