Gege Akutami has always been one to pay homage to their favorite pop culture moments through Jujutsu Kaisen. Whether it be about anime, manga, comic books, or even Hollywood movies. Here and there they drop little titbits about the things they like. References are made throughout the course of the manga.
These references are not just a way to show what Akutami’s interests are but also with respect to the many things that inspired them to create such an impactful series. Through minor scenes or direct callbacks, these references further enamor the tale being told. The first and second seasons of Jujutsu Kaisen took over the world in a way no one thought. In a similar manner, the third season has the possibility to do exactly that. Although, they have the opportunity to add a Quentin Tarantino sequence to the mix.
Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 and the Transformation of Maki Zenin
The third season of Jujutsu Kaisen is yet to be announced and MAPPA’s hands are more than full for the moment. While there is no rush for the upcoming season, there is certainly growing anticipation for it. Seeing how far the manga has gone, the events of the third season are set in stone. Though it may lack the presence of Gojo Satoru, it has a lot more to offer as well. One of those is the transformation of Maki Zenin.
Ever since the Shibuya Incident, Maki has been a no-show. There was a perfectly good reason for the same. After her fight with Jogo, her entire body was burnt and scarred. Right after the Shibuya arc takes place the Perfect Preparation arc, in this, Maki is forced to face some of her deepest, darkest challenges. She gets sent to the Zenin clan with a key to the weapons warehouse to get access to special cursed tools including the exact replica of Split Soul Katana.
While Maki manages to become the next Toji Fushiguro, one of the most gruesome battles takes place right after tragedy strikes in her life. Her family was never one to accept her because of her lack of cursed energy. She was left facing the entire Zenin clan alone and the fight speaks for itself.
Maki Zenin or The Bride?
As Maki Zenin is forced to take on the entire clan by herself, there is blood, rampage, and a thirst for revenge. These exact terms may sound familiar because Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill takes on that exact idea. There is a scene in Jujutsu Kaisen that has Maki facing members of the clan crowding around her ready to kill her as she too prepares to swing her sword with full force.
As Uma Thurman’s The Bride fights off every single person of the Yakuza present in the restaurant in Kill Bill: Volume 1, Maki Zenin does the same with the Zenin clan. The entire sequence in Jujutsu Kaisen plays out as an homage to the Quentin Tarantino masterpiece and MAPPA can play into that exact trope.
The third season can recreate that sequence through Maki’s eyes within the Zenin clan, enforcing bloodshed in a way MAPPA does best.
Jujutsu Kaisen is available to watch on Crunchyroll.
