Toji vs Maki: The Ultimate Showdown of Strength in Jujutsu Kaisen!

Summary

Toji and Maki, despite lacking cursed energy, are two of the most powerful characters in Jujutsu Kaisen.
While initially outdone by her cousin, Maki eventually finds the strength to match Toji, albeit at a great cost.
Maki’s determination, willpower, and compassion make her one of the strongest characters in Jujutsu Kaisen.

Title	Jujutsu Kaisen: The Culling Game
Director	Shota Goshozono
Studio	MAPPA

Heed this notice: The ensuing content discloses plot twists from Jujutsu Kaisen, seasons 1 and 2 (currently streaming on Crunchyroll), and chapters 148-152 (available to read via VIZ Media). Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

In the captivating world of Jujutsu Kaisen, it’s intriguing to note that the two most extraordinary figures, Toji Fushiguro and Maki Zenin, aren’t sorcerers themselves! Despite their lineage from the Zenin clan, they’re bound by a unique set of abilities instead. These characters, adored by fans, stand out as opposites within the magical narrative. But which one poses a greater danger? That’s the question on everyone’s lips!

In the first season, Maki, a sophomore student at Jujutsu High, quickly stood out due to her lack of ability to utilize cursed energy or perceive cursed spirits, yet she was extraordinarily strong. On the other hand, Toji, the father figure absent in Megumi’s life, appeared in Season 2 and, like Maki, demonstrated immense strength and a talent for wielding cursed tools. Unlike Maki, he does not require special eyewear to see spirits.

The Outcasts of the Zenin Clan

Toji and Maki share a similar fate – they’re disliked by their family due to the absence of cursed energy within them, leading to mistreatment from their esteemed clan. They both bear Heavenly Restrictions, a kind of birthright vow that influences an individual’s connection with cursed energy in various ways, often with some accompanying physical compromise.

Kokichi Muta’s birth came with a weak physical form but granted him greater, broader control over his cursed energy. Conversely, Toji and Maki were limited in their use of cursed energy to gain immense strength and agility, though their situations weren’t exactly the same at first. In Maki’s case, her Heavenly restriction simply lowered her cursed energy levels below that of a non-sorcerer, whereas Toji has no cursed energy within him at all – a notable difference, as his tradeoff is more substantial.

Toji Appears to Be the Clear Winner (At First)

As a devoted fan, I must say that when it comes to the duo, Toji truly stands out. Despite Maki’s remarkable speed, combat skills, and proficiency with multiple cursed tools, Toji surpasses her in an extraordinary way – he abstains from using cursed energy altogether. This unique trait of his effectively nullifies jujutsu, making him virtually undetectable by sorcerers. It’s this exceptional ability that has earned him the chilling moniker, “The Sorcerer Killer.

In a surprising turn of events, he not just invaded Jujutsu High and cold-bloodedly killed Riko Amanai, but also dealt nearly fatal blows to Satoru Gojo. Despite Gojo’s initial lack of expertise compared to his later self, this accomplishment remains impressive, albeit overshadowed by Gojo’s timely mastery of the reverse cursed technique. Toji’s brief return from the dead during the Shibuya Incident served as a testament to his power and the significant disparity between him and Maki in terms of strength.

But Wait! Maki’s Story Isn’t Finished

In contrast to her cousin who was momentarily revived, Maki suffered Jogo’s flames during the Shibuya Incident, leaving lasting scars. She didn’t appear for the remainder of the season, but as we’ve discussed before, she’s poised for a significant return in Season 3. Essentially, neither Toji nor Maki is inherently stronger than the other.

In essence, these characters who’ve never crossed paths seem to mirror each other due to their shared use of similar magical abilities, even though they haven’t interacted on a personal level. The anime “Jujutsu Kaisen” often delves into distinct forms of sorcery through various, seemingly unconnected characters. It’s as if the magic itself follows a particular “story arc”, subtly shaping and enhancing the characters it touches. For example, Blood Manipulation was initially presented by Noritoshi Kamo, later expanded upon by Choso. This is an effective method of world-building in the show.

