Jujutsu Kaisen: Kagurabachi manga may have already given fans Maki 2.0 from Jujutsu Kaisen

The Kagurabachi storyline is as intense as ever. Recent events in the story witness Kiri Shirakai and Yoji Uruha fight off the Hishaku as Hakuri Sazanami looks to secure the Shinuichi. It is imperative that the Hishaku not reach the Master Swordsman and the Shinuichi, as that would definitely spell nothing but doom for the country.

But taking a step back, Kiri Shirakai is an intriguing addition to Takeru Hokazono's series. Given her recent exploits and her abilities being revealed in chapter 90, it looks like Kagurabachi has their very own Maki Zenin from Jujutsu Kaisen. The two characters are similar to each other, and many have begun labelling Kiri as "Maki 2.0."

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion.

Kagurabachi seems to have its own Maki from Jujutsu Kaisen

Kagurabachi's Kiri Shirakai bears striking similarities to Maki Zenin from Jujutsu Kaisen. Introduced in chapter 80 of the manga, the Kiri stands as the granddaughter of master sword wielder and Iai White Purity Style inventor, Itsuo Shirakai. She is a member of the Kamunabi's Izaru's squad and one of the few female swordsmen featured in the plot.

Her similarities to Maki begin with the fact that, like Maki, Kiri too faced resistance when treading the path of wielding a blade. Her grandfather, Itsuo, put forth that women were too fragile to become swordsmen and that blades were too heavy for them. It is due to this that she wields a 2-metre-long Five Shaku odachi katana, a blade longer than her own body.

It is a direct symbol of defiance to her grandfather's works and her drive to prove him utterly wrong. This is quite similar to Maki, who was ostracized by her clan for having nearly no Cursed Energy. But that didn't deter her from training to become a sorcerer at Jujutsu High, wielding Cursed Tools and exorcising Cursed Spirits, as other sorcerers did.

Kiri's motivations in Kagurabachi also align with Maki's, although it is left to be seen if they reach fruition. In the former case, she desires to keep her grandfather alive long enough for him to witness her wield a blade effectively before slashing him down herself. As for Maki, she slaughtered her entire clan after awakening the true potential of her Heavenly Restriction, the ultimate act of defiance.

Another similarity between the pair of characters is that neither of them possesses powers - Maki has no Cursed Energy, hence no Jujustu, and Kiri doesn't seem to have any sorcery (at least so far). This should have put them at a disadvantage in worlds where Cursed Energy and Magic form the crux of battle. But once again, they are proof that spirit and stubborn drive can rival this.

Lastly, both Kiri and Maki are weapon experts. The former deliberately wields a massive blade and uses it with deadly precision. Even with all its downsides, she wields it as if magnetised to her body in a dance, and her style makes it look like her blade itself is rampaging. Elsewhere, Maki's prowess with Cursed Tools is no surprise, Dragon-Bone and the Split Soul Katana being her main weapons.

Final thoughts

Kagurabachi maintains its impressive run of putting forth a layered story with intense action and dynamic character introductions. Recent developments have placed Kiri Shirakai as one of the manga’s most compelling figures. Her parallels with Jujutsu Kaisen’s Maki Zenin are striking and showcase a familiar archetype: that of the defiant underdog who opposes institutional and familial constraints.

Akin to Maki, Kiri bears the weight of being seen as incapable by the world, but chooses to defy it all through guts and a mastery of the blade. Her odachi is a symbol of rebellion, embodying a relentless drive to write her own legacy and refute her grandfather's claim that women are too weak for swordsmanship. Her drive, defiance, skill, and lack of sorcery make her both formidable and relatable.

Ultimately, Kiri Shirakai stands as a representation of the theme of the manga, i.e., strength bred from relentless will, not supernatural power.

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About the author

Casey has been an anime writer at Sportskeeda since almost a year. Being drawn into the world of animanga after watching the Dragon Ball series almost a decade ago, Casey's interest in the genre, along with his love of crafting plot theories influenced his writerly endeavors. Presently pursuing a Master's degree in International Business, Casey worked for Uneake and FootballExpress for 1.3 years before joining Sportskeeda.

Casey's writings reflect his commitment to producing the most reliable content, evidenced by his flair for in-depth reporting. He places a high value on meticulous research and complete factual accuracy.

Although it was legendary Akira Toriyama’s magnum opus that influenced his love of animanga, Casey soon branched out and explored other titles. The unique ways in which mangakas express ideas, as well as their far-reaching effects, have inspired Casey in his creative pursuits.

When not busy writing, Casey enjoys working out, listening to music, strumming the guitar, and playing football.

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Edited by Casey Mendez