JJK Culling Game Arc Explained: Everything You Need to Know
The Culling Game has arrived in anime form, and it’s everything Jujutsu Kaisen fans have been waiting for. This brutal death game marks a major turning point in the series, raising the stakes higher than ever before. But with its complex rules, multiple colonies, and dozens of new characters, the Culling Game can be confusing even for dedicated fans.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Culling Game arc—from its rules and participants to what makes it one of the most intense arcs in modern shonen manga.
What is the Culling Game?
The Culling Game (死滅回遊, Shimetsu Kaiyū) is a death match orchestrated by Kenjaku (the ancient curse user possessing Geto’s body) using Tengen’s barrier techniques. It’s essentially a massive battle royale where cursed technique users fight to accumulate points—with death as the penalty for non-participation.
The game serves multiple purposes for Kenjaku:
When Does the Culling Game Start?
In the anime, the Culling Game begins in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 (titled “Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game”), which premiered in January 2026.
In the manga timeline, the Culling Game starts after:
- The Shibuya Incident Arc
- The aftermath chapters dealing with Gojo’s sealing
- The Perfect Preparation Arc
If you’re catching up before watching Season 3, you’ll want to be familiar with the events of Season 2, particularly the devastating Shibuya Incident.
The Complete Rules of the Culling Game
One of the most confusing aspects of the Culling Game is its complex rule system. Here’s a breakdown:
The Eight General Rules
Rule 1: Players must declare their participation in a colony within 19 days of awakening their cursed technique. Failure results in cursed technique removal.
Rule 2: Players who enter a colony cannot leave until they have acquired at least 100 points.
Rule 3: Points are acquired by killing other players:
- Non-sorcerer players: 1 point
- Sorcerer players: 5 points
- Creating a new rule: 100 points
Rule 4: Points can be used to negotiate with the game master (Kogane) for rule changes.
Rule 5: Any rule created must be within the capabilities of the game master.
Rule 6: If a player’s points don’t change for 19 days, the cursed technique is removed.
Rule 7: Players can share information about their point total.
Rule 8: Players cannot be forced to give up their points through coercion.
Why These Rules Matter
The rules create several strategic implications:
- No hiding: Rule 6 forces constant combat
- Team play is limited: While not forbidden, accumulating points requires individual kills
- Rule manipulation: The 100-point rule creation cost makes it expensive but possible to change the game
The Colonies: Where the Game Takes Place
The Culling Game is divided into multiple “colonies” across Japan, each with its own barriers and player population:
Tokyo Colony No. 1 (Shinjuku)
Key Players:
- Yuji Itadori
- Megumi Fushiguro (initially)
- Hiromi Higuruma (antagonist-turned-ally)
- Angel (Hana Kurusu)
Tokyo Colony No. 2 (Shibuya)
Key Players:
- Various awakened sorcerers
- Hajime Kashimo (the strongest ancient sorcerer)
Sendai Colony
Key Players:
- Yuta Okkotsu
- Ryu Ishigori (ancient sorcerer with devastating output)
- Uro Takako (ancient sorcerer with sky manipulation)
- Dhruv Lakdawalla
Other Colonies
Additional colonies include Osaka, Sapporo, and several others, each hosting different battles and storylines.
Key Characters in the Culling Game
New Characters
Hiromi Higuruma ⚖️
A former defense attorney who awakened his cursed technique during the mass awakening. His technique, Deadly Sentencing (Judgeman), creates a courtroom domain where he puts opponents on “trial.” If found guilty, their cursed technique is confiscated.
Higuruma is one of the most fascinating additions to JJK. His backstory explores themes of justice, morality, and the failure of legal systems—heavy stuff for a battle manga. Learn more about cursed techniques here.
Hajime Kashimo ⚡
A 400-year-old sorcerer who made a deal with Kenjaku to be reincarnated in the modern era—all for the chance to fight Sukuna. His cursed technique remains a mystery for most of the arc, making him unpredictable and terrifying. Kashimo is considered the strongest ancient sorcerer in the Culling Game.
Angel (Hana Kurusu) 👼
A mysterious player whose cursed technique can extinguish other cursed techniques. She’s crucial to the main cast’s goal of freeing Gojo from the Prison Realm.
Ryu Ishigori 🔥
An ancient sorcerer with the highest cursed energy output ever recorded. His technique allows him to fire devastating beams of pure cursed energy.
Uro Takako 🌀
A former assassin from the Kamakura period who can manipulate the sky itself, treating it as a thin sheet she can bend and control.
Returning Characters
Yuji Itadori
Now more powerful than ever, Yuji enters the Culling Game to find Angel and free Gojo. His development in this arc is substantial—he’s no longer just a vessel but a true sorcerer in his own right.
