Maki Zenin has established herself as an essential fighter in the Jujutsu Kaisen universe, to the point of overshadowing a legendary figure like Toji Fushiguro. From her humble beginnings marked by a handicap in the use of cursed energy, to the release of her full physical potential, her journey illustrates an extraordinary quest for excellence. The reasons for this surpassing rely on several decisive factors:
- Her initial rejection by the Zenin clan which forged an unwavering will to surpass herself.
- The exceptional mastery of cursed weapons, the result of rigorous training and flawless discipline.
- The radical transformation caused by her Heavenly Restriction, granting her body extraordinary strength compared to Toji’s.
- Her strategic and charismatic role in the Culling Game arc, highlighting both her strength and combat intelligence.
Let’s discover together how Maki managed to surpass a legend like Toji, and what this evolution means for the jujutsu universe and its followers.
The extraordinary journey of Maki Zenin in Jujutsu Kaisen
Maki Zenin never received special treatment within her original clan, the Zenin, one of the three great sorcerer families of Jujutsu. She was born without the ability to use cursed energy, which in their eyes was a major handicap. This rejection, more than a simple obstacle, was the engine of her determination to excel in another way.
This exclusion shaped her relationship to power and recognition. Rather than being defeated by family disdain, Maki chose to voluntarily leave her clan with a clear objective: to one day return at the head of the Zenin, but being considered one of the most powerful sorceresses of the new generation. This choice came with hard work and exceptional endurance, allowing her to develop her physical abilities far beyond those of ordinary mortals.
A concrete example of her progress is visible during the Kyoto Goodwill Event in 2018 where she dominated several Grade 2 sorceresses, including Kasumi Miwa and Mai Zenin, thanks to her combat technique and expert use of her cursed weapons. Despite her handicap, Maki proves to be an exceptional fighter, whose tactical intelligence and sharp reflexes largely compensate for her lack of cursed energy.
Moreover, Maki is also a recognized trainer, taking under her wing young talents such as Yuta Okkotsu, Megumi Fushiguro, and Nobara Kugisaki, especially for handling cursed weapons. Her educational role reminds us that strength is not measured solely by raw power, but also by the ability to transmit essential strategic and technical know-how in a universe as dangerous as that of Jujutsu Kaisen.
However, this rise in power was not linear. A key moment was her confrontation with her father, Ogi Zenin. During this tragic duel, she loses her right eye, wounded despite her initial technical superiority. This episode underlines the harsh reality of battles, where talent alone is not always enough to ensure victory, and prepares the ground for an even more spectacular evolution of her character.
The physical and psychological transformation thanks to the Heavenly Restriction
The real turning point in Maki’s career comes after the dramatic events of the Zenin clan massacre, when her sister Mai sacrifices herself to transfer all her residual cursed energy to her. This gift triggers the full activation of the Heavenly Restriction that had so far preserved her exceptional physical abilities, despite the absence of cursed energy.
The Heavenly Restriction is a special rule in Jujutsu Kaisen that limits some capabilities of an individual to compensate for exceptional power in another domain. In Maki’s case, it is a massive force of physical concentration, a reinforced body capable of competing with opponents endowed with supernatural powers.
Following this transformation, Maki is no longer the limited fighter she once was. She gains power comparable to that of Toji Fushiguro, a man also deprived of cursed energy, but whose speed, strength, and superhuman reflexes have marked the history of jujutsu. This evolution completely changes the way other characters and fans view her. More than a promising student, Maki becomes an icon of power and physical endurance.
The most eloquent demonstrations of her new strength appear during fights where she kills Ogi Zenin with a precise strike and inflicts heavy defeats on several elite units of the Zenin clan. Names like Chojuro, Nobuaki, Jinichi, Ranta, and Naoya fall under her blows, symbolizing both her rise in power and the decline of a once invincible family.
Her skills in handling weapons become even more formidable: Maki can break katanas, dodge then catch bullets in mid-air, and chain parries and close combat attacks with disconcerting fluidity and efficiency. She masters various weapons, ranging from katana to spear, and her strategic use of cursed objects like Playful Cloud illustrates her combat intelligence where positioning and timing matter as much as brute strength.
Comparing Maki and Toji: two legends with unique powers in Jujutsu Kaisen
Toji Fushiguro is a true legend in the world of jujutsu. Known for his exceptional physical strength despite the total absence of cursed energy, he managed to play a key role by challenging major figures like Gojo. This uniqueness places him outside traditional norms where power mainly depends on cursed energy.
Maki, by also developing a superhuman body through the Heavenly Restriction, creates a fascinating continuity with Toji without exactly replicating his style. The Jujutsu Kaisen canon explains that their physical strengths are now comparable, a symbolic step that places Maki among elite fighters capable of imposing their authority solely through brute strength and agility.
An essential point to note is that Toji remains invisible to sorcerers’ sensors due to his lack of cursed energy, granting him a unique tactical advantage. This detail nuances any direct comparison, while Maki must now combine her enormous physical power with her ability to perceive cursed spirits.
To illustrate this comparison, here is a summary table of the main strengths of Maki and Toji:
| Characteristics | Maki Zenin | Toji Fushiguro |
|---|---|---|
| Cursed energy | Very low, compensated by the Heavenly Restriction | Absent |
| Physical strength | Extremely high after transformation | Legendary, superhuman |
| Speed and reflexes | Extreme, capable of dodging bullets | Faster than most sorcerers |
| Weapon mastery | Wide range, including cursed weapons like Playful Cloud | Expert in classic bladed weapons |
| Invisible to sorcerers | No | Yes |
In terms of raw power and agility, Maki has crossed a major threshold, going beyond the limits imposed by her clan’s tradition. Her recent feats, especially against Sukuna where she pierces his heart with a Split Soul Katana, demonstrate a level of excellence and strength that exceeds many expectations.
Maki Zenin in the Culling Game arc: confirming her legendary status
The latest arc of the manga highlights Maki in an expanded role, that of a leader and strategist capable of facing very powerful opponents. Her reappeared cloak and healed right eye are signs of a new era where she confronts the toughest challenges of the Culling Game without restraint.
This phase of the series sets a new milestone in her evolution. Maki no longer just survives, she takes initiatives, organizes rescue efforts around Tsumiki Fushiguro, and proposes the integration of Hakari into their team. These choices demonstrate a maturity and very advanced tactical intelligence that complement her physical fighting qualities.
In this arc, her transformed and enhanced body allows her to excel in conditions where classical techniques based on cursed energy show their limits. This ability to exceed expectations definitively places her among the pillars of the story, surpassing even the mere display of brute force to touch upon the notion of overall excellence.
For fans of the anime and manga, this dynamic promises to be even more striking in season 3 of the animated adaptation, already highly anticipated to showcase in images her battle against the Zenin clan and the full activation of her powers. The character of Maki now embodies the idea of a power that relies not only on supernatural abilities but also on willpower, training, and cunning, transforming combat into an art form in itself.
To follow other captivating stories around animated universes and games, we recommend reading this comprehensive article on the world of cult shonen and their adventures, an exciting dive into the sagas that mark our era.
