Warning: This article contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga! Right after the finale of the Hashira Training Arc, Demon Slayer announced a trilogy of films to adapt the Infinity Castle Arc, the longest and most intense arc in the manga. The final phase of the manga is split into two parts: the Infinity Castle and the Sunrise Countdown. While it’s unclear if the Sunrise Countdown will be adapted into a movie or a TV season, at the very least, fans can expect to enjoy all the exciting fights in the Infinity Castle Arc on the big screen. The anime released the first installment of the trilogy last year, and it became a smashing hit all across the globe.
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However, while the anime has yet to adapt a majority of the story, the manga has long since reached its conclusion. Demon Slayer‘s finale was extremely controversial at the time due to many tragic deaths that happened during the final battle against the demons. As the strongest in the entire Corps, the Hashira have always been on the front lines, and the final battle wasn’t any different.
9) Kyojuro Rengoku
Rengoku is the first Hashira to die in the series, and it happened long before the final battle. During the Mugen Train Arc, Tanjiro and the others joined him on a mission to defeat the demon responsible for the missing passengers inside the Infinity Train. As the Flame Hashira, it goes without saying just how powerful Rengoku was. However, even his overwhelming strength wasn’t enough against the Third Upper Moon. While the mission itself was a huge success with no casualties, no one anticipated the appearance of Akaza.
Not to mention, he wasn’t anything like the Lower Moons, and the difference in their powers was astounding. Rengoku made sure that no one else would have to fight the Upper Three and held on until dawn. Even with a hole in his chest, Rengoku adjusted his breathing and kept fighting to protect everyone until the end. His death is one of the most emotional moments in the series as it gives Tanjiro and the others the push they needed to become stronger.
8) Tengen Uzui
As the Sound Hashira, Uzui had a crucial role in the Entertainment District Arc. Right after the Mugen Train Arc, when Tanjiro and his friends were training diligently, they came across Uzui, who was looking for lower-ranking Demon Slayers to help with a mission. Following a series of events, Uzui and the others ended up fighting Upper Moon Six, Gyutaro, who shared his powers with his sister Daki. The fight was brutal, and the animation is still unmatched.
He suffered grave injuries, including poisoning, losing his left hand and eye. As a dual sword wielder, continuing to work as a Demon Slayer would’ve been increasingly difficult. Although he could’ve chosen to go down the dangerous path, he decided to retire peacefully and live the rest of his life with his wives. As a Shinobi turned Demon Slayer, Uzui spent most of his life fighting, but he finally managed to live on his own terms. He continued to help the Corps out with training and protecting Nezuko during the battle.
7) Shinobu Kocho
Shinobu is not only the Insect Hashira, but also the backbone of the Corps thanks to her extensive knowledge of poisons and medical treatment. Her Butterfly Mansion houses the injured Slayers, where she oversees their treatment and rehabilitation. This makes her one of the most crucial figures in the Corps. Her biggest goal was to find a way to defeat Doma, the Upper Rank Two who killed her sister. Shinobu came face to face with the demon in the Infinity Castle Arc. It was the first major fight in the entire arc, and it ended with her tragic death.
Despite giving it her all, she was unable to defeat the demon and ended up being absorbed by him. That horrifying scene was witnessed by Kanao Tsuyuri, her Tsuguko and adoptive sister. Even after her death, she continues to remain relevant in the story as her real plan comes to light. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that without her, Doma and Muzan’s defeat might have been impossible.
6) Muichiro Tokito
Although Muichiro is the youngest Hashira, his potential is better than most of the cast thanks to his lineage of being a direct descendant of the Sun Breathing Technique. During the Swordsmith Village Arc, he regained his memories and mourned the family he once had. He also awakened his Demon Slayer Mark and effortlessly killed Gyokko, the Upper Rank Five. Considering how much trouble Gyutaro gave to Uzui and the others, Muichiro’s victory was nothing short of marvelous. Just like the rest of the Demon Slayers, he was trapped inside the Infinity Castle, where he used his new powers against Upper One.
It goes without saying that the second most powerful demon in history was more than he could handle. Even with the help of Sanemi, Gyomei, and Genya, the fight was overly intense. Muichiro had one of the most brutal deaths in the series as Kokushibo cut him in half. Even in his dying breath, he landed one final blow to the villain, which paved the path for others to defeat him. After the Infinity Castle collapsed, the surviving Demon Slayers engaged in a battle against Muzan, leaving them with no chance of retrieving the young Hashira’s body.
