Maki Zenin

Maki Zenin is a major supporting character in Jujutsu Kaisen and one of the main protagonists of the Prequel Series.

She is currently is a second-year at Tokyo Metropolitan Curse Technical College. Originally from the Zenin Family, Maki left on her own due to being rejected for her lack of Cursed Energy. She studies to become a strong Sorcerer despite her own family working against her.

Appearance
Maki is a tall athletic young woman with black eyes and long black hair normally tied into a ponytail. She has bangs over the left side of her face and is usually sporting a pair of glasses that allows her to see Curses.

Maki's Jujutsu student uniform consists of the traditional long sleeve jacket with a skirt. As a first year she wore long socks with shoes with her uniform, but she currently wears black leggings.

While training, Maki wears a black jersey with dark colored cuffs, collar, and bottom edge, dark colored shorts over black pants, and white shoes. While training Yuta, Maki wore the same top, black shorts, black socks, and white shoes. Her casual clothes consist of a white hoodie over a black and white horizontal shirt, white shorts over black pants, and white boots.

As a child, Maki had black hair that extended to the bottom of her head, a dark colored kimono with a black sash. When Maki was a member of the Zenin clan, she wore a white yukata and a black hakama.

Personality
Maki is a very headstrong and straightforward person who tends to be quite blunt. She is strong willed and motivates herself to escape the ties of her Sorcerer Family. For her entire life she has been mistreated and put down for being a woman and a non-sorcerer by the Zenins.

Despite feeling cursed by her own family, Maki strives to become a Sorcerer and prove everyone wrong, breaking the foundation of their way of life that she so rejects. Maki and Mai were originally going to stay together with the Zenin Family but the older twin decided she couldn't live that way.

Rejected by her own family, Maki's bonds lie with her classmates whom she normally takes the leadership role with. She's very tough on them in training, very impatient and often hot-tempered. She only wishes to see them get stronger as they fight beside her and has taught many of her peers how to properly wield a variety of weapons, even if they had to get beaten up by her a lot to reach that point.

With Yuta, Maki was initially annoyed with his shy attitude and felt he had no business being at Tokyo Jujutsu High as a Cursed Victim. However, after fighting beside him and learning to understand one another, Maki discovered they weren't so different. In fact, Yuta was the first person to truly make her feel accepted. In this instance, Maki's tough exterior tried to repress her emotions with frustration but she couldn't help but feel moved in a very rare show of emotion.

All of the students at Tokyo Jujutsu High respect her, and Yuji could feel her aura of leadership before even getting to know her. On missions, Maki is always focused on the task at hand is professional as a Sorcerer. She follows orders and can even work with her family members cordially if the task calls for it. Additionally, while competing against her twin sister, Maki treated it as any other fight and dispatched her quickly.

History
Maki was born into the Zenin family as the older twin sister of Mai Zenin. Due to her inability to see Cursed Spirits, Maki was often seen as the bravest of the two twins. Maki wants to become stronger even with her inability to see Cursed Spirits, so she's left the Zenin family in order to hone her skills, but only after declaring she will become the head of the family someday.

Cursed Child Arc
Maki, Toge Inumaki and Panda are seen talking about their incoming fourth classmate of First Year, Yuta Okkotsu. Yuta finally arrives and introduces himself to them, but Maki seems unimpressed with him and proceeds to berate him causing Rika to attack her and the others.

Later Maki is assigned with Yuta on a mission, but are attacked by very powerful Cursed Spirits due to Suguru Geto's scheming. In great danger, Maki questioned Yuta for his purpose and encouraged him to use the power of Rika. After that, Yuta held the injured children and Maki running to safe.

Maki started to train Yuta for melee weapon after that. Panda mischievously tried to get the two together when he saw them started to get along well.

Suguru Geto finally approached Yuta, insulted Maki and declared war at the college. Right before war, Maki explained to Yuta about her lack of curse power and her motivation as a Sorcerer.

Suguru then hit Maki to a dying state, and then injured the rescue, Panda and Toge heavily as well. Yuta then tried his best to heal them and defeated Suguru. After the war, Yuta uncursed Rika, found him actually a talented Sorcerer and remained as a classmate with his friends.

Cursed Training Arc
A year later, Maki found the first graders, Megumi and Nobara being unhappily talking. Panda explained that their classmate really died. Maki was shocked, but still asked the first graders about going to the Kyoto Goodwill Event or not, and explained the event to them. Under high motivation to be stronger, the first graders agreed. Along with her classmates, Maki started to train the two about melee battle.

