Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episodes 1 to 4 Spark Mixed Fan Reactions
Season 3 Episodes 1–4: Spoiler-Light Recap
Jujutsu Kaisen returns in Season 3 in the aftermath of the Shibuya Incident. Episode 1 finds Yuji Itadori consumed by guilt and fighting curses in a ruined Tokyo, until he’s confronted by Yuta Okkotsu — a former ally now tasked with executing him. Their showdown is intense but ends unexpectedly: Yuta reveals he’s on Yuji’s side (honoring a secret promise to Satoru Gojo) and spares him. With Megumi Fushiguro’s help, they regroup instead of fighting to the finish.
Episode 2 shifts to the power struggle within the Zenin clan after patriarch Naobito’s death. Naobito’s son Naoya expects to inherit leadership, but it’s revealed that Megumi could be named heir, enraging Naoya. He attacks Megumi, sparking a chaotic clash: Choso battles Naoya at high speed while Yuji faces Yuta in a test of strength. Ultimately, Yuta stands down, and the protagonists unite to plan their next move. By the episode’s end, Yuji, Megumi, Yuta, Maki Zenin, and others have joined forces to consult Master Tengen about the ominous “Culling Game” and how to free Gojo from captivity.
Episode 3 largely provides exposition on the Culling Game’s deadly rules, setting the stage for the battles to come. Then Episode 4 (titled “Perfect Preparation”) delivers the season’s most shocking turn by spotlighting Maki Zenin. Under orders to retrieve cursed tools, Maki returns to her estranged clan’s estate, where she faces open hostility. She presses on into the clan’s vault but is ambushed by her father. A vicious showdown erupts, pushing Maki to unleash her full fury in a long-awaited act of vengeance. The episode’s climax is a brutal, blood-soaked confrontation that brings Maki’s personal arc to a head — and dramatically shifts the season’s tone.
Maki Zenin’s fierce confrontation in Episode 4 has quickly become one of the most debated moments of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3. One side of the fandom views it as breathtaking action, while the other side feels it lacked emotional depth. This pivotal scene encapsulates the split reception of the season.
Fans Praise the Spectacle
On international platforms, the response to Season 3’s start has been overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Many viewers are thrilled by the anime’s stunning animation quality and bold direction. Episode 4, in particular, earned a stellar 9.8/10 rating on IMDb soon after release — reflecting how strongly the explosive Maki-centric episode resonated with overseas fans. Across Reddit and YouTube, commenters have called it “one of the most thrilling episodes in recent anime memory,” applauding its cinematic camera work and hard-hitting fight sequences. “Maki faces and defeats the paternalistic forces in her life, much like Beatrix (Kill Bill) and Jen Yu (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), and shows that sometimes, you have to cut down the old system to make room for societal change,” one Reddit user raved, encapsulating the widespread praise for the episode’s adrenaline-fueled action.
Fans also appreciate the season’s creative flourishes and emotional beats so far. Many applauded the dramatic fights and revelations in Episodes 1—2 as a strong setup for the new arc. The visual style has been called fresh and ambitious — from dynamic combat animation to more artful, atmospheric moments. “Loved the editing and direction… matches the vibe so well,” one viewer wrote, celebrating the show’s distinctive look and energy. For a large segment of the fandom, Jujutsu Kaisen has never looked better, and these opening episodes deepen their excitement for what’s next.
Criticism and Emotional Backlash
Not everyone is on board with the new season’s approach. In Japan, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 has faced a wave of criticism from fans who feel the adaptation is prioritizing flashy action over storytelling. The fiercest debate centers on Episode 4’s handling of Maki’s revenge. While international viewers cheered its spectacle, many Japanese viewers were left frustrated. They argue the anime rushed through a pivotal emotional chapter, stripping away nuances that made the original manga scene powerful. “Overseas fans only see the animation and say amazing. They are ignoring the actual story,” one Japanese commenter on X (Twitter) lamented, reacting to the global praise. In the manga, Maki’s rampage is driven by grief for her sister and years of familial abuse — but much of that context, critics say, was lost in the episode’s breakneck execution.
Viewers pointed to several creative choices they believe undercut the emotional impact. The background music during Maki’s massacre, for instance, is an oddly upbeat tune (an homage to Kill Bill) that some felt clashed with the grim scene. Important dialogue and quieter pauses were shortened or omitted, making the carnage feel “loud but emotionally hollow” to these fans. “Maki’s massacre could’ve been way better had it been split into 2 episodes with more focus on emotional moments,” one user argued, suggesting the anime needed to slow down and let the drama breathe.
It’s not just Japanese manga readers voicing concerns. Some Western fans have also admitted they’re “not sure how to feel” about the season’s stylistic shifts, describing certain scenes as “clunky” or overly abstract. The divide in reception highlights differing priorities within the fanbase. Notably, Episode 3’s exposition-heavy approach drew more appreciation in Japan (for its clarity) than abroad, whereas Episode 4’s all-out action wowed many Western viewers but elicited backlash domestically. “Episode 3 was praised here because it explained things clearly, but overseas it scored lower… that shows where the priorities are,” one Japanese fan observed pointedly. In short, some fans live for the explosive fights and animation flexes, while others value faithful storytelling and emotional buildup — and Season 3 is testing the balance between the two.
Bridging a Divided Fanbase
If nothing else, the fervor of this debate shows how deeply people care about the series. To some, Season 3 is a bold, refreshing evolution of Jujutsu Kaisen; to others, it’s veering off course. As the season continues, all eyes are on how the adaptation will handle the coming arcs — and whether it can satisfy both camps. It might be that overseas fans remember these episodes as thrilling visual spectacles, while Japanese fans remember them as missed emotional opportunities. For now, the first four episodes have undeniably made an impact, sparking strong opinions on both sides. The conversation is far from over.