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The Culling Game Arc in Jujutsu Kaisen is gaining momentum, establishing itself as a standout sequence among contemporary shonen anime. With Kenjaku’s sinister game at its core, viewers have been introduced to a variety of formidable sorcerers, the latest of whom boasts perhaps the most distinctive Domain Expansion we’ve seen yet.
In JJK Episode 56, the third installment of the Tokyo Colony No. 1 mini-arc, the intense confrontation between Hiromi Higuruma and Yuji Itadori reaches its climax. This episode, a highlight in the winter 2026 anime lineup, delivers a gripping duel that underscores Yuji Itadori’s internal struggle with his perceived identity as a killer.
Each episode of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 has been crafted with a unique cinematic flair, and the latest is no exception. The clash between Higuruma and Itadori is cleverly presented as a courtroom drama in JJK Episode 56, offering a fresh perspective on the series’ narrative by delving into Higuruma’s unique sense of justice.
The Culling Game Arc Continues Its Generational Run With an Action-Packed Courtroom Drama
Almost every episode of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 has unfolded like a mini-film with its own unique directorial style, and in this regard, the latest release is no different. Higuruma and Itadori’s battle takes the form of a court case in JJK Episode 56, briefly pushing the franchise’s action-packed story into the realm of courtroom drama as it explores Higuruma’s approach to doling out justice.
In the span of two episodes, Higuruma has proven himself to be a thoughtful character whose perspective as an attorney offers a fresh take on what it means to be a jujutsu sorcerer. Unfortunately for Yuji Itadori, his opponent’s Cursed Technique doesn’t put him in the role of defense attorney — it puts Higuruma in the role of prosecutor.
The two trials of Yuji Itadori that take place in JJK Episode 56 are for very different crimes (entering a pachinko parlor as a minor vs. murdering the entirety of Shibuya), but together, they show the duality that drove Higuruma to resent the Japanese justice system. Yuji Itadori has done the best that he can to be a good jujutsu sorcerer and a decent person, yet because of his willingness to admit fault, he’s ultimately given the death sentence by Higuruma’s Domain Expansion.
Watching Higuruma once again reject the injustice of legality is an awesome way to engage with his character. More importantly, it’s a very smooth way to examine where Itadori’s head is currently at regarding the future of jujutsu sorcery.
Yuji Itadori Is the Villain of JJK — At Least, According to Him
Image via MAPPA
Heading into JJK Season 3, it remained to be seen how Yuji Itadori would process his role in the Shibuya Incident. Despite some kind words from Megumi Fushiguro earlier this season, Itadori still carries immense guilt for being Sukuna’s vessel during his rampage, and while his determination is commendable, it’s also potentially misplaced.
As Hiromi Higuruma himself points out in Jujutsu Kaisen Episode 56, Yuji Itadori isn’t guilty of killing the victims of the Shibuya Incident — that blame falls squarely on the shoulders of the King of Curses. The fact that Yuji Itadori has naturalized the idea that this tragedy was his fault is heartbreaking enough that it ultimately inspired Higuruma to stop his assault on Itadori, resolving their conflict with an emotional meeting of minds that gave the former attorney a reason to transfer his points over to JJK‘s protagonist.
Given the nature of the Culling Game and its various colonies, this part of Jujutsu Kaisen‘s story is inherently disjointed. That said, MAPPA has made the arc’s revolving door of sorcerers flow together perfectly, thereby making it even more exciting to speculate about what awaits Megumi Fushiguro, Kinji Hakari, and the other sorcerers attempting to free Satoru Gojo from the Prison Realm.
Higuruma and Itadori’s fight isn’t as action-packed as Maki’s fight with the Zenin Clan or as macho as Hakari’s fight with Itadori, but what it lacks in flashiness it makes up for with rich characterization. Every single battle of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 so far has been a 10/10, and the best part is the fact that the Culling Game is just getting started.
The Culling Game’s Cast Is Taking JJK to a New Level
Like the rest of JJK Season 3, Higuruma and Itadori’s battle features badass choreography, innovative jujutsu sorcery, and a wonderful directorial eye that makes the release a borderline perfect anime episode. However, at this point, this is what fans have come to expect from Jujutsu Kaisen.
The first two seasons of Yuji Itadori’s anime adventures were massive hits, but compared to what MAPPA is putting out with the Culling Game, JJK Season 3 is on a whole new level. As fun as moments like Higuruma’s fight with Itadori are, the Culling Game Arc is arguably where the cracks in Gege Akutami’s writing first started to emerge, so it’s incredibly impressive that MAPPA’s adaptation has turned this stretch into the anime’s peak so far.
Hopefully, Yuji Itadori contemplates Higuruma’s words while Megumi Fushiguro prepares himself for battle with the two jujutsu sorcerers he’s currently facing off against. Should Fushiguro survive, he’ll need his best friend to be at his absolute best about whatever challenges await him post-Higuruma. After all, the Culling Game have shown no mercy so far.
- Release Date
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October 3, 2020
- Network
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TBS, MBS, CBC, Tulip Television, BSN, tys, NBC, HBC, RKK, i-Television, SBS, IBC, BSS, MRO, OBS, TUF, RSK, TUY, tbc, RKB, SBC, KUTV, RBC, UTY, RCC, MRT, atv, MBC
- Directors
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Ryohei Takeshita, Masataka Akai, Chie Nishizawa, Daisuke Tsukushi, Tomomi Kamiya, Kakushi Ifuku, Ken Takahashi
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Yuichi Nakamura
Satoru Gojo