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Gyokko in Demon Slayer provided one of the most entertaining fights in the show. This article looks into his character.
Gyokko is the Upper Moon Five among the Twelve Kizuki and the main antagonist of the Swordsmith Village Arc in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He is a sick artist and a fan of sick art. His type of art involves using human bodies to create grotesque sculptures.
He was introduced during the Swordsmith Village Arc, where he attacked the village that made Nichirin swords for the Demon Slayer Corps. In this article, we will touch upon Gyokko’s background, abilities, purpose in the story, and contribution to the Demon Slayer series.
Gyokko’s Background and Personality
Gyokko is part of the Twelve Kizuki, the strongest demons in service to Muzan Kibutsuji, where he is known as Upper Moon Five. The demon first emerged in the Swordsmith Village Arc and targeted the village that creates swords used by Demon Slayers.
We do not know much about Gyokko’s life before he became a demon. What makes Gyokko different from other demons is his twisted love for art. He sees himself as a great artist, but his idea of art involves turning living people into disturbing sculptures. This cruel hobby shows just how warped his mind has become as a demon. The little that is known about him is that as a child, the image of his parents drowning was beautiful to him. He also used to kill small animals and fish and use them for his artwork. Unfortunately, this twisted taste in art has been enhanced since he became a demon.
Gyokko is a very complex person, having two great personality traits: his enormous vanity and his bad temper. He believes his artwork is brilliant and gets angry when anyone dares criticize or fails to be awed by it. Despite being very powerful, he constantly seeks approval from others. This mix of pride and insecurity makes Gyokko unpredictable. He looks down on humans and weaker demons, and as such, he underestimates them. Yet, he desperately wants them to admire his work. His craving for praise becomes his fatal flaw.
Gyokko takes pleasure in causing pain and suffering, turning his victims into living art pieces while they remain conscious. This cruelty makes him particularly disturbing, even among the other demons in the series.
Gyokko’s Powers and Abilities
As an Upper Moon demon, Gyokko has great strength, speed, and healing abilities. However, his most dangerous weapon is his special Blood Demon Art, which allows him to:
- Control water in deadly ways, creating crushing pressure or poisonous attacks.
- Use pots as portals for teleporting or launching surprise attacks.
- Summon scary fish-like monsters from his pots to fight for him.
- Change his body’s shape to avoid attacks or strikes from unexpected angles.
When pushed to his limits, Gyokko transforms into his Scaled Demon Form. In this final form, his body becomes covered in tough scales, and his strength increases greatly. His limbs can turn into weapons, making him even more dangerous in close combat.
The Attack on Swordsmith Village
During the Swordsmith Village Arc, Muzan dispatches Gyokko and Hantengu (Upper Moon Four) to raze the village in which the swords of the Demon Slayer are created. Their mission is strategic—without new swords, the Demon Slayer Corps would be seriously weakened.
For Gyokko, this attack is more than just a mission. It’s a chance to create more “art” using the skilled craftsmen of the village. He treats the destruction as a form of self-expression, turning the village into his personal gallery of horror.
The attack puts the entire Demon Slayer organization at risk. And if the swordsmiths were to die, there would be no one left capable of forging the special Nichirin swords required to slay demons. This makes the fight very important and a huge part of the narrative.
The Battle Against Muichiro Tokito
This brings us to Gyokko’s fight against the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, which is by far one of the most interesting fights from the Swordsmith Village Arc. At first, Gyokko had the advantage. He trapped Muichiro in a water prison and seemed confident of victory.
Of course, Gyokko does not know that Muichiro is no normal Demon Slayer. Muichiro is the youngest Hashira and is exceptionally talented. As they battled on, Muichiro awakened his Demon Slayer Mark. This was a game changer as it provided a huge boost to Muichiro in terms of speed, strength, and abilities.
Realizing the threat, Gyokko enters his Scaled Demon Form, convinced that he will win. But his pride prevents him from seeing how talented Muichiro really is. With his improved abilities and the Mist Breathing technique, Muichiro tricks Gyokko and drives a fatal strike, decapitating the demon. Gyokko was so sure of his own skill that he could not recognize Muichiro as a threat until it was far too late.
Impact on the Story
Gyokko was not the most emotionally complex villain in Demon Slayer, but his role in the Swordsmith Village Arc was crucial. His attack on the village raised the stakes, showing how proactive Muzan’s forces were becoming. His battle also marked an important moment for Muichiro, allowing him to reach his full potential as a Hashira. Without Gyokko’s presence, Muichiro may not have discovered his true strength.
The contrast between Gyokko and the swordsmiths highlights an important theme in Demon Slayer. While Gyokko created “art” that destroys, the swordsmiths created tools that protect and save lives. This represents the difference between selfish destruction and selfless creation.
Gyokko’s defeat also reminds us that even the most powerful demons can be overcome when Demon Slayers reach their full potential. It gives hope that with enough determination and growth, even Muzan himself might eventually be defeated.
Gyokko’s Place Among Demon Slayer Villains
Relative to the people who get more attention, such as Akaza or the more developed figures like Kokushibo, Gyokko may not be as memorable. Still, it is a unique artistic obsession and unsettling power that set him apart in his own way.
Gyokko might not be the most powerful of the Upper Moons, but thanks to his battle with Muichiro, he’s given one of the best displays of a Hashira’s prowess in the series. His defeat marks a major victory for the Demon Slayer Corps and is proof of the Hashira being capable of fighting against Muzan and his demons.
Conclusion
Gyokko’s twisted artistic vision, along with his powerful water-based abilities, imprinted a unique kind of horror on Demon Slayer. As Upper Moon Five, he presented a serious threat that pushed Muichiro to discover new strengths and abilities.
Though not as developed as some other villains in the series, Gyokko served his purpose well. He was a memorable antagonist whose defeat allowed Muichiro to grow stronger and reduced the strength of the demons.
Gyokko’s character and defeat reflected a core message of Demon Slayer: Strength is not just power; true strength derives from protecting others and using your talent for good instead of evil.
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