If you’re a fan of anime you’ve probably heard about the popular anime series Jujutsu Kaisen. With there being so many popular characters in the show it may be easy to miss out on some of the significant backstories that many of these characters may have. One such character that people may not be familiar with is the talented fighter named Maki Zenin.

So, whether you already know who Maki Zenin is, or you’re unfamiliar with her character altogether, this article will bring new information and make you appreciate this talented sorceress a lot more.

Warning: This Article Contains Spoilers from the Jujutsu Kaisen Series and Manga

Maki Zenin – Past and Background

Maki Zenin was born into the Zenin Clan, a talented clan of sorcerers within the Jujutsu Kaisen universe. The Zenin clan values talent and cursed energy over everything else, so they have no problem disowning their own family members if they don’t present the necessary talent to meet their status.

Zenin Clan Family Tree

There were 8 members of the Zenin clan with 3 family members considered outcasts because of their lack of talent. The members were:

• Naobito Zenin – The head of the Zenin Family at the start of the series, Naobito is a formidable jujutsu sorcerer and a key figure in the higher echelons of the Jujutsu world.
• Naoya Zenin – The youngest son of Naobito, believed himself to be the true heir of the Zenin family
• Ogi Zenin – Brother of Naobito Zenin and the father of Maki and Mai Zenin. Obi plays a significant role in the Perfect Preparation Arc, where he conspires with other clan members to execute his daughters, Maki and Mai, along with Megumi.
• Ranta Zenin – Ranta, a member of the Zenin Family’s elite sorcerer unit, is known for his slim build and short stature in comparison to Naoya and Jinichi. He sports wide, light-colored eyes, long eyebrows, and disheveled dark hair tied in a low ponytail.
• Jinichi Zenin – held a high-ranking position within the Zenin Family as a member of the elite sorcerer unit, the Hei. He is characterized as a stoic and stern individual, rarely displaying emotion and demanding respect from those around him. While he upholds the Zenin clan’s traditions when convenient, his ultimate goal is to retain the family’s wealth and influence.
• Chojuro Zenin – Chojuro is a character in “Jujutsu Kaisen” and a member of the Zenin Family’s elite sorcerer unit, the Hei. He is described as an elderly, short man with a distinctive mohawk hairstyle, often seen grinning with his eyes closed. Chojuro’s skill level was at least semi-grade 1, consistent with his status as part of the formidable Hei team.
• Mai Zenin – She is the younger twin sister of Maki Zenin and initially, like her sister, faced mistreatment from the Zenin clan for her lack of jujutsu talent. Mai harbored resentment towards her sister for leaving the clan and forcing her into a sorcerer’s life, even though she acknowledged Maki’s physical prowess.
• Toji Fushiguro – was a former member of the Zenin Family known as the Sorcerer Killer. He gained notoriety as an assassin, capable of taking on various organizations and groups throughout his life as a non-curse user. As the father of Megumi Fushiguro, he was also a former adversary of Satoru Gojo. Despite his lack of cursed energy, Toji was an elite fighter, capable of defeating even the strongest jujutsu sorcerers without sustaining injuries, including a young Satoru Gojo and Suguru Geto.

A Troubled Past

As mentioned before, the Zenin family cherishes strength and cursed energy. Despite Maki being a part of the Zenin family, she was mistreated because she was unable to effectively use Jujutsu at the standards her family deemed fit. Since she was unable to see curses, she was considered to be the bravest between her and her twin sister.

Because of her mistreatment, Maki decided to leave the Zenin clan and become a Jujutsu Sorcerer, all in the effort to spite her family. She has become a skilled sorcerer along with her friends, leaning on support and determination to drive her to the goal of becoming an elite sorcerer.

Appearance and Personality

Maki Zenin is a 16-year-old sorcerer portrayed as a 5 foot 7 inch tall, athletic woman with small golden eyes and long black hair that she typically ties into a short ponytail. Since she is unable to see curses she originally used glasses that allowed her to see them. As a member of the Zenin clan, she wore traditional clothing, including a white yukata and black hakama. Her appearance changed over time as she progressed through Jujutsu High, donning different uniforms and outfits for various occasions.

Her body bears scars from severe burns inflicted by Jogo’s flames during the Shibuya Incident, covering her arms and parts of her face. Her hair was also affected, now reaching only just past her ears. As a result, she modified her uniform to leave her arms exposed and wore a sleeveless black shirt with a cape, secured by Jujutsu High pins. She paired this outfit with tight black pants and a brown belt with a gold buckle.

During her conflict with the Zenin Family, she lost her right eye, resulting in a scar where it was sliced by her father’s katana. Despite this, she retained her fierce determination and eventually entered the Culling Game with her right eye fully healed, reclaiming her cape. This transformation in appearance paralleled her growth as a character throughout the series.

Weapons and Abilities

Physical Prowess:

• She is recognized by her peers for her immense physical strength, which ranks second only to Yuji Itadori’s superhuman abilities. In the 2018 Goodwill Event, she effortlessly defeated Kasumi Miwa and her sister, Mai, showcasing her combat prowess.
• Maki was instrumental in battles during the Shibuya Incident, holding her own against formidable foes like the special grade cursed spirit, Hanami.

Heavenly Restriction:

• Her heavenly restricted body grants her superhuman strength, making her comparable to Toji Fushiguro.
• She eliminated all members of the Zenin clan’s Kukuru Unit and the Hei, showcasing her overwhelming power.
• Her strength exceeds that of Naobito Zenin, who once saved her.

Cursed Energy Manipulation:

• Initially, she possessed very low levels of cursed energy and relied on cursed glasses to see curses.
• Following her sister Mai’s sacrifice, she escaped cursed energy completely, making her undetectable by curses and barriers.
• Shecan perceive inorganic matter and subtle changes in temperature and air density, granting her advanced combat abilities.

Weapons and Combat Skills:

• She is a master weapons specialist, particularly skilled in using cursed tools.
• She can wield a variety of weapons, including polearms, spears, and swords, with great proficiency.
• Her training helped Yuta Okkotsu and Megumi Fushiguro improve their combat skills.
• Notable cursed tools in her arsenal include Playful Cloud and Dragon-Bone.

Hand-to-Hand Combat:

• She is well-trained in close-quarters combat and often combines hand-to-hand combat with weapon usage.
• She has showcased her martial arts skills against opponents, delivering powerful kicks and punches.

Tactical Intellect:

• She possesses high tactical intellect, formulating effective strategies in battles and providing leadership within her squad.
• She has developed strategic plans to counter opponents and played a vital role in various conflicts.

Endurance:

• Despite her injuries, she has shown immense endurance, surviving attacks and maintaining her combat capabilities.
• Her improved body of steel allowed her to withstand formidable blows and attacks.

Agility and Reflexes:

• She exhibits remarkable speed, agility, and precision during combat.
• She can dodge attacks with ease, even catching speeding bullets with astute reflexes.
• Her agility is comparable to superhuman levels, making her incredibly fast in battle.

Conclusion:

Maki Zenin is a standout character in “Jujutsu Kaisen” known for her unwavering determination, remarkable combat skills, and compelling character development. Her journey from a marginalized member of the Zenin clan to a respected jujutsu sorcerer adds depth to the series and resonates with fans of the anime and manga. As always, thanks for reading. Stay Gritty, Gamers!