Published Feb 1, 2026, 9:01 AM EST
Hannah is a senior writer and self-publisher for the anime section at ScreenRant. There, she focuses on writing news, features, and list-style articles about all things anime and manga. She works as a freelance writer in the entertainment industry, focusing on video games, anime, and literature.
Her published works can be found on ScreenRant, FinanceBuzz, She Reads, and She Writes.
In a year packed with shocking finales and viral cliffhangers, one Netflix series managed to stop audiences in their tracks. Jujutsu Kaisen’s third season delivered an episode so emotionally punishing and visually relentless that fans and critics alike crowned it 2026’s most devastating hour of television, anime or otherwise.
What pushed it into the spotlight was its rare blend of brutal storytelling and near-universal praise. With a Rotten Tomatoes score hovering around 90%, the episode didn’t just satisfy long-time viewers, it drew in curious newcomers who wanted to understand why this single chapter was dominating conversations across social media, forums, and entertainment headlines.
A Turning Point That Redefined the Jujutsu Kaisen Series
The Perfect Preparation episode of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 begins quietly, following Maki’s return to her clan’s estate under the pretense of collecting powerful tools. Tension simmers in every exchange, reminding viewers of a childhood marked by cruelty and exclusion. The calm doesn’t last long, as betrayal and bloodshed erupt, setting the stage for a story that refuses to look away from generational abuse and buried resentment.
At its emotional core is a devastating sacrifice that changes everything. Maki’s twin sister gives her life to forge a final gift, a moment framed with haunting stillness rather than noise. The scene lingers on grief instead of triumph, turning what could have been a power-up into a solemn passing of purpose that fuels the destruction to come.
This shift elevates Maki from a supporting figure into the narrative’s most fearsome presence. The episode doesn’t celebrate her rage so much as present it as an unavoidable force, born from loss and years of humiliation. In doing so, it recalibrates the entire ensemble, making clear that a large part of the Jujutsu Kaisen story now orbits around her choices and their consequences.
Why Critics and Jujutsu Kaisen Fans Can’t Stop Talking
Custom image created by Evan D. MullicaneOnce the fighting begins, the animation becomes a language of its own. Stylized color choices, slowed-down impacts, and near-silent moments between strikes give every movement weight. Rather than overwhelming the viewer, the choreography clarifies Maki’s newfound dominance, making each confrontation feel less like a battle and more like an execution of long-delayed justice.
The final showdown delivers catharsis without comfort. A once-arrogant rival is dismantled in a moment that feels both triumphant and hollow, showing just how far Maki has come from who she used to be. The episode closes not with celebration, but with the quiet aftermath of a shattered legacy and a family erased from power.
That lingering unease is why the episode resonates beyond genre fans. It isn’t remembered for a twist or a single shocking image, but for how it leaves viewers sitting with the cost of vengeance. In a year full of bold television, this Netflix hit stands alone as the one that truly devastates.
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Created by Gege Akutami
First Film Jujutsu Kaisen 0
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First TV Show Jujutsu Kaisen
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Jujutsu Kaisen is a Japanese anime and manga series created by Gege Akutami. The story is set in a world where Cursed Spirits, born from negative human emotions, prey on humanity. It follows high school student Yuji Itadori as he becomes entangled in the world of Jujutsu Sorcery after swallowing a cursed talisman—Ryomen Sukuna's finger—and becomes the host for one of the most powerful curses. Yuji joins the Tokyo Metropolitan Magic Technical College to learn how to combat curses while searching for the remaining fingers of Sukuna to exorcise him permanently.
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