Megumi Fushiguro
Megumi’s storyline in the Culling Game is… complicated. Without spoiling too much, his fate becomes central to the entire series. Read about his connection to Maki.
Yuta Okkotsu
The protagonist of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 enters the Sendai Colony and absolutely dominates. His fights against multiple ancient sorcerers simultaneously showcase why he’s considered second only to Gojo.
Maki Zenin
After the events of the Zenin Clan massacre (covered here), Maki has evolved into something beyond a normal human—approaching the level of Toji Fushiguro.
The Main Objectives in the Culling Game
The heroes have several goals in the Culling Game:
1. Free Gojo Satoru
Gojo was sealed during the Shibuya Incident. To free him, they need Angel’s cursed technique, which can extinguish the Prison Realm’s barrier.
2. Add a Rule to Allow Colony Exit
Currently, players can’t leave until they have 100 points. Adding a rule to allow exit would help rescue awakened non-combatants.
3. Stop Kenjaku
The ultimate goal is to prevent Kenjaku’s plan to merge humanity with Tengen.
Major Fights in the Culling Game Arc
Yuji vs. Higuruma ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
One of the most innovative fights in the series. Instead of pure combat, this battle takes place largely within Higuruma’s domain—a courtroom where Yuji must defend himself against charges of murder (for the deaths Sukuna caused).
Yuta vs. Ishigori, Uro, and Dhruv ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
A massive four-way battle that showcases why Yuta is the strongest after Gojo. Watching him fight three ancient sorcerers simultaneously while also protecting Rika is breathtaking.
Megumi vs. Reggie Star ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A tactical battle that pushes Megumi to his limits. Reggie’s technique (Contract Re-Creation) creates physical objects from contracts, leading to creative combat.
Maki vs. The Zenin Clan ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
While technically before the Culling Game proper, this massacre is essential viewing. Maki’s transformation into a Toji-level combatant is both tragic and awe-inspiring.
How Does the Culling Game End?
Without major spoilers, the Culling Game serves as the setup for the final arc of Jujutsu Kaisen. The game doesn’t “end” in a traditional sense—instead, it transitions into the endgame when:
The Culling Game represents the point of no return for JJK. After this arc, the story accelerates toward its conclusion.
Culling Game vs. Other Death Games in Anime
The Culling Game draws inspiration from several classic death game narratives:
| Anime | Death Game | Similarity |
| ——- | ———– | ———— |
| Hunter x Hunter | Chimera Ant/Greed Island | Complex rules, point systems |
| Fate Series | Holy Grail War | Summoned historical figures |
| Darwin’s Game | Darwin’s Game | Awakened ability users |
| Deadman Wonderland | Prison games | Survival combat |
What sets the Culling Game apart is its integration with established JJK lore and the presence of both reincarnated ancient sorcerers and newly awakened modern participants.
Where to Watch Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game
The Culling Game arc is currently airing as Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 on:
- Crunchyroll – Simulcast
- Netflix (some regions, delayed)
Recommended Watch Order Before Season 3
Manga vs. Anime: What’s Different?
MAPPA has been adapting the Culling Game faithfully, but there are some differences:
- Pacing: The anime tightens some slower manga chapters
- Animation: Fight choreography is expanded and enhanced
- Music: Kevin Penkin’s score adds emotional weight
- Censorship: Some gore is reduced for TV broadcast
For those who want to read ahead, the Culling Game covers approximately Chapters 143-213 of the manga. You can purchase the volumes on Amazon or read digitally on the Shonen Jump app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to watch JJK 0 before the Culling Game?
A: Highly recommended. Yuta’s backstory is essential, and several JJK 0 characters appear in the Culling Game.
Q: Is Gojo in the Culling Game?
A: He’s still sealed in the Prison Realm. Freeing him is one of the main objectives.
Q: Who is the strongest in the Culling Game?
A: Among participants, Hajime Kashimo and Yuta Okkotsu are considered the strongest.
Q: Did Yuji and Choso team up?
A: Yes! Their brotherly dynamic becomes important during this arc.
Conclusion
The Culling Game represents Jujutsu Kaisen at its most ambitious—a multi-colony death game with complex rules, fascinating new characters, and the highest stakes the series has ever seen. Whether you’re watching the anime or reading the manga, this arc delivers everything fans love about JJK: creative cursed techniques, emotional character moments, and absolutely incredible fights.
For more JJK content, explore our Jujutsu Kaisen category featuring articles on Sukuna vs Naruto, Gojo’s past, and Nanami’s strength.
The Culling Game has begun. Who will survive?