Mitsuri and Obanai's fate is a true tragedy of Demon Slayer (& it's very emotionally taxing)

While the Demon Slayer animanga verse has several unique characters with romantic narratives, none are more iconic than the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, and the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro. Their relationship is a journey filled with anticipation that ultimately ends in tragedy.

Although they both face a tragic fate after battling the Demon King, Kibutsuji Muzan, the mangaka Koyoharu Gotouge did not let their story end in complete despair. It may not have gone exactly as fans had hoped, but in the end, the lovers are reunited.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga series.

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The Demon Slayer love story that fans will never forget

In the Demon Slayer story, the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, fell in love with the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, the first time he met her. However, because of Obanai's gynophobia caused by his traumatic past, he struggled to confess his love for Mitsuri. Instead, he was very protective of her and disliked it when other people or demons called her "dumb" or "air-headed" because of her bubbly personality.

Obanai's love for Mitsuri often came out involuntarily, like during the Hashira Training arc when Obanai received a letter from Mitsuri describing her time with Tanjiro. There was also the iconic scene where Obanai gave Mitsuri a pair of striped socks to help her feel less embarrassed. She was thrilled with the gift and told Obanai she would treasure the socks forever.

Even during the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle arc, while everyone was separated after Nakime teleported them on Muzan's orders, Obanai and Mitsuri were seen falling together. Furthermore, they showed perfect teamwork fighting Nakime in the castle. However, they were unable to defeat Nakime, and Muzan ultimately killed the demon.

Later, they joined Tanjiro and Giyu as they fought the Demon King, Kibutsuji Muzan. During the fight, as Mitsuri got injured, Obanai, who was by her side, immediately ordered a Demon Slayer to help her before returning to the battlefield. Mitsuri called out his name and begged him not to get killed as he left.

After fighting Muzan, Mitsuri found herself wrapped in Obanai’s haori while being held by him after she lost both her arms. Mitsuri said that her body doesn’t hurt anymore and that she feels as if she is going to die soon, with Obanai also saying the same thing.

Mitsuri started crying and said that she didn’t want Obanai to die and that she was sorry that she wasn’t useful in the fight. Obanai shut her up, and they reminisced about the times they shared over the years at the Corps. Mitsuri confessed her love, saying that the meals they shared were the best she had ever had because he always looked at her with his sweet eyes.

She asked if they would ever be reborn; would he then make her his wife? He hugged her harder with his final words being,

“Yes, of course... if you will agree to have me. And this time I will make you happy... and protect you so that you don’t die”.

The pair eventually died, and their bodies were recovered and given a proper burial later.

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Final thoughts

Mitsuri and Obanai's last moments (Image via Viz Media)

While many fans thought that this was the tragic end for Mitsuri and Obanai's love story in the Demon Slayer series, Gotouge had something else planned for them.

In chapter 205 of the manga, fans see Obanai and Mitsuri reincarnated and married, as they had promised before they died, and they are running a restaurant together. In the volume extras, it was also revealed that they have five kids.

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