The following contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Episode 9, which is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
I can’t believe we’re so close to the end of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Cour 1 already. I got hit with a totally different (and more brutal) strain of flu last Tuesday. Now, I am incredibly far behind right now. I’m probably going to keep this one short, saving the rest of my energy to talk about the final chapter of JJK Modulo. Then again, do I even know the meaning of the word short? Probably not.
With only three episodes left, we still don’t have a clear answer on when we can expect Cour 2 episodes to begin airing. Some speculate the Summer 2026 Anime Season, while others think it may not come until Fall 2026. Either way, it will feel like an eternity.
JJK Episode 56, “Tokyo Colony No.1 Part 3,” was one epic high. An in-depth look at Higuruma Hiromi’s Domain Expansion and Cursed Technique quickly confirms his status as a jujutsu phenom. With Yuji Itadori about to face the music, what punishment will Judgeman decree if he’s found guilty? The kind of punishment that calls for an epic showdown that gives us a clear look at just how much Yuji’s grown since Shibuya.
Deadly Sentencing Is One of JJK’s Coolest Non-Lethal Domain Expansions
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Activating his Cursed Technique also activates Higuruma’s Domain Expansion, Deadly Sentencing. Yuji, the accused, now stands before Judgeman and Higuruma in the courtroom. His crime? Entering a pachinko parlor despite being underage. Considering all the guilt Yuji is carrying around after Shibuya, it’s the last crime he expects to be held accountable. But it’s Judgeman’s choice. Weighing out all of his options, he confesses and is found guilty.
What follows is one of the most epic battles so far this season. Yuji is really put to the test, as his sentence from Judgeman is “Confiscation.” If Itadori had a cursed technique, this would mean stripping him of it, while Higuruma challenges him to the fight of his life. Since he has no cursed technique to confiscate, Judgeman confiscates his cursed energy instead.
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This is where things get super interesting because even without cursed energy packed into his punches, Yuji Itadori is still a freaking powerhouse.He manages to hold Higuruma off, though only just. Finally realizing he needs to ask for a retrial to stop the fight, even Higuruma can’t get over how powerful this kid is. Yuji just keeps fighting, no matter what. It’s his greatest power, and it always has been.
Jujutsu Kaisen Connects Higuruma’s Domain Expansion and Cursed Technique Directly
What makes Deadly Sentencing and Judgeman so cool is how they directly connect. The moment Higuruma summons his shikigami, Judgeman, his domain expansion activates. With the courtroom rising around them, the accused and the prosecutor face off in opposing podiums for the trial.
Once a random crime is chosen, Judgeman gathers all evidence. Presenting it in a sealed envelope Higuruma doesn’t know the contents of, the trial begins. From there, the accused has three options: Confess, Deny, or Remain Silent. If found guilty, there are two possible sentences, depending on the nature of the crime: Confiscation or Death. Because Judgeman is omniscient, it already knows whether the accused is innocent or guilty.
One of the most brilliant aspects of Deadly Sentencing is that it prohibits physical violence. Neither Yuji nor Higuruma can even touch each other while inside the domain. Yuji learns this pretty quickly, as he immediately sets out to attack.
Jujutsu Kaisen Hits Us In the Feels Once Again
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Despite escaping the most obvious crime in Itadori’s corner, Judgeman wastes no time bringing it into play. Yuji Itadori stands accused of mass murder in Shibuya on October 31, 2008. What choice does he have but to plead guilty? The sentence this time is death. Higuruma trades his gavel for the Executioner’s Sword, and another epic battle smashes through the theater.
Balancing the fight with Higuruma’s memory, he recalls his reason for turning down the opportunity to become a judge in the past. It is his feeling that all humans are weak and ugly. In essence, this leads to a world in which true justice is impossible to achieve. Remembering this, he doesn’t understand why Itadori would claim guilt for a crime beyond his control.
Ryomen Sukuna is the one responsible for Shibuya. Yuji never agreed to Sukuna’s takeover. He had no control over the monstrous actions that followed. Not being able to protect others because he is weak is not a crime, and no matter how guilty he feels, he is not a murderer. This entire reflection also seems to put things into perspective for Higuruma, too. He is responsible for the murders on his conscience, the first two he committed in the courtroom that day: the judge and the prosecutor.
Itadori’s True Nature Is a Wake-Up Call for Higuruma
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The awakening of Higuruma’s technique resulted in an explosion of years of pent-up rage he held inside. He breaks under the weight of an unjust system. Then, he takes the law into his own hands. In killing the prosecuting attorney and judge, it tore every defining aspect of his personality to shreds. It’s why he’s bathing in his suit when Yuji first encounters him. Why he’s experimenting with being a rule breaker. He doesn’t know who he is anymore. The existential crisis of it all is more than he can handle.
Seeing Itadori accepting culpability for a crime he had no control over is humbling. Higuruma can’t understand why he chooses guilt when he is clearly innocent. Calling off the fight, he agrees to give Yuji his points to change the rules. Then he says goodbye. As Yuji calls after him to stay and help them, he admits he can’t be around someone like Yuji. It will just make him hate himself even more for the things he’s done. Jujutsu Kaisen anime-only fans, don’t fret. We will see him again.
With the rules change in place, Higuruma leaves them both with a point. Now they’ll be safe for a while, from the rules, anyway. There are plenty of nasty sorcerers out there, waiting to pounce. And we’ll get to see one of them showdown with Fushiguro next week! It also looks like Fumihiko Takaba will be making another appearance, so I can’t wait.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Episode 9 on a Scale of 1 to 10
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I have nothing bad to say about this episode at all. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is everything I hoped it would be, and then some. I am starting to feel sad that the mid-season finale is coming on fast. It’s especially sad, since we don’t know when Cour 2 will start. Regardless, I will comfort myself with the knowledge that we have 3 episodes left. Then the void of the anime’s absence becomes a real thing. Especially empty, now that JJK Modulo is finished.
A solid 10/10 from me this week. Getting to see Higuruma’s Domain Expansion come alive is probably my favorite thing in Season 3 so far. Don’t tell Gojo.
