#Maki and Mai

[thejessc0de]

"Destroy everything, dear sister"

[ssatorussuguru]

[lxmelle]

Do you have any analysis that makes the "Maki/Mai kiss" scene abit more bearable? I can understand all the other weird stuff in JJK, but this just always bothers me; most of all because it seems so unnecessary. MeiMei's incest plot at least had a point to show her greed and manipulation. People try to explain the scene as just a very intimate way of showing love at the moment of death and I definitely don't believe Gege meant it sexual. So I keep asking, then why? It's weird in Japanese culture and most cultures to kiss a sibling on the mouth especially when neither of you are kids anymore so what was the point of purposefully drawing that? Was it that hard to find a way to express grief/love between sisters that didn't involve an incest moment? Was it to play into Mai's characterization as having her first crush be "Maki or Megumi"? Am I just supposed to accept it as another weird quirk of Gege? For now, I'm holding on that it was necessary to transfer CE because I really really hate it and hope it's removed from the anime.

Hey anon, thanks for taking the time to send me an ask!

To be very honest, it didn’t stand out to me much, so thank you for bringing it to my attention. When I first read it, I foolishly thought it was like CPR 😓 (I’m an idiot for skimming it).

I read it properly this time. 🫡

To be honest, I agree with you, and to be really transparent, it made me a little bit uncomfortable too 🤔 Not homosexuality, but rather, the need for a kiss in that context between siblings.

So, I sat with it for a bit and after having had a think about it; considering the other parallels with “twins” that we are aware of... my own interpretation (at least preliminarily), is that it isn’t sexual as you also seem to feel/believe. There just aren’t any other signs that it should be interpreted that way.

Further to that, I also know/sense Gege isn’t the type of author/mangaka who sexualises things. I have faith in him as a self-deprecating man who avoids making his characters “sexy” for no reason.

Sorry, this for a bit long, so… More under the cut:

Thinking about the pace of the story, themes, interactions, and narrative thus far, I don’t think Gege wanted it to be romantic or even sexualised, because there are many other ways to express the “perversion” of a scene... like a breast grope? It would be convenient, and it wasn’t done - so, I think this is an indicator in itself it wasn’t sexual. The next scene cut to the death fantasy we see many characters being given. So it seems to depict that death was at least occurring when Mai & Maki’s lips touched.

At least, imho. Based on logic and deduction.

Also… as for the fear over how/why it could be interpreted as such (sexual) could be due to several factors in the fandom’s belief of Mai having a preference for women.

Which is fine and I appreciate that need for a young person to explore their sexuality or preferences. My view of Mai is that she was trapped on a path where she was not allowed freedom. Just like Maki (and many others like Yuji who felt they were born to be a vessel, and Gojo & Geto as the strongest that needed to hold a heavy responsibility, and Kamo who had a lesser-known arc).

This seems to be a themes Gege revisits that has shaped the jujutsu world that needed reforming. Geto tried to change the world, Gojo tried to change the students that made up the jujutsu future.

After doing some digging and thinking about these central themes, I think it also touches on character growth through parallels and foreshadowing. It isn’t a story about romance, to paraphrase Gege’s words, I’m reminded of the only other kiss we saw which was like a binding vow between Yuta & Rika in which the latter was also a curse. And then there is the subject of pain that leads to focus and growth. And we can’t ignore how Yuji broke free from the “cog mentality” which demonstrated transcendence in his character growth... I’ll expand on this as we go along. I hope I’ll make sense.

Anyway… We also know Gege is a bit liberal and finds opportunities to draw or depict characters who are on the fringes of Japanese society (like Larue, Miguel, orphans, people within oppressed systems, etc.) and some have had opportunities to love, but face obstacles or tragedy.

So, unrealised potential and broken/shattered dreams plague many of them. Death also comes abruptly and unfairly... so with Mai, I wonder if her openness to “unconventional love” / affection / a crush like with her sister or Megumi or even with Takada - simply represents all the things she may have wanted to have - freedom to be herself and to explore - but it was a path that could never be.

