Maki and Toji Zenin: The Vengeful Spirits of Jujutsu Kaisen

[@chilliicecream5456]

Maki finally got all the power she ever wanted, and all it cost her was everything she ever loved.

[@jackgebhardt2932]

Pretty sweet deal, honestly./s

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

She's literally had to forfeit her life to do this. People look at her as badass and raw but I think she's just a sad girl who is forced to live like this.

[@Dokgo22]

@@stevenpeeckford5999 she's badass bc she avenged her sister and suffered. Every great and well written character imo suffers guts, ah gou, and many more

[@jackgebhardt2932]

@Jermilli Vanilli /s is sarcasm.

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

@@Dokgo22 No shit. My point is people say that she's *only* badass, and fail to see the sad nature of her character

[@johnpaulcross424]

The panel where Maki makes the same pose as Toji and Ogi’s subsequent look of abject horror really sells home the whole “vengeful spirit” moniker they hold, they’re no longer a person, they’re just the scourge of the Zenin.

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

A symbol of abuse, perhaps. But they're dehumanized, feral reactions to such treatment. Not people. And it's so sad.

[@BIGTHANKSHEESH]

​@@stevenpeeckford5999 nah they human. It's what a human at their lowest would do

[@sogekingsniper4637]

I have never before realized the symbolic nature of Maki and Toji being "curses" born from this neglect and abuse, and how that perpetuates this broken world. It's such a cool integration of the nature of Curses and how it is cohesive with Jujutsu Sorcerer culture and society. Amazing video.

[@justmyopinion79]

People honestly underrate the depth and quality of JJK. They'll see, the story will take a step up next season.

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you!

[@yutikoo]

I mean it’s there in your face lol

[@justmyopinion79]

@@yutikoo Why so rude?

[@1heilpeatler1]

@@justmyopinion79 80% of ppl do not care about its story or characters tbh they are just there for fun, fights or gojo/sukuna lol JJK’s writing was much better compared to many other shows from the start. The story constantly develops into something better as time goes for sure though

[@seemonuzumaki723]

Maki and Mai's relationship is equal parts heartwarming and heartbreaking.

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

At least it ended somewhat positively.

[@soniaiboyako4023]

@@stevenpeeckford5999 If you think the main thing that matters is gaining power and that continuing your family's cycle of violence and then being essentially alone is good for you then yeah definitely. Otherwise idk what's actually positive about the way things went down, for either sisters really

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

@@soniaiboyako4023 Relax, wtf is your problem?

[@soniaiboyako4023]

@@stevenpeeckford5999 I literally just described the situation and it wasn't even in an aggressive way either 😭 didn't mean for it to garner that reaction

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

@@soniaiboyako4023 Well sorry for misinterpreting but it came off as very passive aggressive to me

[@meleronnef8411]

It's such a profound element built into their backstory. It's not easy to full comprehend the depth and weight of their pain right away but the more the story goes on, the more it is clear that their trauma has broken them. Especially Toji, but Maki may be forfeiting her life for this revenge anyway. Much like Kurapika.

[@SamTheGumMan117]

Toji is so cold blooded and such a massive flexer being truly an honored one while Maki had to train nonstop and go through such abuse but now she's on his level if not above it as such a badass awesome woman character in SJ

[@TheDasilva1]

Toji probably was equally abused, at least up until the point he became feared enough. The Zen'in clan probably whispered all around him.

[@shimalost9415]

Toji got locked up as a kid in a room with curses as ,,training" he got abused the same

[@SamTheGumMan117]

@shimalost9415 True and never said he never had any abuse growing up I'm sure it was hellish af

[@JulioMendoza-up1pv]

Toji was definitely abused as much as maki, so much so that he had completely forsaken the Zenin family name for fushiguro. We just never see younger Toji, just the monster that he becomes

[@RetroSkreamerz101]

I've gone through this Manga 2 times now up to its current arc and omg...Maki has absolutely changed my life. I'm actually 6 months sober because of her and how Akutami has created her and this world. I have never felt for a fictional character the way I feel for Maki. Honestly her, Toji, and Mai are my favorite characters because the Zenin clan hits too close to home. And with Maki first actualizing her HR, enacting her vengeance, and then growing to recognize that it may have not the best way to get her desired change. The acceptance of regret, to the comparison to Toji that she and literally everyone else picked up on, to her realizing that she is her own person through and through. Fuck a clan name or those who may have done it better than you would have, there is only things Maki can see. Only things that we can see individually of anyone else. The freedom in that. I'm still working towards the freedom part. But omg so much has become so much clearer to me witnessing Maki's story. I PRAY people don't sleep on her arc. Long time watcher, new subscriber. Love your content but I like to commit to who I subscribe to. You're amazing and I know your taste in women is even more exceptional. Keep it up! I'll always be rooting for you

[@Aleczandxr]

This was very sweet of you to share, thank you! Glad you enjoyed :)

[@justmyopinion79]

Beautifully put. Toji specifically is a character that gets more complex the more you think about him. Both are top 5 in the story.

