Muichiro: How Muichiro's trauma shaped him as a Demon Slayer, explored

How Muichiro's trauma shaped him as a Demon Slayer, explored

Modified Nov 05, 2024 11:30 GMT

Demon Slayer's Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, has been highly regarded for his prodigious skill and seemingly aloof demeanor. Initially, it looked like he was apathetic, but underneath his calm and emotionless exterior lies a harrowing past. This is what shaped him as a Demon Slayer and his journey ahead.

Orphaned at a young age, he had to watch his older twin brother, Yuichiro, die before his eyes. The incident resulted in him losing his memories and later dedicating himself to slaying demons. Being a prodigy, it didn't take him long to rise to the rank of Hashira.

By delving into the impact of his trauma, Mist Hashira's character can be better understood.

Muichiro Tokito's unfortunate past shaped him as a Demon Slayer

To begin with, Muichiro and Yuichiro were twins born to a woodcutter. At age 10, they lost their mother to bronchitis and their father too, who went to fetch medicinal herbs for his wife. The orphaned siblings began surviving together, working hard and somehow making ends meet. Muichiro took on his father's demeanour (emotional and kind) and Yuichiro became cold and apathetic towards life.

This was also when Kagaya Ubuyashiki's wife, Amane, arrived to recruit the twins to the Demon Slayer Corps. While Muichiro was eager, Yuichiro was opposed to it. Every time Amane visited, she faced bitterness from the older twin. One night, a demon attacked their cabin, gravely injuring Yuichiro. Muichiro witnessed this and in a fit of rage, used whatever tools they had to fight back.

Ultimately beating the demon, Muichiro returned to the hut to watch his brother die, helpless to save him. Morning came and Amane and her daughters arrived, healing the severely injured boy. The incident caused him to lose his memories and from then on, he dedicated himself entirely to the Demon Slayer Corps. His immense strength and tough training allowed him to make Hashira in just 2 months.

Muichiro's trauma contributed greatly to shaping his journey as a Demon Slayer, fueling his transformation into one of the Corps' most powerful members. His parents' death and then Yuichiro's passing awakened a rage and helplessness in him. This is why he began to become more like Yuichiro soon after, i.e., cold, detached and hyper-focused on slaying Demons.

As seen, he was able to channel his inner pain into ruthless determination, developing his skills with undying resolve. His trauma also served as a catalyst for his strength. The loss he suffered allowed him to push his limits time and again, even awakening the Demon Slayer mark, a rarity. Repressed emotions and disciplined training moulded Muichiro into a fierce warrior pursuing strength, duty, and justice.

Moreover, a little detail about him speaks greatly of how affected he was. In Japanese culture, swordsmen often rest their swords on their right side when they feel they are in a safe place, like with Rengoku (flashback) and Yorichi (flashback). But Muichiro always keeps it on the left - he is always alert, as seen when he reacted quickly when Hantengu and Gyokko attacked during the Swordsmith Village Arc.

Final Thoughts

Undoubtedly, Muichiro has been deeply affected by his beginnings. What was extremely unfortunate also fueled him to become one of the Corps' most powerful members, being just a teenager. It was like a spark that set fire to his explosive potential as a swordsman.

Even the tiniest details about Muichiro, like placing his sword on the left and not right, speak volumes about him. The trauma of being attacked in his own home likely made him not trust any scenario whatsoever, always prepared to take up arms when necessary.