The television anime Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Culling Game Part 1, began airing with a one hour premiere special featuring Episodes 48 and 49 on January 9 at 12:26 a.m. Japan time. To mark the occasion, a portion of an official interview with Junya Enoki, the voice of Yuji Itadori, and Megumi Ogata, who voices Yuta Okkotsu, has been released.

Jujutsu Kaisen is a dark fantasy series in which high school student Yuji Itadori is drawn into a deadly world of curses after the seal on a powerful cursed object is broken. The original manga, serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from March 2018 to September 2024, has surpassed 150 million copies in circulation worldwide.

The television anime first aired from October 2020 to March 2021. In December 2021, Jujutsu Kaisen 0 was released as a theatrical film and became a global blockbuster, earning approximately 26.5 billion yen worldwide. Season 2 aired from July to December 2023. The long awaited sequel, Season 3 Culling Game Part 1, depicts the brutal and large scale death match orchestrated by the mysterious and infamous sorcerer Kenjaku, formerly known as Noritoshi Kamo.

Interview

ーーWith the broadcast of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Culling Game Part 1, about to begin, how are you feeling right now?

Junya Enoki:
From this point on, the atmosphere of the series changes dramatically. There’s definitely a sense of nervous excitement about how viewers will receive it. Visually, MAPPA has created something truly incredible, just as they have before, and I think they’ve managed to convey even more delicate details this time. I really want everyone to watch the entire season as soon as possible, and personally, I’m eager to see what comes next myself.

ーーIn Culling Game Part 1, Yuji spends time with Choso right from the beginning. Could you share your impressions of Choso once again?

Junya Enoki:
They first met as enemies, so even after they start working together, there’s still a part of Yuji that can’t fully trust him. While Choso openly expresses his affection and care, Yuji struggles to respond honestly. At the same time, in the Culling Game, Choso becomes someone who supports Yuji mentally. It feels like they’re beginning to build a genuine bond of trust. There are even moments where Yuji starts to express his true feelings, just a little.

ーーAfter Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and now the Culling Game, how does Yuta Okkotsu appear to you as a character?

Megumi Ogata:
At his core, Yuta is someone who does not try to exclude others. Of course, cursed spirits are a different matter, but when it comes to people, he always thinks about others before himself. That’s precisely why, when it comes to Rika, he never talks about exorcising her. Instead, he’s overwhelmed, thinking, “This is troubling” or “What should I do?” He’s concerned about the fact that Rika attacks people around her, but even so, he never once considers exorcising her. He has never said anything like that.

ーーFrom your perspective, what kind of team is creating Jujutsu Kaisen?

Megumi Ogata:
I believe it’s a very careful and sincere team. Everyone is constantly thinking about what they can do to make the work better. At least from what I see, everyone approaches the project with that mindset. Even when small issues arise, they focus on how to resolve them clearly and thoughtfully. Without needing to say much, you can sense how considerate everyone is toward one another. It feels as though there are many different vectors of attention and care extending in all directions.


The full interview will be released in stages starting January 13.

Source : ORICON NEWS