Also, a crush is sometimes also like a sense of love or longing - and we know Gege likes pure love as a central theme that is the underside of a curse.

It’s not a far stretch to say that Maki and Mai were cursed. And there was a pure love between them. When you’re young, I think only pure love exists anyway. I think we as a fandom have to also be careful not to sexualise things...

Like many other characters, it was as if her presence as a twin was doomed from the start. They were doomed as long as they were split as two entities. For her to say that she knew it would come to this (“gonna happen one day” seems to mean that she had already prepared herself for the possibility that she would die for Maki.

For the parallel to be drawn between Yuji & Mahito, with the latter bringing it up first, and then for Yuji to demonstrate that he sat on that statement (adding that his instinct was initially to reject it), showed initial growth. He expressed relating to Mahito “I am you”. Overall, this was regarding their innate instincts (to save and to kill) and as a character with a role.

I am reminded of this scene, where Maki reflected on the path they were on. Being separated or even rejected (the rift/conflict between them). And what she was bestowed with... idk if it’s a binding vow of sorts, but this seems to tie together with Yuji accepting his role at this stage.

For more character growth… We saw Yuji expand on the “i am you” theme relating to predestined roles, etc.

So with Sukuna, he echoed the same sentiment/phrase - I see it as a demonstration of empathy (much like Gojo -> Sukuna — in wanting to reach him) where he was expressing relating to being born a curse/was cursed but did not have to choose to remain one. And in becoming one, or in embracing themselves wholly, they could exist. (Also, in both circumstance, one died and the other lived. More on this later when I address the actual kiss).

There may be more to unpick about that, or an even deeper meaning, but it seems to say that there are many parallels and connections between characters in their trajectory as well as their fates. Mai and Maki said the same thing...

So I doubt that there was anything romantic about their relationship. It seemed like an inevitable thing that the stronger of the two would have to die for the other to thrive/survive.

But what becomes of the soul... I have no idea. This is a mystery! Now this is a Gege quirk for not explaining it. If Sukuna’s twin’s soul could reincarnate, maybe Mai did? Or did Mai’s essence become imbued in the katana? I really... have no idea.

I hope this line of thought helps make that scene easier to swallow.

As for the kiss. I’m reminded again of Sukuna - who devoured/ate his own twin to become “whole”. Maki and Mai had to become one in order for Maki to reach her full potential. She also had to experience loss and pain in order to find a stronger reason or resolve. Doesn’t this remind you of both Gojo and Yuji (and countless others? Even Megumi? Is that what it means to retain humanity? To have known/treasured something only to have lost it, for someone to be able to find a reason to live? Hmm.)

It’s possible that it was an exchange of CE, as we know it took everything Mai had to make a weapon for her sister. If I’m not mistaken, she took whatever Maki might’ve had, in order to complete it.

Again, as soon as their lips connected, we saw the death vision/fantasy scene... that seems pretty telling.

Could it also symbolise the unity of the soul, to connect in such an intimate way? Like a “breath of life” that CPR would bring. Mai said that their connection / relationship went far everyone a binding vow. So maybe we could also see it as her exchanging a vow with her sister. Like allowing herself to be consumed by her sister in a symbolic way, and the vow/exchange was - she took Maki’s CE and gave her sister a weapon (her life). Also reminds me of Rika and Yuta. In her death... Yuta gained Shikigami Rika. An exchange.

Anyway, those are my thoughts and ponderings.

Feel free to leave a comment, add your own thoughts in a reblog, or ask away!

Edit: I realise this wasn’t the most coherent 😂 but thank you for those who read it to the end.

[getosugurusbangs]

and then she turned herself into a sword. saddest shit i’ve ever seen

[ermesskiss]

jjk: familial

characters » romantic » familial » platonic » other

★ = personal fav

· · ───────────── 𖥸 ────────────── · ·

geto's pov of nanako and mimiko

"it's all going to be okay."

nanako and mimiko's pov of geto

"[we] love you."

mai's pov of maki ★

"why couldn't you have stayed and been satisfied staying at the bottom with me?"

maki's pov of mai ★

"because... i would have hated myself if i had done that. that's why (i'm sorry)"

yuji's pov of nanami

"...nanami?"

nanami's pov of yuji ★

"you've got it from here."

choso's pov of yuji

"call me big brother."

gojo's pov of megumi

"i might need you to push yourself a little bit though, so do your best."

megumi's pov of gojo

*glares*

megumi's pov of toji

". . . fushiguro?"

toji's pov of megumi ★

"it's not zenin? i'm glad."

