Tanjiro Kamado is the main protagonist of the popular manga and anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He is a kind-hearted and courageous young man who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered by Muzan Kibutsuji, the first and most powerful demon in existence. Tanjiro’s only surviving relative is his sister Nezuko, who was turned into a demon by Muzan’s blood. Tanjiro’s goal is to find a way to restore Nezuko’s humanity and to avenge his family by killing Muzan.
Upper Moon 1, also known as Kokushibo, is the strongest member of the Twelve Kizuki, the elite group of demons who serve under Muzan. He is a fearsome and ruthless demon who has lived for over 400 years, honing his skills in swordsmanship and his unique blood demon art that allows him to create and manipulate crescent moon-shaped blades. He is also the ancestor of Muichiro Tokito and Yuichiro Tokito, two of the Hashira (the highest-ranking demon slayers) who are related to Tanjiro.
But what is the exact relationship between Upper Moon 1 and Tanjiro? How are they connected by blood and destiny? And what is the secret behind their similar breathing styles? In this article, we will explore the surprising truth behind their connection and reveal some shocking facts that you may not have known.
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The Twin Brothers: Michikatsu and Yoriichi
To understand the connection between Upper Moon 1 and Tanjiro, we have to go back to the Sengoku era, a turbulent period of Japanese history marked by constant wars and social upheaval. During this time, there lived two twin brothers named Michikatsu Tsugikuni and Yoriichi Tsugikuni. They were born into a noble family that had a special lineage: they were descendants of Sumiyoshi, a legendary swordsman who was said to have mastered the Sun Breathing, the original and most powerful breathing style that gave its users superhuman abilities.
Michikatsu and Yoriichi were very different from each other. Michikatsu was ambitious, competitive, and proud. He wanted to become a great warrior and surpass his brother, who was born with a weak constitution and a gentle personality. Yoriichi, on the other hand, was compassionate, humble, and peaceful. He had no interest in fighting or fame, but he had a natural talent for swordsmanship and breathing techniques. He inherited the Sun Breathing from Sumiyoshi and developed it further into his own style.
The brothers’ paths diverged when they joined the Demon Slayer Corps, an organization that was formed to combat the threat of demons. Michikatsu became one of the first Hashira and rose to fame for his achievements. However, he was also arrogant and cruel, looking down on other demon slayers and killing demons without mercy. He also envied his brother, who despite his frailty, was far superior to him in every aspect.
Yoriichi, meanwhile, became a legend among the demon slayers. He was the only one who could use the Thirteenth Form of the Sun Breathing, a technique that allowed him to move at incredible speeds and slash through anything with ease. He was also the only one who ever faced Muzan in combat and almost killed him. However, Yoriichi spared Muzan’s life out of pity and compassion, hoping that he would repent for his sins.
This act of mercy would prove to be a fatal mistake. Muzan swore revenge on Yoriichi and vowed to destroy everything he loved. He also became obsessed with finding a way to replicate his power and create more demons like him.
The Demon Transformation: Kokushibo
Michikatsu’s life took a tragic turn when he lost his wife and children in a fire that was set by Muzan’s minions. He blamed Yoriichi for not killing Muzan when he had the chance and grew bitter and resentful. He also became fearful of death and aging, as he realized that he would never be able to surpass his brother or achieve his dreams.
One day, he encountered Muzan himself, who offered him a deal: he would give him some of his blood and turn him into a demon, granting him eternal youth and immense power. In exchange, Michikatsu would have to serve him as one of his Twelve Kizuki and help him eradicate the demon slayers.
Michikatsu accepted the offer without hesitation. He abandoned his human name and identity and became Kokushibo, Upper Moon 1. He also abandoned his original breathing style and created his own: Moon Breathing, which was based on the movements of the moon and its phases.
As a demon, Kokushibo became even more ruthless and merciless than before. He killed countless demon slayers and humans, including his own descendants. He also developed a twisted sense of pride and honor, believing that he was the true successor of Sumiyoshi and the Sun Breathing. He despised anyone who used a different breathing style, especially those who derived from the Sun Breathing, such as the Water Breathing and the Flame Breathing.
He also harbored a deep hatred for his brother, who he considered to be a traitor and a coward. He sought to kill him and take his place as the strongest swordsman in history.
The Final Battle: Tanjiro
The fate of Kokushibo and Yoriichi would eventually intertwine with that of Tanjiro, who was their distant relative. Tanjiro was the descendant of Sumire, Yoriichi’s wife, who was also a demon slayer. Sumire had inherited the earrings that Yoriichi wore, which were a symbol of the Sun Breathing. She passed them down to her son, who passed them down to his son, and so on, until they reached Tanjiro.
Tanjiro also inherited the potential to use the Sun Breathing, although he was unaware of it at first. He learned the Water Breathing from Sakonji Urokodaki, his master and a former Hashira. He also learned the Dance of the Fire God from his father, Tanjuro, who taught him a ritual dance that was performed by their ancestors to honor the sun god.
Tanjiro’s journey as a demon slayer led him to face many enemies and challenges, including some of the Twelve Kizuki. He also met many allies and friends, such as Zenitsu Agatsuma, Inosuke Hashibira, Kanao Tsuyuri, and the Hashira. He also encountered Yushiro, a demon who was loyal to Tamayo, a former demon doctor who was working on a cure for Nezuko.
Tanjiro’s ultimate goal was to confront Muzan and end his reign of terror. However, before he could do that, he had to face Kokushibo, who was guarding Muzan’s hideout.
The final battle between Tanjiro and Kokushibo was one of the most epic and intense fights in the series. It involved not only them, but also several other characters who joined forces to stop Kokushibo.
On Tanjiro’s side were:
- Genya Shinazugawa, a demon slayer who could consume demon flesh and gain their abilities.
- Sanemi Shinazugawa, Genya’s older brother and the Wind Hashira.
- Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira and the strongest among them.
- Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira and Kokushibo’s descendant.
- Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira and Muichiro’s friend.
On Kokushibo’s side were:
- Kaigaku, a former demon slayer who betrayed his comrades and became a demon under Kokushibo’s influence.
- Nakime, Upper Moon 4 and Muzan’s spy who could manipulate space with her blood demon art.
The battle was fierce and brutal, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Kokushibo proved to be an overwhelming opponent, as he displayed his mastery of swordsmanship and his blood demon art. He also revealed his true identity as Michikatsu Tsugikuni and his connection to Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Tanjiro was shocked to learn that Kokushibo was his ancestor and that he was related to Yoriichi as well. He also realized that he had been using the Sun Breathing unconsciously throughout his fights. He decided to embrace his heritage and use the Sun Breathing fully against Kokushibo.
With the help of his allies and his determination to protect Nezuko and everyone else from Muzan’s tyranny, Tanjiro managed to overcome Kokushibo’s power and cut off his head with his sword.
However, even after being decapitated, Kokushibo refused to die. He used his blood demon art to create more blades from his severed head and body parts. He tried to kill Tanjiro and everyone else with one last attack.
But then, something unexpected happened. Yoriichi Tsugikuni appeared before Kokushibo as a spirit. He told him that he had been watching over him all this time and that he still loved him as his brother. He also told him that he was proud of him for becoming a strong swordsman and that he forgave him for everything he had done.
Yoriichi’s words touched Kokushibo’s heart and made him realize how much he had wasted his life in hatred and fear. He finally accepted his death and apologized to Yoriichi for everything. He also acknowledged Tanjiro as his successor and wished him luck in defeating Muzan.
Kokushibo’s body then crumbled into dust, ending his long and tragic existence as a demon.
