Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 (Culling Game Part 1) officially premieres on January 8, 2026. In Japan, it starts on MBS/TBS at 12:26 a.m. JST with a one hour special premiere. For international streaming, Crunchyroll lists the premiere on January 8, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. PT.
At HariManga, this guide clarifies the exact timing across regions, why some apps show different minutes, what arc Season 3 adapts, and how to prepare if you are catching up from Season 2.
When is JJK Season 3 coming out? The confirmed release date
JJK Season 3 premieres on January 8, 2026. That is the official calendar date used in major announcements for both Japan broadcast and Crunchyroll’s international streaming rollout.
If you only need one line to publish or share, use this: Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 premieres January 8, 2026.
The most important detail: there are two official release clocks
When fans argue about whether the release is January 7, January 8, or January 9, they are usually mixing two different “release moments.”
Clock 1: Japan TV broadcast (MBS and TBS)
Japan’s broadcast is scheduled for 12:26 a.m. JST on January 8, 2026. That is a late night slot just after midnight in Japan.
It is also promoted as a one hour special, which commonly means one of the following:
- Option A: Episode 1 is extended
- Option B: Episodes 1 and 2 air back to back in a single block
Clock 2: International streaming (Crunchyroll)
Crunchyroll lists the Season 3 sub premiere as January 8, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. PT.
This can be later than the Japan broadcast depending on the platform’s simulcast schedule, localization pipeline, and how they define “premiere time” for the service.
Practical takeaway:
Japan broadcast and Crunchyroll streaming can share the same date while still happening at different real world times.
Exact release time by region (Crunchyroll streaming)
Crunchyroll’s listed sub premiere time is 9:00 a.m. PT on January 8, 2026. Here are the most commonly requested conversions.
Time zone conversions for January 8, 2026 (Crunchyroll sub)
- PT (Los Angeles): 9:00 a.m. Jan 8
- ET (New York): 12:00 p.m. Jan 8
- UTC (global reference): 5:00 p.m. Jan 8
- UK (London, GMT): 5:00 p.m. Jan 8
- Central Europe (CET): 6:00 p.m. Jan 8
- India (IST): 10:30 p.m. Jan 8
- Japan (JST): 2:00 a.m. Jan 9
- Australia (Sydney, AEDT): 4:00 a.m. Jan 9
If you are publishing a schedule on HariManga, including both PT and UTC reduces confusion because readers can convert reliably from UTC.
Exact release time by region (Japan broadcast)
Japan’s broadcast is 12:26 a.m. JST on January 8, 2026. Because JST is far ahead of the Americas, it can appear as January 7 in the United States.
Time zone conversions for January 8, 2026 at 12:26 a.m. JST
- PT (Los Angeles): 7:26 a.m. Jan 7
- ET (New York): 10:26 a.m. Jan 7
- UTC: 3:26 p.m. Jan 7
- UK (London, GMT): 3:26 p.m. Jan 7
- Central Europe (CET): 4:26 p.m. Jan 7
- India (IST): 8:56 p.m. Jan 7
This is why you will see “January 7” appear in fan discussions. They are converting the Japan broadcast moment into U.S. time.
Why some sites show January 9 instead of January 8
You may see January 9 listed in a few places due to how late night broadcast schedules are recorded.
The “24:26” scheduling convention
Japanese TV schedules sometimes list a midnight slot as “24:26 Thursday” rather than “00:26 Friday.” Both describe the same real time, but the labeling can push the date forward or backward depending on how a website parses it.
Your device time zone can shift the displayed date
If you are in Asia or Oceania, Crunchyroll’s 9:00 a.m. PT release can become January 9 locally. That does not change the official U.S. premiere date, but it does change what your calendar shows.
The clean way to avoid confusion is to publish: January 8, 2026 (PT) and 17:00 UTC
Does Season 3 start with a one hour special or two episodes?
Season 3’s launch is promoted as a one hour special. In practical terms, this typically results in episodes being delivered as a stronger first drop than a normal single episode premiere.
What you should expect on release day
Most viewers should plan for one of these outcomes:
- Scenario 1: A longer Episode 1
- Scenario 2: Episode 1 and Episode 2 released together as a back to back premiere
Why anime committees do this
For a return as large as JJK, a one hour premiere is a marketing tool and a pacing tool:
- It re hooks viewers who have been away since Season 2
- It establishes new stakes quickly
- It gives the arc enough runway to feel like a fresh start
What arc does JJK Season 3 cover? (No plot spoilers)
Season 3 is labeled Culling Game Part 1. That label matters because it signals the structure of the adaptation.
The story phase: post Shibuya consequences
Season 2 ends with the world destabilized. Season 3 begins with the cast dealing with a system level crisis where survival requires planning, alliances, and rapid escalation.
