Maki Zenin

Lore & Background

Maki's origins as a reject from the Zenin clan are mentioned in Jujutsu Kaisen 0 and further explored in the main series Jujutsu Kaisen. In Jujutsu Kaisen 0, it is revealed that Maki is a rejected member from the Zenin clan and is mocked by Suguru Geto. After the visit, Maki tells Yuta of her aspirations to become the Zenin clan head, and the limitations they placed upon her. In the main series, during an examination where the Kyoto students try to kill newcomer Yuji Itadori, Maki defeats her sister, Mai, who questions why she left their clan. During the Shibuya incident, Maki suffers severe burns from the cursed spirit Jogo, leaving her body scarred. After Mai sacrifices her life for Maki, she is able to see curses without glasses. After killing their father, she slaughters Naoya Zen'in and all members of the Zen'in clan in retribution for the pain she and Mai were forced to undergo during their childhood. She joins the Culling Games as a player, and due to her special circumstance, is able to leave and enter barriers. During her battle with Naoya's cursed spirit, she is fully awakened, becoming just like Toji Fushiguro.

In Their Own Story

Maki debuts in Jujutsu Kaisen 0 as a young student from Jujutsu High mentored by Satoru Gojo who brings a nervous teenager, Yuta Okkotsu, in order to train him. Early Maki mocks Yuta's weakness for being too passive. When Maki is wounded, she asks Yuta what is his real desire to which he responds is that he only wants to enjoy a good life rather than remain alone. Maki encourages him to fight and get friends, allowing Yuta to control Rika for a brief period of time to escape with her. In the next three months, Maki has become Yuta's mentor in swordplay. When Suguru Geto appears in Jujutsu High, it is revealed that Maki is a rejected member from the Zen'in clan and is mocked. After the visit, Maki tells Yuta of her aspirations to become the Zen'in clan head. In an attempt to comfort her, Yuta proposes fighting alongside her when they face the clan again. In Jujutsu Kaisen, Maki appears one year older still as Sorcerer from Jujutsu High alongside Panda and Toge Inumaki as Yuta is working abroad. During an examination, Maki joins Yuji's group and defeats her sister, Mai. During the Shibuya incident, Maki suffers severe burns from the cursed spirit Jogo. After Mai sacrifices her life for Maki, she is able to see curses without glasses. After killing their father, she slaughters Naoya Zen'in and all members of the Zen'in clan. She joins the Culling Games as a player. During her battle with Naoya's cursed spirit, she is fully awakened, becoming just like Toji Fushiguro. During the Shinjuku Showdown, Maki observes the fight between Gojo and Sukuna inside of Rika with the rest of the crew. Once Gojo is killed, the backup plan is sprung into action with fighters going in against Sukuna. Once the signal arrives, she pierces Sukuna through the heart with the Split Soul Katana and begins battle. She battles fiercely, even taking a direct black flash from Sukuna and cutting off his arm, but a second black flash puts her out of commission.

Reader's Guide

Maki's fighting style was based on both aikido and a mix of Chinese martial arts. Originally, Maki uses a weapon to compensate for her lack of spells. Akutami claimed in the series' fanbook that a major theme in the manga is Maki becoming a stronger Jujutsu sorcerer, which is meant to be the focus on future installments. Her design went from normal glasses to black-frames, but only for the fight against Suguru Geto. When asked by why Maki often refers to Todo by his surname, Akutami mentioned it is a tendency of her to call others by their first name unless the others call her by her last name. As a result, he mentions any contradictions when dealing with others might come across as plot holes.

Did You Know?

• Maki's hair length is something Akutami tends to change whenever he likes.
• Akutami enjoyed writing a scene in which Yuta tells Maki he would like to be like her in the third chapter of Jujutsu Kaisen 0.
• Maki's fighting style was based on both aikido and a mix of Chinese martial arts.
• Maki is voiced by Mikako Komatsu in Japanese and Allegra Clark in English.
• In a Viz Media popularity poll in March 2021, Maki was voted as the 11th most-popular character in the Jujutsu Kaisen franchise.