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Explore how Demon Slayer mishandles Mitsuri Kanroji, from overlooked strength to excessive fanservice, and how her character deserved better development.
The ‘Love Hashira” of Demon Slayer has the potential to become one of the most amazing characters in the anime world. Unmatched combat techniques, extraordinary power, and sweet behavior are what ultimately would make her stand out among other Demon Slayers. Unfortunately, her character is seldom portrayed as another “warrior underdeveloped to the sidelining at times, diverting comic relief.”
Demon Slayer is popular for its emotionally impactful storytelling and very mature arcs. Still, Mitsuri’s portrayal couldn’t have been disappointing. There’s seemingly so much more depth it could have pulled from her backstory and skillset, yet she often ends up being part of comedic instances. This raises the query — was such a great character as Mitsuri Kanroji poorly developed? Let’s see.
Mitsuri’s Strength Deserved More Recognition
Mitsuri is one of the strongest, lithe, and most unconventional fighters. Her unique whip-like Nichirin sword was the most unique of any Hashira’s arms. Handling it requires considerable skill and speed. Moreover, her style of fighting is very smooth, almost impossible, and tends to be predictable. Putting all this together, when one is in the Demon Slayer Corps, she becomes a highly competent warrior.
However, notwithstanding her emotional and lovesick appearances, the behavior that comes with a light-hearted spirit pulls attention away from the seriousness of her role as a Hashira. Other Hashira, such as Giyu Tomioka and Sanemi Shinazugawa, are appreciated more compared to Mitsuri’s talent.
The Battle Against Hantengu
Mitsuri puts in a good show of strength fighting with Upper Moon Four, Hantengu. However, it’s a fight that does not hold as much weight compared to other major fights. In any case, she shows significant stamina, speed, and her natural abilities in battle.
Regardless, the battle shows nothing compared to the qualities displayed during the war by Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya. He is one of the victors, but his successes have been somewhat twisted to become incidental rather than vital to the overall outcome of the battle.
Her Backstory Feels Rushed
A far less charitable treatment is given to the past of Mitsuri compared to that of other Hashira. She excelled in battling the social norms that kept her from accepting herself, making her the most relatable person from Demon Slayer. Because of her unique strength and hunger, she was cast away and had to hide behind society’s crutches.
This would have made for fantastic lore worthy of deep thumbing through, but the comic only skims its surface. Compared to those of Hashira like Rengoku or Muichiro, her motivations and inner conflicts have been less elaborated. Had such trials been better detailed, her might have become one of the defining story arcs in the series.
Comparison to Other Hashira Backstories
The past of Rengoku, also known as Agatsum, and thorough perusal made his violence an event of great significance. Of course, Muichiro’s heartbreaking story was significant in developing his character. Meanwhile, Michuri has a history that is significant but not completely baked. She ought to be spending a lot more time bringing the experiences of her trials and the overall effects of her trip into play.
She Is Too Often Reduced to Comic Relief
One of the oddest things about Mitsuri is how much she’s treated for laughs, even when it is clear that she is meant to be serious. Though Demon Slayer has a fine way of blending in the humor with its dramatic sense, most of the time, she only lays out as a joke. Not a lot seems to be complemented to the plot by it.
It makes at least two statements about a very internal emotional relationship with Obanai Iguro; however, such scenes are mostly written in a way that makes the character seem very flat. The possibility for depth is made to seem unconvincing even in the character and makes it stand as something less important than it should be as well.
Impact on Her Role as a Hashira
While she’s rather good at crying, the series treats her like a bit of a joke. The series does a brilliant job of mixing the humorous and serious. But then there is Mitsuri, who, for the most part, is there just to make one laugh. Already by being a Hashira, she must be one of the best fighters, but how she is shown minimizes her importance. Unlike Shinobu, who can be sweet but also deadly, Mitsuri’s upbeat mood makes it hard to take her as seriously as the other Hashira. This reduces her total impact on the story.
Fanservice and Objectification
One of the most important blemishes, in truth, about Mitsuri is overshadowing with fanservice and objectification.
Mitsuri’s designs might not typically work in the name of oversexualizing, but her appearance and personality certainly seem tailor-made for the audience. Two dimensions- her revealing outfit and flirtatious demeanor-all the more put her at odds with the more serious and battle-hardened depictions of female Hashira like Shinobu Kocho.
Her personality is bright and sweet, which she is; yet, from time to time, it comes off as forced or misdirected. Instead of finding her strength and depth of character, mostly here and there, the story frames her, as objectified from the male gaze. That would objectify her as a source of attraction and not as a fierce warrior, thus ruining the experience of whole shades it could offer into her character.
If the show were more about the combat abilities than the appearance of Mitsuri, the chances are she would have turned into an even more awesome and motivational character. She would have made a far more profound character development from this balance of her warmth and sweetness to the messiness with which she deserves to be viewed as a fighter.
Her Relationship With Obanai Iguro Deserved More Development
It is an eventful relationship that shapes most of the emotional elements in Mitsuri’s character. The connection between the two characters develops from Obanai’s recognition of Mitsuri’s bravery, and Mitsuri finds consolation in Obanai’s support. However, the tandem will mainly be referenced in supplementary readings rather than in the main plot element.
The relationship becomes fully splayed out in an almost climaxing moment in the story, leaving little space for development. Time with more room to breathe would have left the final moments shared by the two characters much more poignant.
The Final Battle Did Not Do Her Justice
She fights Muzan Kibutsuji in the finale, but people forget her because her contribution is overshadowed. She bravely fights with the other Hashira, but the story sidelines her quickly. Her injuries take her out of the fight early, reducing her impact on the showdown.
Mitsuri had the muscles to earn a longer part for the battle. Characters like Sanemi and Giyu got long segments that showcased their skills, whereas Mitsuri’s role looked much more limited by comparison. A more extended final battle would have sealed the deal for her as one of the strongest Hashira.
Conclusion
Demon Slayer didn’t use Mitsuri Kanroji to her full potential. They could have done much more with her powers, backstory, and relationships. Even though fans love her, the show often relies on tired stereotypes that make her seem less important. Giving Mitsuri more meaningful scenes and focusing on her story would have made her one of the best characters in the series.
Sadly, her role seems more incidental, as opposed to being crucial for the advancement of the actual story. Probably, if she were given a better character development arc, she could have been an even greater and inspiring presence within the series.
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