Warning: contains the main SPOILERS for Demon Slayer’s storylineOne of the most appealing attributes of demon slayer‘S Tanjirou Kamado is the mark on his face, as it has a connection to a long-forgotten secret concerning the origins of the Demon Slayer Corps and their centuries-long battle against the demon. first Muzan.
As of the first chapter of the manga, Tanjiro is depicted with a large red mark above his right eye, which was originally explained as the burn scar he got when he saved his younger brother from a pot full of hot coals. However, after the battle with the Hand Demon in Chapter #7, Tanjiro was injured near the scar that needed to be bandaged. Surprisingly, when the bandage is removed in Chapter 10, the spot subtly transforms into a dynamic flame-like shape. For any fans noticing, no immediate explanation was given for this change. Then, after the battle with the low level Five Ru, the scar changed again, and then again after the battle with the Sixth Rank Demon Gyutaro. Only later did fans learn the scar was actually the “Demon Slayer Mark” – a distinctive mark that appears on select Demon Slayers after they reach a certain level of physical stress and specific spirit, opening up superhuman possibilities.
Tanjiro’s mark can release the power of Hinokami Kagura
While these attributes on Tanjiro’s scar are interesting, what’s even more interesting is how it ties back to the strongest Demon Hunter Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the first to ever appear with the Mark of Demon Slayer and the Initiator of the Super Powerful Sun Breathing Technique, who is also the brother of Michikatsu Tsugikuni, aka Kokushibo, Muzan’s highest-ranking Demon. Tanjiro’s mark closely resembles in design, size, and location the mark Yoriichi displayed during his service as a Demon Hunter. Tanjiro and Yoriichi are not related by blood, but Yoriichi saved his ancestor Sumiyoshi from a demon and later became his best friend. After that, the two spent so much time together that Sumiyoshi eventually memorized Yoriichi’s Breath of the Sun Kata and later recreated it as Hinokami Kagura – a breathing and dance pattern that his clan performed annually as a ritual for the Fire God. Hinokami Kagura eventually became a Kamado family tradition passed down from generation to first son, including Tanjiro.
Yoriichi was the first to appear with the Mark of the Demon Slayer, but once he appeared, he was able to pass it on to others. Accordingly, the manifestation of Tanjiro’s mark was most likely because Yoriichi had somehow passed it on to Sumiyoshi, who then passed it on to his descendants. It manifests itself in Tanjro due to the “perfect storm” of his experiences facing death, his training with the Demon Slayer Corps, and his tacit knowledge of the Breath of the Sun technique. through Hinokami Kagura somehow work together to unlock the mark within him. Aside from Yoriichii and Tanjiro, the only person with a similar Demon Slayer Mark is Kokushibo, Yoriichi’s twin brother, who, like Tanjiro, demonstrated it during Demon Slayer training with Yoriichi. Before joining Muzan, Kokushibo was the head of the clan and one of the two best Demon Hunters of his time.
Tanjiro shares his mark with two of the best demon slayers in history
The only demon slayer that Muzan is truly afraid of is Yoriichi, who nearly kills the demon in their first encounter. Therefore, it makes sense that Tanjiro’s facial markings are so attractive. Its evolution not only unlocks the power that puts him on par with Hashira, but also links Tanjirou for the only two brothers who can reach the highest level of demon slayer soldiers.