[@michaelyu6250]

The description of them as haunting phantoms is so perfect.

[@bornanime3255]

Glad to see love for the thematic and narrative brilliance that jjk can offer. Been seeing a lot of jjk slander as of recent due to comparisons with csm. Honestly I treat them both csm and jjk are S tier narratives with different things to offer, but it's unfortunately rare to see much discussion for the depth in the latter. Unfortunate, but whenever there is discussion going on it warms my heart.

[@easschung9442]

It's bizarre to compare JJK and CSM when the only similarity they have is that they're new age shonen. They're so different in every other way.

[@jd7337]

All of their similarities are surface level they both go in completely different ways. Bleach is a better comparison imo

[@commonviewer2488]

That's surprising. The only hostility I've seen between the two is whether or not Gojo could beat Makima

[@oreki8707]

@@commonviewer2488 gojo would stomp Makima

[@xavieno]

Hell yes Jujutsu Kaisen is an amazing series! Glad you’re doing a video on it.

[@Aleczandxr]

Hope you enjoy!

[@linkinston1927]

Toji's story is actually more tragic than that. It's been hinted that he's been through worse than Maki at a very early age. Also the only source of happiness he found was his wife but after she died he became unhinged because nth really mattered anymore. His one chance at happiness gone, yet when's he's dying at the hand of Gojo he thinks back to his son. His last words and action is to do sth for his son. Sth he still had but didn’t realised. When he got revived he died(sacrifing Himself ) with a smile on his face after hearing megumi's last name(not zennin) surrounded by people he loves (ironically yuji's dream). Also he was about to hand his son to zennin thinking it will be gd for him. Showing how fu*ked up he was by the zennin.

[@pot7979]

man literally developed some stockholm syndrome shit

[@suto5704]

Great videos. Maki and Toji are such badasses that it occasionally obscures their tragedy.

[@JoshuaHenelyThornhill]

Where Toji's story is tragic and lonesome, Maki and Mai story is a perfect split of it. Toji was despised and he was also a force to be reckon but he accepted or at least made it looks like he did. Maki is strong but wants approval and Mai is accepting of her fate and hateful of Maki for trying to fight against it. When she losts Mai, she became, in my opinion, a pure object of destruction that ACTUALLY brought death and despair to their door. Poetic irony at its finest. What a bittersweet taste it is.

[@adarshvardhan6819]

definitely would love to see a vid about megumi's moral compass and itadori's analysis ever since I watched your hxh and haikyuu! vids so something along those lines for JJK characters would soothe my soul .

[@Aleczandxr]

Unfortunately I don’t take specific video requests from comments but if people enjoy this video and let me know, then I definitely wouldn’t rule out the possibility of another JJK one sometime! This is the only one I had planned for now but definitely not impossible!

[@Blazingswordsman]

@@Aleczandxr I love all the JJK analysis vids all across YT! I'd look forward to it if you did more in the future :) Great vid as always!

[@RedShadowAMV]

THE ALEC JJK VIDEO LET'S GOOOOOOOOOO!! I'm in love with the heavenly restriction duo, glad to see you tackle em

[@Aleczandxr]

Hope you enjoyed!

[@unknownaccount1729]

Can I just say that this video looks different from your others, in a good way! The editing and transitions are awesome and it's very pleasing to look at.

[@Aleczandxr]

All credit for that goes to the editor for this video, Radman! I agree, it’s awesome.

[@calcelmoanayru5870]

The best new age shonen, and Togashi's spiritual successor. I did not expect this but I love it.

[@sogekingsniper4637]

How is it Togashi's successor?

[@jimmyichigo7410]

@@sogekingsniper4637 Just read it dude, the writing style, the mechanics of the power system, the references.

[@augustin5611]

No way. Jujutsu is far more amateurish in it's writing.

[@contemptman3646]

@@augustin5611 It's not Togashi standard but it's still very good, for some of the reasons said in the video.

[@easschung9442]

@@jimmyichigo7410 The Todou spread alone, I mean..

[@michaelyu6250]

Maki is the best female shonen character in decades, fight me.

[@zapthesecond1224]

Nah

[@michaelyu6250]

@@zapthesecond1224 Who's better?

[@abhig61]

Imo, Maki's story is how Itachi's story should've been. Like that's how you kill your own clan.

