‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Season 3 Premieres: Voice Actor Junya Enoki Reflects on Defining Role as Yuji Itadori
The smash-hit anime “Jujutsu Kaisen” launched its highly anticipated third season, subtitled “The Culling Game Part 1,” in January 2026, captivating audiences with intense battles and emotional depth. To mark the occasion, voice actor Junya Enoki—who has voiced protagonist Yuji Itadori since the series debuted in 2020—sat down for an exclusive interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun. Enoki describes the franchise as a true “turning point” in his career: “This series was a turning point and is massively significant for me. It provided more opportunities for the public to know my work.”
Created by manga artist Gege Akutami and serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since 2018, “Jujutsu Kaisen” has achieved extraordinary success, with over 100 million copies in circulation worldwide (including digital editions). The story centers on Yuji Itadori, an athletic yet ordinary high school student who swallows a cursed finger belonging to Ryomen Sukuna—the legendary King of Curses—transforming him into Sukuna's vessel. To prevent further catastrophe, Itadori enrolls at Tokyo Jujutsu High, training under the enigmatic Satoru Gojo alongside classmates Megumi Fushiguro and Nobara Kugisaki to exorcise cursed spirits and confront curse users.
Enoki, born in Tokyo in 1988, landed the role after a competitive audition. He portrays Itadori as evolving beyond the stereotypical energetic shonen hero: “In the beginning, he was a classic Shonen Jump protagonist — energetic and positive … but as the story progressed, various other sides of him emerged, including his darker aspects. He follows the traditional hero’s journey but also deviates from it slightly.” This layered portrayal has resonated globally, helping elevate Enoki's profile alongside his other notable roles in “JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure: Golden Wind” and “Tokyo Revengers.”
Photo caption: Voice actor Junya Enoki, the voice behind Yuji Itadori in “Jujutsu Kaisen.” (©Gege Akutami/Shueisha, JUJUTSU KAISEN Project)
From Shibuya Incident Despair to Culling Game Guilt: Itadori's Burden Deepens
The second season's Shibuya Incident arc (aired in 2023) marked a pivotal dark turn for the series, where Satoru Gojo—the strongest modern sorcerer—was sealed, unleashing chaos in Tokyo. Sukuna briefly seized control of Itadori's body, resulting in widespread destruction and civilian deaths. A haunting moment saw Itadori scream in anguish: “Die. Only me… only me… Die! Right now!” Enoki reflected on voicing such raw emotion: “I try to get as close to the character’s heart as possible, but rather than losing myself in the role, I find myself calculating the most effective way to convey those emotions. It’s as if I’m observing the character from a detached, objective perspective.”
Season 3 picks up directly after Shibuya, with Tokyo reduced to a cursed wasteland and free-roaming spirits everywhere. Itadori now hunts curses alone, tormented by survivor’s guilt: “He is weighed down by the feeling of ‘if only I had been executed [before the mass slaughter in Shibuya], none of this would have happened.’” This internal conflict adds profound psychological layers, distinguishing “Jujutsu Kaisen” from lighter shonen fare and amplifying fan investment in Itadori's redemption arc.
Special theater screenings titled “Jujutsu Kaisen: Execution / Shibuya Incident x The Culling Game Begins” bridged the arcs, recapping key moments while teasing the new saga. Enoki's performance continues to inspire, blending physical intensity with emotional vulnerability to make Itadori's struggles feel visceral and relatable.
Blistering Pace of Culling Game Battles Stuns Enoki and Viewers Alike
The Culling Game arc introduces a deadly nationwide battle royale: sorcerers must kill each other within 10 isolated colonies across Japan, orchestrated by ancient curse masters. New characters like the formidable Yuta Okkotsu—tasked as Itadori's executioner—and antagonists such as Naoya Zen’in raise the stakes dramatically. Enoki praised the animation quality: “The action scenes were so fast, they were almost difficult to keep up with visually, and I was even more stunned when I saw the final version.”
Despite the arc's complexity—intricate rules, colony mechanics, and shifting alliances—Enoki noted the production's success in accessibility: “While some aspects of the Culling Game may be complex to grasp initially, the season is crafted so the audience can fully immerse themselves in the visuals.” Studio MAPPA's fluid choreography and dynamic sound design amplify the high-speed combat, making episodes feel cinematic and relentless.
Iconic moments include Yuta's aggressive pursuit of Itadori and Itadori's solo battles against powerful foes like Mahito remnants. These sequences showcase Enoki's versatility in delivering shouts of exertion, despairing cries, and determined resolve, further cementing “Jujutsu Kaisen” as a benchmark for modern action anime.
Photo caption: Yuta Okkotsu launching an attack on Itadori during the Culling Game in Season 3. (©Gege Akutami/Shueisha, JUJUTSU KAISEN Project)
Global Phenomenon: How ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ Continues to Shape Anime and Voice Acting
With its blend of supernatural horror, high-stakes action, and character-driven drama, “Jujutsu Kaisen” has solidified its place among the top shonen series of the 2020s, rivaling giants like “One Piece” and “Demon Slayer” in popularity and merchandise sales. The manga's 100 million+ circulation reflects its broad appeal, while the anime's faithful adaptation and innovative animation have drawn international acclaim.
For Enoki, the role has been transformative, expanding his visibility and opening doors in the industry. The series' darker themes—guilt, sacrifice, the cost of power—resonate deeply in an era of complex protagonists, moving beyond simple heroism. As Season 3 unfolds, fans anticipate further escalation in the Culling Game, with Itadori's growth and potential confrontations promising emotional and visual spectacles.
“Jujutsu Kaisen” not only entertains but inspires discussions on morality and resilience. Enoki's dedicated performance ensures Itadori remains a compelling anchor, helping the franchise endure as a cultural touchstone in Japanese pop culture and beyond.
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