Jujutsu Kaisen S3 Episode 3 Draws Fan Backlash for Heavy Exposition Ahead of Culling Game

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 hit a major speed bump with its third episode, shifting abruptly from the intense action of Shibuya to heavy exposition, which immediately drew fan criticism. The episode, dedicated almost entirely to setting up the Culling Game arc, registered a sharp decline in reception, racking up 2.8k dislikes shortly after release on Crunchyroll.

The bulk of the runtime focused on Tengen detailing the complex rules and lore governing the Culling Game. This included explaining the cursed energy mechanics tied to fate and the lingering influence of figures like Toji and Gojo, even in their absence. Yuji Itadori, true to form, cut right to the chase, asking why everyone looks strange.

Veteran voice actress Yoshiko Sakakibara, who voices Tengen, also serves as the series narrator. Her delivery was crucial in navigating these dense dialogue scenes, providing the necessary mythical texture to keep the flow of information moving, much like was seen in Season 2.

Online reaction was swift, with many viewers labeling the episode a "yapathon" due to the virtual absence of combat. Manga readers recognized this necessary pacing shift, which frontloads the rules before the action begins, followed by reminders later. Choso also noted that Yuji has visibly leveled up his cursed energy control.

The episode confirmed Kenjaku's strategy to populate the game with necessary participants to initiate the merger. Even Gojo's past decision not to properly bury Toji is now feeding directly into Kenjaku's overarching scheme.

Confusion over Kenjaku’s true identity is also still present, both for the characters and some viewers. While the world-building in Episode 3 is solid, following the chaos of Shibuya, the audience is clearly demanding immediate conflict. The Culling Game Part 1 will need to ramp up the action quickly to maintain the momentum established by the season's opening episodes.