The official Jujutsu Kaisen website has released promotional images for the upcoming Episode 9 of the anime’s third season, which corresponds to the 56th episode overall. Titled “The First Tokyo Colony – 3,” the episode marks a pivotal confrontation between Yuji Itadori and the former lawyer-turned-sorcerer, Hiromi Higuruma. The images confirm a central event fans of the manga have been anticipating: the activation of Higuruma’s Domain Expansion and the subsequent trial of Yuji Itadori by the formidable Shikigami, the Judge.
Higuruma’s Judgeman Summons a Courtroom of Cursed Energy
The promotional visuals provide a detailed first look at the manifestation of Hiromi Higuruma’s Innate Technique and its ultimate expression. In several key images, Higuruma is seen with his hands together, forming the distinctive hand sign that activates his Domain Expansion: Deadly Sentencing. The atmosphere shifts dramatically as cursed energy coalesces into the form of a traditional courtroom, complete with witness stands, a judge’s bench, and jury boxes, all rendered in the stark, imposing aesthetic characteristic of Jujutsu Kaisen’s supernatural battles.
Central to this domain is the towering Shikigami known as the Judge. The released images showcase this entity in full, a robed and blindfolded figure holding a massive gavel, emanating an aura of absolute, merciless authority. Its design perfectly encapsulates the cold, procedural nature of Higuruma’s power—a power derived not from brute force, but from the rigid, unforgiving logic of law.
The Trial of Yuji Itadori Begins
Multiple frames focus on Yuji Itadori’s reaction as he finds himself suddenly thrust into the role of the defendant. The images capture a range of expressions from the protagonist, from initial shock and confusion to intense concentration and resolve. He is shown standing in the designated defendant’s area, facing the Judge, with Higuruma acting as the prosecutor in this cursed courtroom. This confrontation is more than a physical fight; it is a battle of ideals, guilt, and legalistic curse manipulation.
Higuruma’s technique is unique in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. Deadly Sentencing does not directly attack the opponent’s body. Instead, it puts the target on trial for real-world crimes they have committed. The Judge then renders a verdict and, if guilty, confiscates the defendant’s cursed technique or weapon as a “sentence.” For a sorcerer, losing their technique mid-battle is often a death sentence in itself. The promotional materials hint at the psychological weight of this encounter, as Yuji, who carries immense guilt for his role in Sukuna’s actions, is forced to confront his past in the most literal way possible.
Studio MAPPA’s Adaptation of the Culling Game Arc
This episode continues Studio MAPPA’s adaptation of the Culling Game Arc (also known as the Perfect Preparation Arc), one of the most complex and action-packed storylines in Gege Akutami’s manga. The arc introduces a host of new sorcerers and cursed techniques, with Higuruma standing out as one of the most conceptually intriguing antagonists-turned-ally figures. The episode’s title, “The First Tokyo Colony – 3,” places the action squarely within the deadly battle royale established by the ancient sorcerer Kenjaku.
The images demonstrate MAPPA’s continued commitment to visual fidelity and dynamic storytelling. The composition of the courtroom scenes emphasizes scale and perspective, making the Judge appear overwhelmingly powerful and the legal proceedings inescapable. The use of lighting and shadow within the Domain creates a tense, claustrophobic mood, contrasting sharply with the open destruction typically seen in the Culling Game colonies.
Strategic Stakes Beyond Physical Combat
Higuruma’s introduction represents a significant shift in the type of threats Yuji must overcome. Previous enemies relied on overwhelming cursed energy, physical prowess, or devastating Domain Expansions. Higuruma’s threat is cerebral and systemic. Yuji cannot simply punch his way out of this dilemma. He must navigate the rules of a cursed courtroom where his own memories and actions are used as evidence against him.
The promotional shots suggest the episode will delve into the mechanics of the trial. One image appears to show evidence—a conceptual manifestation of a “crime”—being presented before the Judge. This highlights the narrative depth of the encounter, requiring Yuji to engage in a form of debate and self-reflection under extreme duress. It’s a testament to Akutami’s writing that a battle in a shonen series can be as gripping over a point of law as it is over a exchange of powerful blows.
Global Release on Crunchyroll
The new episode is scheduled to premiere on Crunchyroll this Thursday, with the original Japanese audio and subtitles available immediately following its broadcast in Japan. As with previous episodes, an English-dubbed version will be added to the platform at a later date. This simulcast strategy has been a cornerstone of the anime’s global success, allowing international fans to participate in the weekly discussion and theorizing simultaneously with Japanese audiences.
Hiromi Higuruma: From Brilliant Lawyer to Reluctant Sorcerer
To understand the weight of this confrontation, one must consider Higuruma’s background. Prior to the events of the Culling Game, he was a celebrated defense attorney disillusioned with a justice system that often failed the innocent. His awakening as a sorcerer was sudden and violent, granting him a power intrinsically linked to his former profession. His cursed technique reflects his deep-seated belief in a perfect, unbiased judgment—something he felt the human world could never achieve.
His motivation for participating in Kenjaku’s game is not born from a desire for chaos or power, but from a twisted hope to use the game’s rules to enact his own form of ideal justice. This makes him a uniquely tragic and dangerous figure. He is not inherently evil; he is a principled man whose principles have been weaponized by a corrupt system. Facing Yuji, a young man burdened by guilt but fundamentally heroic, creates a profound moral and philosophical clash.
Visual Storytelling and Fan Anticipation
The release of these promotional images has ignited discussions across fan communities. Analysts are dissecting every frame for clues about how MAPPA will animate the trial’s abstract concepts. Key points of interest include the visual representation of the “confiscation” of a technique and how Yuji’s internal guilt will be externalized within the domain. The stark, solemn imagery of the courtroom promises a tonal departure from the frenetic colony battles, offering a moment of tense, procedural drama.
Furthermore, the episode is poised to be a major character study for both individuals. For Higuruma, it is the first real test of his power against a determined opponent who embodies the complexity of guilt and innocence. For Yuji, it is a trial in every sense, forcing him to legally and spiritually account for the deaths caused by Sukuna while he was possessed. The outcome of this battle will have significant repercussions for Yuji’s psyche and his effectiveness in the Culling Game moving forward.
The clash between Yuji Itadori’s embodied guilt and Hiromi Higuruma’s judicial curse technique represents the evolving sophistication of Jujutsu Kaisen’s narrative. It moves beyond spectacle to ask difficult questions about justice, responsibility, and redemption within its established supernatural framework. As the Domain Expansion unfolds and the Judge’s gavel prepares to fall, fans are set for an episode that will be remembered not just for its animation, but for its compelling and intellectual heart.