5) Mitsuri Kanroji
Mitsuri is another Hashira who joined the battle against the Upper Moons in the Swordsmith Village Arc. While Muichiro defeated Gyokko, Mitsuri helped Tanjiro and the others against Hantengu, the Upper Four. She also awakened her Demon Slayer Mark during the battle, which basically saved her life from the powerful demon. She was one of the few survivors in the Infinity Castle Arc, but her luck ran out during the battle against Muzan Kibutsuji. She sustained severe injuries and blood loss because of the demon progenitor.
Not only that, but both her arms were sliced off, leaving her unable to continue fighting. She managed to stay alive for a little while until Obanai returned to her after fighting Muzan. While she couldn’t live the rest of her life with him like she wanted, she confessed her feelings to him, hoping to marry Obanai if they ever got reincarnated. After she heard Obanai promise her that, she drew her final breath in his arms.
4) Obanai Iguro
Obanai and Mitsuri were together the entire time they were trapped inside the Infinity Castle. They fought against Nakime, the newly appointed Upper Four, whose Blood Demon Art manifested the Infinity Castle. After the Infinity Castle Arc, Obanai joined the others during the final battle against Muzan. He also witnessed Mitsuri’s weakened state and knew she wouldn’t survive all those horrifying injuries. Despite knowing he wouldn’t survive the battle, he charged towards Muzan, hoping to do as much damage as possible. Obanai lost his eyesight because of the villain but never stopped fighting him.
His Demon Slayer Mark gave him a slight edge, but it wasn’t enough to help him survive. After the battle was over, he reunited with Mitsuri and succumbed to his injuries a few moments later. They both died at the same time after making a promise that was the only hope they wanted to hold on to, even though they knew it might never come true.
3) Gyomei Himejima
While the anime has long since confirmed that Gyomei is the strongest Hashira, the Infinity Castle Arc will finally explain the true extent of his overwhelming powers. Gyomei teamed with Muichiro, Sanemi, and Genya to fight the Upper Rank One. Kokushibo has been alive for a few centuries, and he’s easily the most powerful demon after Muzan. Kokushibo’s powers were unlike anything the other Upper Ranks were capable of, including Doma and Akaza. He awakened his Demon Slayer Mark even though he was past the lethal age, which meant that his time was limited.
While he survived the battle against Kokushibo, Gyomei suffered severe injuries during his fight with Muzan. He lost his leg on top of other injuries and blood loss. Despite that, he ensured that he kept Muzan chained down until sunrise. Gyomei drew his final breath after the battle was over. He also regained his memories of the time he took care of orphans. After remembering that the children didn’t betray him but wanted to protect him from the demon instead, he finally gained peace after all these years.
2) Sanemi Shinazugawa
Sanemi is one of the few surviving Corps members, but the series never revealed if he died after he turned 25. Sanemi was only 21 years old at the time, so he could’ve still had a few years to live. He awakened his Demon Slayer Mark during the battle against Kokushibo, and his efforts ensured the demon’s victory. However, Sanemi also lost the only family he had and carried the weight of that loss for the rest of his life.
While Sanemi kept pushing Genya away to protect him, all the younger brother wanted was his forgiveness. Sanemi also fought against Muzan during the final battle and lived to see the demon’s demise. After the Corps was disbanded, he lived the rest of his days in peace while keeping in touch with Tanjiro through letters.
1) Giyu Tomioka
Giyu is another Hashira who survived the battle against Muzan. Following his battle against Akaza, Giyu and Tanjiro were both unable to continue fighting other demons for a while. However, after the Infinity Castle collapsed, Giyu once again used his powers to protect as many people as he could. He joined hands with Tanjiro once again to defeat the final villain and sustained severe injuries in the process. Giyu also lost his arm, but he never gave up fighting.
The night-long battle ended in the Corps’ victory, but barely anyone survived to celebrate the historic moment. Just like Sanemi, Giyu was also 21 years old at the time, so it’s hinted that he could’ve died in four years. However, the series never officially confirmed his death, and much about the Mark and its history isn’t known either. Following the disbandment of the Corps, he lived a solitary life while keeping in touch with his former comrades.
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Image courtesy of Pierrot
