Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is one of the most popular anime and manga series in recent years, with millions of fans around the world. The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered by the evil Muzan Kibutsuji, the first and most powerful demon in existence. Tanjiro’s quest to avenge his family and turn his sister Nezuko, who was turned into a demon, back into a human, leads him to encounter many friends and foes along the way.
One of the most intriguing characters in the series is Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the legendary swordsman who created the Sun Breathing, the original and most potent of all breathing styles. Yoriichi was the only person who ever came close to killing Muzan, and his legacy lives on through Tanjiro, who inherits his hanafuda earrings and learns to use the Sun Breathing.
But are Tanjiro and Yoriichi related by blood? Why do they look so similar and have the same rare hair color? What is the secret behind their connection? In this article, we will explore these questions and reveal the truth about Tanjiro and Yoriichi’s relationship.
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The Origin of Sun Breathing
Sun Breathing is the oldest and strongest breathing style in Demon Slayer, as it allows the user to generate heat and light that can harm demons, who are vulnerable to sunlight. Sun Breathing was created by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was born with a mark on his forehead that resembled the sun. He also had an innate ability to see into the Transparent World, a realm where he could perceive the flow of life energy and movements of living beings.
Yoriichi was a prodigy who mastered swordsmanship at a young age, even without any formal training. He also had a twin brother named Michikatsu, who was jealous of his talents and became a demon later in life, taking the name Kokushibo and becoming one of the Upper Ranks of Muzan’s Twelve Kizuki.
Yoriichi’s life was full of tragedy, as he lost his wife and unborn child to a demon attack, and failed to kill Muzan when he had the chance. He also witnessed his brother’s betrayal and corruption by Muzan. Yoriichi dedicated his life to teaching others how to use breathing styles, but none of them could master Sun Breathing, as it required a special talent and affinity.
Yoriichi died at the age of 85, leaving behind his hanafuda earrings as a symbol of his hope for humanity’s victory over demons. His Sun Breathing technique was passed down through generations, but it was gradually altered and diluted into different forms, such as Water Breathing, Flame Breathing, Thunder Breathing, etc.
The Kamado Family’s Connection to Yoriichi
Tanjiro Kamado is a descendant of Sumiyoshi, a friend of Yoriichi who lived during his time. Sumiyoshi was a poor woodcutter who was saved by Yoriichi from a demon attack when he was young. Sumiyoshi admired Yoriichi’s skill and kindness, and they became close friends. Yoriichi often visited Sumiyoshi’s house and taught him about Sun Breathing and swordsmanship.
Sumiyoshi never became a demon slayer himself, but he memorized Yoriichi’s teachings and passed them down to his family as a tradition. He also inherited Yoriichi’s hanafuda earrings, which he gave to his son Suyako. Suyako then gave them to his son Tanjuro, who was Tanjiro’s father.
Tanjuro was a gentle and loving man who cared for his family and sold charcoal for a living. He also performed a ritual dance called Kagura every year during the winter solstice, which was actually a form of Sun Breathing that he learned from his ancestors. He taught this dance to Tanjiro when he was young, along with the song that accompanied it.
Tanjuro died of an illness before the start of the series, leaving Tanjiro as the eldest son and head of the family. Tanjiro inherited his father’s hanafuda earrings and his swordsmanship skills. He also inherited his father’s rare red hair color, which was similar to Yoriichi’s.
The Mystery of Tanjiro’s Birth
Tanjiro Kamado is not related to Yoriichi Tsugikuni by blood, but he has a special connection to him through his ancestry and destiny. Tanjiro is one of the few people in history who can use Sun Breathing naturally, without any prior training or instruction. He also has a mark on his forehead that resembles Yoriichi’s, which appears when he fights against powerful demons.
Tanjiro’s birth was also a miracle, as he was born on a day when the sun and the moon were in perfect alignment, creating a rare phenomenon called the Red Night. This event was prophesied by a fortune teller named Tamayo, who was a former demon and an ally of Tanjiro. Tamayo predicted that a child born on the Red Night would be the one who would end Muzan’s reign of terror and bring peace to the world.
Tanjiro’s birth was also influenced by Muzan himself, who unknowingly gave him a part of his blood when he attacked his family. Muzan was drawn to Tanjiro’s house by the scent of his blood, which reminded him of Yoriichi’s. Muzan wanted to kill Tanjiro and his family, as he feared that they might pose a threat to him. He also wanted to destroy Yoriichi’s legacy and erase his memory from history.
However, Muzan’s plan backfired, as he failed to kill Tanjiro and Nezuko, and instead gave them a chance to become stronger and fight against him. Tanjiro’s blood mixed with Muzan’s blood, giving him a resistance to demonization and enhancing his physical abilities. Nezuko’s blood also mixed with Muzan’s blood, turning her into a demon, but also allowing her to retain her human emotions and will.
Tanjiro and Nezuko became the only survivors of their family, and they swore to avenge their loved ones and find a cure for Nezuko’s condition. They joined the Demon Slayer Corps, an organization of warriors who fight against demons, and met many friends and allies along the way. They also faced many enemies and challenges, including Muzan himself and his Twelve Kizuki.
The Final Battle Between Tanjiro and Muzan
Tanjiro Kamado is the reincarnation of Yoriichi Tsugikuni’s will and spirit, as he inherited his Sun Breathing technique, his hanafuda earrings, his red hair color, his mark, and his mission to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji. Tanjiro is also the fulfillment of Tamayo’s prophecy, as he was born on the Red Night and destined to end Muzan’s tyranny.
Tanjiro faced Muzan in the final battle of the series, along with his friends and fellow demon slayers. He used his Sun Breathing to inflict severe damage on Muzan, who was weakened by a drug that Tamayo had developed to age him rapidly. Tanjiro also used his mark to enter a state called the See-Through World, which allowed him to see Muzan’s vital organs and attack them precisely.
Tanjiro managed to cut off Muzan’s head with his sword, but Muzan refused to die and tried to take over Tanjiro’s body by injecting him with more of his blood. Tanjiro resisted Muzan’s influence and fought back with his willpower and determination. He also received the support of his friends and family, who cheered him on from afar.
Tanjiro finally overcame Muzan’s control and regained his consciousness. He then witnessed Muzan’s death as the sun rose and burned him to ashes. Tanjiro had succeeded in accomplishing what Yoriichi had failed to do: he killed Muzan Kibutsuji and freed the world from his evil.
The Legacy of Tanjiro and Yoriichi
Tanjiro Kamado is not related to Yoriichi Tsugikuni by blood, but he is related to him by spirit and destiny. He is the successor of Yoriichi’s Sun Breathing technique, which he used to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji and end the age of demons. He is also the heir of Yoriichi’s hanafuda earrings, which he passed down to his descendants as a symbol of hope and courage.
Tanjiro survived the final battle with Muzan, but he lost his right eye and left arm in the process. He also became partially demonized by Muzan’s blood, but he was cured by Nezuko, who had regained her human form thanks to Tamayo’s drug. Tanjiro married Kanao Tsuyuri, a fellow demon slayer who had lost her sight in one eye during the battle. They had children and grandchildren together, who inherited their features and abilities.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni is remembered as the greatest swordsman in history, who created Sun Breathing and almost killed Muzan Kibutsuji. His legacy lives on through Tanjiro Kamado and his family, who carry on his will and spirit. His Sun Breathing technique is also preserved by Muichiro Tokito, a descendant of Kokushibo who learned it from Tanjiro.
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