Summary
- Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the most powerful demon slayer, had unparalleled abilities and invented Sun Breathing.
- Yoriichi’s Demon Slayer Mark and Transparent World prowess made him unbeatable in battle.
- Yoriichi’s legacy saved humanity by aiding in defeating Muzan and inspiring future demon slayers.
Throughout history, many demon slayers have risen through the ranks to earn a name for themselves by helping humanity fight back against demons. While many of them may have left a profound mark on history, no one can come close to the legacy left behind by Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Inarguably the most powerful demon slayer of all time, Yoriichi was capable of pulling off feats that are beyond the scope of even the best present-day demon slayers. Tsugikuni faced some of the most dangerous demons of all time and seemed almost invincible. But what made him so special? To understand Yoriichi’s greatness, it is important to understand his origins and his unique life.
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Born a Prodigy
Yoriichi’s Legendary Innate Powers
- Manga Debut: Chapter 99
- Anime Debut: Episode 45
- Affiliation: Demon Slayer Corps
Born in the Sengoku era, Yoriichi Tsugikuni did not utter a single word for the first seven years of his life and was considered deaf by his family. He was withdrawn but was always kind toward others. Yoriichi looked up to his older twin brother and was especially clingy to his mother.
Even though he was frequently rebuked by his unloving father, he always kept it a secret. Apart from his kindness, nothing seemed extraordinary about Yoriichi during his formative years. So how did Yoriichi go on to be regarded as the greatest swordsman to have ever lived?
The Demon Slayer Mark
Although Yoriichi seemed ordinary and no one thought much of him, he was born special. Right from his birth, he had a mysterious mark on the left side of his face. At the time, no one knew that it was the Demon Slayer Mark, so it did not inspire much awe. But as Yoriichi grew older, it became evident that his physical abilities bordered on superhuman.
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Yoriichi was capable of moving at speeds that made it almost impossible for people to follow. His reflexes were just as good, making it extremely hard to attack him. Yoriichi was also able to run all day when he was a kid without ever getting tired. His stamina and endurance only increased with time. Apart from being extremely fast, Yoriichi was also gifted with superhuman strength that allowed him to overwhelm even adults when he was young.
When Yoriichi eventually became a swordsman and then a demon slayer, he was unlike any the world had seen. The Demon Slayer Mark made him indomitable, as he could end any battle with a single strike. One of its great perks included turning his Nichirin Sword bright red, which could negate the regeneration of demon tissues, making them vulnerable in the process. Interestingly, other swordsmen who manifested the Demon Slayer Mark were not able to replicate Yoriichi’s results to the same degree, as they could only slow down the demon tissue regeneration.
Transparent World
Since Yoriichi was born with the Demon Slayer Mark, he was also able to access the Transparent World from a young age. It allowed him to see his rival’s muscular contractions, joint movements, flow of blood, and breathing. This was an incredible advantage in high-stakes battles, where a split-second decision was a matter of life and death. Yoriichi used it to his advantage and overwhelmed even strong enemies like Muzan with relative ease.
Yoriichi’s Exceptionality
The Demon Slayer Mark benefitted Yoriichi Tsugikuni immensely, but as its progenitor, he never let his innate abilities get to his head. In typical Yoriichi fashion, he decided to share it with others once he joined the Demon Slayer Corps. But the mark came with a curse. Swordsmen who manifested it died before the age of 25 without exception.
My dream was to live a quiet life with my family in a small house where we would sleep side by side. I would be close enough to see the beloved faces of my wife and child and close enough to reach out and take their hands. That would have been enough. But even that did not come true. Demons exist in this beautiful world.
Even in this regard, Yoriichi Tsugikuni was unlike any other swordsman. He went on to live up to the ripe old age of 85. It could be argued that the lifespan limitation did not apply to him because he was born with the Demon Slayer Mark, while others manifested it at some point by overexerting their bodies.
Inventor of Sun Breathing
The Origins of Sun Breathing
In the Sengoku era and for centuries before that, the demon slayers did not have the luxury of using breathing styles while fighting demons, as they were not invented yet. This changed after Yoriichi became a demon slayer and created Sun Breathing. The unique techniques that became accessible through it allowed Tsugikuni to dominate demons without breaking a sweat. Even when faced with Muzan, Yoriichi had no trouble completely overpowering him without sustaining any injuries in the process.
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Sun Breathing has a total of thirteen forms. Naturally, Yoriichi had mastered all of them and even passed them on to the Kamado family. Eventually, Tanjiro figured out its significance in combat and became the first member of the Kamado family to finally use it in battle. All other breathing styles were also modeled after Sun Breathing. This means that Yoriichi played an important role in helping demon slayers get access to various combat techniques that allowed them to have a chance against powerful demons.
Yoriichi’s Unrivaled Legacy
Muzan and His Forces Would Have Won Without Yoriichi’s Contributions
Yoriichi Tsugikuni, as the progenitor of the Demon Slayer Mark, played a crucial role in ushering in the golden era of demon slayers. He helped other members of the Demon Slayer Corps get the mark, which pushed Muzan and his men on the back foot. He then went on to invent Sun Breathing, which later led to the creation of other breathing styles in the following centuries.
I think I was born with special strength for the purpose of defeating Muzan Kibutsuji. But I was lacking. In the end, I failed. Because of that, many more people will die. And that pains me
If not for Yoriichi’s immense contributions, it is entirely plausible to presume that the Demon Slayer Corps would have lost to Muzan and his underlings sooner or later. Despite his death, he lived on in spirit, as his inventions and contributions became a guiding light for other demon slayers.
Over the centuries since Tsugikuni’s death, many demon slayers have come and gone, but none of them have come close to reaching his stature, and it’s unlikely anyone will. It seems that Yoriichi has not only attained near-invincibility in life but also after it, as his techniques lived on for centuries and defeated Muzan one more time, demonstrating that true greatness transcends mortality.
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