The arc style: rules, zones, and strategy
Culling Game content is often described by fans as “rule driven.” Even without spoilers, you can expect: More emphasis on conditions and constraints
Fights that depend on information, not just power
Multiple locations and parallel objectives
More characters introduced rapidly because the conflict expands
Why it is called Part 1
Part labeling usually implies one of the following production patterns:
- Pattern A: A split cour season (a break between parts)
- Pattern B: A season that is planned as multiple segments even if it airs continuously
- Pattern C: A marketing choice to manage expectations because the arc is long
Unless the production committee publishes an official episode count and cour plan, treat “Part 1” as confirmation of scope, not confirmation of exact episode totals.
Will there be an English dub on day one?
As of the current lineup information, the sub premiere has a set time, while the dub timing is not locked to the same minute on the schedule.
The realistic expectation
Expect the sub to lead. Dubs often follow after the season starts, especially for weekly releases.
How to avoid missing the dub launch
If you watch dubbed, do this: Follow the Season 3 page on your platform and enable notifications
Check the platform’s seasonal “dub schedule” announcements weekly during January and February
Trailer and music: what is confirmed so far
Even if you avoid spoilers, basic production details are useful for setting expectations.
Studio and production
MAPPA continues to handle the animation production for JJK’s main TV seasons. Season 3 is positioned as a major tentpole title for Winter 2026, so the production committee is treating it as a top priority release.
Opening theme
Promotional materials for Season 3 preview the opening theme “AIZO” by King Gnu. If you liked the Season 2 opening energy, this is a deliberate signal that Season 3 aims to keep the same high intensity identity.
Do you need to watch Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution before Season 3?
You do not need it, but it can be useful depending on how you watch anime.
What Execution is designed to do
Execution is a compilation style theatrical feature that: Condenses key Season 2 Shibuya material for a refresher
Includes an early look at the start of Season 3 (commonly described as the first two episodes)
If you skip it, will you miss canon content?
If the first two Season 3 episodes are included, that content is still part of the main season rollout. Waiting for the TV or streaming release should still give you the story in full.
Who benefits most from watching it
Watch Execution if:
- You want a theater experience and a condensed Shibuya refresher
- You prefer re entering the story with momentum instead of rewatching all of Season 2
- You like seeing major episodes with big screen sound and crowd energy
Skip it if:
- You are already caught up and remember the Shibuya arc clearly
- You would rather watch the first episodes in your normal weekly routine
How many episodes will JJK Season 3 have?
This is the single most common follow up question after “when is JJK season 3 coming out.”
What is safe to say right now
The premiere date and premiere format are clear. The total episode count for the full Season 3 package is not always confirmed in the same announcements that confirm the date.
Why the episode count is hard to pin down early
Culling Game content is large. Committees sometimes announce “Part 1” first, then:
- Confirm episode count later
- Confirm cour split later
Adjust number of episodes depending on production pacing and broadcast slots
The best reader friendly wording for HariManga
If you want wording that stays accurate without underselling detail, use: Season 3 begins with Culling Game Part 1 on January 8, 2026, and is expected to continue as a multi part adaptation of the Culling Game storyline.
A fast catch up plan before January 8
If you are behind, a realistic catch up plan makes the premiere more enjoyable.
Minimum watch list
Season 1: watch in full if you have not seen it
Jujutsu Kaisen 0: strongly recommended before Season 3 because it frames key characters and stakes
Season 2: focus on the full Shibuya run because Season 3 is built on its consequences
If you are short on time
Do a targeted recap approach:
- Read a Season 1 summary
- Watch JJK 0
- Rewatch only the most important Season 2 Shibuya episodes and the finale
- Then start Season 3 fresh
FAQ
When is JJK Season 3 coming out?
JJK Season 3 premieres January 8, 2026.
What time does JJK Season 3 release on Crunchyroll?
Crunchyroll lists the sub premiere at 9:00 a.m. PT on January 8, 2026.
What time is the Japan broadcast?
Japan broadcast is scheduled for 12:26 a.m. JST on January 8, 2026.
Why do some fans say January 7?
Because 12:26 a.m. JST on January 8 converts to the morning of January 7 in U.S. time zones.
Is the Season 3 premiere two episodes?
The premiere is promoted as a one hour special, which often means Episodes 1 and 2 back to back or an extended Episode 1.
Is Season 3 the Culling Game arc?
Yes. Season 3 is labeled Culling Game Part 1 and begins the Culling Game storyline.
Will the dub release on January 8 too?
The sub premiere time is set. Dub timing is typically announced separately and may not match the sub’s exact release minute.
When is JJK Season 3 coming out? The confirmed date is January 8, 2026, with two key release clocks: a late night Japan broadcast at 12:26 a.m. JST and a Crunchyroll sub premiere listed at 9:00 a.m. PT.
The premiere is promoted as a one hour special and launches the Culling Game Part 1 storyline, meaning you should expect a rules driven, strategy heavy escalation that follows directly from Shibuya’s fallout.
If you are publishing this on HariManga, include both PT and UTC and add one sentence explaining that time zones can make the release appear as January 7 or January 9 depending on location.
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