Later when the principal Gakuganji came to Tokyo, Aoi Todo and Maki's twin sister Mai also came with their purposes. They provoked Megumi and Nobara, which were sent by Maki to do the grocery. While Megumi confronted with Aoi Todo, Mai started to attack Nobara. The second graders sensed something and came to rescue. Mai and Maki mocked each other about their lack of talent. After that, Maki explained to Nobara about her situation.

Kyoto Goodwill Event Arc
When the team from Kyoto Prefectural Curse Technical College arrived, Maki teased about Nobara's eagerness of travelling to Kyoto. She and Panda also commented about Satoru's habit of being late.

After Yuji was back with the students, the first and second graders held a conference about the team battle. The second graders asked about the skills of Yuji, and Maki asked him to confront with Aoi Todo.

When the Event starts, Maki travels with other Tokyo students. When they encounter, Maki splits from the group with Megumi. After splitting up, Maki talks with the others about how the Kyoto students are trying to kill Yuji. Maki and Megumi then head back and encounter Noritoshi Kamo and Kasumi Miwa. Maki takes on Miwa, but asks why Miwa wants to fight alone. Miwa tells her why she wants to take on Maki allow, which Maki tells her that she won't hold back. As Maki takes on Miwa, Miwa notices that Maki is stronger then want she was told by Maki's twin sister Mai. When Miwa trying to counter Maki's assault, Maki easily distracts Miwa and manages to get close to Miwa. Maki throws Miwa, while also taking her sword. Maki then leaves while taking Miwa's sword with her.

Maki encounters her sister Mai, and the two start to fight. Maki easily counters all of Mai's shots and close the distance between the two. Once Mai fires all six shots from her revolver, Maki charges at Mai. Maki plans to make sure that Mai can't reload, but is shocked when Mai fires a seventh shot. Maki manages to catch the bullet and win against Mai. Mai asks why Maki left, which Maki says that she already knows. Mai explains how she would be fine to serve the Zenin clan as a servant if Maki was with her, which Maki replies that she would have hated herself if she did that. Maki then apologizes to Mai and leaves.

When intruders invade the site of the event, Maki notices that a screen is being placed over the site they are at. Maki then takes on Hanami along with Megumi, after Toge and Noritoshi are defeated. Maki takes on Hanami with a three section staff and manages to send Hanami flying. Maki continues to attack Hanami with Megumi's assistants but is forced to fight Hanami alone when Hanami places a cursed energy feeding seed into Megumi. When Hanami manages to catch Maki, Maki stops Megumi from attack since they will be switching out. Suddenly Aoi and Yuji show up and rescue the two. Maki is then takes out of the screen along with Megumi, by Panda.

After the intruders have been dealt with, Maki attends a meeting where they all agree with continuing the event. Maki then play a game of baseball with the others, were she pitches for her team. When Aoi is up to bat, Maki beans him and is complimented for it.

The Origin of Obedience Arc
After the Kyoto Goodwill Event, Maki is nominated by Mei Mei for a promotion to 1st grade Sorcerer.

Shibuya Incident Arc
On October 31, Maki is with Noabito and Nobara at Shibuya Mark City Restaurant Avenue Entrance when they meet up with Akari. Maki then listens as Akari informs them about the situation and how they will be on standby for now. Later when the citizens are attacked by mutated humans, Maki along with Nobara and Naobito head into the curtain to save the people. While dealing with the mutated humans, Maki is informed that something has happened to Kiyotaka. Maki thinks about how something feels off, and tells Nobara to take Akari to Kiyotaka's location since the assistance directors are critical and that she will deal with the mutated humans.

Maki and Naobito would meet up with Nanami, and then three head to the Shibuya Station. Along the way, Naobito tries to get Maki to leave, but Maki turns the table and says that Naobito has been drinking. When the three encounter a Cursed Spirit, Maki watches as Naobito takes on the spirit. When the Cursed Spirit, Dagon, releases a torrent of water, Maki manages to get above the water and thinks about how she would have been a goner if she didn't save herself. After Naobito manages to distract Dagon, Maki and Nanami join in the fight. Dagon manages to defend itself from the three, which Maki thinks about how humiliating it was to be saved by Naobito during the clash. When Naobito comments about how Dagon is defending itself, Maki join in as the three overwhelm Dagon with speed based attack and force Dagon to retreat.