Just like Heavenly Restrictions, Maki and Toji’s individual but intertwined battles within the Zenin clan lead them on a similar journey. The primary obstacle for Maki was the residual cursed energy she possessed, and as we found out in 2021, Maki had to let go of much more than just that energy to fully realize her potential.

How Maki Became the Second Coming of Toji

During the time period spanning the Shibuya Incident and the Culling Game, it was arranged for Maki to travel to the Zenin estate to gather a stash of cursed artifacts. Upon arrival, she stumbled upon a horrifying scene: her sister, Mai, was injured by their father, Ogi Zenin. In an unexpected turn of events, Maki fought and was defeated by her own father. Convinced they were doomed, the sisters found themselves trapped in a room filled with vengeful spirits, destined to be consumed. However, Mai had other ideas. She chose to sacrifice herself, aiming to pass on her cursed energy to Maki before meeting her end.

Mai’s farewell present was twofold: the Split Soul Katana, a weapon crafted from the remaining magic of her projection sorcery, and above all, Maki gaining newfound strength. The final image Ogi Zenin beheld was that of Toji’s spirit appearing as his daughter. Over subsequent chapters, Maki would relentlessly destroy the Zenin clan who had long despised her and her sister, emerging anew but, in her words, at the expense of her heart.

But Seriously, Which of Them Is Stronger?

If evaluating solely by achievements, Maki may have fulfilled aspirations that Toji had nurtured for years. However, labeling her as the stronger one implies that Toji wouldn’t have been capable, and the text doesn’t substantiate this claim. One reason is that around Chapter 195, when observing Hagane Daido wield the Split Soul Katana in a manner Maki couldn’t, she became annoyed, indicating there was still a significant skill disparity between her and Toji.

Following training sessions with fellow Culling Game participant Rokujushi Miyo, she discerned the issue lay in her concentration, ultimately reaching her pinnacle. Some may contend Maki’s surge of adrenaline post her sister’s demise played a significant role in annihilating her clan; however, this does not definitively mean Toji was incapable of eliminating everyone.

The Difference in Motivation/Circumstance

It’s likely that, if not for the woman he fell in love with, Toji might have sought revenge against the Zenin clan. However, following her death, he returned to his old ways. Yet, by this time, Megumi was born, leading him to contemplate selling them instead of attacking the Zenins. He hoped that Megumi could become the sorcerer he himself never could be. Toji and Maki harbored a shared disdain for jujutsu society, but their paths – and the outcomes they experienced – were significantly different.

It’s futile to debate who’s more physically powerful between them, but it’s equally pointless to ignore the fact that Maki’s determination outshines Toji significantly.

It doesn’t matter if we discuss physical strength or not, but it’s also unnecessary to deny that Maki’s willpower surpasses Toji by a large margin.

Despite Toji’s potential hardships, it’s challenging to dispute that Maki endured more, given the text’s portrayal of the antiquated and misogynistic nature of the Zenin clan. It seems plausible that Toji’s strength, which made his family tremble, was more favorably received compared to Maki and Mai, who were seen as failures within the clan. In contrast to Toji, who renounced sorcery and became a villain in the world of magic, Maki pursued sorcery as a means of defying her family’s disrespect. She refused to tolerate such disregard.

In Jujutsu Kaisen, Maki Zenin stands out as one of the most formidable characters, not just physically, but mentally and spiritually as well. Her unwavering determination and resilience have consistently surpassed that of her peers, leaving Toji in her wake. Despite facing immense challenges, she never wavered, never gave up, and managed to shatter every constraint that held her back. Yet, Maki never lost touch with her humanity; she retained her compassion and loyalty, making her a truly remarkable character. She was acutely aware of her imperfections and tirelessly worked on self-improvement, while also guiding her allies to avoid repeating her mistakes. This exceptional blend of strength, humility, and wisdom sets Maki Zenin apart in Jujutsu Kaisen.

2025-03-27 15:25