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Exploring the power of the mysterious villain in Demon Slayer, Kokushibo, the formidable samurai reigning as the Upper Moon One.
Among the demons in Demon Slayer, Kokushibo reigns as the Upper Moon One of the Twelve Kizuki. These are the top echelon, working directly under the Demon King’s command. Mysterious yet assertive and intimidating, Kokushibo’s first appearance in the anime implies he is a voice of authority without needing him to say so.
Demon Slayer fans already know how formidable the demons below Kokushibo are. So far, four Upper Moons have battled Tanjiro and the current Hashiras. It’s not easy to defeat an Upper Moon, so each battle takes a monumental turn of events or costs The Corps a heavy price.
Muichiro, the Mist Hashira, and Mitsuri, the Love Hashira, came out victorious against Gyokko and Hantengu only after they unleashed their marks. Tengen, the Aound Hashira, retired after facing the Upper Moon Six. And Rengoku, the Fire Hashira, succumbed to his wound after going toe to toe against Akaza. It would be no surprise if the battle against Kokushibo turned out to be just as bloody or even more. In this article, let’s deduce how strong Kokushibo is based on what the anime and manga tell us.
- Kokushibo’s Origin in Demon Slayer
- Kokushibo’s Power and Breathing Technique
- Is Kokushibo the Strongest of the Twelve Kizuki in Demon Slayer?
- Kokushibo Notable Feats in Demon Slayer
- Conclusion
Kokushibo’s Origin in Demon Slayer
Kokushibo wasn’t always a demon. His backstory tells of a swordsman who lost his way. What’s unique about him is his connection to the first breath-wielder. In fact, he is the twin brother of the founder of Sun Breathing Style, Yoriichi. However, their childhood couldn’t be more different.
Yoriichi was born with a strange mark on his head, which was believed to be a bad omen. Their father initially wanted to have him gone because of the ominous mark. Ultimately, their parents decided to send Yoriichi to a temple by the time he reached the age of seven. Little did they know, it was the exact mark a demon slayer would have when they reached the peak of their swordsmanship.
On the other hand, Kokushibo, who still had the name Michikatsu Tsugikuni, was raised in the way of a samurai. When Michikatsu spent his days training, Yoriichi would cling to their mother. He still has a bit of sympathy toward his brother, though. At one point, Michikatsu gave Yoriichi a flute he made to play with, which Yoriichi cherished until his passing.
Their personalities didn’t share much similarity either. Yoriichi was so timid and quiet that Michikatsu and the rest of the family never heard him speak until he was seven. But, on one occasion, Yoriichi joined Michikatsu’s sword training. One of their father’s men taught him basic moves briefly. To Michikatsu’s surprise, his brother knocked the man out cold. He started pestering Yoriichi and learned that the mark was somehow connected to Yoriichi’s exceptional prowess.
Moreover, he learned that Yoriichi would replace him as the family’s heir, supposedly because of his newly discovered talent. Envy started growing in Michikatsu’s heart. Even when they both became demon slayers, Michikatsu felt he was behind his twin until he met Muzan and became Kokushibo the demon.
Kokushibo’s Powers and Breathing Technique
In his days as a demon slayer, Kokushibo invented the Moon Breathing Style. In the current time, it’s a lost style, much like Yoriichi’s. Kokushibo had also awakened his demon slayer mark in his human days, making him a formidable swordsman even before he became a demon. The combination of Muzan’s blood and his skills makes him deserving of the title of Upper Moon One. But what exactly can he do?
First off, Kokushibo’s fighting style is a unique combination of the Moon Breathing and his blood demon art. It’s worth noting that this style is exclusive to him because he never taught it to anyone else. Kokushibo’s Breathing Style is also a derivation from the Sun Breathing Style. However, he only made his own because he couldn’t master Yoriichi’s, which upsets him greatly. During the Infinity Castle arc, he demonstrates eleven forms.
Other than his Breathing Style, Kokushibo can also see from the transparent world. This ability is exclusive to demon slayers who have obtained their marks. Kokushibo got his mark after he joined the Demon Slayer Corps in his human days. However, it seems this capability stays with him, even after his transformation.
Although he has immense demonic abilities, Kokushibo prefers to use his swordsmanship. He is also shown to find his true form as a demon to be distasteful. The most preferred thing he does is manipulate the shape and size of his sword to assist him in a fight. He can grow blades from all over his body and regrow his main sword as if it were an extra limb. With the combination of all his powers, there are no demons who dare to challenge his position.
Is Kokushibo the Strongest of the Twelve Kizuki in Demon Slayer?
To put it simply, Kokushibo is leagues ahead of the rest of the Twelve Kizuki. Fans have seen how powerful most of the Upper Moons are. However, they haven’t seen a demon with both Muzan’s blood and a breathing style put a fight yet.
Of course, a villain with one of the most immense powers is saved for the final climactic fight. Demon Slayer fans can expect to see a full display of Kokushibo’s power in the Infinity Castle arc. This is the arc with the most anticipated fights between the Upper Moons, the Hashiras, and the rest of the Demon Slayer Corps. Kokushibo is set to fight Gyomei, Sanemi, Muichiro, and Genya. It will be an animated one-on-four fight. This alone tells what a formidable enemy Kokushibo is.
Kokushibo’s Notable Feats in Demon Slayer
Kokushibo is on the villain’s side, but that doesn’t mean his achievements can be glossed over. If anything, an enemy with tremendous feats in his record makes a great villain. Kokushibo, the Upper Moon One, fits this description.
Kokushibo was a spitting image of a great samurai. Even though his twin brother overshadowed his prowess, he could not be underestimated. First, he established his own Breathing Style even though developing one form within a style was already a huge feat. Not only that, but he managed to trigger his mark, something even the current Hashiras struggle to do.
As a demon, his strength only grows. He honed his breathing style with his longer lifespan and incorporated it with his blood demon art. His exceptional mastery earns him the Upper Moon One position and allows him to go up against three Hashiras simultaneously.
Conclusion
A prodigious swordsman, a master of a Breathing Style, and an overwhelmingly powerful demon, Kokushibo has all the reasons to be regarded as the number one among the Twelve Kizuki. Even when the strongest Hashiras join forces, it still takes all their blood and sweat to defeat him. On top of that, his unyielding loyalty grants him the Demon King’s favor. These two factors further cement his place at the top of the hierarchy.
Despite that, it doesn’t mean the Demon Slayer Corps don’t have an arsenal of well-trained swordsmen to face Kokushibo. The demon himself comments on the wind and stone Hashira’s strength during their battle. Without a doubt, Kokushibo’s encounter with the Hashiras in the next arc is on the list of the most anticipated moments in Demon Slayer.
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