The chaos of Shibuya has settled, but a far more sinister game has begun. In the latest episode of Jujutsu Kaisen, Master Tengen finally reveals the true nature of Kenjaku’s plan: a nationwide battle royale known as the Culling Game.
If you found the exposition a bit overwhelming, you aren’t alone. Here is everything you need to know about the rules and the stakes for Yuji and Megumi.
The 8 Deadly Rules of the Culling Game
Kenjaku has designed the game to be self-sustaining. Players are forced into “Colonies” across Japan with the following conditions:
- Awakening: Players must declare participation at a colony of their choice within 19 days of awakening their cursed technique.
- Technique Forfeiture: Any player who breaks the first rule will have their cursed technique removed (which results in death).
- Non-Players: Non-sorcerers who enter a colony become players automatically.
- Point Scoring: Players earn points by killing other players. (Sorcerers = 5 points, Non-sorcerers = 1 point).
- Rule Addition: A player can spend 100 points to add a new rule to the game.
- The Kogane: Every player is assigned a “Kogane,” a small shikigami that acts as the game’s interface and rule-enforcer.
- No Exit: Once you enter a colony, you cannot leave unless a new rule allows it.
- The 19-Day Limit: Players must score points within 19 days of their last score, or face technique removal (death).
While these rules apply to everyone, some players are better equipped to exploit them than others—check out our breakdown on Why Yuta Okkotsu is the Culling Game’s Deadliest Player to see how the rules favor the Special Grade sorcerer.
The Mission: Saving Tsumiki and Gojo
Our heroes have three main objectives to tackle simultaneously:
- Find “Angel”: A mysterious sorcerer whose technique can nullify other techniques, potentially opening the Prison Realm to free Satoru Gojo.
- Recruit Hakari Kinji: The group needs the strength of the suspended third-year student, who Gojo once said could rival his own power.
- Protect Tengen: Choso and Yuki Tsukumo have agreed to stay behind as bodyguards for Master Tengen to prevent Kenjaku from initiating the “Merger.”
Anime vs. Manga: The Visual Lore
MAPPA utilized a unique infographic style in Episode 3 to translate Gege Akutami’s dense manga dialogue into a visual format. While it was a “slower” episode in terms of action, the introduction of the comedian Takaba and the tease of Hakari’s gambling den at the end has set the stage for the high-octane fights starting next week.
