Summary
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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibais a story of pain, regret, vengeance, friendship, and redemption. The series beautifully captures the painful realities of a battle between good and evil. Perhaps the show’s biggest strength is its ability to humanize villains through its emotional storytelling, which leaves a lasting impression.
However, one must not assume that the series hesitates in delving into the psyche ofirredeemable evil characters. The show’s coldest and most disturbing villain is arguablythe Upper Rank Two Doma. His cunning and pretentious personality is so off-putting that even demons do not want anything to do with him. One demon slayer who harbors a deep-rooted hatred for him is none other than the Insect Hashira Shinobu.
Shinobu Kocho Public Façade and the Harsh Reality
Kocho’s Hides Her Painful Past Under Her Warm Smile
Before understanding why Shinobu can’t stand the Upper Moon Two, it is critical to add more context to her tumultuous past that has shaped her into the person she is now. Once upon a time, the Insect Hashira was just another ordinary girl born into a loving family. She was close to her sister Kanae and expected to live a comfortable life because of her family background. But everything fell apart after his parents were killed by a demon, following which the Kocho sisters ended upjoining the Demon Slayer Corps.
I once believed that the road of happiness continued forever and ever into the distance. When it was destroyed, I realized for the first time that happiness lies atop a thin sheet of glass. And just as we were saved, there are those whose happiness hasn’t yet been destroyed. So I wanted to get stronger and protect them. ~ Shinobu Kocho
As bitter as life was, Shinobu learned to live with the pain and used hertraumatic experiences to become a Hashira. Over time, she grew to hate demons to the point that she could not stand them and despised them with every fiber of her being. Shinobu has always idealized her older sister and slowly learned to overcome these negative emotions externally by mimicking Kanae’s positivity and mannerisms. She also learned to keep a warm smile, irrespective of the situation, which might give people the impression that she is calm and tranquil.
However, Shinobu never truly overcame the rage and hatred she had for the demons. Her external façade was only meant to mask the ugliness of her burning resentment and inner turmoil.Only Tanjiro was able to see through herfake outwardly appearance and understood that she was willing to do whatever it took to exterminate all demons.
Why Does Shinobu Hate Doma?
The Upper Moon Two Took Something Too Precious From Shinobu
Shinobu Kocho’s contempt for demons is nothing new. Ever since she lost her parents, she becameincreasingly infuriated with Muzan’s underlings. She also most likely experienced other tragedies and lost close friends that further cemented her hatred. But one tragic experience is at the root of her abhorrence for Upper Moon Two.
Some years ago, when Kanae Kocho hadalready become the Flower Hashira, she accidentally ran into Doma. All alone, she had no option but to fight the demon, despite the power difference. Kanae gave her everything, but defeating an Upper Moon of Doma’s stature without a Demon Slayer Mark and without help was impossiblefor even someone like Gyomeior Sanemi.
Eventually, Kanae ended up with too many fatal injuries but by the time she was incapacitated, the sun was about to rise. Although Doma wanted to eat her alive, he had to flee from the scene. It appears that Kanae survived a few hours more with her injuries and it was Shinobu who first arrived at her side.
In her last moments, the Flower Hashira tried to talk her sister out of the idea of vengeance and even requested to quit the Demon Slayer Corps. She wanted Shinobu to live a happy and normal life, far from the tragedies that awaited her if she were to continue living as a demon slayer. But it was already too late. Shinobu had faced traumatic situations before, but losing Kanae transformed and radicalized her. Based on her sister’s description, the Insect Hashira vowed to take revenge and waited for the day she would confront the demon responsible for Kanae’s death.
Once you decide to defeat a demon, defeat it. Once you decide to win, win. Win, whatever the cost. You made that promise with Kanao and me, didn’t you? ~ Kanae Kocho to Shinobu Kocho
In the Infinity Castle arc, Shinobu is all set to face Doma all alone, despite knowing the power difference. While her recklessness might seem foolish, she has a sinister plan up his sleeve that will be one of the highlights of the upcoming trilogy.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trilogy’s first installment is scheduled to be released in the United States onSeptember 12, 2025.
