Understanding Muzan Kibutsuji's Fear of Yoriichi Tsugikuni in Demon Slayer: A Deep Dive

Demon Slayer introduced Muzan Kibutsuji as the main antagonist early on in the story. Despite being depicted as the most powerful being in the manga, Muzan had a deep fear of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. This fear and anger were evident in every encounter with anything related to Yoriichi, leading to his extreme efforts to prevent the continuation of Yoriichi's Sun Breathing. Muzan's relentless pursuit of Tanjiro, solely due to the presence of the Hanafuda earrings, further highlights the profound fear instilled by Yoriichi.

Demon Slayer: Yoriichi was the only person to drill the idea of death in Muzan

The image above depicts Yoriichi Tsugikuni as shown in the anime (Image via Ufotable).

Muzan Kibutsuji, the main antagonist in Demon Slayer, is widely regarded as the strongest demon in the story. However, even he fears Yoriichi to such an extent that anything associated with Yoriichi, such as Tanjiro's Hanafuda earrings - originally owned by Yoriichi - makes Muzan shiver. Essentially, Muzan has always feared Yoriichi because he was the only person capable of killing him and came very close to doing so.

Yoriichi was the first and only person to overpower Muzan, which introduced the fear of defeat and death in Muzan for the first time. Although it isn't directly stated, the idea of death and Yoriichi being the literal bringer of death might've shaken Muzan to his core and solidified his fear of Yoriichi in Muzan. It can also be said that Muzan might've come to associate Yoriichi with defeat and death after their encounter.

Muzan as shown in the anime (Image via Ufotable)

Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the renowned Demon Slayer, was the only one who nearly succeeded in putting an end to Muzan's reign of terror. His mastery of the Breath of the Sun, a specialized breathing technique for fighting Muzan and his demons, displayed his unmatched skill and strength.

Muzan's dread of Yoriichi was justified. Their confrontation unveiled the full extent of Yoriichi's abilities. In a Selfless State, Yoriichi confronted Muzan directly, devoid of any emotions, bloodthirst, or hostility clouding his judgement.

The Transparent World gave him the ability of literal x-ray vision, enabling him to see through flesh and observe the circulation of blood. Paired with a heightened perception of time, this gift granted Yoriichi unmatched precision in battle.

However, the turning point in their face-off came when Muzan, realizing he was losing in a fair fight, turned to deceitful methods. He kidnapped a woman and transformed her into a demon, trying to use her as a diversion. Despite Yoriichi's victory over Muzan in combat, the demon king's sly escape thwarted his ultimate downfall.

Final Thoughts

Muzan's dread of Yoriichi does not only come from the fact that the Demon Slayer can overpower and vanquish him, but also from the unmistakable danger presented by Yoriichi's unmatched expertise and distinctive abilities, making him the sole individual to have nearly succeeded in putting an end to Muzan's demonic rule.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of Demon Slayer, I find the exploration of Muzan Kibutsuji's fear of Yoriichi Tsugikuni to be a fascinating aspect of the series. The revelation that Muzan, the seemingly invincible main antagonist, harbors a deep-seated fear of a single individual adds depth and complexity to his character.

Yoriichi's exceptional skills and abilities, combined with his selfless determination to defeat Muzan, make him a formidable opponent. The fact that Yoriichi was able to push Muzan to the brink of defeat, despite Muzan's immense power, is a testament to his strength and resolve.

Muzan's fear of Yoriichi is not only justified but also serves to highlight the vulnerability and mortality of even the most powerful beings in the Demon Slayer universe. It emphasizes the idea that no one is truly invincible and that even the strongest can be challenged and defeated.

Overall, the dynamic between Muzan and Yoriichi adds a compelling layer of tension and intrigue to the story, and I am excited to see how it continues to unfold in future installments of the series.