by Advance preview images and the official synopsis for Episode 51 (Season 3, Episode 4) of the anime Jujutsu Kaisen have been released. Titled “Biting the Reed,” this episode marks a critical turning point in the ongoing Culling Game (Extinction Tour) arc and places Maki Zen’in at the center of a dark and emotionally charged storyline.
As the battle to end the deadly ritual escalates, Maki returns to the place she once fled the Zen’in family estate—despite repeated warnings from her own mother. What awaits her there will irrevocably change her fate and the balance of power within the jujutsu world.
About Jujutsu Kaisen
Jujutsu Kaisen is based on the hit manga by Gege Akutami, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump (Shueisha). The series has surpassed 150 million copies in circulation worldwide, including digital editions, making it one of the most successful modern battle manga franchises.
Major Franchise Milestones
- TV Anime Season 1 (2020)
- Jujutsu Kaisen 0 (2021), which earned ¥26.5 billion worldwide
- Season 2: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death / Shibuya Incident (2023)
- Movie Compilation: Hidden Inventory / Premature Death (2025)
- Revival theatrical screenings of earlier arcs
The current season is broadcast nationwide on 28 TBS-affiliated stations in the popular Super Animeism TURBO programming block.
Where Episode 51 Fits in the Story
Episode 51 takes place as the sorcerers mobilize to bring an end to the Culling Game, a brutal survival ritual threatening the future of the jujutsu world. Each participant is assigned a role, and success depends on both raw power and personal resolve.
Among them, Maki Zen’in makes a dangerous decision: she returns to the Zen’in clan to retrieve powerful cursed tools, hoping to strengthen herself for the battles ahead.
Episode 51 Synopsis
“Biting the Reed”
As plans to end the Culling Game move forward, the sorcerers begin carrying out their individual missions. Seeking greater combat strength, Maki Zen’in heads to the Zen’in family estate to recover cursed weapons sealed away by the clan.
Her return is met with hostility.
- Naoya Zen’in openly insults and mocks her
- Maki’s mother desperately warns her not to proceed
Ignoring both the verbal abuse and her mother’s pleas, Maki presses onward toward the forbidden storehouse, a sealed location rumored to house dangerous cursed items.
However, when Maki opens the door, she does not find the weapons she expected.
Instead, she is confronted with a horrifying sight:
- Mai Zen’in, bloodied and gravely injured
- Zen’in Ougi, her father, standing before her
What should have been an empty vault becomes the stage for a shocking revelation—one that forces Maki to face the full cruelty of the Zen’in clan and sets her on a path with no return.
Why Episode 51 Is a Turning Point
Episode 51 is one of the most important episodes of the season because it:
- Exposes the brutal inner workings of the Zen’in family
- Forces Maki to confront her past trauma directly
- Signals a major shift in her role within the story
- Sets the stage for dramatic consequences in the Culling Game
Rather than focusing solely on battles, this episode explores family abuse, inherited hatred, and personal liberation, giving it deep emotional weight.
Maki Zen’in’s Evolution
Maki has always been defined by resistance born without cursed energy in one of the most prestigious sorcerer families, she endured constant discrimination and cruelty. Episode 51 highlights:
- Her refusal to remain powerless
- Her willingness to face danger alone
- The emotional cost of breaking away from her family
For new viewers, this episode clearly explains why Maki is one of the most compelling and tragic characters in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Broadcast Information
- Series: Jujutsu Kaisen
- Episode: 51 (Season 3, Episode 4)
- Title: Biting the Reed
- Broadcast Slot: Super Animeism TURBO
- Network: 28 TBS-affiliated stations nationwide
Broadcast times may vary depending on region.
What Comes Next?
Following Episode 51, viewers can expect:
- Escalation of violence within the Zen’in clan
- Major power shifts among sorcerers
- Long-lasting consequences for Maki’s choices
- A darker, more unforgiving tone as the Culling Game intensifies
This episode makes it clear that the story has entered its most irreversible phase.
Final Thoughts
Episode 51 of Jujutsu Kaisen, “Biting the Reed,” is a powerful and unsettling installment that places Maki Zen’in at the heart of the narrative. Her decision to ignore warnings and enter the forbidden storehouse leads to a shocking discovery that reshapes her destiny.
As the Culling Game continues, this episode reminds viewers that the greatest horrors in Jujutsu Kaisen often come not from curses but from human cruelty and broken families.
For longtime fans and newcomers alike, Episode 51 is essential viewing and a defining moment in the series’ ongoing saga.
