Forget about brute strength and raw power, and get ready to discover the underdog hero story of the weakest Hashira.
While Demon Slayer fans are known to engage in heated debates about the most powerful Hashira, we’re going to shift gears and focus on the opposite end of the spectrum.
Let’s take a closer look at Shinobu Kocho, a beloved character who made her first appearance in Chapter 28 of the manga and Episode 15 of the anime. In this discussion, we will delve into her primary weaknesses and how they set her apart from the other Hashira.
Warning: Major spoilers if you have yet to read past Chapter 137 of the manga, and minor spoilers if you have yet to watch Season 1 of the anime.
Why Shinobu Kocho is the weakest Hashira in Demon Slayer
The Hashira, comprising nine elite warriors, are widely acknowledged as the most powerful members and combatants in the Demon Slayer Corp. These exceptional individuals have consistently improved their skills and techniques over the years, continually honing and developing their abilities to become even more formidable fighters.
Despite being considered the weakest Hashira, Shinobu’s fighting abilities are not to be underestimated. Being one of the top 10 fighters out of hundreds in the Demon Slayer Corps is a remarkable accomplishment, particularly considering her distinct weakness.
Shinobu’s position as the lowest-ranked Hashira can be attributed to her limited physical strength. During her battle with the Daughter Demon from the Lower Rank Five Rui‘s cult family, she candidly acknowledged that she is the only Hashira incapable of beheading demons, a feat that most Demon Slayers can accomplish.
The Insect Hashira compensates for her physical weakness by relying on her exceptional speed, agility, and ingenuity. Rather than resorting to decapitation, she employs a distinctive fighting style that involves injecting a lethal dose of poison into her opponents using her customized Nichirin Sword.
Shinobu’s relatively low rank among the Hashira can also be attributed to a significant event in the series’ final arc.
Shinobu mainly used her speed to ward off attacks from Doma. Unfortunately, dodging the Upper Rank Two demon’s attacks was the best she could do. Shinobu was forced to accept her fate and allow her last resort to take its course.
For more than a year leading up to her fight against Doma, Shinobu had been regularly injecting her body with wisteria poison. She knew there was a high likelihood that she might not be strong enough to defeat Doma, so she decided to use her life as a backup plan.
While some may argue that her decision to inject herself with poison is evidence of her unwavering commitment to vanquishing demons, particularly the one she has been pursuing most of her life, it is still a strategy that entails accepting her own inevitable demise.
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