This article contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga.
Weakness is not something to brag about, especially in the world of Demon Slayer, where only the strong ones survive. Fighting against near-immortal demons, especially in the Infinity Castle, puts swordsmen at risk of losing their lives. Being a Hashira puts them closer to death, despite their strength and combat experience. Like with any survival anime, only the strong will live in Demon Slayer, unless they have never-ending luck.
Out of all the fights happening in Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, one will show just how vast the power difference is between an upper moon and a Hashira. No matter how hard they prepared themselves to fight against Muzan’s strongest demons, human limitations will unfortunately hold them back. Among the Hashira risking their lives, this Hashira will have no choice but to accept their weakness until the end.
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The Insect Hashira Is the Weakest in Demon Slayer
Shinobu Kocho’s Speed Is Superior But Her Swinging Strength Is Weak
- Shinobu Kocho is widely recognized as the weakest Hashira due to her swinging strength.
- Despite Shinobu’s intelligence, she never learns how to successfully decapitate a demon.
A typical Hashira in Demon Slayer relies on raw strength and impeccable swordsmanship. The likes of Giyu Tomioka, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and Mitsuri Kanroji are probably the best examples of a traditional Hashira who combines their breathing techniques with their brute strength to decapitate a demon. However, among their ranks, the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, fights differently.
The Insect Hashira is widely recognized for her unconventional ways of killing demons. Instead of going for the demon’s head, Shinobu Kocho uses her Nichirin Blade that’s infused with a lethal dosage of wisteria poison to kill demons. It’s an alternative way of killing demons, which only Shinobu can use to compensate for her greatest weakness. Unfortunately, unlike the other Hashira, as well as the main trio, Shinobu can’t decapitate a demon’s head.
How can you feel sorry for something that’s killed humans?—Shinobu Kocho
As it turns out, Shinobu Kocho has a weak swinging strength, making it impossible for her to decapitate a demon’s head. However, that doesn’t mean her pushing and thrusting strengths are also weak. In fact, it’s stronger than everyone else, since it’s powerful enough to penetrate boulders. It is also faster than water breathing’s piercing raindrop, which is said to be the style’s fastest technique. Still, despite all this muscle, it doesn’t change the fact that Shinobu can’t decapitate a demon, making her the weakest among the Hashira.
The Insect Hashira’s Fight With Doma Exposes Her as the Weakest
Shinobu Kocho Dies in Infinity Castle
The Insect Hashira will face her most powerful opponent yet in Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. While most manga fans are already aware of the outcome of the battle, anime-only fans probably had no clue what was coming for them. After all, the fight against Doma will be almost entirely one-sided, with Shinobu Kocho on the losing end.
But even before the fight with Doma begins, Shinobu Kocho has already accepted her death in Infinity Castle. In other words, Shinobu expected that she would die in the hands of Doma, the upper moon demon with bloodstains on his head, and the same demon with a carefree smile. It was her plan to offer her life to Doma, knowing full well that the upper moon has a fascination with consuming women.
Instead of engaging in an intense showdown with Doma, Shinobu will be quickly overpowered without even landing a decisive blow. While her plan will be proven effective in the long run, her noble sacrifice means she doesn’t have what it takes to fight on equal ground with demons like Doma.
Could the Insect Hashira Defeat Doma With a More Powerful Physique?
Sacrificing Speed for Strength
While fighting Doma in the Infinity Castle, Shinobu Kocho will be plagued with negative thoughts about her strength. It’s not uncommon for Demon Slayer characters to experience this anxiety, especially against a powerful opponent that intentionally shows their shortcomings. Fighting against Doma would make Shinobu wish she had a bigger build, which could allow her to decapitate a demon’s head without relying on poison.
If only Shinobu had a bigger body, arms, and legs, like her fellow Hashira, she could have had a better advantage against demons like Doma. She might even have had better options instead of resorting to a death-or-nothing strategy.
And just as we were saved, there are those whose happiness hasn’t yet been destroyed.—Shinobu Kocho
However, if Shinobu were to receive more muscle mass in Demon Slayer, her speed would be sacrificed. While a larger body could have helped Shinobu, it doesn’t guarantee she would come out of the Infinity Castle alive. Remember how Rengoku Kyojuro perished against Akaza in the Mugen Train movie? Well, he had a larger and physically stronger frame than Shinobu, but he still died in the end.
