Parijat Ghosh 
Jujutsu Kaisen: Culling Games Arc just dropped on Netflix & Crunchyroll, with two episodes: “Execution” & “One More Time”. This continues right after the second installment, back in 2023, progressing to what is supposedly coined as the “most exceptional story arcs” in the histories of anime and manga. And, we will know why. So, if you need more context after what you saw, you are in the right place. Here is my take on both the episodes of Jujutsu Kaisen Episode 3: what I picked up, what I appreciate, and what could do better. Just opinions, and a little “exploring the plot”. So, read ahead. Spoiler Alert!!
The Emotional Barrage Of Itadori Yuji
The first episode is an exact continuation of the last episode of Season 2, with Yuji’s execution orders on board because of the Shibuya Incident. He is on the run and exorcising curses with Choso, his unrelated older brother, Choso (yeah, they are now fully sibling mode). So, all inall, killing curses, hiding away from any sorcerers, and… emotionally battered.
Once a young, laugh-it-all kid, now turned into a bearer of mass slaughters without him actually being in control. He is, as I might say, possibly depressed, living in fear, while also performing his duties as a sorcerer. This isn’t a big timeskip we are talking about, either. It is possibly a gap of weeks, possibly a month or more. From when Yuji was discovered to now being hunted. So, clearly, the jump in circumstances has broken Yuji’s beliefs and morality. Right after the massacre in Shibuya.
Yuji Vs Yuta: Physical Caliber Vs Mental Refinement
The first episode wastes no time throwing us into tension, cutting straight to Yuta appearing behind Yuji, carrying out the orders of the Higher Ups without hesitation. Yuji tries to escape, with the help of Choso’s distraction, but come on. It’s Yuta Okkutso. There is no dramatic buildup, just immediate danger. Calling this a full fight would almost feel wrong, because it is over too quickly to settle into one. Still, what stands out is how instantly both characters read each other. In seconds, they recognize strength, rank, advantages, and most importantly, the instinct to survive.
Yuta’s overwhelming flow of cursed energy is impossible to miss, especially when placed next to Yuji, who still feels like a work in progress as a sorcerer. The gap is clear. But the most interesting part of this clash is not power; it is contrast. Yuji realizes almost immediately that Yuta is his opposite. Yuji relies heavily on his physical caliber, brute strength, speed, and endurance (as I would like to think), yet he still lacks tact and refinement in combat. Yuta, on the other hand, fights with a mind shaped by experience and loss. His strength does not just come from raw power, but from mental refinement built through his past. Because of that, his fighting style feels sharper, more deliberate, and rooted in learned skill rather than instinct alone.
And, given their timelines in the story, it is justified. Because Yuji isn’t suddenly outgrowing a learned sorcerer with an exaggerated MC shield. He fails to match Yuta, because… obviously. That is an honest character arc build-up the audience can appreciate.
Naoya Zenin: Finally, A Character To Hate And Undignify
A new character enters the story, and his name is Naoya Zenin, the almost head of the Zenin Clan in the making. He’s off to find Yuji, but his intentions lie to kill Megumi, who, in the absence of Satoru Gojo, must become the next head of the Zenin Clan, after Naobito Zenin’s death in the Shibuya Incident. And, he appears right before Yuji & Choso, to violently demand Megumi’s whereabouts.
From the moment he appears, it is painfully clear what kind of person he is. He stands as the embodiment of misogyny, toxic patriarchy, and something far more unsettling, plain predatory behavior. In every possible sense. His introduction does not ask you to figure him out. It tells you exactly who he is, and it is uncomfortable to sit through.
Jujutsu Kaisen has given us many villains who are twisted, yet strangely compelling. Characters like Suguru Geto, Sukuna, and Kenjaku are horrifying, but they are also layered and interesting to watch. Naoya Zenin is none of that. He is not likable. He is not fascinating. He is the kind of character who makes your skin crawl just by speaking. Every line that comes out of his mouth feels wrong, and that discomfort is clearly intentional.
From his obvious view of women, his idea of power, to his very goals with the Zenin clan, he is a strong sorcerer who has no right to actually exercise his powers. I watched the episode, and the only word that circled my mind while looking at him was… “creep.” Like, do I like this character? Absolutely not. But, was he needed? Somewhat, because Gege Akutami could seriously give us a character to berate and insult. And that is Naoya Zenin.
Naoya vs Choso: Fight, Clash Of Morals, And Yuta Dropping In
The second episode picks up with Naoya & Choso. Mind you, this is all happening while Yuji is fighting Yuta in the first episode’s timeline. Naoya is strong, combat-wise, and with his technique, which was discovered in the first episode. But Choso’s refined Blood Manipulation of 150 years (no kidding) has him staggering.
Honestly, a fight to appreciate, because we not only see amazing combat style from a very disgusting Naoya (I resent him), while also building up the dimensions and powers of what a Cursed Womb, Choso, can do. The fight sequence wasn’t as paced as I would like it to be, but it is satisfying. But, clearly, something is always going wrong. Because I practically went “why?!” when Yuta came in with Yuji (it was funny because why would you drag poor Yuji like a sack?). Not only did he pull an RCT on Naoya, but he also used him to let it be known that he was successful in killing Yuji. Guess Naoya just deserves a far more terrible ending.
The Ending: What is The Culling Games?
Cut to the second half of the second episode, Yuji is ALIVE. And, it was again, Yuta’s RCT in play. With Gojo out of the scene, he has still ensured his students stay intact, so, hence, Yuta.
But, now that Yuji is again playing his fake death to the world, he has to join the rest (Megumi, Maki, Yuki Tsumuko, alongside Choso) in the school. In discretion. And also, the Culling Games have begun by Kenjaku, whom Megumi refers to as Noritoshi Kamo. A terror game for Jujutsu Sorcerers, or curse energy users. Now, the whole 8 set of rules shown in the episode was basically a knockout sort of outlay. You join the game, kill sorcerers and non-sorcerers, gain points, and there are results. That is a whole different topic for a different article, however.
Who Is Really Tengen?
What is more important is Tengen’s context in this whole thing. I can’t tell if Tengen is an entity or just a mystery sorcerer, but regardless, he is the barrier of Jujutsu High and has existed to protect it from the outside world for ages now. And, only he can tell if there is a way to unseal Gojo, and why Kenjaku is even plotting the Culling Games. He is apparently hard to get to, concealed within 1000 doors, and the group now ends up before him within a flick of an eye. And, he knows who they are, past and present, all mentioned.
Unless you dig deeper, it is hard to state the importance of Tengen from the anime alone. What are his powers? How was he connected to the Star Plasma back in the past season? Too many questions.
Final Verdict
My take: Great start. The episodes are heavy, and if you have the right context, you will enjoy them. There’s so much at stake from the very beginning. Yuji’s suspicions about Sukuna’s plan for Megumi, Megumi’s sister somehow now part of the Culling Games, Yuji’s emotional distortion, and too many mysterious subjects.
However, again, as much as people appreciate the more manga-like animation style, I still think Jujutsu Kaisen season 1’s animation was way more refined. And crisp. Maybe that is why it is harder to appreciate the fight sequences. But, I believe this sort of art style is suitable for how dark Jujutsu Kaisen is going to get.
But, what were your thoughts on the Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 1 & 2? Would you guys like a more in-depth article for more context of the rules of the Culling Games? Let us know in the comments below. For more content, stay tuned. As usual, like, subscribe, and share our articles as we here are trying to build a community of people High on Cinema!
