Updated on April 15, 12:10 p.m. (GMT+8): Improved relevancy.
The Demon Slayer anime is in its third season, airing the highly-anticipated Swordsmith Village Arc.
Fans who’ve read the manga will know that the story is going to be more vicious and cold-blooded since more powerful demons entering the fold.
The two new main villains in the Swordsmith Village Arc are Hantengu and Gyokko, two Upper Rank demons that have cruel and heartless personalities. Before we discuss these two mysterious members of the Twelve Demon Moons, let’s recap what happened in Season 2 and why these new characters are being introduced.
Spoiler warning: This article will recap the finale of Season 2 and discuss the new Upper Rank demons the show will introduce at the start of Season 3.
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Why are more Upper Rank demons joining the battle against the Demon Slayers?
The epic finale of the Entertainment District Arc saw the anime’s protagonists Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira, with the help of the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, defeat and behead both Gyutaro and Daki, the Upper Rank Six demon siblings.
Before the events of the Entertainment District Arc, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corp Kagaya Ubuyashiki explained that for a hundred years they’ve never been able to defeat an Upper Rank demon.
Even the Hashiras, humanity’s most powerful warriors and the last line of defense against demons, have only defeated Lower Rank demons.
Demon Slayers have proven to the anime’s main antagonist, Muzan Kibutsuji, they’re finally a real threat to him and his Upper Rank demons.
Who is Gyokko in Demon Slayer?
The rankings of the Twelve Demon Moons indicate their strength, with the Upper Moon One being the strongest.
Gyokko holds the title of Upper Moon Five, just a rank above demon siblings Gyutaro and Daki.
Of all the demons in Muzan’s soldiers, Gyokko is the most monstrous and unsightly with infant-like hands cradling the side of his head as seen in the Season 3 poster and promotion reel.
He also has a disfigured face with his mouth and teeth located where his eyes are supposed to be. One of his eyes with the Upper Demon Five marking can be found where the mouth is supposed to be, and his other eye is on his forehead.
Gyokko sees himself as an artist with a sadistic personality. He easily gets offended when people don’t appreciate his art.
Before he was turned into a demon by Muzan, Gyokko lived in a fisherman’s village. He was always fascinated by death and started collecting fish carcasses as a child. Even when his parents drowned, he didn’t display any sadness and was more intrigued by their lifeless bodies.
Who is Hantengu in Demon Slayer?
The Upper Rank Four demon Hantengu is the second villain in the Swordsmith Village Arc.
Hantengu was previously a thief who committed heinous crimes in his past life. Even when he turned into a demon sporting two horns and a giant bump on his forehead, he still looked frail and weak.
He was a mentally unstable person that murdered innocent civilians but still believe that he was innocent. Even when he was caught, he would blame others for his crimes.
He was eventually captured by a high-ranked law official magistrate and sentenced to death. While Hantengu was locked up, Muzan approached him and offered to help, taking pity on his situation.
As a demon, Hantengu retained his human traits — a fearful and cowardly character who will always find a way to save himself.
Gyokko and Hantengu will make their debuts in the Demon Slayer anime when the To the Swordsmith Village movie is released in theaters in February and March next year.
The two Upper Rank demons will clash with Tanjiro and the rest of the Demon Slayer Corp this Season 3.
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