The following contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, currently available to stream on Crunchyroll.
I am going to start out by noting up front, I loved all 12 episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3. Now that I’ve gotten that out of the way, I can say that I am thoroughly disappointed in the news from TOHO Animation on Friday, March 26. Fans spent all of Season 3 expecting a mid-season break, Cour 2 dropping later this year. Unfortunately, there won’t be a second cour. Instead, we will now get a fourth season sometime in 2027.
Disappointment is kind of understatement. After delivering an incredibly powerful third season with top notch animation from Studio MAPPA, it was definitely too much to hope for. The bummer for me is that the first two seasons were packed with episodes. I’m greedy. I say this all the time. All I can do now is not let this news ruin how much I enjoyed Season 3.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Finale Puts Yuta on a Much-Deserved Pedestal
Image property of Studio MAPPA
As a whole, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 gave its biggest players the spotlight from start to finish. Yuji and Megumi got the most amount of screentime, for sure. Both had great battles that pushed them beyond their limits and to the next level. Yuji managed to fight one of the strongest new sorcerers alive without cursed energy. And Megumi? That kid pushed himself to new heights and came out the victor, all the while showing off the primal power of deception.
Kinji Hakari, Kirara Hoshi and Panda all have their moments in the spotlight, but on a lesser scale. Maki Zen’in and Yuta Okkotsu, on the other hand, take the spotlight and go all the way out. There’s not a single JJK fan who can say Maki and Yuta don’t shine in Season 3.
We really get to see what both Yuta and Maki are made of in Season 3. Yuta’s come such a long way from the shy, terrified boy we meet in Jujutsu Kaisen 0. His time with Miguel gave him confidence. It also helped Yuta polish his techniques, while helping him understand how to utilize his connection to Rika.
Yuta Okkotsu Emerges Victorious from Sendai Colony
Choosing to close the season out with Yuta devastating his opponents is one thing. Asking them for their points, and then walking away with them still alive, is genius. The three-way (turned four-way) battle between Takako Uro, Ryu Ishigori, Kurourushi and Yuta Okkotsu was 28:30 minutes of nonstop actions. Not only do we get to see different cursed techniques and personalities, but the abundance of Yuta’s power is at an all-time high at this point.
Yuji notices it all the back in Season 3, Episode 1, as Yuta comes in behind him. He think it’s Gojo for a second, given the immense cursed energy Yuta carries. This kid is Special Grade for a reason, and we get to see exactly what that reason is as he takes on two incredibly powerful sorcerers and a Special Grade Cockroach Cursed Spirit. He doesn’t make it look easy, not like Gojo does, but he definitely comes close.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Did Just Fine Without Gojo Satoru
Image property of Studio MAPPA
Now, before pants get into twists, in no way am I saying I don’t want Gojo unboxed and strutting towards us singing “Daddy’s Home.” I want Daddy back everyday, but I know I have to be realistic. I read the manga. I know the future. As much as it pains me to even think about what Gojo’s going through inside the Prison Realm, right now, he’s kinda safe. I also know that Yuji, Megumi, and Yuta all three need to make it through this power-up point without Gojo’s guidance.
Sure, a lot of things might have been prevented if Gojo were free, but we all know that’s why Akutami-sensei hates him. Gojo is too strong. If he’s always around, what’s the point of Yuji Itadori being the protagonist? What’s the point of Yuta Okkotsu being the powerhouse senpai backup? What’s the point of Megumi trying to define his own life and path forward? Daddy can’t always be there with Megumi, reminding him to be more selfish. It sucks, but none of them can grow beyond their level with Gojo making it easy by simply existing.
So much of the first two seasons focuses on Gojo single-handedly holding the balance of power in check. It was hard going into Season 3 knowing he wouldn’t be there. Even still, it’s rewarding to see his students shine, and not just Yuta, Yuji and Megumi. Kinji Hakari shines brilliantly throughout the Culling Game arc. Gojo’s students are the fortunate few. Because he taught them, we know they’re gonna be all right. I’m Gojo-babbling. I should stop now.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 On a Scale of 1 to 10
As a superfan, there are so many great things about JJK Season 3. Despite my disappointment at it being cut short, I am still happy. It was so nice seeing the Culling Game get started and meeting the new characters I was really looking forward to. I have so many favorite moments from across all twelve episodes, it’s hard to pick just one that stands out. If I am forced, however, I will have to say Maki coming into her own. That entire episode is just pure cinema, and she deserves that kind of celebration.
I also really love the attention paid to Kirara, one of the most beautiful transgender characters I have seen in anime to date. I think one of the things I love most about Kirara is how unapologetic they are, how confident. To keep someone like Kinji interested and entertained in their companionship, Kirara’s gotta be on point. I have no doubts they manage perfectly.
Seeing Higuruma and Takaba come alive in animation is also another huge highlight. Both of them are such standout characters who contribute to the story going forward in unforgettable ways. All-in-all, I loved every second, and have zero actual complaints. Well, other than that whole short-sheeting the season and breaking it into two thing, but the rest, pure love.
