Obanai Iguro: The Might of the Snake Pillar in Demon Slayer Revealed
Unveiling the enigmatic powers of Obanai Iguro - the elusive Serpent Hashira of Demon Slayer, a series that captivates with its mysterious characters and their hidden abilities
The allure of the Demon Slayer anime lies in its gradual unveiling of characters' powers, including those of Obanai Iguro. While introduced in season 1, Obanai's abilities remain shrouded in mystery. However, upcoming seasons promise to deliver more screen time for Obanai, allowing viewers to delve deeper into his character. As a result, non-manga readers are eager to discover Obanai's power and his standing among the Hashiras. Examining Obanai Iguro as a character and analyzing his abilities through specific feats in the manga provides insight into his true strength.
Disclaimer: This article contains massive spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga chapters.
Taking a look at Obanai Iguro - the Serpent Hashira of the
Demon Slayer series
Obanai Iguro as seen in season 1 of the anime series (Image via Ufotable)
Obanai Iguro, a formidable Hashira in the Demon Slayer series, is ranked just below Gyomei Himejima (Stone Hashira) and Sanemi Shinazugawa (Wind Hashira). He dons a unique version of the Demon Slayer Corps uniform, featuring a striped haori in a striking combination of white and black. Notably, he also presents with heterochromia, a rare condition characterized by two different iris colors.
Known for his uncompromising and disciplined nature, Obanai is unyielding in his interactions with others, with the exception of Mitsuri Kanroji (Love Hashira) and Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the organization's leader. Despite his best efforts to conceal them, it is evident that Obanai harbors romantic feelings for Mitsuri, which often surface in his actions and demeanor.
He, like most Hashiras, has a rather tragic past. Obanai was born into a family of robbers who worshipped a serpent demon. The family would sacrifice their children to the demon, but Obanai was unique, as he was the first son to be born in 370 years. He was kept in a cage and given lavish food while the demon slithered around him.
Obanai Iguro caged as a child (Image via Shueisha/Koyoharu Gotouge)
The demon took a liking to him and altered his appearance to match its own. Rescued by the former Flame Hashira, Shinjuro Rengoku, his escape resulted in the deaths of his relatives, leading to his only surviving cousin blaming him for their deaths. Thus began his journey as a swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Obanai is partially blind in the right eye, relying on his pet snake, Kubarumaru, to predict enemy movements and relay this information to him. This allows him to move seamlessly and position himself perfectly when fighting demons, as witnessed during his battle against Muzan. Even completely blind during this fight, Obanai managed to confront the Demon King with Kubarumaru's help.
During his battle against Muzan, Obanai Iguro successfully activated his Demon Slayer Mark, causing his Nichirin blade to glow bright red. This enabled him to not only inflict damage on Muzan but also hinder his rapid regeneration. Additionally, he gained the ability to see Muzan's 12 vital organs, comprising seven hearts and five brains, after unlocking the Transparent World.
Obanai Iguro utilizes his self-developed Breathing Technique, called Serpent Breathing, to take on demons with ease. This technique consists of five forms that make use of the flexible and multidirectional movements of a snake. Through a combination of power and complex, high-flexibility movements, Obanai is able to effectively combat demons.
His critical role in the manga cannot be overstated, as he not only saved Tanjiro from certain death after Muzan's attacks but also successfully evaded and countered Muzan's assaults with his Breathing Technique, hindering the Demon King's regeneration. His actions allowed other demon hunters to concentrate their attacks on Muzan, ultimately leading to the downfall of the powerful demon.
Stay tuned for more anime and manga news as 2023 progresses.
Editor's P/S
As a passionate fan of the Demon Slayer series, I am thrilled to delve deeper into the character of Obanai Iguro, the enigmatic Serpent Hashira. His unique abilities and intriguing backstory make him one of the most captivating characters in the series. While his presence in season 1 of the anime was limited, the upcoming seasons promise to shed more light on his powers and his role within the Demon Slayer Corps.
Obanai's strength and determination are evident in his battles, particularly his confrontation with Muzan, the Demon King. Despite being partially blind, he relies on his pet snake, Kubarumaru, and his self-developed Serpent Breathing Technique to fight effectively. His ability to activate the Demon Slayer Mark and see Muzan's vital organs demonstrates his exceptional skills and unwavering resolve. Obanai's contributions to the final battle against Muzan are crucial, as he not only saves Tanjiro but also hinders Muzan's regeneration, allowing other demon hunters to strike the fatal blow.