[@thushar2006]

Both have completely different circumstances tho.The itachi one is more tragic while the maki one is more cathartic/satisfying in a sense

[@contemptman3646]

@@thushar2006 I would call Maki's pretty damn tragic because of what she went through to feel the way she does.

[@thushar2006]

@@contemptman3646 ya I agree maki and mai is tragic too

[@MrGoodCompany]

You're the best! I'm glad to see you making a video on JJK.

[@Alexander-kc8oq]

Beutifully articulated analysis as always

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you!

[@contemptman3646]

I'm so glad you're covering Jujutsu Kaisen here. Honestly people dismiss and underrate this one and put it in the same category as Demon Slayer or Tokyo Revengers, but it's a modern classic in my opinion. And you've beautifully articulated why. I hope you love JJK!

[@Blazingswordsman]

But Tokyo Revengers is not in the same style/genre anyway so it wouldn't be right to compare them in the first place. Tokyo Revengers is sick in its own right!

[@JulioMendoza-up1pv]

JJK is leagues above demon slayer in writing, I don’t know who would say that

[@romerjohncaday8703]

Well demon slayers overall has a weak plot but that still doesn't mean it has bad writing as there are many stories that are well written and if you don't like demon slayer, that's okay because that's just your opinion and opinions are not and should not be treated as facts.

[@contemptman3646]

@@romerjohncaday8703 Hey man if you like it thats cool. I do too I just don't think its great, but all the power to ya

[@demigodluis]

Toji is my favorite character in Jujutsu. Absolute beast.

[@leventegalambos3078]

Ye like he sense jujutsu whit 5 sense and even enters a domain expansion where he is completly blind. Humans cant even stay alive after entering and not just entering but broking in is even hard. Toji just casually 1 shoted a strong curse that 4 mages couldnt take out and bieng blind in a domain expansion is even harder

[@heisenberg6338]

An Aleczandxr vid on two of my favorite characters in one of my favorite series. Eating GOOD today.

[@maddiefromthevineyard]

Manga reader here. I really wish Gege Akutami would've included opening the Zenin family massacre arc from the perspective of one of the zenin children killed. Maybe they're going about their day and being berated by the other zenins the way Maki was. Then we go to Maki's plot and it ends with said child being confronted by Maki and killed off screen. It would've fixed a lot of what I personally think went wrong with this arc. It would've presented Maki's crimes as more nuanced, but instead it now feels more like it can come off unintentionally as a revenge fantasy. Though I honestly think Gege intended to have more complexity here.

[@thushar2006]

Honestly the final parts of the arc did show her to be on the darker spectrum of the morality compass since it isnt shown to be triumphant or great.The arc in of itself Is pretty solid imo and the zenin treatment of maki and mai(whom are children themselves which many forget lol) were the only ones who were treated like that in the clan.This arc was more focused on maki and mai,their relationship and their treatment by the zenin in terms of their conservative views and how it was eventually their downfall rather than the zenin itself.Gege was also pretty sick at the time so yeah.

[@soultheconfusing9563]

My dream is to one day make a story so well written that aleczandxr makes a video on it.

[@santhiagorocha8719]

It always feels good when you make a video about things I like but don't have the ways to properly organize in words, JJK is currently my top 1 manga tied with HxH and this video was incredible even knowing that it was coming because of the streams, thank you AJ

[@trehubb6144]

Loving you doing JJK content..Maki being a top favorite of mines in the series this vid is great 👍

[@Aleczandxr]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@Rachel-c4n]

yesssss! Thank youuuu I was waiting for a jujutsu kaisen content you need to do a video about Itadori Yuji he's such an amazing and different protagonist

[@BlackMarvel25]

I wonder how many other heavenly restricted sorcerers there are out there. Besides maki, toji, and daido. I wonder if there's like a Supreme 0 cursed energy sorcerer

[@TheCurtman247]

Been waiting for this video. 2 of my top 5 JJK characters

[@TheFIRESTARX]

Amazing vid, more jjk is so appreciated

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@calcelmoanayru5870]

YO I HAD NO IDEA YOU LIKED JUJUTSU KAISEN

[@soccerstuff8071]

I do wonder if Jujutsu Kaisen will blow up in popularity in the west with the new season. Characters like Gojo, Geto, Maki, Nanami etc deserve huge fanbases.

[@alienstar8039]

Jujutsu already has an insanly huge fanbase tho

[@meleronnef8411]

It's already pretty damn big, but I assume you're comparing to CSM's blowup?

[@soccerstuff8071]

Sorry yeah I'm talking about another blowup like CSM size

[@alienstar8039]

@@soccerstuff8071 Believe it or not, JJK is actually more popular then Csm right now lol. The manga for JJK sells way more the csm so far. I love Csm more but yeah Jjk is definitely very huge right now especially in Japan

[@soccerstuff8071]

@@alienstar8039 Sales are different than what I'm talking about tho

[@phoenixtempleeviltruth8074]

I love jjk, glad to see you are getting something out of it too.

