‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ could sideline its protagonist in the anime for several years

As the third season of ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ approaches its conclusion, the most recent episodes have begun introducing extremely powerful new characters within the so-called Culling Game. One of the most notable additions is Hiromi Higuruma, a modern sorcerer and defense attorney who faced Yuji Itadori in one of the most intense and memorable battles in the anime to date.

The resolution of that confrontation surprised viewers with how it played out, but it also marks a turning point for the protagonist. This is not a defeat or a direct negative consequence for Yuji; rather, it represents a structural shift in the narrative that could significantly reduce his presence in the animated adaptation for an extended period of time.

Why does this apparent “displacement” of the protagonist occur? The answer lies in the very nature of the Culling Game. The arc’s structure separates characters across multiple fronts, forcing the series to distribute its narrative focus among several figures. As a result, Yuji Itadori moves into the background while other sorcerers develop their own storylines and battles.

A stretch of the story in which Yuji Itadori disappears for dozens of chapters

The final episode of the third season in which Yuji Itadori appears corresponds roughly to chapter 167 of the manga created by Gege Akutami. From that point on, the character does not reappear until chapter 199, resulting in an absence of 32 consecutive chapters in the original source material.

Depending on the pacing adopted by the anime, this gap could translate into several episodes—or even an entire season—without the protagonist’s active involvement. This uncertainty is compounded by questions surrounding the arrival of a fourth season and how the remainder of the arc will ultimately be structured for animation.

Between production timelines, the wait between seasons, and the narrative stretch in which Yuji is no longer central, ‘Jujutsu Kaisen’ is entering an unusual phase: a story that temporarily sets aside its main protagonist to make room for the expansion of its universe and the development of other key characters.

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