The opening episodes of JUJUTSU KAISEN The Culling Game don’t waste time easing viewers back in. Instead, they drop us into a post-Shibuya world that feels fractured and unstable. Characters do not feel safe anymore. The Shibuya arc signals that no one is safe, either narratively, emotionally, or ideologically.

These episodes thrive on aftermath. Shibuya’s destruction lingers and shapes how characters move through the world. The tone is heavier, quieter, and more uneasy. Even moments of action feel like interruptions rather than relief. The atmosphere alone communicates the stake, and it’s a sobering reminder of how much has already been lost.

Yuji Itadori stands at the center of this shift. No longer the reactive protagonist pulled from crisis to crisis. Instead, Yuji now moves with the weight of consequence on his shoulders. Guilt, responsibility, and purpose blur together, and it’s clear that he’s not the same person at the start of the Shibuya Incident.

Visually, MAPPA continues to refine JUJUTSU KAISEN’s identity. The animation leans into chaotic clarity: fights are fast and brutal, but always readable. Camera movement emphasizes momentum and impact, while quieter scenes use stillness and framing to amplify tension.

By the end of Episode 2, the Culling Game’s rules are finally laid bare, and the story pivots toward something far more dangerous than simple survival. These episodes hint at more challenging times ahead. Transitioning from The Shibuya Incident toThe Culling Game makes one thing clear: the rules have changed, and no one is safe.

Overall, JUJUTSU KAISEN The Culling Game Part 1 opens with confidence and restraint. The series uses its first two episodes to reset the board rather than overwhelm it. Thus, by leaning into atmosphere, consequences, and character-driven tension, the season makes its post-Shibuya world feel unstable and unforgiving without resorting to constant escalation. It’s an ominous start that trusts the audience to keep up and rewards that trust with emotional weight and narrative momentum — setting the stage for a story where survival is no longer the goal, but the cost of moving forward.

Rating: 4/5 atoms

JUJUTSU KAISEN The Culling Game Part 1 episodes premiere every Thursday on Crunchyroll.