Jujutsu Kaisen Delivers Its Best Battle Yet by Taking Inspiration From an Early 2000s American Action Thriller (And It’s Perfect)

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The latest episode of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 showcased Maki’s development during the Culling Game arc, and the animation studio, MAPPA, took it a step further by referencing a classic American action thriller from the early 2000s to enhance a crucial moment. This isn’t a new trend in anime, as many shows are now drawing inspiration from other forms of media, particularly American films. For example, the recent season of Dandadan included an opening sequence inspired by Back to the Future as a fun pop-culture nod. MAPPA, the studio behind Jujutsu Kaisen, is particularly known for weaving in these Western cultural references, as seen throughout Chainsaw Man, where Western influences appear frequently.

MAPPA, the studio behind the anime Jujutsu Kaisen, seems to be putting a lot of effort into the details of Season 3. The opening sequence features artwork reminiscent of classic paintings, and throughout the episodes, you can find small visual touches that really bring the original manga to life. The latest episode takes this even further, with a scene directly inspired by the action movie Kill Bill Vol. 1. When Maki gains new powers and faces off against the Kukuru Unit, the scene is filmed in a way that strongly resembles a famous moment from Kill Bill.

Jujutsu Kaisen’s Latest Fight Takes Inspiration From Kill Bill’s Famous Scene, and It’s Perfect

THE KILL BILL REFERENCES WERE PEAK

— Anime Shots (@anime_shots) January 22, 2026

One of the most memorable scenes in Kill Bill Vol. 1 features The Bride battling the Crazy 88, showcasing her fierce determination for revenge. The fight starts in full color but quickly changes to black and white as she skillfully defeats her opponents with a sword. This change in style highlights the intense fight choreography and exaggerated blood effects as bodies fall. The anime series features a similar fight between Maki and the Kukuru Unit, also beginning in color and switching to black-and-white with a focus on the visual impact of blood splatters, and some shots are even directed very similarly to the movie.

Fans of Kill Bill will immediately recognize this reference, and it’s more than just a visual nod. Like The Bride’s quest for revenge, Maki is also driven by a vow to destroy her clan, showing that MAPPA drew inspiration from Kill Bill not just in how things look, but also in the story’s emotional heart. This makes Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 4 a standout episode, currently ranking as the highest-rated anime episode of 2026 on IMDb.

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2026-01-25 16:13