Demon Slayer: Could Kokushibo Have Beaten Muzan as a Human?

Summary

Michikatsu, the second strongest Demon Slayer in history, never got to test his skills against Muzan, joining him instead.
Michikatsu created Moon Breathing, had the Demon Slayer Mark, and used Transparent World in battle.
Despite Kokushibo’s strength as a demon, no demon can defeat Muzan due to his power over their lives.

Note: The information below may reveal plot details from the Demon Slayer anime, which is currently available to stream on Crunchyroll. Proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

In the world of “Demon Slayer,” around five centuries prior to Tanjiro’s journey, during the Sengoku Era, a human named Michikatsu Tsugikuni served as a Demon Slayer, known later as Kokushibo. He was the elder twin brother of the renowned Demon Slayer, Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Notably, in their encounter, Yoriichi demonstrated the capability to slay Muzan single-handedly; however, Muzan survived only because he shattered into numerous small fragments to evade capture.

As a fervent admirer, let me express that Yoriichi stands unparalleled as the most formidable Demon Slayer in history. And who follows closely behind? None other than the remarkable Michikatsu himself.

Intriguingly, Michikatsu never got the opportunity to measure his might against Muzan, for he swiftly chose to align with him upon recognizing that embracing demonhood could pave a path toward surpassing Yoriichi’s prowess and enduring the Demon Slayer Mark.

Yet, one cannot help but wonder if the second-strongest would have prevailed had he opted for battle instead of alliance with Muzan? The question remains tantalizingly unanswered…

Michikatsu VS Muzan?

Just How Strong Was Kokushibo as a Human?

Let’s start by understanding who Kokushibo wasn’t able to defeat, in his human and demon forms. As a human, Michikatsu was never able to best his younger brother Yoriichi. Even as a child, Yoriichi swiftly outmatched Michikatsu in swordsmanship the moment he grasped a blade. The difference between them likely grew wider after that, since even when he transformed into a demon, Kokushibo couldn’t conquer an aging Yoriichi on the brink of death. As a demon, Kokushibo suffered defeat at the hands of a group of Demon Slayers during the Infinity Castle Arc. Notably, none of those in that group could have defeated Kokushibo in a one-on-one battle.

Now, what abilities did Michikatsu have before his conversion into a demon?

Michikatsu is the creator of Moon Breathing, a breathing style second only to Yoriichi’s Sun Breathing. No one other than him has been recorded using Moon Breathing, so it’s a style that could surprise anyone, even Muzan.
The Demon Slayer Mark manifested itself in Michikatsu during his training with Yoriichi. The Mark enhances its user’s speed and strength at the cost of a shorter life span. Of course, that cost is nullified after he becomes a demon, but since this match-up is about Michikatsu as a human, that doesn’t really matter.
Kokushibo has access to the Transparent World, also known as the See-Through World, and used it frequently in the Infinity Castle Arc. Although it wasn’t really specified, he probably learned it as a human while training under Yoriichi. Michikatsu would likely have actively sought to learn it because he was aware that Yoriichi had that ability ever since they were children, as shown in the Demon Slayer manga chapter 177, “Younger Brother”.

It took some time for me to grasp his meaning. Remarkably, Yoriichi seemed capable of perceiving a living being’s inner structure, much like his mark; it appears he was born with an extraordinary vision for this as well.

Instead of having the Selfless State, which enables one to suppress their Fighting Spirit, Yoriichi deceived Muzan by feigning helplessness as a human; however, Michikatsu won’t possess this tactical edge.

Could Michikatsu Have Beaten Muzan?

In the end, it appears that Michikatsu may not be able to slay Muzan, given that even the formidable Yoriichi couldn’t prevent him from escaping. As for whether Michikatsu could compel Muzan to withdraw, as Yoriichi did, that question becomes more nuanced. However, certain indications suggest it might be an uphill battle.

In the Demon Slayer manga chapter 187, “Innocent Person”, it’s clear that Yoriichi, despite being stronger than Muzan and Kokushibo, still felt a sense of threat from Muzan alone. This was an exception, as he never showed fear even when fighting the much stronger Kokushibo, who he could defeat even in his old and weakened state.

Here’s my take:

I must say, it’s fascinating to delve into the past battles of these powerful characters. Muzan, on his own terms, eluded Yoriichi. Conversely, Kokushibo was convinced he was meeting his end in the fight with Yoriichi. He was destined to perish, yet somehow, through sheer luck, he survived. Tragically, Yoriichi succumbed to the cruel hand of time right then and there. It’s clear that Michikatsu’s power disparity compared to Yoriichi is more significant than with Muzan or even Yoriichi.

Could Kokushibo as a Demon Beat Muzan?

He’s Stronger, but Is It Enough?

Interestingly enough, despite Kokushibo’s newfound power, the response unequivocally shifts to a negative. This isn’t about physical strength or combat expertise this time around. Regardless of how much a demon trains or how potent their Blood Demon Art is, they stand no chance against Muzan. That’s because Muzan, being the originator of all demons, has the power to end any demon’s life merely by thinking about it.

If Yoriichi, who was stronger than Muzan as a human, were to transform into a demon, his physical power, speed, and resilience would significantly augment; however, it’s important to note that this transformation would render him unable to defeat Muzan. Transforming into a demon is similar to striking a deal with Muzan, giving him control over your body and spirit. Once transformed, Muzan holds the reins, regardless of your desires or will.

You can now stream the anime series Demon Slayer on both Crunchyroll and Netflix. As of now, no official release date has been given for the upcoming season, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc.

2025-01-12 22:41