The following contains spoilers for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Episode 6, “Cog,” which is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 has been introducing a lot of new characters. After all, a huge chunk of jujutsu society was killed during Shibuya. It only makes sense that we’d see a lot of new faces. Introducing Kinji Hakari and Kirara Hoshi in Episode 52, “Passion,” we need a glimpse at what they’re capable of. Unfortunately, Hakari’s innate technique doesn’t appear in Episode 53. We do, however, get to take a look at Kirara’s Love Rendezvous.
Outside Hakari’s hideout, Kirara is tasked with keeping the riff-raff at bay. Said riff-raff this time around: Megumi and Panda. With the pair infiltrating the building to get to the rooftop, they come face to face with a technique that will take some brainpower to figure out. Panda can’t usually be counted on for such things, but Megumi gets to show off just how clever he is.
Jujutsu Kaisen Fans & Megumi Need to Look to the Stars
We’ve seen a lot of cool innate techniques over the last 50+ episodes (and JJK 0). As the anime progresses, cursed techniques become more intricate, especially now that The Culling Game is in full swing. Kirara Hoshi’s cursed technique, Love Rendezvous, is as unique as it is complicated. Megumi and Panda learn pretty quickly that getting close to Kirara isn’t going to happen. Not even Megumi’s Demon Dog can get near them.
It takes some time for Megumi to figure their technique out. He realizes they are mapping out stars in the shape of the Southern Cross. Each point is assigned a marker. Marked targets can only come together with specific targets in the constellation’s path. Kirara’s expression confirms that Megumi figures out enough to potentially become a problem.
Neither Megumi nor Panda know how many stars make up the Southern Cross. At first, they agree that it must be four, but the more Megumi tries to work with that equation, the less sense it makes. Finally realizing there must be five points, Megumi’s able to bypass the restrictions prohibiting him from contact with Kirara.
Hilariously, it takes more than half the episode to get to that point. Between Panda’s shenanigans and Kirara’s technique, an incredibly tense and dangerous situation is actually pretty funny. Flying cars, flying pandas, bunnies scattered everywhere. This little piece of comic relief is a nice break from the non-stop intensity that’s been following like a dark cloud since Shibuya.
Itadori Embraces His Role With a Straightforward Pitch
Image property of Studio MAPPA
The episode title, “Cog,” has significance. Since it doesn’t come into play until Hakari punches Itadori right out of the building, we’re given plenty of time to reflect. Hakari can’t wrap his head around how someone without passion even got as far as Itadori. Yuji admits that there is nothing driving him. He’s just a cog.
Kirara calls out for Kin-chan to stop because they came to him for help. He says he’s listening, so long as Itadori remains standing. Hakari keeps punching him, but Yuji doesn’t block or fight back. He just takes it. Itadori will do anything necessary to prove to Hakari they need him. Even if that means playing the punching bag. Hakari hits him so hard, he flies backward. Then he asks if it hurts, noting that Gojo sensei said his hits were coarse and gritty.
Thinking Itadori’s probably dead, he tells Panda and Sea Urchin Head (god, this is Megumi’s new name now…) to get him out of there. But then Yuji is standing right behind him. He can’t believe it, after the pummeling he gave. When he asks Yuji what he is, the speech that follows is as poignant as it is sad.
“I’m a Cog.”
Image property of Studio MAPPA
Even though Fushiguro has told him before that they are jujutsu sorcerers, not heroes, it’s still a hard pill to swallow. Jujutsu sorcerers sacrifice everything. As Nanami pointed out more than once, it’s thankless work. Maybe in the beginning of Jujutsu Kaisen, Yuji had big ideas about saving people. Given everything he’s been through, he understands now. He’s nothing but a cog.
“I’m a cog. Cogs have a function, you know?
My function is to keep exorcising curses.
If you’re necessary to achieve that, then I’ll play along
until you agree to it. Senpai. What’s your function?”—Itadori Yuji
First of all, can we take a step back and admire this Naruto nod? I noticed it last week, when Yuji and Megumi were changing their clothes. But this week, it really stands out. You could easily put this image side-by-side with one of Naruto and convince someone they came from the same anime.
Add to that Itadori using talk-no-jutsu in this scene with Hakari, and it’s a very obvious tribute. Itadori has seen enough violence already. As much as it will pain him to fight in the future, I think he’s going to take as many opportunities to use his voice as he can.
A New Rule Has Been Added to the Culling Game in Jujutsu Kaisen
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The Culling Game started out with just eight rules. At the end of Episode 53, one of the players utilized their points to add a new rule. Rule 9 states that players will now have access to the following information in regards to fellow players: name, current points, number of rules added, and current location. We soon learn the rule was added by Culling Game Player Hajime Kashimo.
Beyond his name, anime-only fans know that he is an Edo Era sorcerer from 400 years in the past. That information alludes to him being one of Kenjaku’s chosen reincarnations. He’s out for Sukuna, which is the only reason he spares the 100 points it takes to add a new rule to the Culling Game. Knowing where this is going from the manga, I will say that he is an intriguing character. There’s a lot to look forward to with this one, especially on the battle front.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Episode 6 on a Scale of 1 to 10
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I’ve heard a couple of people say they aren’t feeling this season, so far. I say those people are off their bleedin’ nut. The Culling Game was one of the most difficult arcs to get through in the manga at times because it’s so long. Seeing it come to life in the anime is actually making me want to go back and read it all over again.
I love the way each new character is introduced, giving us just a glimpse at them. As they all start coming together on the battlegrounds, it’s going to be epic. I’m hyped each and every week, so… I don’t know what to tell anyone who isn’t hyped. Between the much-needed comic relief from Panda, a pretty exciting battle with Kirara, and Yuji laying his purpose out for all to see, 10/10. No notes.
VOID RATING: 10/10