Maki along with Naobito and Nanami are suddenly trapped within Dagon's Domain Expansion, which Maki is instantly hit by Dagon Domain's sure-hit technique. After figuring out what to do with each, Dagon uses his Death Swarm attack which Nanami advises Maki on how to survive the attack. After Naobito and Nanami are dealt with, Dagon attack Maki while calling her weak. Maki quickly returns and tells Dagon that he should have killed her with one attack if he is calling her weak. Dagon says that he will deal with Maki that same as the other two, which Maki thinks about how she should have gotten Roaming Cloud from Megumi before coming here. Suddenly Megumi breaks into the territory and gives Maki the Roaming Cloud Cursed Tool. Maki then uses the tool to fight Dagon and manages to wound it. Maki continues to fight Dagon with Naobito, but retreat when Megumi creates an exit. Maki makes it to the portal but is surprised when Toji comes through it.

Toji takes Roaming Cloud from her, which Maki wonders about the strength that Toji has. As Maki watches Toji fight against Dagon, Maki wonder just who Toji is which Naobito says that Toji is just a ghost. Maki is then shocked when Toji sharpens Roaming Cloud. When Toji exorcises Dagon, Maki thinks about how Toji was able to take care of Dagon by himself. Maki worried about Megumi when Toji suddenly takes Megumi to another location, but turns her attention to the sudden arrival of Jogo.

Jogo then takes care of Maki after having dealt with Nanami.

Abilities & Powers
Overall Skill & Ability: Maki's Grade 4 Sorcerer ranking is not at all reflective of her actual ability in battle. Her promotion was stalled for years due to the Zenin Family and she can easily exorcise a Grade 2 Curse. Her physical prowess is second only to Yuji's among the students and she a master of a wide assortment of different weapons. Wielding Cursed Tools, Maki is an effective Sorcerer despite her lack of Cursed Energy because she makes up for it with astonishing physical ability.

Compared to other Jujutsu students, Maki is often underestimated. However, she was able to effortlessly overwhelm Kasumi Miwa as well as completely dominate her sister in a fight. Against Special Grade Cursed Spirits, Maki has proven to be a valuable asset in battle. She and Megumi were able to buy enough time against Hanami for reinforcements to arrive. While fighting alongside Naobito and Nanami against Dagon, Maki was a step slower the seasoned Grade 1 Sorcerer but was still able to hold her own as well.

Master Weapons Specialist: Able to wield a wide assortment of different weapons, Maki is considered to be an expert in all sorts of weaponry. She normally uses spears in battle but is fully capable of switching between multiple weapons in the course of a single fight. During the Goodwill Event, Maki broke the handle of her own spear, then took Kasumi's sword, and once that broke she utilized a three section staff to fight. She is also fully capable of incorporating martial arts such as akito into close range combat.

Additionally, Maki is also a very capable teacher. Not only did she turn Yuta in a swordsman practitioner and a decent sparring partner, she's also helped Megumi learn to wield different weapons as well.

High Intellect: Raised by the Zenin Family, Maki has a good grasp on all aspects of the Jujutsu world. She can stay one step of her opponent in battle and can read other people's moves through their personalities. Maki was the one who came up with the Tokyo Team's initial strategy to counter Aoi's one track mind and brute strength.

Enhanced Strength: Maki possess extraordinarily high levels of strength, capable of overpowering weaker opponents with ease. She was able to knock Aoi Todo, a notoriously strong student, out cold by hitting him in the face with a baseball. Maki also broke a wooden polearm over her thigh, something no normal human would be capable of.

Enhanced Speed & Reflexes: Maki is extremely fast and possesses superhuman reflexes, enough for a Special Grade Cursed Spirit like Hanami to acknowledge her prowess. She is sharp and highly mobile, capable of effortlessly slicing bullets out of the air with a sword and can even catch a bullet shot at close range with her bare hands.

Jujutsu
Low Cursed Power: Maki possess very low levels of Cursed Energy, comparable to the average non-sorcerer. She cannot see Curses without glass imbued with Cursed Energy and must use a Cursed Tool to exorcise them.

Trivia

 * Maki ranked 12th place in the manga's 1st Character Popularity Poll with 4,245 votes.