Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has captivated audiences worldwide with its gripping story of epic battles between the heroic Demon Slayer Corps and the formidable Twelve Kizuki, a group of immensely powerful demons led by Muzan Kibutsuji. Among the most despicable members of the Twelve Kizuki was Doma, who possessed the second highest rank of Upper Rank 2. Doma, a merciless and indifferent demon, was responsible for committing numerous atrocious acts.
His depraved nature ultimately led to his well-deserved demise. But who was the one to deliver the final blow to this formidable antagonist? This article will delve into Doma's twisted past and shed light on the crucial events that culminated in his downfall in the world of Demon Slayer.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga.
Doma's backstory in Demon Slayer
Right from his early years, Doma showcased a detached and warped nature. Even as a young child, his extraordinary traits such as rainbow eyes and white hair propelled him to become the head of the Heavenly Faith Cult.
When he was still quite young, he had a traumatic experience where his mother fatally stabbed his adulterous father before taking her own life through poisoning. Surprisingly, he remained unaffected by the gruesome scene and only felt irritation towards the strong odor of blood filling the room.
At the age of merely 20, Doma encountered Muzan Kibutsuji, who transformed him into a formidable demon by compelling him to consume copious amounts of his blood. As a result, Doma, who was already cruel and emotionally detached, could now freely unleash his malevolence without any limitations.
Once transformed into a demon, Doma unleashed an indeterminate number of horrifying deeds, with Inosuke Hashibira's mother, Kotoha Hashibira, becoming one of his unfortunate victims. Escaping from the clutches of her abusive partner and her own mother, Kotoha sought solace in Doma's infamous cult.
Doma accepted her into the cult due to her beauty, subsequently killing her husband and mother-in-law when they came searching for her. However, upon discovering the true malevolence of the cult, Kotoha fled with baby Inosuke in a desperate attempt to protect him. Sadly, she met a merciless demise at the hands of Doma, leaving Inosuke as an orphan.
Furthermore, Doma transformed the orphaned siblings Gyutaro and Ume into the sadistic demons Daki and Gyutaro after encountering them. Against all odds, he also initiated them into the Twelve Kizuki, despite their humble origins. Moreover, Doma engaged in a fierce battle, inflicting critical injuries upon Kanae Kocho, the exceptionally skilled Flower Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Shinobu's Vow of Vengeance
Despite Kanae's brave efforts, she was ultimately defeated by Doma's superior strength and ability to heal. In a desperate attempt to consume her, Doma was interrupted by the arrival of sunrise, compelling him to withdraw. Tragically, Kanae succumbed to the injuries inflicted upon her by Doma during this fateful encounter.
After the tragic demise of Kanae Kocho at the merciless hands of Doma, her younger sister Shinobu, also known as the Insect Hashira, made a solemn vow to avenge the loss of her beloved sibling. Knowing full well the immense power possessed by Doma, Shinobu willingly embraced the possibility of sacrificing her own life in a fearless faceoff against the formidable demon.
Therefore, she came up with a daring strategy, collaborating closely with Doctor Tamayo to gradually develop an immunity towards the deadly wisteria poison over a one-year period. Her ultimate objective was to let Doma ingest her, effectively poisoning him internally with the substantial amount of poison accumulated in her body.
The Final Battle
During the Infinity Castle Arc, the Demon Slayer Corps embarked on their ultimate offensive against Muzan Kibutsuji and the Twelve Kizuki. Within the boundaries of Infinity Castle, Shinobu Kocho confronted the formidable Upper Rank 2 demon, Doma, as he savagely devoured his own devotees.
She wasted no time and immediately took an aggressive approach, launching a relentless series of attacks against Doma using her blade and insect breathing techniques. The battle between the two was fierce, but Shinobu's initial attempts to eliminate the demon proved unsuccessful.
Recognizing that sheer strength would not be effective, Shinobu devised a covert strategy - she allowed Doma to devour her, releasing a deadly dose of wisteria poison directly into his body. The poison swiftly commenced its destructive work, dissolving Doma's flesh while he desperately struggled to regenerate. Shinobu had triumphantly executed her intricate suicide mission, successfully slaying the merciless demon.
It was at that precise moment when Kanao Tsuyuri and Inosuke Hashibira, Shinobu's adopted sister and her companion, respectively, emerged on the scene. Witnessing the devastating impact of the wisteria poison on Doma, the weakened demon, they seized this golden opportunity to swiftly behead him before he could regain his strength.
Using the last remnants of his power, Doma summoned a colossal ice statue inspired by Buddhism, surrounded by vibrant lotus flowers, as a protective barrier. However, Kanao demonstrated her mastery of the advanced Flower Breathing technique, gracefully evading Doma's defenses, while Inosuke unleashed fierce attacks with his untamed dual blades. Together, their combined strength allowed them to penetrate the barrier and sever Doma's head in a scissor-like strike.
In his final moments, Doma felt overwhelming humiliation at being defeated by these seemingly "weak" demon slayers. In a desperate attempt to regenerate his severed head, he discovered the impending doom brought upon by Shinobu's brilliant poison plan. Given his sadistic past, Doma's excruciating demise seemed a fitting end. Even as his existence drew to a close, the pain of rejection pierced his heart as Shinobu scorned his declaration of love for her.
In summary, Shinobu Kocho successfully completed her mission by administering a fatal dose of wisteria poison internally, which led to the demise of Doma. With the help of Kanao and Inosuke, Shinobu avenged her sister's murder by decapitating the formidable Upper Rank 2, Doma.
His agonizing demise was poetic justice for an appallingly cruel demon who inflicted immense suffering. Demon Slayer highlights that courageous self-sacrifice can topple even the greatest evils.
Editor's P/S
As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about Doma's demise. On one hand, I feel a sense of relief and satisfaction that this despicable villain finally got what he deserved. His cruel and indifferent nature, coupled with the numerous atrocities he committed, made him one of the most hateable characters in the series.
The fact that he was responsible for the deaths of so many innocent people, including Inosuke's mother and Kanae Kocho, only further solidified my desire to see him defeated. On the other hand, I can't help but feel a tinge of sadness at his demise. Despite his evil ways, Doma was still a complex and tragic character.
His traumatic childhood and subsequent transformation into a demon played a significant role in shaping his twisted personality. It's clear that he was deeply damaged and in pain, and that his actions were a manifestation of his own inner turmoil. In a way, his demise is a reminder of the destructive power of hatred and revenge, and the importance of compassion and understanding in the face of evil.