Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: Anticipation Builds Amidst Delays

The upcoming third season of Jujutsu Kaisen brings great anticipation to its viewers, although production paths have become uncertain. Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen has been officially confirmed by MAPPA after the Season 2 finale in December 2023 for a new story arc, which will follow the Culling Game created by Kenjaku, the sinister villain. Despite the lack of announcement regarding the release date, audiences might have to wait until 2026 to witness Yuji Itadori's return alongside his companions.

The Culling Game arc represents the longest storyline in Gege Akutami’s manga by comprising 63 chapters before its conclusion in September 2024. The manga's storyline starts after the Shibuya Incident with sorcerers fighting to survive in extreme chaos. High-stakes action paired with intense emotional punches throughout the story can be expected when Yuta Okkotsu faces off with Yuji and Sukuna’s threat rises in power. However, adapting this sprawling arc poses a challenge. Even with a potential two-cour run (24-26 episodes), MAPPA might struggle to cover it fully, leaving fans wondering if the season will end on a cliffhanger, perhaps Sukuna’s takeover of Megumi’s body.

MAPPA’s packed 2025 slate, including Chainsaw Man: The Reze Arc movie and new projects like Lazarus, has fueled concerns about delays. The studio’s history of tight schedules and staff strain adds to the speculation that Season 3 could slip to spring 2026. Anime Japan 2025 offered no updates, instead spotlighting a May 30, 2025, compilation film of Season 2’s Hidden Inventory arc. While this keeps the franchise alive, it’s a bittersweet consolation for those craving fresh content.

Directed by Shota Goshozono, Season 3 is poised to maintain the series’ signature blend of stunning animation and raw emotion. Fans remain hopeful for a Jump Festa 2025 reveal, but the silence has tested their patience. With the manga’s end leaving a void, the anime’s return is crucial. When it arrives, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 could redefine shonen excellence—if MAPPA can deliver under pressure.