The following contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga or anime.
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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibais all set to adapt the highly anticipated Infinity Castle arc in an upcoming trilogy. Expected to unravel shocking mysteries and feature intense battles, the film series might challenge fans' preconceived notions, setting the groundwork for a final showdown with Muzan Kibutsuji.
But before the Demon King is challenged, his most trusted ally, Kokushibo, will face the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito along with Sanemi, Genya, and Gyomei. Although the battle will be intense, fans might get more shocked to learn an unexpected secret about Muchiro and the Upper Rank One.
The Strange Relationship Between Tokito and Kokushibo
Mist Hashira is Kokushibo’s Descendant
Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokitohas always been an enigma. His incredible talent and unparalleled skill make him stand out among his peers. In fact, it won’t be far-fetched to even claim that he is perhaps one of the most talented demon slayers to have existed. Tokito lost all his memories after losing his twin brother in a gruesome demon attack, but that pain lingered somewhere deep in his heart, and he poured his heart and soul into training.
As for the reason I was born, I know that full well. I was born to be happy. […] I was happy when we lived as a family. When I was alone, there were many hard and painful things, but then… I made friends and there were good times, so I was able to smile again. There were countless moments where I thought I was happy. Was that not enough? I didn’t turn my eyes away or run from anything. I don’t regret risking my life for my comrades. ~ Muichiro Tokito
Just a few weeks after being recognized for his unbelievable talent, Tokito established himself as one of the best of his generation by becoming a Hashira. But despite all his talent, as he is set to face Kokushibo, the battle still tips in favor of the Upper Moon One. Once upon a time,the high-ranked member of the Twelve Kizukiwas not only a swordsman but also one of the first demon slayers to manifest a mark. Even after turning into a demon, he can still use the Transparent World and still relies on Moon Breathing to fight his adversaries.
While two extremely talented outliers may have quite a few things in common, like dedication and hard work, in Kokushibo and Muichiro’s case, it can be argued that their talent runs in the blood.When the Upper Rank One comes across Tokitoin the Infinity Castle, the two immediately engage in a brief battle. As Kokushibo asserts his dominance, he realizes something interesting. He reveals that the two of them are actually blood related, and Muichiro is his descendant.
However, the manga does not specify how many generations separate the two. But based on the average lifespan, marriage age, and economic background during those eras, the two of them most likely had somewhere around 10-12 generations between them. Since Kokushibo is Yoriichi’s brother, this means Muichiro is related to two of the most powerful individuals in history.
The Influence of Tokito’s Relationship With Kokushibo
Muichiro’s Talent Might Be a Gift of His Ancestors
Kokushibo was an extremely talented swordsman from the Sengoku era. Although his legendary brother overshadowed him, he could have still achieved great things had heremained with the Demon Slayer Corps. It appears that Muichiro Tokito was fortunate to have Yoriichi as his ancestor.
It could not be a mere coincidence that two brothers who were involved in ushering in the golden age of demon slayers, inventing breathing styles, andmaking the Demon Slayer Markaccessible are descendants of Tokito, who became a Hashira in just two months after picking up a sword and also became the first Hashira of his generation to manifest a mark. A demon slayer typically takes years to be considered worthy of being recognized as a Hashira, so Muichiro’s achievement is just incredible.
What makes it even more special is the fact that he did it at such a young age that most people just can’t even come close to it. Sure, Muichiro deserves a lot of credit for working extremely hard, but that alone just does not explain his exponential growth, especially at his age. It seems that he is quite lucky that his ancestors were also gifted swordsmen. It won’t be far-fetched to claim that his extraordinary talent was a natural gift bestowed on a few special members of his lineage.
I will stop your bleeding. Humans are so fragile. However… if you bleed to death… or if his lordship doesn’t approve of you… and you die… then death was always your fate. In that case… you were no greater a man than that. Don’t you… agree? ~ Kokushibo to Muichiro
While the manga does not confirm this, it appears to be a plausible explanation for his superhuman talent and achievements at such a young age. As Kokushibo and Muichirofinally duke it out in the Infinity Castle, their clash won’t be just another fight. It would forever cement the legacy of two and mark the end of an era.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trilogy’s first installment is scheduled to be released in the United States onSeptember 12, 2025.
