by The highly anticipated third season of Jujutsu Kaisen, titled Death Migration Part 1 (commonly known as the Culling Game arc), is currently airing every Thursday at 12:26 a.m. on the Super Animeism TURBO programming block across 28 MBS/TBS affiliated stations, starting January 8, 2026.
To celebrate the new season, Animate Times published official interviews featuring:
- Junya Enoki (voice of Yuji Itadori)
- Kazuya Nakai (voice of Kinji Hakari)
- Yuki Sakakibara (voice of Kirara Hoshi)
Below is a refined and expanded summary of the interview highlights, along with updated series information for fans and newcomers alike.
About Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: Death Migration Part 1
Based on the manga by Gege Akutami, Jujutsu Kaisen was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from March 2018 to September 2025. The series has surpassed 150 million copies in circulation worldwide, including digital editions.
Previous Installments:
- Season 1 (2020–2021)
- Jujutsu Kaisen 0 – Grossed over 26.5 billion yen worldwide
- Season 2 (Hidden Inventory / Shibuya Incident, 2023)
Season 3 adapts the intense “Death Migration” (Culling Game) arc, raising the stakes with large-scale survival battles, psychological warfare, and morally complex character dynamics.
Official Interview Highlights
Junya Enoki × Kazuya Nakai
On Kinji Hakari’s Character
When asked about Kinji Hakari’s personality, Enoki described him as someone who deeply values “passion.”
Enoki: “Even though he doesn’t appear overly emotional at first glance, he places great importance on whether something has passion. That’s what makes him cool and relatable.”
Interestingly, Nakai joked that Hakari is the opposite of himself in real life, drawing laughter during the interview.
Hakari’s defining trait in Season 3 is his intensity beneath a calm exterior—making him one of the standout characters in the Culling Game arc.
On Yuji Itadori as a Protagonist
When asked about Yuji, Nakai offered an insightful perspective:
Nakai: “It might be exaggerated to say he’s ‘uncharacteristic of a protagonist,’ but he feels like a normal human being. Even though Jujutsu Kaisen features flashy battles, it’s grounded in a school setting.”
Enoki confirmed that he intentionally avoids portraying Yuji as an overly heroic or “cool” main character.
Nakai: “Through Enoki’s acting, I felt like a real young person existed there.”
This grounded portrayal is part of what makes Yuji so compelling. Unlike traditional shonen protagonists, he struggles with guilt, fear, and moral dilemmas—especially after the devastating events of the Shibuya Incident.
Kazuya Nakai × Yuki Sakakibara
First Impressions of Jujutsu Kaisen
Sakakibara shared that her expectations changed after reading the original manga.
Sakakibara: “Before reading it, I thought it would be purely ‘battle, battle!’ But it’s actually a battle of the heart. The psychological depth is fascinating. No wonder it’s so loved.”
Nakai echoed this sentiment, praising both the art style and storytelling:
Nakai: “The visuals are stylish and innovative. Each character stands out. It’s sharp and deep—honestly, I felt jealous of the people involved.”
This highlights one of the core strengths of Jujutsu Kaisen: its emotional complexity behind intense action.
Kirara Hoshi’s Casting Reaction
Kirara Hoshi is one of the most intriguing characters introduced in Season 3.
Sakakibara explained that Kirara’s voice casting sparked discussion among fans.
Sakakibara: “When you read the original work, you imagine the character’s voice. Kirara could be interpreted in many ways—some wondered whether the role would go to a male or female voice actor.”
When Sakakibara’s name was announced, fans were reportedly surprised.
Nakai added that at Jump Festa, Shueisha staff mentioned that the venue “buzzed” with excitement during the casting announcement.
Kirara’s layered personality and ambiguous presence add fresh dynamics to the already complex cast of Season 3.
Why Season 3 Is So Highly Anticipated
The “Death Migration” arc is widely regarded as one of the most intricate storylines in the series.
Key Elements of Season 3:
- Large-scale barrier colonies across Japan
- A survival-style point system
- New sorcerers with unpredictable abilities
- Strategic, intelligence-driven battles
- Emotional consequences from the Shibuya Incident
Unlike earlier arcs focused primarily on curses and exorcism missions, Season 3 explores:
- Moral ambiguity
- Political manipulation within the Jujutsu world
- Internal conflict among sorcerers
Global Popularity Continues to Rise
Jujutsu Kaisen remains one of the most internationally successful anime franchises.
Its appeal comes from:
- High-quality animation (produced by MAPPA)
- Complex characters
- Emotional storytelling
- Cinematic fight choreography
Season 3 has already generated strong online discussion, particularly regarding Hakari’s debut and Kirara’s technique mechanics.
Broadcast Information
Title: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 – Death Migration Part 1
Start Date: January 8, 2026
Time: Every Thursday at 12:26 a.m. (JST)
Network: MBS/TBS (Super Animeism TURBO block)
Production: Jujutsu Kaisen Production Committee
Final Thoughts
The official interviews with Junya Enoki, Kazuya Nakai, and Yuki Sakakibara reveal a shared passion for portraying emotionally grounded characters within a high-stakes supernatural world.
Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen is not just about intense battles—it’s about the emotional growth, moral struggles, and human vulnerabilities of its characters.
With Hakari’s charisma, Kirara’s mysterious presence, and Yuji’s ongoing internal conflict, Death Migration Part 1 is shaping up to be one of the series’ most compelling arcs yet.
For longtime fans and new viewers alike, this season continues to prove why Jujutsu Kaisen remains one of the most influential modern anime franchises.
