Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 4 unleashed a true earthquake in the anime community, achieving an unprecedented score of 9.8/10, the highest ever for the series and on IMDb. In just over 20 minutes, this episode left viewers both stunned and frustrated, unable to stop thinking about what had transpired. And precisely because of this, it has become the most intensely debated topic since the beginning of Season 3.
Cheers and Jeers from Japanese Fans
Despite receiving sky-high scores on review platforms, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 4 still drew "jeers" from many Japanese fans who felt the anime was losing the essence of the original manga. The pacing was too fast, dedicating almost all of its runtime to combat scenes. This reduced the depth of character development, leaving those who haven't read the manga feeling a bit "overwhelmed" by the sudden psychological shifts.
In reality, the brilliance of Jujutsu Kaisen lies not only in its top-tier animation techniques but also in the internal conflict of those who are outcast. Cutting down dialogue might make the battles more intense but inadvertently diminishes the "emotion" and the simmering pain of the children scorned by the Zenin clan.
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Why Did Maki Annihilate the Zenin Clan?
The biggest question from Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 4 is: Why did Maki choose such an extreme path? The answer lies in the hatred accumulated over many years and the rotten nature of the Zenin clan. This wasn't a massacre but a necessary purge to end the cycle of suffering and prejudice surrounding cursed energy.
Who did Maki kill?
According to many sources, Maki killed 36 members of the Zenin clan, including the Hei unit, Kukuru, and the Akashi unit.
But the more important question is: Did she kill other innocent people? Because if so, either they also held the corrupt ideologies of the Zenin, or she went too far with those unable to resist. But if she massacred the entire clan, then Megumi would still be alive!
This is being hotly debated across various forums. Many opinions also suggest that if she had held back, the seeds of hatred would sprout again. And who knows, it might create new "Sasuke Uchihas" later on, harboring deep grudges and continuing this tragic cycle indefinitely.
Mai's Death: The Key to Absolute Power
Don't mistake family hatred as the sole motivation. In Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 4, Mai's dying wish and death were the greatest catalyst for Maki. In fact, Maki initially only intended to retrieve some items, but witnessing her sister's murder, she could no longer remain calm.
Maki now has nothing left to lose, nothing to hold her back. Seeing Mai choose to sacrifice herself, carrying the last bit of both their cursed energy to create an ultimate weapon for her sister. Mai's dying words, "Destroy everything," became an absolute command, transforming Maki into a true "demon" in every sense of the word. It is precisely this immense emotional resonance that allowed the episode to achieve a record-high score, despite its shortcomings in dialogue.
Manga or Anime First for the Best Experience?
From the perspective of someone who loves this series, Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 4 will be infinitely better if you have read the manga beforehand. Understanding the supplementary details and the psychological depth of the characters through each page will help you better "absorb" Mappa's visual presentations. You will understand why Maki was silent, why her eyes were so lifeless as she swung her sword.
In summary, despite differing opinions on changes to the original work, it's undeniable that Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 4 is a brilliant milestone in Maki Zenin's journey. The episode successfully portrayed one of the darkest and most tragic chapters of the jujutsu world, leaving a profound impact on viewers regarding the price of freedom and power.
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