Demon Slayer: Could Yoriichi Solo the Upper Rank Demons?

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Key Takeaways

  • Yoriichi Tsugikuni, a warrior from 500 years before, is the strongest Demon Slayer with unparalleled abilities and skills.
  • Yoriichi can access the Transparent World, Selfless State, and has a Bright Red Nichirin Sword with high combat effectiveness.
  • Yoriichi could defeat Muzan and easily take on the Upper Ranks one at a time due to his unmatched strength and abilities.

As a seasoned aficionado of the supernatural, I’ve seen my fair share of battles between Demon Slayers and demons, but none quite compare to the legendary Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the strongest Demon Slayer ever known. This man was so good, even Muzan himself trembled at his mere mention!

heads up: what follows might reveal key plot points from the Demon Slayer manga. You can currently watch Demon Slayer on Crunchyroll.

In the anime titled Demon Slayer, it’s not Tanjiro or any of the current Hashira who holds the title of the strongest Slayer. Instead, that honor goes to Yoriichi Tsugikuni, a warrior from 500 years ago. He is credited with creating the breathing styles and has achieved such a remarkable mastery of them that no one else has ever approached his level.

Yoriichi predominantly employed the Sun Breathing Technique, the foundation for every other Breathing Style in the series. Additionally, he possessed nearly all advanced techniques and enhancements that a Demon Slayer might acquire over the course of the story.

  • Yoriichi was born with the Demon Slayer Mark, which boosts a Slayer’s physical capabilities. That’s right, Yoriichi was born with it, while every other Slayer has to undergo intense training and meet certain conditions to get it.
  • Yoriichi can access the Transparent World, also known as the See-Through World, which gives a Slayer enhanced perception and allows them to view the inner workings of their target’s body. Being able to see a demon’s blood flow, muscle structure, and subtle movements in their joints can tell a Slayer how they plan on moving next, which is extremely useful in combat.
  • According to Muzan in the Demon Slayer manga chapter 195, “Bewildering”, when he encountered Yoriichi, he appeared weak, and Muzan sensed no will to fight or kill within him. This was because Yoriichi has mastered the Selfless State, a trance that allows a Slayer to erase their Fighting Spirit. This state makes demons underestimate them, and in some cases, like with Akaza’s Blood Demon Art, unable to detect them.
  • Certain Demon Slayers can turn their Nichirin Swords Bright Red, and Yoriichi is one of them. A Bright Red Nichirin weapon can slow down a demon’s regeneration when injured by it, or at least that’s what they normally do. However, Yoriichi’s Bright Red Nichirin Sword stopped Muzan’s regeneration altogether for a short period, and even left him with scars that would last hundreds of years.

The first instance I encountered Yoriichi, he appeared extraordinarily frail. He displayed no signs of ambition, determination, animosity, or murderous intent. However, this seemingly harmless individual would later behead and maim me. Remarkably, the injuries he inflicted continue to torment my flesh with a burning sensation reminiscent of the sun for hundreds of years. – Muzan Kibutsuji (paraphrased)

In Demon Slayer chapter 187, titled “Innocent Person”, Yoriichi came incredibly close to single-handedly slaying Muzan due to his extraordinary skills and innate talent. However, it was only Muzan’s ability to divide himself into countless small fragments and flee that allowed him to escape death.

Could Yoriichi Beat the Upper Ranks One at a Time?

He Should with Little Effort

Without a shadow of a doubt, Yoriichi was far too powerful for Muzan Kibutsuji, which suggests that he could easily overpower any of the Upper Ranks if confronted individually. Remarkably, Yoriichi came close to defeating the Upper Rank 1 demon before his advanced age caught up with him during battle.

The demons who might prolong the fight the most are Hantengu and Nakime from the Upper Rank 4. It’s not that Yoriichi is likely to lose against these two, but rather because of their unique Blood Demon Arts, they could potentially last longer in a battle. For instance, if Yoriichi were to fight Hantengu, he would initially behead him, causing multiple clones to appear. These clones wouldn’t die even after being decapitated, and while the original body escaped. Over time, Yoriichi would realize that his attacks aren’t fatal against these clones. He would then use Transparent World to locate Hantengu’s main body. Once found, it would be a swift end to the battle when Yoriichi reaches him.

In essence, the outcome of this battle could vary significantly based on Nakime’s actions. If she employs her Blood Demon Art prior to Yoriichi’s initial strike, she might either perish instantly or prolong the fight. Thus, the direction the battle takes is largely determined by your choice.

Could Yoriichi Beath the Upper Ranks All at Once?

It Could Go Both Ways, but It’s Certainly Possible

This question poses a challenge for several reasons. It’s uncertain how effectively the Blood Demon Arts of the Upper Ranks will combine in combat since they rarely fought as a team throughout the series. Unlike the Demon Slayers, the Upper Rank demons don’t emphasize teamwork and often harbor mutual hatred among themselves. However, if they were to strategically align against the strongest Demon Slayer ever, their best strategy might be to exhaust him. Some of them possess unique abilities that make them difficult to defeat, such as Gyutaro surviving decapitation as long as Daki is safe, Hantengu hiding behind his clones, and Gyokko’s teleportation skills. If the Upper Ranks utilize these abilities in conjunction with Nakime frequently changing positions, they could potentially last long enough to wear down Yoriichi.

From another perspective, Yoriichi is so swift that none can quickly defeat him. If he were to unleash his full potential from the get-go, utilizing skills such as Transparent World, the Bright Red Nichirin Sword, and Selfless State, he might be able to recognize the most significant threats among them and eradicate them instantly. It’s essential to recall that Muzan struggled significantly against Yoriichi and had all seven of his hearts and five brains sliced by him in no time. Therefore, it wouldn’t be surprising if Yoriichi Tsugikuni could swiftly eliminate the Upper Ranks just as he did with Muzan. Typically, Yoriichi would have the advantage in this situation.

You can now stream Demon Slayer on Crunchyroll and Netflix! However, as of now, there’s no official announcement about when the next season, titled the Infinity Castle Arc, will be released.

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2024-12-09 20:35