Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 Episode 4 delivers one of the most intense and transformative moments in the series: Maki Zenin’s Heavenly Restriction awakening. This episode, part of the ongoing Culling Game arc adaptation (released on January 22, 2026, on Crunchyroll), focuses heavily on Maki’s tragic yet empowering journey, culminating in her full physical evolution and the dramatic fall of the Zenin Clan.
Titled something along the lines of the “Perfect Preparation” arc in the manga (chapters roughly 148-152/153), Episode 4 stands out for its extended runtime (around 28-29 minutes) and brutal, cathartic action. If you’re searching for explanations of Maki’s power-up, why she becomes “Toji-level,” or the Zenin Clan massacre, here’s a complete breakdown.
What Is Heavenly Restriction in Jujutsu Kaisen?
Heavenly Restriction is a rare binding vow that trades cursed energy for extraordinary physical abilities. Most famously seen in Toji Fushiguro, it grants zero (or near-zero) cursed energy in exchange for superhuman strength, speed, durability, senses, and reflexes—making the bearer a “physical demon” who can overpower sorcerers without relying on techniques.
Maki Zenin was born with a partial Heavenly Restriction due to her low cursed energy, allowing her exceptional physical prowess and mastery of cursed tools. However, as a twin, her potential was limited—twins in the jujutsu world share cursed energy pools, holding each other back.
How Does Maki’s Heavenly Restriction Fully Awaken in Season 3 Episode 4?
The awakening happens through heartbreaking sacrifice. After the Shibuya Incident’s aftermath, Maki returns to the Zenin Clan (now under Megumi’s nominal leadership) to retrieve cursed tools for the upcoming battles.
Her father, Ogi Zenin, ambushes her and Mai, attempting to kill them both. In a tragic twist, Mai uses her Construction cursed technique one final time to create a powerful cursed tool (a sword) for Maki—sacrificing her own life and cursed energy in the process.
Mai’s death severs the twin bond completely. With Mai gone, Maki’s remaining cursed energy vanishes entirely, fully activating her Heavenly Restriction to match Toji’s level:
- Zero cursed energy — She becomes invisible to most cursed spirit detection and sorcerer senses reliant on CE.
- Superhuman physique — Strength, speed, and perception on par with Toji, allowing her to dominate elite sorcerers.
- No more limitations — Previously held back by the twin connection, Maki is “reborn” as an unstoppable force.
In a serene dream-like beach sequence (a standout animated moment), Mai urges Maki to “destroy everything,” symbolizing freedom from the clan’s oppression. Maki awakens empowered, clutching the sword Mai created, ready to fulfill that promise.
Maki’s Rampage: The Fall of the Zenin Clan
Freed from cursed energy constraints, Maki embarks on a one-woman massacre against the Zenin Clan. The episode showcases fluid, high-octane animation as she dismantles:
- The Kukuru Unit and Hei (elite fighters)
- Her abusive father, Ogi (a brutal, Kill Bill-inspired beheading)
- Other clan members who underestimated her
- Naoya Zenin — His speed-based technique fails against her enhanced perception; she shatters his jaw in a satisfying slow-motion finish.
The sequence is raw, revenge-fueled, and visually inventive—often compared to John Wick or Tarantino films for its relentless pace and catharsis. Maki doesn’t just win fights; she eradicates the clan’s toxic legacy.
