The newest episode of “Jujutsu Kaisen” — season 3 episode 7 (aka episode 54) — was a lot of fun. In fact, it may be one of my favorite episodes of the season so far because of all the comedic moments that reminded me a little bit of season 1. No doubt, things are going to get more and more intense as we go deeper into The Culling Game, so I enjoyed this bit of a reprieve.
Note: This is a review and reaction post with spoilers for the newest episode, but NO manga spoilers.
The Opening Scene Was Intriguing & Captivating
The episode began by giving us a look at what’s happening to the humans without any powers who are waking up within the barriers. It was an intriguing way to start the episode. I had no idea what was going on, and I was immediately drawn in to pay close attention.
Apparently, Geto-Kenjaku appeared to each of the humans within the barriers in their sleep and offered them a one-time opportunity to leave The Culling Game.
We saw this through the perspective of Sasaki, with one exception… Kenjaku thanked her for “being friends with my son” (referring to Itadori.) In case you don’t recall, Sasaki was briefly in season 1 as a member of the school club that Yuji was part of.
We may not see Sasaki again after this. It’s possible she simply served as a conduit for letting us know what happened to the humans within the barriers.
Hakari and Megumi’s Interactions Were Comedy Gold
The story then returns to where it left off last week: at the Fight Club, where Hakari agreed to help the crew out with their Culling Game quest. He agrees to help on the basis of cutting a deal — once they’re done, the Jujutsu regulations will be revised to recognize his club.
This is where one of the first humor moments that I absolutely loved took place. Hakari learns that Megumi is now the head of the Zenin clan, and immediately tries to butter him up so Megumi will help him get the regulations changed. “Will you be my friend?” Megumi nonchalantly says yes (as is his way), and then the show casually reminds us that the entire Zenin clan will be destroyed the next day. It’s so quick and casual, and I couldn’t stop laughing.
A few other interesting tidbits pop up. We learn that Itadori is already a player even though he’s not in the barrier because of Sukuna. Apparently Sukuna was one of hte sorcerers 1,000 years ago who “forged a pact with Kenjaku and became a cursed object” — a pact that included participating in this game.
The crew also learns that two players already have more than 100 points, which likely means they are older, reincarnated sorcerers who were part of a pact. Their names are Hajime Kashimo and Hiromi Higuruma.
Here Are the 2 Rules They Want to Add to the Games
With Megumi’s help, they narrow down to two new rules they want to get added to the game:
- First, a rule that will let a player transfer points to another player. This will bypass the rule of removing a cursed technique from a player who doesn’t acquire points within a specified period of time (thus killing them.) People like Yuji, who don’t want to kill, can avoid doing so.
- Second, they’ll create a rule that let’s someone expend their points to leave the game. This may require an addendum that a non-player takes their place when they leave. (I can see this definitely causing problems down the line.)
(In case you need a refresher of the previous rules, you can read them in this article. We list every rule but the latest one added.)
While seeking to add these rules, they’re also going to continue their search for Angel, the only one who can unseal Gojo. She’s likely living under a different name, perhaps similarly to how Sukuna is inhabiting Yuji.
The Episode’s Cliffhanger Was a Great Way to Wrap Things Up
Next, the story focuses in on Megumi and Yuji, who are entering the barrier together. What they don’t know is that there’s a secret rule requiring each person who enters to be randomly teleported to one of nine locations. Yuji’s falling into the game like a PubG or Call of Duty player, and I’m 1000% here for it.
After a few fight scenes, we end up with Megumi and Yuji in separate but parallel situations. Megumi is speaking with a player named Remi, and Yuj is talking with a player named Rin Amai.
Remi is pretending to be pretty weak, but I suspect it’s all an act. She makes a deal with Megumi that if she tells him what she knows about Higuruma, he’ll “be her knight” and protect her. This scene was reminiscent of when Hakari tried to butter up Megumi, and it cracked me up because it turned out pretty similarly.
Meanwhile, Rin Amai says he knows Yuji because he’s from his hometown and Yuji’s pretty famous there now. He also agrees to tell him where Higuruma is.
But the two characters give different locations. So when the episode ends, we know that at least one of them — possibly both of them — are lying.
All in all, I loved the episode. I’d rate it 5 out of 5, for a great mix of drama, lore, and humor. The plot moved along well, and we were left with a cliffhanger that makes me wish it was already next Thursday.