[@EspeonaSparkle]

Great video!!! :O I LOVE Maki (and Toji)!!!!! :D

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@xD-lt1mq]

4:05 I knew Italy was hell

[@trehubb6144]

One thing I gotta see Gege showcase somehow is Toji scaring the sh1t out of the Zenin clan😂

[@nepotsuki6856]

I think reason gojo took maki under his wing because toji traumatized him in hidden inventory

[@divdivassassin7076]

Also he does feel sorry for her, and he knows that Maki wants to change the zenin clan system. Which gojo wants to change the entire jujutsu system. Both of their goals align together.

[@RainGT4]

The goats of Jujutsu Kaisen 🗣️🔊🔊🔊

[@kingkuro2819]

Oh you did it! You read JJK LOL love to see it. Also literally just recorded an episode of my podcast about these too last night 😭

[@djsjdh-hoahdi]

Alex JJK CONTENT LETS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[@conoro774]

great video man

[@Aleczandxr]

Appreciate it!

[@pirateslifeforme7158]

Whats worst about the treatment they got was the contained stagnation they inherited from the zenin. being raised by them obviously they personalities will be shaped on such environments and has had the effect of leaving them with crippling depression and the inability to express their feelings to others in fear of looking weak so they can remain dead inside. zenin clan is like that drunk man who will offer you a drink to join their misery and making them just as depressed.

[@rujandoru2033]

Oh nah you just be covering everything 😭 great video

[@Aleczandxr]

Thank you!

[@TheZeroDestroyer]

Zoldycks vs Zenin’s

[@jimmyichigo7410]

I would be very surprised if Gege didn't get inspiration for the Zenins from the Zoldycks.

[@benzohhhhh]

I’m a simple man I see maki I click

[@timdasliiim9744]

I like the editing in this video tho

[@HATSUCHl]

Imagine for a moment , if Toji and Maki had a baby.

[@jimmyichigo7410]

I can't WAIT for the new season, they better do Shibuya justice. It's JJK's Chimera Ant.

[@KingOpenReview]

Maki's like an onryo.

[@SonNguyen-qf2nc]

yes jjk content !!

[@kingkuro2819]

Yea dude, you hit like all the same talking points I have on these two. I hope to see what you think of the cursed energy power system

[@Aleczandxr]

There won’t be any videos about the power system (outside of mentioning it like I did here) but I’m glad you enjoyed this one! You can always catch me in streams if you’re interested in asking my opinion about aspects of JJK as always :)

[@cashflxw]

this vid is hella dope

[@Aleczandxr]

Thanks!

[@commonviewer2488]

I was happy for Maki getting any sort of therapy from Sumo Kappa

[@kawaii-u7w]

Maki only knows how to play Toji

[@amarsofiane]

AJ making JJK cotent? Lessgoooooooooooooo

[@heatedace7494]

Pls more jjk videos love ur work

[@skullknight1465]

We need more content

[@bobbyzamora6389]

I'm curious about if you've played the latest Pokemon games? Bugs aside, from what I've seen in your Pokemon analyses I think you would love them.

[@Aleczandxr]

Not yet!

[@mohammedAli-uh8ie]

did hunter hunter coming out give you motivation to do more of these great analysis videos

[@Aleczandxr]

I wouldn’t say so, HxH releasing just gave me fuel to do more streams if anything! Thank you for calling them great :)

[@thevoid5732]

Jjk content I need that

[@killua6226]

I didn't know you read the manga. Out of curiosity what is your favourite arc? For me it was shibuya.

[@jimmyichigo7410]

The best arc is easily Shibuya so far

[@Aleczandxr]

Shibuya!

[@skullknight1465]

Let’s goooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@stevenpeeckford5999]

Watching this made me think that Maki is very similar to Kurapika in some ways. Is that accurate?

[@easschung9442]

How do you feel about Yuji as a protagonist?

[@Aleczandxr]

I love him

[@contemptman3646]

Wait - are you completely up to date?

[@cory4163]

People who think toji is better:🤓 People who think maki is better: 🤓 People who think both are great characters: 🗿

[@crazysundii294]

Kind of a spoilery thumbnail.

[@Aleczandxr]

Unfortunately for this topic, a thumbnail with the updated character design is inevitable. It wouldn’t have made any sense to use the anime one.

[@crazysundii294]

@@Aleczandxr I get it. Luckily I have read up until that point in the manga but not much further. Appreciate the quality content of yours though :)

[@zodiyac]

you thumbnail has spoilers man wtf