Season 3 of Jujutsu Kaisen has been an uneven ride so far — great action, occasional narrative whiplash — and episode 54 (the seventh broadcast episode of the season) finally delivers the kind of momentum fans have been waiting for. The episode pushes the protagonists into the Culling Game’s colonies, forces unexpected confrontations, and lets MAPPA’s animation team do what they do best: turn tense urban combat into kinetic, immersive spectacle. While a few character motivations still feel rushed, this installment largely earns its place as the point where stakes and excitement align.
Episode synopsis: sudden separation, instant danger
Episode 54 throws Megumi Fushiguro and Yuji Itadori into Tokyo Colony No. 1 with the clear goal of locating Hiromi Higuruma, the hundred-point player. What starts as a straightforward mission quickly unravels: the colony’s entry mechanics separate the duo, and they’re immediately set upon by opportunistic players hunting easy points. The pacing here favors immediacy over exposition — after multiple episodes of rule talk and strategy, the series finally flips the script and makes our heroes react on the fly. That freshness is precisely what the arc needed.
Character dynamics: small moments that matter
One of the episode’s strengths is its quieter interpersonal beats amid the chaos. Megumi — usually stoic and taciturn — gets an amusing pairing with Rumi, a flirtatious player whose advances are rebuffed with deadpan indifference. Those brief exchanges do a lot of work: they feel like a callback to earlier seasons when characters could bounce off one another, revealing more personality without heavy-handed worldbuilding.
Conversely, the episode doesn’t attempt to retcon earlier questionable character beats across the season. Some fights still read as lacking motivation in retrospect, but this chapter’s focus is on re-centering the main trio into a dangerous environment where things can go wrong fast. That risk of sudden consequence is what propels the episode forward.
Hakari and Kirara: a fast alliance
Hakari’s quick alignment with the “good guys” (and Kirara tagging along) still feels a touch abrupt. The show leans on charismatic presence and an efficient shorthand to get them involved, which speeds the plot but undercuts potential drama. Even so, Hakari’s presence adds a volatile wildcard to the field and gives the episode emotional and tactical variety.
Action and animation: MAPPA back on its game
MAPPA’s animation continues to impress. The small-scale fights against grifter players are simple, but they’re animated with clarity and style — fast hits, camera motion that sells impact, and background choreography that paints Tokyo Colony No. 1 as a labyrinthine arena. The cityscape combat is handled with uncanny precision: tight alleys, rail systems, and neon-lit streets all contribute to a sense that danger is lurking just out of frame.
What stands out is how the studio uses the city itself to heighten tension. Sound design, shadow work, and quick cuts make even minor skirmishes feel consequential. When the episode pivots to a cliffhanger hinting at deception by the player “guides,” the visuals do the heavy lifting, making the betrayal feel both plausible and ominous.
Worldbuilding and stakes: rules vs. surprises
Across the Culling Game arc, much of the early coverage has been devoted to laying out rules and logistical mechanics. Episode 54 strikes a different balance: instead of another rules dump, it presents an environment where the rules still matter, but unpredictability matters more. The surprise separation of Yuji and Megumi serves as a reminder that even careful planning can be undone by the game’s quirks — which injects necessary urgency into the narrative.
The episode also builds dread effectively. Tokyo Colony No. 1 feels unnatural and unwelcoming, and the constant possibility that players are waiting in ambush keeps viewers on edge. This iteration of the Culling Game feels less like a chessboard and more like a gauntlet, which suits the series’ strengths: visceral fights, fast thinking, and the emotional risk of losing comrades.
The cliffhanger: who can you trust?
Perhaps the episode’s boldest move is its final beat: a setup suggesting that the guides Yuji and Megumi trusted might be feeding them lies. It’s a small tweak, but it raises the stakes immediately. If your in-arena support structures are compromised, the entire mission becomes precarious. That uncertainty is a promising engine for future episodes.
Where the episode falters
There are a few lingering issues. Some alliances and fights still feel telegraphed or under-explained — notably, earlier clashes in the season where motives felt thin still cast a shadow. Hakari’s sudden willingness to cooperate could have used an extra scene to sell his shift, and an occasional sense that the show is skimming consequences remains. But these are nitpicks against a chapter that otherwise leans into tension and momentum.
Where to watch
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3: The Culling Game Part 1 is available to stream on Crunchyroll. Watch on Crunchyroll
Final thoughts
Episode 54 reinvigorates the Culling Game arc by prioritizing unpredictability and concentrated action over exposition. MAPPA’s direction and crisp animation make Tokyo Colony No. 1 feel alive and dangerous, while small character moments — especially Megumi’s curt handling of Rumi — provide welcome personality. The episode isn’t perfect; a few character beats still feel rushed, and some alliances form too conveniently. But by ending on a tense, trust-shattering cliffhanger, it sets the stage for higher-stakes episodes to come. After a slow build, Jujutsu Kaisen finally starts to deliver the kind of edge-of-your-seat shonen spectacle it does best.
https://www.myanimeforlife.com/jujutsu-kaisen-s3-ep54-review-culling-game-part-1/?feed_id=166042&_unique_id=698f9ea9dfa94
Comments
Post a Comment