Muichiro Tokito from the Demon Slayer series was prominently featured during the Swordsmith Village arc, providing fans with a deeper understanding of his backstory and his motivation for becoming a demon hunter. Readers of the manga know that he is an exceptionally skilled demon hunter and became a Hashira in just two months, demonstrating his exceptional abilities. Despite this, fans are curious about whether Muichiro Tokito was able to fulfill the potential of his lineage.
To comprehend this, we need to go back to the Demon Slayer manga chapters and examine the specific accomplishments he has made.
Note: This article includes major spoilers from the Infinity Castle and Sunrise Countdown story arcs of the Demon Slayer manga series.
Demon Slayer: Did Muichiro reach his full potential in the anime and manga series?
Muichiro Tokito did not fulfill his full potential in the Demon Slayer series. Before discussing this, it's crucial to understand his heritage and lineage. The manga revealed that he was the final living descendant of Kokushibo, the Upper Moon 1 demon, and also the brother of Yoriichi, a legendary swordsman who almost defeated Kibutsuji Muzan single-handedly.
Muichiro Tokito acquitted himself admirably in a solo battle against an Upper Moon demon, easily emerging victorious. Initially overwhelmed by the Upper Moon 5 demon, Gyokko, the Hashira rallied and ultimately saved Hagazenuka. Additionally, Muichiro Tokito played a pivotal role in the confrontation with Kokushibo. This dramatic encounter unfolds in the Infinity Castle arc of the Demon Slayer series.
Sanemi Shinazugawa, Gyomei Himejima, and Genya Shinazugawa were also involved in the fight. Muichiro was the first to encounter the Upper Moon 1 demon and it was then that Kokushibo revealed their connection. The two then engaged in combat, highlighting the stark contrast in their abilities and skill. Despite trying everything he could, the Mist Hashira was unable to do much. Eventually, he tapped into his Demon Slayer Mark, greatly boosting his physical and combat abilities. However, even with this power, Kokushibo was able to easily dodge his attacks.
Muichiro found himself injured by one of Kokushibo’s strikes, wielding a unique blade crafted from his own flesh. Additionally, Kokushibo developed a form of breathing technique called Moon Breathing, inspired by Yoriichi’s Sun Breathing.
Kokushibo's attack fatally wounded Muichiro, but before he succumbed to his injuries, he managed to stab Kokushibo and change the color of his Nichirin blade to a hot red hue. This critical act ultimately led to Kokushibo's demise in the Demon Slayer series, with the assistance of Sanemi, Gyomei, and Genya. Unfortunately, Muichiro's untimely death at just 14 or 15 years old meant that he was unable to fully realize his potential, as most combatants reach their peak in physicality and technique in their early twenties. He had many years ahead of him to train and reach his full potential.
Muichiro may not be as powerful as Gyomei, but some could argue that with serious training, he could have become the strongest Hashira in the next decade. It would have been intriguing to see how far the Mist Hashira could have advanced in the Demon Slayer series if he had lived longer. Keep an eye out for more anime and manga news as 2023 unfolds.
Editor's P/S
As a Muichiro Tokito fan, I have mixed feelings about whether he reached his full potential in the Demon Slayer series. On one hand, it's clear that he was an incredibly talented swordsman with a lot of potential. He was able to defeat an Upper Moon demon on his own, and he played a key role in the defeat of Kokushibo. On the other hand, it's also clear that he had a lot of room to grow. He was only 14 or 15 years old when he died, and most combatants reach their peak in physicality and technique in their early twenties. So, it's possible that Muichiro could have become even stronger if he had lived longer.
Overall, I think it's fair to say that Muichiro did not fulfill his full potential in the Demon Slayer series. However, he still made a significant impact on the story, and he will be remembered as one of the most talented and promising swordsmen of his generation.