After the explosive events of Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3, Episode 4 (Perfect Preparation), Maki Zenin delivers one of the most shocking and cathartic displays of power in the entire series. In a brutal rampage through the Zenin clan estate, she dismantles elite fighters, confronts her own family members, and emerges transformed—scarred, hardened, and operating on an entirely new level. Her Heavenly Restriction has fully awakened after Mai's sacrifice, stripping away the last remnants of her cursed energy and pushing her physical capabilities into the realm of legends.
This moment immediately sparks one of the biggest debates among fans:
Does post-Episode 4 Maki stand a chance against Toji Fushiguro "formerly Toji Zenin"
The "Sorcerer Killer" himself, a man who once overwhelmed Satoru Gojo in his prime and took down special-grade threats with sheer physical dominance and cunning.
Let's break it down step by step.
Maki's New Level: The "Toji 2.0" Awakening
In Episode 4 (adapting the manga's Perfect Preparation arc), Maki loses what little cursed energy she had left. This completes her Heavenly Restriction, mirroring Toji's condition exactly—no cursed energy detectable, insane physical stats, heightened senses, and the ability to move at speeds that make most sorcerers look frozen.
She slaughters waves of the Zenin clan's strongest combatants (the Hei and Kukuru units), overpowers high-grade sorcerers, and takes down her father Ogi in a visceral, one-sided beatdown. The sheer body count, speed, and precision she displays echo Toji's infamous Shibuya rampage—except Maki does it while emotionally unhinged and fueled by vengeance.
Narratively, the series draws direct parallels: characters explicitly compare her to Toji, her design shifts to evoke his (short hair, dead-eyed intensity), and she wields similar cursed tools with deadly efficiency. Many fans call her "Toji but finished" or the evolved version of what he represented.
Toji's Edge: Experience, Arsenal, and Ruthlessness
Toji isn't just a Heavenly Restriction specimen—he's a battle-hardened assassin with decades of experience. His feats include:
•Nearly killing teen Gojo "pre-reawakening" using the Inverted Spear of Heaven and tactical genius.
•Dominating multiple special-grade curses and sorcerers in Shibuya with improvised weapons and perfect timing.
•A massive cursed tool collection (Playful Cloud, Inverted Spear, Chain of a Thousand Miles
that he uses masterfully.)
Toji's mindset is pure pragmatism: no hesitation, no emotion clouding judgment. He's fought (and beaten
far more diverse threats than Maki has at this point.)
Physically, they're often described as equals—same Heavenly Restriction perks, comparable speed (Mach-level bursts), strength, and durability. But Toji's larger build and refined combat instincts give him advantages in prolonged fights.
Who Wins in a Hypothetical 1v1?
The community is split, but the most consistent take from canon scaling is:
•They're extremely close—arguably dead even in raw stats. Maki reaches Toji's level post-awakening.
•Toji probably edges it out 6–7/10 times due to superior experience, better weapon mastery, tactical IQ, and lack of emotional baggage. Maki's rage could make her sloppy in spots, while Toji never wastes movement.
•Some argue Maki has higher potential and might surpass him with time "especially later in the manga", but right after Episode 4? It's razor-thin, leaning toward Toji.
The story itself treats them as mirrors: Toji was the prototype "monster without cursed energy," and Maki is the perfected evolution. Whether that means she beats him outright is debatable, but she undeniably stands as one of the very few characters who could realistically fight him on equal footing.
Final Verdict
Yes—Maki absolutely stands a chance against Toji after Season 3 Episode 4. She's no longer the underdog; she's the new benchmark for Heavenly Restriction dominance. In a straight fight, it could go either way, but the gap that once seemed insurmountable is now virtually nonexistent.
The real winner? That's me because I was able to write all this post 🤧
Anyways what do you think—does Maki take it, or does Toji's veteran edge still prevail? Drop your takes below! 🗡️