'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Much like other anime and manga titles, Demon Slayer is no stranger to Japanese mythological elements. Anime titles do this to reinforce their strong culture and to give their storytelling more depth. This can take place in the form of characters resembling Gods, names that are references to Gods, the presence of demons, and Yokais, among other ways.
In this case, we have demons that are actually based on mythological creatures. However, one fan has reasons to believe that the Hashiras are based on various Japanese Gods. The Hashiras in the Demon Slayer series are some of the strongest demon hunters, each mastering a unique breathing technique.
It isn’t surprising to see these men and women being equated to God since they safeguard human life from Kibutsuji Muzan and his array of demons.
Demon Slayer: Fan hints at a potential link between Gods and Hashiras
A Demon Slayer fan (@motoika118) took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their opinions surrounding the possible link between Hashiras and Japanese Gods. Their understanding of the Japanese language gave the rest of the fanbase a unique viewpoint.
According to @motoika118, the Japanese language has different character suffixes when counting objects. The character for counting animals differs from that of counting Gods. When counting Gods, the character suffix is “柱,” which reads “Hashira.”
Therefore, naming the strongest set of demons as Hashiras could have been done intentionally, referring to these characters as Gods. Compared to other humans in the Demon Slayer series, the Hashiras are far superior in strength, speed, agility, muscular and cardiovascular endurance, reflexes, vision, and much more.
They are a cut above the rest and are examples of peak human performance. Hashiras were crucial in defeating some of the Upper Moon demons in Demon Slayer, which is a testament to their physical abilities.
Another interesting parallel to Japanese mythology ties the Infinity Castle to the concept of hell. Before we dive into this, it is important to know about Izanami and Izanagi. They were a sibling pair who appeared when Earth and Heaven split. They are considered the progenitors of Japan. They united, which many considered marriage, and their first child was deformed.
Later, when they gave birth to Kagutsuchi, the fire God, Izanami was fatally burned and happened to go to Yomi. Izanagi followed her to the Land of Darkness or the Underworld. Since Izanami ate food, she wasn’t allowed to leave. Izanagi lit a fire and immediately fled with other women when he saw Izanami rotting and covered in maggots. Upon reaching the entrance of Yomi, he placed a massive stone that prevented her from leaving the Land of Darkness. This severed their ties.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, could be considered a reference to Izanagi. This means that the meeting of the Hashiras in season 1 of Demon Slayer can be attributed to the meeting of Gods. Furthermore, Kibutsuji Muzan, the prime antagonist of the anime and manga series, can be attributed to Izanami. With that in mind, one can draw a parallel between the Infinity Castle and the Underworld/hell.
Stay tuned for more anime and manga news as 2023 progresses.
