Hello, it’s Junko from Japan! Who is Yoriichi in Demon Slayer? He’s the founder of Sun Breathing and the only Demon Slayer swordsman who cornered Kibutsuji Muzan. Here I share detailed information about his ability and backstory.
The Founder of Sun Breathing and the Strongest Swordsman Ever
Tsugikuni Yoriichi is a swordsman who lived in the Sengoku era in Japan from the 15th to 16th century. The word SENGOKU literally means “war countries” and many Samurai lords battled over their territories.
The stage of Demon Slayer is the Taisho era, that continued from 1912 to 1926. So Yoriichi has already passed away in the story. Tanjiro’s ancestors met him and Tanjiro sometimes views the memory inherited from them.
Yoriichi is the origin of Sun Breathing and all the Breathing styles. He was born with the mark and the ability called “transparent world,” which allowed him to see through all the creatures’ bodies.
Although he taught his Breathing techniques to Demon Slayer swordsmen, no one could master Sun Breathing. So he created 5 basic Breathing Styles: Water, Thunder, Fire, Rock, and Wind, which laid the groundwork for the current Demon Slayer Corps.
Yoriichi vs Muzan
Yoriichi’s swordsmanship was beyond the realm of humans, and even the Muzan feared him and called him a “true monster.”
He once cornered Muzan and almost destroy him, but Muzan made his body scattered in small pieces and run away. Since then, Muzan has kept hiding from Yoriichi Demon Slayer Corps.
I think that’s why Muzan created the Twelve Kizuki Demons so that he would avoid directly confronting the Sun Breathing users. Actually, he ordered Kokushibo to annihilate every single people who knew about Sun Breathing.
Though Muzan didn’t die, he got severely injured, which caused Tamayo to be freed from Muzan’s curse.
It turns out that the damage Yoriichi given to Muzan has never been healed and kept burning his body. The fact tells how exceptional Yoriichi’s ability was.
The Relationship between Yoriichi and Kokushibo
Kokushibo, Upper Rank 1 of the Twelve Kizuki Demon, is Yoriichi’s older brother.
Kokushibo’s original name is Tsugikuni Michikatsu, and he was a kind and respectful older brother to little Yoriichi. Since Yoriichi had a mark on his forehead, his father hated and treated him harshly.
Michikatsu loved his younger brother, but at the same time, his envy towards Yoriichi grew bigger and bigger. Yoriichi’s talent was too exceptional.
This complex led Michikatsu to accept Muzan’s offer to become a demon. Michikatsu betrayed Demon Slayer Corps and became Kokushibo.
After a few decades, Kokushibo came across Yoriichi who was in his 80s. Yoriichi was old, but he instantly cornered Kokushibo without allowing him to draw his sword.
Even though he got the mark, he was still alive beyond the age of 25 and even maintained the same level of strength as he did during his prime.
He was about to destroy Kokushibo. But then, something unexpected happened. Yoriichi reached his end of life span, and his body stopped moving. He passed away while holding the Nichirin sword.
Yoriichi and the Kamado Family
Yoriichi was an unparalleled existence as a swordsman, but his life was constantly plagued by hardships.
Since he was hated by his father, he left his family by himself when he was little. After that, he met a girl named Uta and got to live together with her. !0 years later, they became a couple and Uta got pregnant.
But Uta and a baby in her belly were killed by a demon during his absence. After this incident, he joined the Demon Slayer Corps. But he ended up being expelled from the organization due to two offenses: letting Muzan escape and his brother becoming a demon.
Afterward, he met Kamado Sumiyoshi and Suyako, ancestors of Tanjiro and Nezuko, and showed them Sun Breathing forms. Sumiyoshi knew his sad past and swore that he would inherit his Sun Breathing.
Before leaving the Kamado family, he left his earrings to Sumiyoshi and never returned to them. It seems he kept hunting demons alone until he met Kokushibo and reached his lifespan.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi remained the strongest existence as a swordsman, but as an individual, he carried a sorrowful and lonely fate.
Related Posts about Demon Slayer
How Did YORIICHI DIE? The Death of the Legendary Swordsman
Is YORIICHI Related to TANJIRO? Why Are They Look Like Each Other?
What Does Yoriichi’s Sword Say in Japanese?
What Is the Transparent World in Demon Slayer? The Ability to See Through Bodies
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