Overview of the Bond Between Yoriichi and Kokushibo
- Kokushibo and Yoriichi share a profound bond through their brotherhood and the evolution of unique breathing techniques.
- Yoriichi’s attempts to train demon slayers ultimately led to the creation of distinct breathing styles.
- Driven by jealousy, Kokushibo transformed into a demon, yet he remained unable to surpass Yoriichi in combat.
The Twelve Moons represent the zenith of demon power, acting as formidable enforcers for Muzan Kibutsuji, the primary antagonist in Demon Slayer. Among them, Kokushibo stands out as the leading figure, distinguished by his katana and imposing presence. Fans might notice striking similarities between Kokushibo and the iconic demon slayer Yoriichi, which poses an interesting duality—a demon wielding a katana, defying traditional roles.
However, the connection between Kokushibo and Yoriichi is far more intricate than it appears. Let’s delve deeper into the remarkable relationship shared by Upper Rank One and the revered Demon Slayer.
Yoriichi and Kokushibo: The First Two Demon Slayers
The Troubled Twins
Kokushibo, originally known as Michikatsu Tsugikuni, had a younger twin brother named Yoriichi Tsugikuni. In their time, the existence of male twins was regarded as ominous, leading their father to consider taking drastic measures against Yoriichi. Thankfully, their mother intervened, persuading their father to spare the child and instead send him away to a monastery upon reaching the age of ten. Consequently, Yoriichi grew up in seclusion, often isolated from the family and believed to be deaf and mute.
During this time, Michikatsu dedicated himself to mastering swordsmanship, aspiring to become a samurai. Despite their circumstances, the bond between the twins thrived, with Michikatsu often sneaking away to visit Yoriichi. One day, he surprised Yoriichi by gifting him a handmade flute. Yoriichi, inspired by his brother’s dedication, displayed extraordinary potential during sword practice, impressively landing decisive blows and demonstrating an insight into energy flow—an indication of his latent abilities linked to Sun Breathing.
Tragedy struck when their mother succumbed to illness, prompting Yoriichi to leave their home, an event silently observed by Michikatsu, whose feelings of envy and admiration were deeply buried. Michikatsu eventually rose to become a skilled samurai, building a family of his own. However, fate intervened when a demon attack decimated his camp, only for Yoriichi to appear and rescue him, displaying his mastery as a demon slayer.
I will stop your bleeding. Humans are so fragile. However… if you bleed to death… or if his lordship doesn’t approve of you… and you die… then death was always your fate. In that case… you were no greater a man than that. Don’t you… agree?
Witnessing his brother’s growth pushed Michikatsu into a downwards spiral of jealousy. Recognizing Yoriichi’s attempts to train fellow demon slayers in Sun Breathing had proved ineffective, Michikatsu adapted and developed new breathing techniques tailored to their strengths. Ultimately, he awakened a Slayer Mark, leading to a distinct breathing style known as Moon Breathing. However, his ever-increasing frustration culminated in a fateful encounter with Muzan Kibutsuji, who lured him into demonhood.
The transformation into a demon took Michikatsu three days, after which he adopted the name Kokushibo. As the Upper Rank One among the Twelve Moons, Kokushibo became Muzan’s strongest ally, wreaking havoc by eliminating numerous demon slayers. In a gripping moment, Yoriichi confronted Muzan, pushing the demon lord to his limits and nearly defeating him.
Decades later, Kokushibo faced Yoriichi once again and was struck by his brother’s frailty. A swift attack on his brother resulted in Yoriichi’s throat being slit, yet Kokushibo observed tears in Yoriichi’s eyes, indicative of the sorrow over his brother’s transformation. In a fit of rage and disappointment, Kokushibo struck Yoriichi’s corpse, inadvertently severing the flute that held so much sentimental value. Epiphany hit him as he realized that his brother had cherished their bond throughout their lives, leaving him with a single tear and a newfound resolve to keep the flute.
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