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Yoriichi Tsugikuni was underutilized in Demon Slayer. But while he did show much in the anime, his character had a couple of uses.
In Demon Slayer, one of the most powerful characters is Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was the first to use the Sun Breathing techniques. Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s history and strength are so vast that it’s almost surprising his presence in the series goes underutilized. His influence in the Demon Slayer universe is inarguably significant. And yet, he exists more as a figure than a man, and most of his scenes in the main story unfold off-screen.
This can be frustrating, as Yoriichi truly embodies the pinnacle of strength that every swordsman or Demon Slayer who came after him aspires to attain. So why is such an iconic character not often featured as a central figure in the overall Demon Slayer storyline? We will examine what led to this underutilization and make some observations on why this choice could be made.
Who Is Yoriichi Tsugikuni?
Now, before we get into the reasons for his underutilization, let’s just recap who Yoriichi is. In the history of Demon Slayer, Yoriichi Tsugikuni is a legend. He was the most powerful Demon Slayer to have ever lived and created the breathing techniques. He was also the first user of the Sun Breathing style, the most powerful of all breathing techniques. His powers were so strong that he single-handedly almost ended the war against demons.
He was the very first person to come close to defeating Muzan Kibutsuji, the demon progenitor. He didn’t end him because of circumstances beyond his control. Yoriichi wasn’t just a wonderful fighter; his story is critical in the world of Demon Slayer. He was a young genius from a struggling, troubled family who found out about his unique talents at a young age. But even though he’s a near-unbeatable force, Yoriichi’s tale ends sadly.
After his last battle against Muzan, he lived alone for the remainder of his life, mourning that he had been unable to save his family. He also had the weight of not having been able to completely rid the world of demons. So why, after being presented with such a powerful and emotionally rich character, is Yoriichi’s presence so limited in the series?
A Historical Figure, Not a Present Force
One of the biggest reasons Yoriichi Tsugikuni seems to be underutilized is that he’s mostly a historical character in the Demon Slayer narrative. His presence is more mythic, almost legendary, than a plot-active participant. When we first hear the man’s name, he is, in fact, long gone — he lived and died over a century before the action of the series.
Most of the story about him comes through flashbacks, through characters like Kokushibo (his twin brother), and through the recollections of Tanjiro. Yoriichi’s story is told through the perspectives of others, with small snippets revealing his greatness. We mostly learn about him through the memories of characters he touched or whose lives he impacted in the past.
One notable mention of him was in the Swordsmith Village Arc, where Tanjiro sees a training doll that looks familiar. The young boy tells Tanjiro that the doll was created to model one of the greatest demon slayers ever. Interestingly, he mentions that for the doll to replicate what the warrior did, it needed eight hands. This speaks volumes to the kind of strength that Yoriichi Tsugikuni from Demon Slayer had.
His legacy is the entire foundation of the people who fight people like Muzan, yet he never shows up in the present timeline to do anything about the current battle. This adds more intrigue to Yoriichi’s personality. However, it also keeps him in the shadows, making him more of a figure from the past than a force that can influence the present.
A Different Narrative Focus
At its core, Demon Slayer focuses on the individual journeys and progress of its main cast, particularly Tanjiro Kamado. It is a very personal storyline for Tanjiro and his friends, as a majority of the series is based around their growth, struggles, and fights. The authors of Demon Slayer could have made better use of Yoriichi in the present day. But with how powerful he was, the story would have shifted the focus away from the current generation of Demon Slayers.
If Yoriichi had joined the current battle as a fighter, it would have lowered the stakes for Tanjiro and the other Hashiras. The story is really interesting because you get to see how Tanjiro starts from a simple background and grows stronger to take on tough challenges.
With a character as powerful as Yoriichi, Tanjiro and co. would not have so much worry in the fight. Because if someone like Yoriichi were around, it would feel like the story had an immediate solution to the demons, especially Muzan. Such a situation wouldn’t create the same emotional investment in the characters we should be rooting for.
In many ways, Yoriichi’s role is that of an inspiration, a symbol of the absolute peak of what the Demon Slayers are trying to achieve. His legacy is a driving force behind Tanjiro’s resolve. But by keeping him a distant figure, it allows the focus to remain on Tanjiro’s path to greatness.
The Burden of Legacy
Another reason Yoriichi Tsugikuni isn’t actively utilized in the plot is that his legacy serves as a burden for the characters who follow him. His power was devastating, and the fact that he wasn’t able to completely destroy Muzan looms over the entire Demon Slayer Corps. People look to the Demon Slayer Corps for protection, and Yoriichi’s failure adds more pressure on them. Especially since he was so close. It would cheapen the emotional turmoil of those fighting Muzan now if he were to suddenly return to the narrative.
Tanjiro’s battle with Muzan is both about battling the literal demon king and about his overcoming of personal loss and his growth as a person. This fight against Muzan requires a deep emotional connection, both for the characters involved and the audience. If Yoriichi were active, it would overshadow Tanjiro’s development as a protagonist. Yoriichi’s involvement would have made Tanjiro’s fight feel less personal, lessening the emotional stakes of the story.
While the battle will be legendary and very intriguing, it will disorganize the current plot of the show.
Yoriichi’s Impact on the Final Battle
Although Yoriichi Tsugikuni does not actively feature in the final battle against Muzan, his shadow hangs over the entire conflict. In particular, mentally and in terms of symbolism. The demon lord has carried deep scars since Yoriichi defeated him long ago. The show echoes these scars in subtle yet powerful ways.
Muzan, portrayed as an immortal and nearly indestructible entity, fears one thing above all: Yoriichi. Despite all his power, Yoriichi was the one person who came closest to ending Muzan’s reign of terror. The trauma from that encounter stayed with him for centuries. This gives the final battle an additional layer of complexity, as Muzan is not just squaring off with Tanjiro. He’s up against the specter of his greatest fear.
The Hanafuda earrings worn by Tanjiro are one of the more striking connections to Yoriichi in the show. These are the very earrings Yoriichi himself wore, which causes an intense emotional reaction from Muzan when he sees them. The earrings serve as a reminder of his past struggles and the individual who almost brought him down. This connection that Tanjiro and Yoriichi share through the earrings explains how Yoriichi keeps having an impact over the course of the fight despite not being physically there.
By establishing Yoriichi as an absent force who still looms over the present conflict through fear, trauma, and dreams, Demon Slayer connects the legacy of its past with the events of the present without falling into the trap of making it all about Yoriichi’s power. In a sense, Yoriichi’s lack of direct involvement in the final battle makes his presence all the more impactful. Without the need for Yoriichi to be physically present, his psychological and emotional influence lingers. This makes him a driving force behind the events even long after his death.
Conclusion
In the end, Yoriichi Tsugikuni didn’t need to be over utilized in Demon Slayer. His legacy is incredibly powerful, and that’s precisely why his limited role works so well. If he were active in the final fights or had a more prominent role in the story, it would have diminished the plot of the story.
He represents everything the Demon Slayers are fighting for, but he doesn’t outshine the struggles of the current generation. Yoriichi’s limited role as a symbol highlights a key message of the series. It’s not about being the strongest, but about how you use your strength and the journey you take. In that respect, Yoriichi’s role remains one of the most powerful elements of Demon Slayer.
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