The Only Character Who Can Rival Yoriichi in Demon Slayer

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The following contains spoilers from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga.

Summary

  • Yoriichi Tsugikuni was a gifted swordsman and creator of Sun Breathing, crucial in battling Muzan’s reign of terror.
  • Muzan passed his powers to Tanjiro, creating an almost invincible King of Demons.
  • Yoriichi would struggle to defeat Tanjiro as the King of Demons due to his immense healing and powers.

In a world shrouded by violence, I bear witness to the relentless pursuit of immortality by Muzan Kibutsuji, a selfish endeavor that has brought untold misery for centuries. Among the few who dared to challenge this tyranny was Yoriichi Tsugikini, the only known individual in history to have faced the Demon King head-on and almost brought his reign of terror to an end.

The enigmatic sword-wielder, renowned for his mastery, stands unmatched among all swordsmen, such that even the most powerful demons found it challenging to strike him once. One might presume that a figure of such magnitude would be invincible, given his feats against Muzan. However, despite his exceptional abilities, Yoriichi was not infallible. There existed one unique character whom Muzan himself believed could surpass him.

This article explores speculative ideas and makes some assumptions. For instance, when Tanjiro, the Demon King, was barely clinging to life for just a few minutes, even in those brief moments, his human spirit struggled valiantly to regain control. To better understand this from Muzan’s perspective, who picked Tanjiro as his successor for a particular reason, it’s been suggested that the Demon King managed to suppress his human soul completely and transitioned fully into a demon.

What Makes Yoriichi So Special

The Mysterious Demon Slayer Who Almost Killed Muzan Alone

  • Manga Debut: Chapter 99
  • Anime Debut: Episode 45

In the Sengoku era, a man named Yoriichi Tsugikuni came into the world bearing a distinctive mark on his forehead’s left side. Initially, this didn’t draw any attention, but soon enough, his exceptional abilities couldn’t stay concealed. From the moment he was born, Yoriichi carried the Demon Slayer Mark and showed an extraordinary aptitude for wielding swords. Moreover, he possessed a physical strength that surpassed others of his age.

What is the value of a life to you? ~ Yoriichi Tsugikuni to Muzan Kibutsuji

At an impressively tender age, Yoriichi surpassed even experienced adult fencing tutors effortlessly, without any prior formal education. His prowess only intensified as he grew older, eventually leading him to enlist in the Demon Slayer Corps. Notably, it was Yoriichi who conceived the Sun Breathing technique, which later served as a foundation for crafting other martial arts styles.

Regardless of his immense divine abilities, Yoriichi consistently displayed generosity and never belittled others. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Golden Age of Demon Slayers by assisting fellow slayers to acquire the mark. Without Yoriichi’s significant contributions, today’s demon slayers would likely be ill-prepared to face off against Muzan and his minions.

The Character Who Can Challenge Yoriichi

When Faced With Death, Muzan Turned Tanjiro Into a Demon

Muzan Kibutsuji tirelessly chased after eternal life and spent the majority of it trying to find ways to dominate the sun. Regrettably for him, his ambition remained unfulfilled. During the Sunrise Countdown arc, however, the Demon Slayer Group finally vanquished the Demon King.

As death neared, Muzan found himself reflecting on Kagaya’s foresightful statements that all living beings encounter death inevitably. He recalled Ubuyashiki’s assertion that emotions are the only things that endure forever. With death looming large, Kibutsuji acknowledged that Kagaya had been correct in his beliefs. However, Ubuyashiki’s words sparked an ominous thought within him.

In a heart-wrenching moment before his demise, Muzan bestowed upon me, Tanjiro, every ounce of his formidable powers and life force. Miraculously, my heart and breath had ceased, but there were still living cells within me. Kibutsuji, in a final act of hope, imbued Kamado with his invincible, everlasting emotions – perhaps envisioning that he would be the one to carry on his dreams.

The Demon King strongly felt that Tanjiro could rule over the sun since he was Nezuko’s brother, which made him a potential future Demon King. He understood that Kamado practiced the same breathing technique as Yoriichi Tsugikuni, implying that no demon slayer would be able to rival his strength. As Muzan’s form gradually crumbled, Tanjiro regained consciousness, but Kibutsuji’s final strategy had succeeded, and he was no longer a human anymore.

Demon King Tanjiro: The Invincible Evil Incarnate

Evil Tanjiro, With Muzan’s Powers, Would Have Been Unstoppable

In an unprecedented fashion, Tanjiro Kamado, the Demon King, differed from other beings. He not only possessed a technique similar to Kokushibo, but he also showed no apprehension towards sunlight. Muzan, in bestowing his powers upon Tanjiro, anticipated that he would not just acclimate to these abilities but even surpass him as a demon. It is unheard of for a demon to dominate the sun, excel in the Sun Breathing, and possess all of Muzan’s powers simultaneously. This made the Demon King an almost indestructible force. However, one might question if he could have overcome Yoriichi.

Tanjiro Kamado, you’ll overcome sunlight and rule as the greatest demon – the demon king! This is because you are Nezuko Kamado’s elder brother, sharing her bloodline. I firmly believe that you won’t perish. Make my dream a reality… Tanjiro. In my stead… you must annihilate… the Demon Slayer Organization! – Muzan Kibutsuji

In a swordsman’s realm, Yoriichi was nearly invincible. However, against a foe like Tanjiro Kamado, the King of Demons, mere swordsmanship wouldn’t have been sufficient for victory. His unique ability to heal almost instantly, coupled with his skill in Sun Breathing techniques, presented a formidable challenge. Yoriichi would either need to defeat Tanjiro swiftly at the onset or engage in an endurance battle, knowing he would ultimately succumb.

Beating Tanjiro’s demon form early in a fight is more of an ideal scenario than a realistic one. Despite Yoriichi’s skill, his chances of winning would be virtually impossible. The King of Demons, Tanjiro Kamado, would have been the most powerful entity in the Demon Slayer universe if not for his friends intervening and helping him regain his humanity before he transformed into a demon.

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2025-06-04 17:35