Despite the harrowing events of the Hidden Inventory Arc and the Shibuya Incident, Jujutsu Kaisen fans are still eager for more and can’t wait to see what twists and turns the next season will bring them. With Yuji’s execution announced, Gojo still trapped, and Yuta on the hunt, the series ended on a huge cliffhanger, leaving the fates of every surviving character completely unknown.
The next arc in the series is the Culling Game Arc and will introduce a handful of new characters (both friends and foes) for fans to get acquainted with. Here are some of the most anticipated JJK characters fans can’t wait to meet in the animated series’ upcoming season.
Disclaimer: Spoilers ahead!
6 Fumihiko Takaba
First Manga Appearance: Chapter 146
Takaba is a failing comedian and, despite his goofy appearance and demeanor, he is a rather capable sorcerer who is introduced during the Culling Game Arc. Takaba was one of the many unfortunate everyday citizens who was suddenly turned sorcerer by Kenjaku, all for the sake of the culling game.
Of course, fans are always excited to see what new sorcerer battles each upcoming season has in store, but when it comes to Takaba, it’s his eccentric attitude and ironically laughable arsenal of lame jokes that are the highlights of his animated debut.
5 Naoya Zenin
First Manga Appearance: Chapter 138
Despite his sour (and outdated) attitude toward women (as well as everything else), Naoya Zenin still manages to be quite popular among the JJK fandom. Naoya is the arrogant, entitled head of the Zenin clan’s elite unit of their most powerful sorcerers, called the Hei.
Audiences first meet Naoya as he angrily finds out that he has not been chosen to be the next head of the Zenin clan. Naoya has his fair share of fights right before the Culling Game Arc, going up against some formidable foes. Once his fights get fully animated, audiences (fans of Naoya or not) will be in for a treat!
4 Hiromi Higuruma
First Manga Appearance: Chapter 158
After the horrific events of the Shibuya Incident Arc, many of Nanami’s fans seemed to have flocked to Hiromi Higuruma to fill the void. While the two have their fair share of similarities (like being well-developed, likable characters), Higuruma has his own great qualities that set him apart from disgruntled salaryman, Nanami.
Higuruma is first introduced as an antagonist near the beginning of the Culling Game Arc, first facing off against protagonist Yuji. After his intense run in with Yuji during the Culling Game, Higuruma eventually agrees to help him. Discontent with the law and legal system, Higuruma is often mistaken for a rather apathetic lawyer, when, in reality, he is very passionate about justice in the truest sense of the word and takes his job as a defense attourney very seriously.
3 Maki Zenin (Fully Realized)
First Manga Appearance: Chapter 150
Maki has, of course, been around since season one, but as soon as she fully realizes her power granted to her from her heavenly restriction, she becomes a completely different person. Maki is affected by the heavenly restriction just like Toji Fushiguro, yet never managed to get anywhere near his level of raw strength. However, it is through a tragic and heartbreaking event right before the culling game that Maki finally fully realizes her power, finally putting her on the same playing field as the vicious Toji Fushiguro.
Maki’s fights were already intense to begin with (despite her low cursed energy), but new and improved Maki will surely wow viewers with her relentless fighting prowess in the next season.
2 Hajime Kashimo
First Manga Appearance: Chapter 158
Hajime Kashimo isn’t just any other sorcerer running around in the culling game, he is known as The God of Lightning. Hajime is a sorcerer now reincarnated (thanks to the help of Kenjaku) in the current day, despite originally living 400 years ago.
His main goal in the culling game is to find and face off against Sukuna. Hajime is a powerful sorcerer who is always on the lookout for a new fight with any opponent that can satiate his need for a true challenge.
1 Hana Kurusu
First Manga Appearance: Chapter 145
Hana Kurusu serves as the vessel for the Angel, an ancient sorcerer from the Heian Era. Unlike Yuji and Sukuna, Angel resides in Hana’s body with her peacefully, allowing them to coexist symbiotically. Hana and Angel seem to respect one another and even care for one another.
Hana is kind-hearted and, despite being reincarnated by Kenjaku, decides to side with Yuji during the Culling Game Arc. Hana’s ability to “extinguish” cursed techniques gives her an upper hand in battles and makes her a powerful ally to Yuji and friends.
Bonus: Yuta Okkotsu & Rika Orimoto
Yuta and Rika have already made their debut not once but twice in the animated JJK universe! Yuta was first introduced back in 2021, during the Jujutsu Kaisen 0 film. He had been hinted at and mentioned throughout season one but only made his return near the end of the second season. While he did technically make his animated series debut, it’s within the Culling Game Arc that Yuta and Rika truly get to shine, playing secondary protagonist next to Yuji.
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