· · ───────────── 𖥸 ────────────── · ·

[goatyuuji]

Being a twin in jjk is hard bro, it’s practically a death sentence hanging around your neck like a noose.

[paranoiddreams]

Hi, it’s me again, I’ve been working on the second chapter of my Toji and Megumi fic, as well as a Shiu and Toji oneshot, but I NEEDED TO COME HERE AND SAY THIS

This song is giving unbelievable Maki and Mai energy. Like…just think abt their story and then read the lyrics (but replace the religious themes with the zenin clan). Okay I’m gonna go cry again.

[tofangirlornottofangirl]

I know there is a lot of japanese lore/mythology and beliefs about twins and them being bad omens or some such, but it also reminds me of the gibbons sisters (the silent twins), who were pretty dysfunctional together, but when one of them died (and it's pretty weird how she believed she had to die for the other one to live a normal life and then just....died. no real explanation as to how/why she died), the other one went on to live a fairly normal life afterwards, at least compared to when they were together- almost as if a curse was lifted from her. To be fair, it's also likely that all the japanese lore is based in some kind of real psychological phenomenon going on with twins, even if that's extremely (EXTREMELY!) rare.

[yuesya]

Throughout the heavens and earth, he alone is the Honored One. Throughout earth and beyond, she alone is the Blessed Child.

I finished binging Zenith of Stars after leaving off at like, chapter eleven some time back, and it has been a fantastic ride!

The dynamic between Shiki and Satoru is one I greatly enjoy. Satoru has trouble seeing people, just as much trouble people have seeing him. With Shiki though, it's simple, straightforward affection with no underlying agenda, and he can be Satoru-nii instead of the Honored One.

With Satoru, Shiki can relax, she can choose. For her, choosing to help and support the people she cares about is a no-brainer, and she cares more than even she is aware of, even if it manifests differently than what is "normal."

Satoru is spearheading the cultivation of the next generation, shaping the future to his image, participating in the political struggles he despises for the world he sees.

Shiki is the rising pinnacle of that new generation, one that freely supports him. She has and will most likely continue to charm her peers with honesty not often seen in Jujutsu society.

It really is a fantastic dynamic, rooting for them to fuck shit up!

Out of curiosity and seeing all this stuff with the twins au–how are the canon twins doing? I doubt Maki and Mai got off easy for the crime of existing in the same place as Naoya for a bit :(

But also; if Shiki can cut the conceptual, can she cut cursed energy out? As long as Maki has that little bit of cursed energy that should be Mai's, she'll never reach her full potential unless Mai dies–or unless it's otherwise removed, right? Well, I guess that would also depend on whether Shiki would be willing to dedicate the time to figure out how to do that non-lethally.

!! Thank you so much Anon, glad you're enjoying the fic! :D Also glad you're liking the Satoru-Shiki dynamic haha. It's one of the aspects that's really fun to explore, so I'm happy to hear that others are enjoying the ride. Canon has Gojo Satoru being isolated in his strength, his heavy responsibilities... and in zenith of stars we have Shiki. :3

(Arguably as of manga chapter 236 we have confirmation from canon Gojo that there is 'something' that finally broke through that previously-impenetrable barrier of solitude, but... to be fair I'm not entirely sure how I feel about where the characterization went in this chapter.

Also, I don't know what other people think, but I would've liked a 'chapter 235.5' elaborating on the battle lol.)

Maki and Mai are still living in the Zenin clan compound! We'll be seeing them eventually in the future.

