The New ‘Jujustu Kaisen’ Opening Is an Artwork Historical past Fever Dream

In what’s going to inevitably result in Crunchyroll crashing sooner or later, Jujutsu Kaisen‘s long-awaited third season, the Culling Game, is about to premiere at present. Forward of its arrival, Toho Animation launched the present’s opening theme, which, in typical JJK trend, options trendy motion. Nonetheless, the sequence additionally features a sequence of references to classical artworks which can be as efficient as its tune selection.

That tune, “Aizo” by King Gnu, just about units the stage for the dying recreation event arc that’ll embody the Mappa anime’s third season. Within the opening sequence, we see Juji Itadori and his fellow jujutsu sorcerers line up and sq. off with all of the pomp and circumstance deserving of a sequence recognized for its fights. We additionally get an eyeful of an prolonged workout sequence from a brand new arrival to the sequence, comic Fumihiko Takaba, a personality who’s positive to be a fan favourite as soon as followers see what his complete manzai-style reality-altering powerset is.

However, as famous up prime, what actually sells the load of the brand new season, being the form of “each body a portray” sentiment that sakuga-loving anime followers have lauded the sequence for, is its opening’s reference to real-life artworks, giving the season a distinguished vibe from its predecessors. Right here’s a rundown of the items we noticed within the opening.

Gits reference!! Opening stuffed with reference pic.twitter.com/nxM9nhp76x

— Yatogami🕊️ (@Aizenu_00) January 8, 2026

Ophelia by John Everett Millais

A basic, if there ever was one, is in fact Sir John Everett Millais’ 1852 painting, Ophelia. The portray, which depicts a girl drifting in a pond as flowers float round her, portrays the tragic character from Shakespeare’s Hamlet. The second itself comes after Hamlet tells Ophelia to “get thee to a nunnery.” Having come all out of types together with her lover treating her poorly, she drowns herself. Except for Jujutsu Kaisen, anime like Frieren: Beyond Journey’s End have referenced this well-known portray. Nonetheless, JJK makes use of this second to depict Mai Zen’in adopting the pose herself. Certainly an omen for a way issues will pan out for her this season, seeing as how she’s obtained one other basic portray depicting herself and her sister (and greatest character within the sequence), Maki.

The Kiss by Gustav Klimt

One other basic portray JJK references in its opening is The Kiss by German painter Gustav Klimt. Mappa’s rendition of the portray cleverly reimagines the lovers embracing in a extra horrorcore mild, that includes Yuta Okkotsu and his cursed lover, Rikka Takanashi. Whereas the portray itself depicts Yuta as an unwilling participant of their kiss, anime viewers of Jujutsu Kaisen 0 know their tragic romance transcends the ick issue.

The Scream by Edvard Munch

Arguably, essentially the most recognizable portray in JJK‘s new opening is Edvard Munch’s The Scream. Mappa went the additional mile by exhibiting a censored character writhing in agony in fluid movement. Might the chances ever be in favor of whomever that is within the season to come back.

Useless Mom by Egon Schiele

A deep pull from artwork references within the new JJK opening is Austrian Expressionist Egon Schiele‘s Dead Mother. It’s additionally one which’s steeped in spoiler territory for this season. Whereas season two hints at Itadori’s parentage in a fever-dream flashback from his new play brother, Choso, there’s extra to their bond than meets the attention, and this portray undoubtedly factors to the character of that unholy kinship.

Two Sleeping Kids by Peter Paul Rubens

Shifting on, one other household portray featured in JJK‘s opening is Peter Paul Rubens’ Two Sleeping Children. Right here we see Mai Zen’in sleeping subsequent to her sister, Maki. We’re getting quite a lot of the 2 estranged sisters featured on this opening, what with them holding palms whereas operating by means of a subject and the like, all however assuring they’re going to get much more play this time round. Zen’in shares are up (IYKYK).

Camille Monet and a Youngster within the Artist’s Backyard in Argenteuil by Claude Monet

Panda is a little bit of an anomaly in JJK. All we all know is that he’s form of an actual panda, however he’s additionally one thing extra. A cursed object involves life, Toy Story type, one may say. However one factor we all know for a reality is that Panda is folks as a result of he’s obtained a papa in pricey previous creator Yaga Masamichi. And to additional illustrate that time, Mappa depicted them in impressionist Claude Monet‘s Camille Monet and a Child in the Artist’s Garden in Argenteuil. They’re very cute. Hope nothing unhealthy occurs to them.

Darkish Evening Gentle Path N Metropolis-V by Yoko Tanadori

Whereas a lot of JJK‘s opening theme artwork references take a extra international method to its depictions, there are additionally just a few homegrown artists showcased. Key amongst them is Japanese oil painter and graphic designer Yoko Tanadori‘s Dark Night Light Path N City-V. Mappa’s depiction of the darkish Y-shaped avenue showcases the backs of two characters we’ve but to satisfy within the sequence. However given the entire fork-in-the-road visible metaphor, they’re more likely to cross paths at some juncture within the season.

Utagawa Kuniyoshi’s woodblock-style work

One blink and also you’ll miss this artwork reference in JJK‘s opening: the ukiyo-e woodblock artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi. Y’know, the man behind the well-known Takiyasha the Witch and the Skeleton Spectre portray. Mappa exhibits a little bit of restraint, not referencing his most well-known portray, as an alternative choosing a really free reference to his woodblock work of a mighty warrior utilizing a Murasama sword to fell a tiger (aka the kind of art work your tattoo-loving buddy has undoubtedly thought-about including to his irezumi sleeve/again piece).

The sword’s significance lies in its repute as a cursed blade. One thing particularly becoming to the present’s theme. To showcase the uncooked energy this artwork piece emanates, Mappa dips a bit into fandom transport by exhibiting fast cuts of Yuta and Maki performing the identical downward slash. YutaMaki nation FTW.

#呪術廻戦#JujustuKaisen

# オープニングではほんの少量ですが作監として参加させて頂きました！
美術様を始めとする他セクション様の力でかなり良き形に仕上がっていますので見つけてみて下さい！

画像は# opから修正の一部となります！ pic.twitter.com/mh43DiWIhI

— とうふ (@tohutohutohuto) January 8, 2026

If there are any references we missed that’s obtained your art-hoe coronary heart geeked, make sure you pontificate within the feedback. In any other case, Jujutsu Kaisen season three premieres January 8 on Crunchyroll.

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