Culling games officially starts on December 5th Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution receives wide release in US cinemas. Execution includes an abbreviated summary of the entire arc of the Shibuya incident leading up to the end Season 2and, more importantly, the first two episodes of the third season. This means that the recap will cover all the important details from episodes 30 to 47 of the series and cover the immediate aftermath of Kenjaku starting the Rejection Games.
For those who want to take a closer look at the anime series and get completely engrossed in front of it, here's a look at some of the most important episodes that are worth re-watching.
[Ed note: The following contains spoilers for all of Jujutsu Kaisen seasons 1 and 2.]
Jujutsu Kaisen 0
Chronologically, JUjutsu Kaisen 0 The prequel film takes place before the entire main series, and is perhaps the most important backstory when it comes to the Cull Games. The final minutes of Season 2 and the trailers for Season 3 confirm that Jujutsu High School sophomore and Special Level Wizard Yuta Okkutsu is hunting Yuji Itadori. Jujutsu Kaisen 0 is Yuta's origin story as he grows from a traumatized teenager into one of the most powerful sorcerers of our time. Without seeing this backstory, Yuta appears to be a terrifying threat at the end of season two, but it paints a more complete picture of his powers and motivations.
“For Myself” (Episode 2)
The series premiere isn't much of a must-watch, but the second episode is all about how it shows how Jujutsu society views Yuji as a vessel. They want to banish (kill) him immediately to prevent Sukuna from being released into the world. Gojo Satoru is the only thing standing in the way. All of these dynamics are clearly established here. Much later, after the destruction of Sukuna in Shibuya and the sealing of Gojo, this opens the way for the Jujutsu leaders to carry out the original plan.
“The Curse of the Womb Must Die -2-” (Episode 5)
The conclusion of the Cursed Womb arc proves to be extremely important for a number of reasons. This episode begins with Sukuna taking full control of Yuji for the first time and destroying a special cursed spirit while Megumi Fushiguro escapes. When Sukuna catches up with him, he utters a chilling phrase: “Why did you run?” This is the first major foreshadowing of Sukuna's growing interest in Megumi, who seems to play a central role in later developments.
“Small Fry and Reverse Retribution” (Episode 9)
There is so much grief and trauma going on in Yuuji's brain, as well as guilt and responsibility. Gojo was the first to train Yuji and lay a strong foundation. However, in Small Fry and Reverse Retribution, Kento Nanami makes his debut as Yuuji's secondary mentor, a much more serious and analytical person. The nuances of their interactions and the severity with which Nanami analyzes Yuuji's strength allow us to see him in a different light with more potential. This episode also lays a lot of emotional groundwork for Nanami's tragic death at the end of the second season. “You take it from here,” Nanami later says as her last words, which itself is the sort of burdensome curse that Yuuji carries with him in the third season.
“Sage” (episode 18)
The whole Kyoto School of Sisters goodwill event is when the show really starts firing on all cylinders, but it's a shocking turn when cursed spirits invade and things get really interesting. There's also a big focus here on Megumi when he first reveals Max Elephant, so we get an idea of how the submission rituals within the Ten Shadows Technique work.
“The Origin of Blind Obedience -2-” and “Accomplices” (episodes 23 and 24)
Cursed Maw: The Death Paintings make their first appearance after incarnating into bodies here and engage in a gruesome 2v2 battle with Yuuji and Nobara Kugisaki. This battle is a standout in the first season and one of only two times where Nobara's cursed technique is the ultimate ace in the hole, a terrible rival to Eso's abilities based on rot and blood decomposition. Yuuji shows some remorse for killing Eso and his younger brother Keziza, not fully realizing that, in some stupid way, he was also their brother.
Technically, everything that happens after this point will be covered in the review section of Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution, but we'll still highlight the most important episodes for you.
“Shibuya Incident – Gate Open” (Episode 33)
The biggest turning point in the modern era of Jujutsu Kaisen. The episode ends with Satoro Gojou being sealed – but not before he demonstrates the impressive extent of his power and control over it. Gojo destroys Hanami with ease as Yuji and Aoi Todo struggle to keep up with her. But Kenjaku's elaborate plan is revealed, as well as more important details about his true identity.
“Red Scales” (episode 37)
After running deeper into the Shibuya subway, Yuuji runs straight into Choso. Up to this point, the master of blood manipulation and the most powerful Cursed Maw haven't done much, but their duel is one of the best episodes of the entire series so far. It also ends with the startling realization that Yuuji and Choso are somehow brothers? This becomes an extremely important part of how they move forward.
“Thunderclap. Part 2″ and “Right and Wrong” (episodes 41 and 42)
Sure, the fight between Sukuna and Jogo is the main spectacle right before this and the real reason why the Jujutsu Society condemns Yuji to death in the lead-up to the third season, but there's nothing special about it other than the big fights. It is here, in Thunderclap. Part 2,” we finally learn why Sukuna is so interested in Megumi and why Gojo has always held him in such high esteem. Megumi initiates a ritual of submission against the Eight-Handed Sword of the Divergent Force, the Divine General of Mahoraga, the highest of his Ten Shadows and one of the most powerful beings in the series.
Once the dust settles and Sukuna wins the battle, we see a touching final fight scene of a badly wounded Nanami against a group of transformed humans before reuniting with Yuuji to utter the prophetic line, “You take it from here.” A protracted battle with Mahito then begins.
“Transformation Part 2” and “Shibuya Incident – Gates Close” (episodes 46 and 47)
The most important episode of all, worth rewatching sooner Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution obviously the last two. There's a ton of exposition here explaining Kenjaki's master plan as he absorbs Mahito and all the major power players arrive on the battlefield. Even Yuki Tsukumo, who was almost absent throughout the entire anime, appears. Eventually, Kenjaku uses idle transfiguration to tweak the brains of many people in Japan and turn them into jujutsu sorcerers. Meanwhile, 10 million or more cursed spirits were rained down on Japan and 23 defenses were destroyed.
At the very end, the top leaders of the jujutsu society call for the deaths of Geto, Yuji, and director Masamichi Yagi (who they believe incited Gojo and Geto to provoke the Shibuya Incident). Gojo is also banished from the jujutsu society forever, and Yuta is officially appointed as Yuji's executioner.
When do the Selection Games begin? Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution and season three, this is the state of the world. If you have about 20 hours to spare to watch the entire series, go for it. If not, these 13 episodes will help you catch up with the times.
