All movie references in Jujutsu Kaisen season 3 episode 5, explained 

Those who have watched Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 5 might have noticed that this installment has some obvious references from pop cultual moment. Long-time fans know that Gege Akutami is one such storyteller who truly enjoys adding these famous moments in his story. From mentioning Jennifer Lawrance when Todo met Itadori Yuji to having an obvious inspiration from Kill Bill when Maki went on the massacer spree with Zen'in Clan.

The animation has never been shy about not being obvious about the places it has taken influences from. But in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 5, the animation team has taken things a step further by leaning hard into one of cinema’s most iconic cult films: Fight Club and Winnie the Pooh. Interestingly, these references were not subtle at all.

Those who have watched this episode have described the references as explicit, verbal, and thematically baked into the episode’s core conflict, making it one of the clearest movie nods Jujutsu Kaisen has ever delivered. Additionally, it is unforgettable

The Fight Club reference that fans instantly caught

When Itadori Yuji and Megumi Fushiguro came over to infiltrate Kinji Hakari in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 5, the first thing that is a reference to the iconic film is that this secret place is known as a Fight Club. This is also one of the illegal and secret areas where sorcerers battle for money, prestige, and adrenaline.

Even when the scene where Yuji and Megumi make an entrance and give the best line known by every movie fan by heart. The line we are talking about is “The first rule is you do not talk about fight club.” It is a direct lift from Brad Pitt’s Tyler Durden mantra in Fight Club, and the anime does not try to disguise it.

This line works on multiple levels. As one, it is a easter egg to the audience and also works as a narrative shorthand. It literally took a second for viwers understand what kind of place this is. Hakari has successfully built a lawless, underground place that is deliberately positioned outside the authority of Jujutsu High.

Interestingly, the Fight Club parallels do not stop at dialogue. Kinji Hakari himself mirrors Tyler Durden in both attitude and philosophy. Like Tyler, Hakari is charismatic, anti-authoritarian, and openly dismissive of the rigid systems meant to control him.

Winnie the Pooh reference made fans feel emotional

Another tribute that is noted by fans in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 5 is when Yaga goes to meet the secret place where he had made the Cursed Corpses. He is talking to one of them, where he tells him that maybe soon he might not be able to come and meet them anymore. Like he knew that he was going to be killed. But the way this scene is animated, it is clearly inspired by the Winnie the Pooh storyline. Even when he leaves the place through the small door is the perfect reference from the same show.

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Final thoughts on Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 5

In the end, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 5 made fans remember why everyone in the world of anime takes reference from real life, as the creator has a unique way of adding their interest in their art. This is the best blending of two worlds in the best possible way, and it is noticeable. If anything, the episode reminds us that when anime embraces its influences honestly, the result can feel sharper, smarter, and far more memorable.

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