The latest episode of the anime series Jujutsu Kaisen delivered a major surprise as new cast members were revealed, instantly becoming a hot topic among fans. Episode 1 of Season 3 titled Culling Game Arc First Half, which is Episode 48 overall, aired on January 9 in Japan with a late night broadcast on January 8.

It was announced that Toshiyuki Toyonaga voices Jin Itadori, the father of protagonist Yuji Itadori, while Megumi Hayashibara takes on the role of Yuji’s mother Kaori Itadori. The high profile casting quickly sparked strong reactions across social media.

In the episode itself, Yuji appears as a baby, with the scene shown from his perspective as his parents come into view. The cast details were revealed during the ending credits, prompting fans to share their astonishment online. Comments included reactions such as Megumi Hayashibara as Kaori Itadori being the biggest shock, the overwhelming presence of Kaori Itadori voiced by Megumi Hayashibara, and surprise at Jin Itadori voiced by Toshiyuki Toyonaga and Kaori Itadori being quietly revealed during advance screenings. Others also remarked on how unsettling Kaori felt and how striking the baby Yuji scene in the opening was.

Megumi Hayashibara is widely known for her roles as Rei Ayanami and Yui Ikari in the Evangelion series. Her casting is seen as a perfect fit for conveying an ominous and unsettling atmosphere with just a few lines of dialogue.

About Jujutsu Kaisen

Jujutsu Kaisen is a dark fantasy series that follows high school student Yuji Itadori, whose life changes after the seal on a powerful cursed object is broken, drawing him into the world of curses and sorcerers. The original manga by Gege Akutami was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from March 2018 to September 2024, with total circulation exceeding 150 million copies worldwide.

The television anime first aired from October 2020 to March 2021. In December 2021, the film Jujutsu Kaisen 0 was released and became a massive global hit, earning approximately 26.5 billion yen at the worldwide box office. Season 2 aired from July to December 2023.

Season 3, titled Jujutsu Kaisen Culling Game Arc First Half, depicts the intense and large scale killing game orchestrated by the most notorious sorcerer in history, Kenjaku under the name Noritoshi Kamo. The broadcast schedule is as follows.

Episodes 48 to 54 air from January 8 to February 12
Interlude episode airs on February 19
Episodes 55 to 59 air from February 26 to March 26

Source : ORICON NEWS