Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 kicked off in January 2026 and jumped straight into the wild Culling Game arc from Gege Akutami’s manga. This chaotic deathmatch setup by Kenjaku brings a bunch of fresh faces into the spotlight, and nobody gets more hype than Kinji Hakari – the guy fans have been waiting for since his name dropped way back in Season 1.
Anime-only watchers finally get to see what the fuss is about. Here’s the full breakdown on Hakari and why his arrival hits so hard in Season 3.
Background and Introduction
Kinji Hakari ranks as a third-year student at Tokyo Jujutsu High, though suspension keeps him off campus after he roughed up a conservative higher-up. Mentioned briefly in Season 1 (manga Chapter 11), he spends his days running the underground Gachinko Fight Club in Tochigi Prefecture – a spot where sorcerers throw down for prize money while regular folks bet big.
The dude thrives on rebellion, ignores jujutsu politics, and chases thrills like a true gambler. Even Satoru Gojo rates him highly, claiming Hakari could one day match or even top his own strength – the same tier as Yuta Okkotsu. Early in Season 3, Yuji Itadori and Megumi Fushiguro track him down to pull him into the Culling Game, sparking some seriously tense moments.
Appearance and Personality
Tall, ripped, tan skin, magenta eyes, and a thin mustache define his vibe. Back in school he rocked short twisted black hair, but now a big dyed-purple afro steals the show. Style stays loud: white tank top under a dark fur coat, gray pants, and boots while overseeing the club.
Personality screams confidence with zero filter. Arrogant, bold, and always chasing the next rush – think Gojo but with heavy gambling energy that makes every move unpredictable.
Cursed Technique
Everything about Hakari revolves around luck and high-stakes bets, setting him apart from most sorcerers.
His cursed technique, Private Pure Love Train (pulled from an old romance manga), works like a probability-manipulating pachinko machine. The real game-changer comes with his Domain Expansion: Idle Death Gamble. This pachinko-themed domain locks opponents into a chance-based showdown. Landing the jackpot – roughly a 1/239 shot – floods him with unlimited cursed energy and auto-activates reverse cursed technique for exactly 4 minutes and 11 seconds. During that window, the guy becomes borderline unkillable.
Somehow his “luck” kicks in clutch way too often, chaining jackpots and turning long fights into nightmares for anyone facing him.
Why Hakari Is a Big Deal in Season 3
The Culling Game arc throws brutal battles everywhere, introducing players like Hiromi Higuruma, Kirara Hoshi (Hakari’s partner), and revived ancient sorcerers. Hakari’s recruitment arc and clashes – especially against heavyweights like Hajime Kashimo – deliver some of the season’s biggest highlights and shift the whole story’s direction.
Fans label him one of the coolest additions ever, and Season 3 finally unleashes that raw energy on screen. Kazuya Nakai (the voice behind Zoro in One Piece) brings perfect swagger to the role, making every scene pop.
