John Reeves
March 14, 2023
Demon Slayer | Character Analysis | Kyojuro Rengoku, The Flame Hashira
By: Prince Lammy
Kyojuro Rengoku is not just a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. He was the Fire Hashira, signifying he was one of their most formidable fighters. He was also the main protagonist of the Mugen Train Arc and an important side character of the series.
Kyojuro is one of the deadliest fighters in the Demon Slayer Corps, owing to his ferocious disposition and exceptional swordsmanship. He is known as one of the Corp's most fearsome members. Until his death, he was an exceptional Hashira. (Hashira are the best and most skilled amongst the Demon Slayers.)
But unlike most other Hashira, Kyojuro was a very light-hearted and dashing fellow, "fancy" as Tengen Uzui would say. He died in the hands of Akaza, the Upper Three Demon amongst Muzan Kibutsuji's Twelve Kizuki deadly demons.
Profile
Name: Kyojuro Rengoku
Age: 20
Birthday: 10th May
Species: Human
Eye Color: Irises in gold with red pupils
Hair Color: Gold with red tips
Fighting Technique: Fire Breathing
Anime Debut: Episode 21
Status: Dead
Background
Kyojuro was born as the eldest son of the Rengoku family, a renowned family of Demon Slayers. His father, Shinjuro Rengoku, was the former Flame Hashira before Kyojuro, and his mother was also a skilled warrior. From a young age, Kyojuro was trained in the art of the sword and was instilled with a strong sense of justice and duty to protect humanity from demons.
As a young boy, Kyojuro was always motivated by his father's rank as a Hashira and a series of drills. These motivated him even further to become a powerful Demon Slayer, and he spent years honing his skills and mastering the flame-breathing technique passed down in his family.
Kyojuro eventually joined the Demon Slayer Corps, and his exceptional strength and abilities quickly earned him the rank of Hashira. He dedicated his life to fighting demons and protecting innocent lives, earning him the respect and admiration of his fellow Demon Slayers and the people he protected.
Appearance
Kyojuro was a young man who looked tall, strong, and athletic. Everyone knows that he is charismatic and exudes tremendous positivity. In addition, he grins enthusiastically almost every time and is always jovial, even to strangers and demons.
He had long, brilliant yellow hair with red streaks that resembled flames. He had two shoulder-length bangs on either side of his head and two chin-length bangs. His black eyebrows were forked, and his golden eyes had crimson pupils that faded to red (apparently, that's what's common to all Rengokus).
Kyojuro wore a tattsuke-hakama jacket, a white belt, and brown gakuran robes with brown tattsuke-hakama pants for a more relaxed take on the traditional attire worn by Demon Slayers. On top of this, he donned a haori with a white-to-yellow gradient design and red ridges that resembled flames.
This haori resembled those his father Shinjuro and maybe his grandfather wore when they were the Flame Hashira. He ultimately donned a white zri with red straps, light brown tabi socks, and a red kyahan with yellow flames bursting from the bottom up.
Originally, like all other demon slayers, he was compelled to wear the normal uniform when he had just joined the Demon Slayer Corps, but he began to wear a white haori before switching to his distinctive haori with a flame design.
Personality And Traits
Amongst all the Hashiras, Kyojuro seems to be the most thrilled about the responsibilities of being a Hashira, and as a result, he frequently exhibited a wonderfully quirky demeanor. He was friendly, had a decent heart, and exhibited exceptional swordsmanship and skill as a result of his rigorous training and discipline. Apparently, he's had his thoughts and doctrines pined on defending the weak and was always guided by certain principles and values, which he is known for reminding people around him about.
Despite his father's rising hostility and indifference towards him, Kyojuro showed his father, Shinjuro Rengoku, an extraordinary degree of respect and care. Constantly believing in his younger brother, Senjuro Rengoku, and wishing him the best of luck in all he accomplishes, he is incredibly positive and supportive toward him.
The fact that his parting words to his father and younger brother were "take care of your body" and "follow your aspirations no matter what" emphasizes these even further. Through him, most people learned that the Kyojuro school of thought holds that a person's efforts are not in vain if they are totally devoted to accomplishing their goals and have a great desire to serve others, even if they are not very skilled.
Regarding battle, the Rengokus are renowned for their great logic and strategic intelligence, enabling them to respond swiftly and precisely, especially when others' lives are at stake. Kyojuro is also exceptional at recognizing skill in others, particularly Nezuko, a demon he originally wanted to murder but changed his mind about after witnessing her selfless act of saving others. Despite his infinite optimism, Kyojuro is occasionally gripped with fear at the potential death of individuals he loves dearly or anyone around him.
Last but not least, he loathes demons, much like the great majority of Demon Slayers, either due to the monstrous atrocities they commit or their contradicting moral views. Despite this, Kyojuro accepted Nezuko into the Demon Slayer Corps after witnessing her risk her life in defense of innocents. This establishes that he can prevent his hate of demons from clouding his judgment. Thus he allowed Nezuko to join the group.
