INTERVIEW: jo0ji, The Voice Behind the Ending Theme Song for JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 3 “The Culling Game Part 1”

“Yoake no uta” by jo0ji, which serves as the ending theme song for the anime JUJUTSU KAISEN Season 3 “The Culling Game Part 1” has been available on all streaming platforms since Saturday, January 10, accompanied by its official music video.

In this interview, he discusses his creative process, his inspiration, and his favorite characters from the series. The new season is currently available on Crunchyroll.

Key Visual:

Before you read the full interview, you can listen to “Yoake no uta”:

_{Cover art:}

AnimeTV: Please introduce yourself to our readers.

jo0ji: I’m jo0ji. I make music while living in the countryside of Tottori Prefecture, a rural area in Japan.

How would you describe your musical style?

jo0ji: My music is built around melodies that have a distinctly Japanese feel, like classic Japanese pop (kayōkyoku), but I don’t confine myself to any particular genre.

Your collaboration with JUJUTSU KAISEN as the ending theme artist has come true. How do you feel about this?

jo0ji: I’ve always loved both the manga and the anime and followed every new release, so I was incredibly happy about this opportunity.

While creating “Yoake no uta,” were there any elements you drew inspiration from or referenced from JUJUTSU KAISEN?

jo0ji: First, I was asked to focus on Yuji Itadori in the anime edit, so I tried to create the song in a way that stays close to his emotions as he struggles with what happened during the Shibuya Incident. There’s a scene where the character Takako Uro says to Yuta Okkotsu, “It’s always those who have already become somebody who say, ‘You don’t have to become anything.'”

That line made me start thinking about how living in the countryside while pursuing music might affect the people around me. I believe music can change someone’s life, for better or worse. From the perspective that it could even disrupt someone’s life, I felt there might be a part of me that overlaps with Yuji. That was the moment that inspired me to begin writing this song.

Can you tell us about the process, behind-the-scenes story, and concept of the “Yoake no uta” music video?

jo0ji: I first talked about how the song came to be with Margt, the directing duo behind the music video, and we developed the concept from there.

Before I started writing the song, Director Goshozono, who directed this part of the anime, showed me a key visual featuring stained glass and Yuji Itadori. That inspired lyrics that feel almost like a confession and an arrangement with a church-like atmosphere.

From there, we kept talking things through — like, “Then maybe the styling should feel like this,” or “This could be the visual world of the video” — and shaped it together as we went.

The song’s theme is bipolarity, with very extreme dark and bright sides, so we expressed that duality visually as well—using bold color grading and heavy processing and contrasting a gloomy version of myself with dancers who move in a celebratory way.

You watched Seasons 1 and 2 of JUJUTSU KAISEN as well. Who are your favorite characters based on those stories?

jo0ji: Yuji Itadori and Choso. Through the process of trying to understand Yuji’s feelings while making this song, I grew to love him deeply. As for Choso, I think he’s one of the most principled and strong-willed characters in the series. The way he consistently lives by his belief of being an older brother is incredibly cool to me. I really love him.

Who are some of your favorite artists?

jo0ji: Among French artists, I really like L’Impératrice.

Lastly, do you have a message for your fans around the world?

jo0ji: I think most people got to know me through “Yoake no uta”, so I’d love for you to listen to my other songs too. I haven’t been overseas yet, but I really want to go someday—so please invite me to perform live! I’m looking forward to it!

_{Artist photo:}

More about jo0ji:
jo0ji / 26 /Born in Tottori Prefecture, Japan
jo0ji began his career by uploading “Fukutsu ni Hana,” a song he created for a friend, to YouTube. He writes lyrics, composes, and arranges his music himself. Selected as one of Spotify’s “RADAR: Early Noise 2024,” he has also been featured in numerous 2025 trend-artist spotlights. After performing at major festivals in summer 2025, he continued to draw attention as a rising artist. On July 9, he released his first full-length album “Aeka,” and a Zepp tour is set for May 2026. He wrote “Yoake no uta” as the ending theme for the January 2026 cour TV anime “JUJUTSU KAISEN The Culling Game Part 1.”

■ jo0ji links:
Official Page: https://jo0ji.com/
X (Twitter): https://x.com/jo0ji3
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jo0ji.t/
YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@jo0ji
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jo0j_s

© Gege Akutami/Shueisha, JUJUTSU KAISEN Project

————
AnimeTV チェーン bringing you the latest anime news direct from Japan ~ anytime! — Your new source of information!

_{Special thanks to Sony Music Japan & MORE TO COME for the interview opportunity.}