If you thought the Shibuya Incident was traumatizing, you are not ready for what comes next.
The wait is finally over. At Jump Festa 2026 this weekend, MAPPA dropped the official trailer for Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Arc, and the internet has collectively lost its mind. Between the darker animation style, the return of a fan-favorite character (who is currently an enemy?), and the announcement of the new Opening Theme, there is a lot to unpack.
If you missed the trailer or just want to understand the hidden details, you’ve come to the right place. Let’s break down everything revealed in the new PV.
The King is Back: King Gnu performs "AIZO"
Let’s start with the biggest banger of the trailer. King Gnu is back.
After the massive viral success of "SpecialZ" in the Shibuya Arc (you know, the song that played while Yuji was suffering), the band has returned to perform the Season 3 Opening Theme titled "AIZO" (Love & Hate).
Unlike the chaotic energy of SpecialZ, this new track sounds haunting, melancholic, yet aggressive. It perfectly fits the tone of the Culling Game. The lyrics teased in the trailer hint at the complex relationship between Yuji Itadori and the world of sorcery. If history repeats itself, "AIZO" is going to be the top trending sound on TikTok and Instagram Reels by January.
Yuta Okkotsu: The Executioner Arrives
Yuta Okkotsu, the protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen 0, has officially entered the main timeline. But he isn't here to save the day—at least, not in the way anime-only fans expected. The trailer shows a cold, dead-eyed Yuta standing in a room full of candles (the higher-ups' chamber), declaring:
"I will kill Yuji Itadori myself."
The animation quality during Yuta’s scenes is noticeably sharper, with a cinematic "movie" feel. MAPPA is clearly putting their best animators on Yuta’s fight sequences. seeing the former hero turn into Yuji's executioner sets up a heartbreaking conflict right from Episode 1.
Visuals: A Darker, Grittier Tokyo
The art style has shifted slightly from Season 2. While Shibuya was fiery and chaotic, the Culling Game aesthetic looks desolate and post-apocalyptic.
The trailer showcases a ruined Tokyo, overrun by cursed spirits and rogue sorcerers. The use of shadows and muted colors emphasizes the hopelessness of the situation. We also got quick glimpses of:
- Choso: Still sticking by Yuji’s side as the best big brother.
- Maki Zenin: A very brief, blink-and-you-miss-it shot that suggests a massive design change (Manga readers know what’s coming!).
- The Game Master: A creepy floating visual of the "Kogane" (the game’s familiar) explaining the rules.
What is the "Culling Game"?
For those who haven't read the manga, the trailer gave us a basic explanation without spoiling the twists. The Culling Game is essentially a Jujutsu Battle Royale orchestrated by Kenjaku (Geto).
Sorcerers from the past and present are forced to kill each other to earn points. If they don't participate or follow the rules, they die. It’s Hunger Games meets Sorcery, and it introduces some of the most complex power systems we have seen in the series so far.
Release Date Confirmed
Save the date! The trailer confirmed that Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 will begin airing on:
January 8, 2026.
It will likely take the prime-time slot, and streaming services like Crunchyroll and Netflix are expected to simulcast it just like previous seasons.
Final Verdict: Is the Hype Real?
Absolutely. MAPPA has faced criticism for production issues in the past, but this trailer looks polished, fluid, and incredibly atmospheric. The combination of King Gnu’s music and the high-stakes story of the Culling Game guarantees that Winter 2026 belongs to Jujutsu Kaisen.
Are you Team Yuji or Team Yuta? Let us know in the comments below!