Skills
Kyojuro is the Flame Hashira, meaning he's a master of the Flame Breathing Technique. He has also mastered many forms of his technique, some of which include, but may not be limited to:
- Flame Dance: this unique skill allows him to create a defensive barrier of flames to protect himself and others from harm.
- Flame Breathing First Form: Unknowing Fire: This is the first form of Kyojuro's Flame Breathing technique. It involves releasing flames from his body in a burst of power, creating a powerful attack that can defeat even the strongest demons.
- Flame Breathing Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun: This is the second form of Kyojuro's Flame Breathing technique. It involves him creating a large flame vortex that can easily burn through demons.
- Flame Breathing Third Form: Ashura: This is the third form of Kyojuro's Flame Breathing technique. It involves him creating a giant fiery demon that attacks his opponents relentlessly.
- Flame Breathing Fourth Form: Crimson Lotus: This is the fourth form of Kyojuro's Flame Breathing technique. It involves him creating a massive amount of flames that explode in a burst of power.
- Flame Breathing Fifth Form: Flame Tiger: This is the fifth form of Kyojuro's Flame Breathing technique. It involves him creating a flaming tiger that can be used to attack his opponents.
- Flame Breathing Sixth Form: Rapid Consecutive Fire: This is the sixth form of Kyojuro's Flame Breathing technique. It involves him creating a rapid barrage of fireballs to defeat multiple demons simultaneously.
- Flame Breathing Seventh Form: Honoikazuchi no Kami: This is the seventh and final form of Kyojuro's Flame Breathing technique. It involves him unleashing a massive amount of flames that take on the form of a god.
Strengths
In addition to his Flame Breathing technique, Kyojuro Rengoku has several other strengths as a demon slayer:
- Physical strength: Kyojuro has an incredibly strong physique, which allows him to perform powerful and swift movements in combat. He can easily lift heavy objects and use his strength to overpower opponents.
- Agility: Kyojuro is extremely agile and nimble, allowing him to evade attacks and move quickly in combat. This, combined with his strength, makes him a formidable opponent.
- Perception and intuition: Kyojuro has a keen sense of perception and intuition, allowing him to assess situations quickly and make split-second decisions. He can anticipate his opponent's moves and react accordingly, which gives him an advantage in battle.
- Leadership: Kyojuro is a natural leader who can inspire and motivate others. He is respected and admired by his fellow demon slayers, who look up to him as a role model.
Overall, Kyojuro Rengoku is a well-rounded demon slayer with various strengths in addition to his flame-breathing technique.
Weakness(es)
As a Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku is a highly skilled and powerful demon slayer, but he is not without his weaknesses. One of his main weaknesses is his tendency to put the lives of innocent people before his own, which can make him vulnerable to manipulation by demons who prey on his sense of duty and responsibility.
Additionally, his sense of honor and duty can make him overconfident in battle, leading him to underestimate his opponents and potentially leave him open to attacks. Furthermore, like all demon slayers, he is vulnerable to the demon blood that can turn him into a demon if exposed to too much of it.
Relationships
Kyojuro Rengoku is a highly respected and admired character in Demon Slayer, and his relationships with other characters reflect this. He has a close relationship with his younger brother, Senjuro, and is shown to be protective of him. He is also shown to have a strong bond with his fellow Demon Slayers, particularly Tanjiro and his companions. He values teamwork and is willing to put himself in harm's way to protect others.
His relationship with his father is not exactly shown in the anime or manga, but it is implied that he holds his father's teachings and legacy in high regard. Overall, Kyojuro is a character respected and loved by those around him.
Let's talk about how his relationships with the people around him shaped his character development. His relationship with his father, another Demon Slayer, instilled a sense of duty and honor in him. His interactions with Tanjiro and his companions highlighted his humility and compassion, despite his position as a Hashira.
His fight with Akaza showcased his unwavering determination and commitment to protecting humanity. Ultimately, Kyojuro's relationships and interactions demonstrated his strong sense of duty, honor, humility, and compassion, which made him a beloved character and a worthy Hashira.
Ketsuron (Conclusion)
In conclusion, Kyojuro Rengoku is a complex and well-developed character who plays a pivotal role in the Demon Slayer series. His unwavering dedication to his duty as a Hashira, his compassionate and empathetic nature towards others, and his determination to protect humanity from demons are some of his defining traits.
Through his relationships with his family, peers, and subordinates, Kyojuro's character is further developed, revealing his vulnerability and a deep-seated desire to fulfill his father's legacy. Ultimately, Kyojuro's tragic fate and unwavering resolve to protect others until his last breath make him a memorable and beloved character in the Demon Slayer series.
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