[luolii]

feeling sentimental but i once i read a post abt how jjk is at it’s core about people who try to make a safe haven for their loves ones and keep on failing despite their efforts and i was thinking abt how that’s so real

[thejessc0de]

missing mai

[ssatorussuguru]

[blog-of-hubris]

I really liked your analysis on sakurajima I thought it was really good I just wanted to ask you something these are some criticisms I’ve heard on the arc and I would like to know what you make of them these ones are a little different though

What do you make of these objections

Hello Joker, thanks for asking me a question. I usually hate commenting on negative feedback that I disagree with or better yet lack the ability to understand. However, I will give you a thorough answer for your time.

There are a few points I disagree with. I will say, I think OP has a skewed perspective on what Maki represents, and this opinion seems to be lost in the route of Maki being Toji's second coming. I think a common mistake with the fandom right now is seeing the connection to Maki and Toji to be focused on their similarities when really it is their differences (i'll mention this more later).

They mention the Zenin Massacre as a moment of tragedy and loss for Maki and that's only in the aspect of losing Mai. Killing the clan was her beloved sister's final request. Also, Maki is much more separated from everyone else since this happened. She is extremely straightforward (even more than she was before) which I see as an aspect of her experience killing the clan. I think OP is underestimating how much weight came off Maki's shoulder with the clan gone. Also, the weapon that she has is a memento to Mai and connected directly to her soul. I don't think Maki feels like Mai is entirely gone due to having the blade, and also her moment in the culling game was a reflection of that. I think a major focus of her moment was to show that she was still holding onto what happened psychologically.

Maki was the character that hide the aspect of wanting to change the Zenin Clan for Mai's sake, so it surprises me that OP is expecting some super heartbroken traits to be shown by Maki. She's like Toji in the way that she is a brute and would want to handle things physically than psychologically. The big difference with Maki is that she had Mai and only Mai. She felt the need to change the clan for Mai’s sake, while Toji saw escaping the clan and renouncing their existence was the best way to disconnect from them. Losing Megumi's mom sent him down on a spiral, but like I said before — the big thing about Maki and Toji's character is their differences. Yes, maki is the second coming of Toji with the physicality but remember she had a whole twin who held back her potential. She had the support of Gojo to fall back on, and her personality is kind-hearted at its core. I just dislike the idea that Maki's character revolves around Toji so much, it just isn't the case to me. Nobody said she was the return of the Sorcerer Killer, people in the fandom just assumed that.

I just thing this OP has a fundamental misunderstanding of Maki's role in the story. I think they also misunderstand the level of depth behind Mai giving up her life for Maki to achieve the passion she always had. Mai made the conscious decision to give up her life to create the ultimate weapon she could for her sister, ultimately giving her the perfect tool to seek the revenge they both wanted. Yes, the situation is a tragedy, but this is a world of cursed energy. Mai's "Curse" unto Maki was to kill the clan and then find happiness in life thereafter. At the end of the day, Mai the type of passion and drive that Maki had, she did not want to deal with curses or be a sorcerer. She was fine being a servant/stereotypical woman for the clan, but that wasn't what Maki wanted. Yes, Maki may now (more likely than not) see her past selfishness as a mistake, but this adheres to the same theme that has been a core value for JJK since Vol 0: “Love is a Curse”; while also representing Sukuna's perspective on weakness showing through love as well. Maki now is not tied down to Mai, and Mai is not tied down to the confines of the Jujutsu world.

At the end of the day, what both of the twins wanted was to be together forever, but their approach did not align. With Mai's soul being in the blade, it gives her a sense of peace while also being by Maki's side. The moment between the sisters was a moment for Maki to truly recognize the sword as Mai's soul and not just a tool she left with her. I struggle to understand how this isn't seen as a moment of light in the darkness that has followed. Maki has something that literally connects her to her sister's soul, and due to them being twins, who knows how deeply the connection with the soul splitting sword can be for Maki.

