The Jujutsu Kaisen anime's third season, "Culling Game Arc Part 1," just wrapped up with an explosive "Sendai Battle" finale this week! Thanks to MAPPA's stellar production and the series' inherent popularity, fans are already buzzing for news on Part 2.
Today (3/28) at "Anime Japan 2026," a special Jujutsu Kaisen stage event brought together Junya Enoki (Yuji Itadori), Megumi Ogata (Yuta Okkotsu), Kazuya Nakai (Kinji Hakari), and Tomokazu Sugita (Hiromi Higuruma) to chat about the show's behind-the-scenes. What really got people talking was Sugita Tomokazu, the voice of Higuruma, who revealed he actually went to court hearings to fully grasp his character's mindset.
During the event, Sugita shared his preparation process, noting that his initial impression of Jujutsu Kaisen was that it’s a work where you can truly feel author Gege Akutami's "preferences."
Before I was confirmed for the role, I knew there were a lot of memes and jokes circulating online. But I felt it wouldn't be right to just jump on that bandwagon. Once I was cast, while it didn't completely change how I viewed the series, it definitely made me approach it with more caution.
Sugita explained that when he read the manga, he always felt that Higuruma "cannot be viewed with sympathy." The profession of a lawyer, by its very nature, might require defending even the most heinous individuals. Ideals and reality, morals and ethics, should be clear-cut, but in practice, they are often twisted by personal values, leading to many unreasonable and unfair situations.
To embody this character, I researched many actual legal precedents and even personally attended court hearings to witness the moment a judge delivers a verdict. Experiencing that real-life courtroom atmosphere made me realize that "humans have emotions." In a real courtroom, while the process involves defense, evidence, and judgment, sometimes if the defendant shows no remorse, the judge might even get angry and start lecturing during the sentencing. Seeing those cases made me think, "it's impossible for humans judging humans to be without emotion."
Sugita also pointed out that this is precisely why Higuruma was worn down to a mental breakdown. If people try to express themselves solely through a particular position or identity, it often leads to a tragic outcome. Everyone makes choices while feeling lost, weighing various contradictions in their hearts before making a judgment. This process can never feel satisfying, and ultimately, it leads to a fate like Higuruma's.
While his serious dedication earned applause from the fans present, Sugita humbly added that he doesn't always go to such lengths. He doesn't consider this kind of preparation a big deal and hopes it won't become a standard for others to compare themselves against.
Nevertheless, this truly showcases Tomokazu Sugita's commitment to his roles. When it was first announced that Sugita would voice Higuruma, fans were both excited and curious: How would he interpret this character? After all, Sugita is a versatile voice actor capable of both comedic and deeply serious performances. His portrayal of Higuruma has certainly earned high praise from fans.
His Higuruma, in particular, speaks with a deep, calm, and articulate voice, almost devoid of overt emotion. Yet, beneath that tranquil surface lies suppressed, explosive anger and an irreparable sense of emptiness. Only a veteran voice actor like Sugita, who can master both comedy and serious drama, could achieve this—that distinct "adult sense of resignation" was delivered with absolute perfection.
via： oricon news