Why The Only Man Kokushibo Truly Feared Was Yoriichi

Summary

Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki, is feared and almost equals Muzan in power.
His fear of death led him to leave his humanity behind and become a demon.
Despite achieving immortality and power, Kokushibo’s ultimate fear was failure, which he faced in a battle with his brother.

As I delve into the captivating tale of Kokushibo and Yoriichi, two brothers bound by blood yet divided by fate, I can’t help but marvel at their extraordinary lives. Their story is a testament to the profound power of sibling rivalry, the quest for immortality, and the undying bond between family.

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the Demon Slayer manga.

Among the Twelve Kizuki, it’s Kokushibo, the Upper Rank One, who is the most dreaded and terrifying. In terms of power, he’s nearly on par with Muzan Kibutsuji, the strongest demon ever known. Previously, he served alongside his twin brother in the Demon Slayer corps and was an exceptional swordsman before turning into a demon.

On three separate occasions, Kokushibo held onto his rank as an Upper Moon, a feat no one else had managed to accomplish due to his unbeatable strength. In his past life as a human, he mastered the Moon Breathing Technique, which was modeled after his brother’s Sun Breathing technique.

Origin Of Kokushibo In Demon Slayer

What Made Him Leave His Humanity

Originally known as Michikatsu Tsukigini, Kokushibo shared his life with his twin brother Yoriichi during the Sengoku era, a time when twins were often seen as an ill omen. Due to Yoriichi having a distinctive mark on his forehead, their father planned to end his life, but their mother intervened. Unlike his twin who was kept secluded at home, Michikatsu was groomed to be a samurai.

Yet, an incident involving Yoriichi delivering four powerful blows to an opponent as a child sparked profound envy in Michikatsu regarding his younger sibling’s innate abilities. As they matured, Michikatsu pursued the path of a samurai and eventually joined the Demon Slayer Corps, seeking training alongside his brother.

How Kokushibo Became A Demon

In my days as a samurai, I was blessed with a wife and two children. One fateful night, my fellow samurais and I found ourselves under attack by an infernal demon, who claimed the lives of everyone present. Miraculously, I survived – all thanks to Yoriichi’s timely intervention. After joining the Demon Slayer Corps, Yoriichi crafted the formidable sun-breathing technique, a skill he tirelessly attempted to pass on to others. However, none possessed the potential to master it as he did. It was from this struggle that other breathing styles, like the Wind Breathing and Moon Breathing, were born.

In time, Michikatsu too earned a Demon Slayer mark much like his younger brother’s. Yet instead of feeling proud about his achievements, he grew increasingly agitated, for those who bear the Demon Slayer Mark seldom live beyond 25 years. Faced with this shortened lifespan, he found himself unwilling to meet his end. Consequently, when Muzan Kibutsuji extended an offer to transform him into a demon, Michikatsu eagerly accepted the proposition.

The path I have walked is nothing but an endless pursuit of strength. I have no regrets – Kokushibo

Transforming his moniker from Michikatsu to Kokushibo, he ascended as one of the mightiest demons, securing the position of Upper-Rank One among the Twelve Guardian Spirits (Kizuki), a post that remained unchallenged throughout.

Everyone quaked in his presence, as demonstrated by Muichiro Tokito, a strong Hashira, who was petrified with fear upon their initial encounter with Kokushibo. Similarly, during their introduction at the Infinity Castle, all 12 Moon Kizuki held profound respect and fear for him.

You think you can defeat me? I am an existence beyond human comprehension – Kokushibo

Beyond his exceptional skill with swords, he possesses the ability to shape his blade using his Blood Demon Art. This means he can mold it into whatever form suits him, making encounters with Kokushibo as terrifying as one could imagine. However, even though Kokushibo is incredibly powerful, there are certain things that make him apprehensive – aspects the audience might not have noticed yet.

So What Actually Scared Kokushibo?

Even The Upper Moon One Kizuki Had His Nightmares To Deal With

It’s surprising that such a formidable entity as Kokushibo seems to be fearful of something. Upon closer examination of his personality, it appears that Kokushibo harbors a deep-seated fear of death. His decision to depart from the Demon Slayer corps and transform into a demon was largely driven by this fear of being marked as a Demon Slayer. Even though he understands that embracing demonhood would mean relinquishing his humanity, as well as losing those dear to him, he considers it an unavoidable measure.

The only one I fear… is him (Yoriichi) – Kokushibo

Now, having gained immortality, he devoted all his time to honing his skills – perfecting his sword technique and refining his blood demon art. Despite attaining what he sought, a hollow feeling persisted within him. Moreover, the insecurity born from his younger brother’s abilities lingered, unabated even with his transformation.

In simpler terms, his twin brother’s presence always loomed large for him, and his resentment intensified over time. When Muzan Kibutsuji confronted Yoriichi, he recognized Yoriichi’s immense power, barely managing to survive the encounter. Consequently, if Muzan couldn’t overcome Yoriichi, it would be impossible for Kokushibo to do so as well.

The Complex Relationship Of Yoriichi And Kokushibo

Kokushibo’s primary terror wasn’t just death, but also falling short, and this might have been the key factor that led him to abandon his human life, seeking power in any manner to outshine his younger brother. Following his metamorphosis, his dread of death diminished significantly. In a flash, he was decapitated, yet astonishingly, he restored his head, making him a tough foe for the Demon Slayer corps.

However, despite having such immense power, he couldn’t avoid the one thing he feared, perhaps greater than death, which was a failure. When Kokushibo and Yoriichi meet for the last time, the latter is extremely old. Yoriichi, upon seeing how his brother turned out, gets very heartbroken but still has no hatred towards him. The two then engage in a sword fight, and Yoriichi delivers a powerful blow, slicing Kokushibo’s neck.

It became clear that despite his weak physical condition, he could effortlessly take down Kokushibo. His swift blow toward his neck was undeniably terrifying – a sight that left the demon in shock. He barely escaped death from that strike and knew another would be fatal. Yet, right at that moment, Yoriichi succumbed to his advanced age. This realization of Yoriichi’s death left Kokushibo feeling the most crushing defeat he had ever experienced.

Someday, the children now being born will surpass us and ascend to even greater heights – Yoriichi

Regardless of giving up his human qualities for power, he couldn’t outdo his younger sibling, not even in old age. Yoriichi, however, left an influential and inspiring legacy for future members of the Demon Slayer Corps, which is why he remains one of the most celebrated characters within the Demon Slayer franchise, despite limited appearances in both the anime and manga.

2024-12-26 05:34