I also think that OP confuses Noritoshi Kamo's “screen time for distress” with us just getting more insight on who he is as a character. We see Kamo think about his circumstances and reflect on his life through flashbacks. This isn't Gege taking away from Maki's character but showing us that Kamo is a character of introspection. We knew that from Goodwill arc, but in CG we just get a deeper vision to understand his motives + see how he processes his existence as a person. We have gotten all of this from Maki through Perfect Preparation. Maki isn't a thinker, she moves through action. That's why her over thinking against Noaya was a hindrance to her, and she needed the sumo spars to get her mind back on track. In perfect preparation, we get Maki's past via other people bringing it up because Maki just pushes forward, and only through others does her past come to light. This has been happening since we got introduced to Maki in 0, and in the main series we get a glimpse of Maki's past through Mai's eyes only. We only get a glimpse of Maki's POV of the past, but it was a quick flash of her thinking about Mai right before the massacre starts. This is because she isn't one to look back but to look forward and Gege has stayed consistent to that.

My last point will be that I abhor the idea that a character has to display some overexaggerated or dramatic traits to show they have experienced trauma. I find people who have this view point to ignore the fact that trauma is displayed very differently with each person, and common symptoms are not the end all be all. There are many people who get through trauma by moving forward and letting time be what helps heal as they process what they have been through. For JJK specifically, it is said constantly that being a jujutsu sorcerer is hell. I think Gege has stayed so consistent to this, to the point audience members get confused when the cast members actually understand this, lol. The cast members aren't unaffected by loss, they process it differently. Not everyone needs to have a mental breakdown like Geto.. And even for Geto his situation was a collision of circumstances leading up to a change in his thought process. Even then, Geto's choices were to change the fact that sorcerers were so used to loss. He wanted to end that cycle because he felt he was strong enough to. He felt it was his role in life to pursue this in order to be happy, while Maki's “happiness” lied in destroying what stripped her of her truest form of happiness.

Sorry for the long response, if you have any more questions about what I said please feel free to ask!

[therealjustpeachesback]

hi.

[lxmelle]

Hi, I'm the mai/maki kiss anon. Thanks for the reply. Looking back, I think my ask came from a reactive annoyance at the perceived version of the common creepy trope regarding twins especially girl twins, since while Gege is better than most shonen writers when it comes to certain things, he's definitely had his moments. You focused on themes and I completely agree it had to written with symbolic meaning; it was more "how/why the themes of sacrifice/souls/exchange etc. translated to an incest kiss?" but what you said about unconventional preferences and a hunger for freedom opened my eyes. How I see it now is that Mai's "every sorcerer is crazy" characterization IS her unconventional crushes. Her feeling stuck alone in a lunatic clan yet shackled to her twin, someone who feels like a part of her yet not (a connection unique to twins), combined with already hinted at "lesbian/incest tendencies" warped into a "crush" towards Maki (which can feel like romantic feelings for the person, though one-sided here). We've seen Mai's anger/betrayal at being left behind while knowing she is holding the person she felt the most safe with and loved by back. This "I hate you yet I'm obsessed/linked with you" type of crush is not sexual at all in concept and in the kiss, solidified by the fact that on closer look the scene cut before the lips fully connected, no full kiss no nothing because it's not fanservice. There are millions of ways to say "we'll finally become one" at the time of sacrificial death without a kiss but for Mai, she saw only one. Fucked up mind? Yes. JJK character? Yes. Gege explored a taboo subject with a female character, who was not just a victim of it with no agency, in the serious manner it warranted; her crush is not made to be just another overt sexual incest gag. Most female characters are not exempt from taboo themes; they are exempt from it being expressed seriously. Again thank you, I'm still not fond of the incest route but I reached peace with the scene because of you.

Hello!! It’s so good to hear back from you so soon!

I enjoyed hearing your clarification and expansion on her lack of agency and twisted obsession/connection to Maki. It is a pity if there are readers who take it & reduce it to a moment of fanservice, rather than observing it with the seriousness it deserves.

You wrote about it & summarised it far better than I did/could.

Thank you for letting me be a part of your process to peace with the scene 🙏🏼

I hope you won’t hesitate to connect/reach out again ☺️ these days, I tend to be more active on X/Twitter but I like having a reason to come back to tumblr.

[ambafaerie]

Jujutsu Kaisen cast slice of life illustrations from Phantom Parade