Before the world of Demon Slayer was filled with emotionally scarred kids fighting demons with tears and rage, there was one guy who became a living (and later, dead) legend: Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Born with ridiculous power straight outta the womb, Yoriichi wasn’t your average swordsman. He’s the reason Muzan Kibutsuji, the OG demon boss, still has cold sweats even though he technically doesn’t need sleep.
In one epic battle, Yoriichi nearly turned Muzan into sushi. Sadly, “almost” doesn’t count in the world of demon extermination.
But what made Yoriichi so different? Why is he hailed as the strongest Demon Slayer ever? And why did history still call him a “failure”?
Let’s rewind…
Yoriichi’s Childhood: The Baby Who Walked Before He Cried
Yoriichi was born during Japan’s Sengoku era, when everyone’s life was harder than a demon’s skincare routine. He came from a noble family and had a twin brother named Michikatsu Tsugikuni.
Right from the jump, Yoriichi was… weird. But like, weird in an overpowered anime protagonist kinda way:
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He never cried as a baby.
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He had a mysterious birthmark on his forehead (later known as the Demon Slayer Mark).
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He started walking before he turned one.
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By age 7, he was casually defeating adult swordsmen just by mimicking their moves.
Instead of being proud, his parents freaked out. Dad thought he was cursed. Mom was so worried that she planned to ship him off to a temple to become a monk. And Michikatsu? He went from big bro to insecure rival real quick.
The Forgotten Brother: Rivalry with Michikatsu (A.K.A. Kokushibo)
Michikatsu had dreams—big ones. He wanted to be Japan’s strongest swordsman. But then came Yoriichi, his chill little brother who somehow did everything better without even trying.
Imagine grinding for ten years to learn a backflip, and your little brother, who doesn’t even know what “training” means, just casually backflips over your dreams.
Michikatsu couldn’t take it. Especially when Yoriichi pulled out Sun Breathing, a powerful technique nobody had ever seen, and made it look easy.
When he realized he could never surpass Yoriichi as a human, Michikatsu pulled the ultimate anime plot twist: he joined the demons and became Kokushibo, Upper Moon One. Tragic, poetic, and painfully sibling-core.
Sun Breathing: The OG Technique That Started It All
What made Yoriichi such a walking W?
Answer: Sun Breathing (Hinamatsuri no Kokyū).
This wasn’t just another sword move. Sun Breathing was the origin of all breathing techniques:
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Water Breathing? Spin-off.
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Flame Breathing? Side project.
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Thunder Breathing? Inspired remix.
The twist? Yoriichi invented it from scratch. No master. No YouTube tutorial. Just pure instinct and OP talent.
And here’s the kicker: no one else could fully replicate it. It was so perfect that people had to make a watered-down version, like trying to copy a Michelin-star meal using instant noodles.
That Time He Almost Turned Muzan into Minced Meat
At some point, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Demon Slayer, crossed paths with the biggest, baddest demon boss of all time—Muzan Kibutsuji.
And their fight? Let’s just say Yoriichi sliced Muzan into pieces faster than you can say “oni wa soto.”
With Sun Breathing’s precision, Yoriichi identified Muzan’s weak points and cut him into five chunks instantly. Like, literally in one move.
But Muzan, being the slippery demon overlord he is, exploded himself into tiny flesh bits and ran away. Classic villain move.
So did Yoriichi win? Technically, yes. But also no. Because Muzan got away. And when you’re hunting the source of all demons, “almost” doesn’t cut it (pun intended).
Why Did Yoriichi “Fail” to Change the World?
Even though he nearly deleted Muzan from existence, Yoriichi was still considered a “failure” in history. Brutal.
Why?
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He couldn’t stop his brother from turning into a demon.
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He failed to kill Muzan before his own time ran out.
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The Demon Slayer Corps didn’t all vibe with him—some were jealous, some scared.
Yoriichi ended up a wandering swordsman, rejected, forgotten, and heartbreakingly alone. But even in old age, with his body breaking down, he still managed to hold off Kokushibo in a one-on-one fight.
Talk about going out in style.
Yoriichi’s Legacy: The Real MVP Behind Tanjiro
Yoriichi may be gone, but his legacy is all over the place.
He passed down Sun Breathing to the Kamado family, turning it into a dance ritual known as Hinokami Kagura, which Tanjiro Kamado eventually learns.
Also, that iconic Hanafuda earring Tanjiro wears? Yup. Yoriichi’s hand-me-down.
Every time Tanjiro swings his sword in Hinokami style, it’s a callback to Yoriichi’s legacy. The legend lives on, baby.
Fun Facts to Flex Your Yoriichi Knowledge
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The only human who ever truly scared Muzan.
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Muzan banned his name from being spoken by other demons (yes, it’s that serious).
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Still managed to fight demons in his 80s.
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Never showed off or bragged, despite being built differently.
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Could activate the Demon Slayer Mark without dying young, unlike everyone else.
Conclusion: The Lonely Flame Who Lit the Future
Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Demon Slayer, wasn’t just powerful. He was pain and purpose wrapped in a silent samurai shell.
He lost his family, his friends, and even his place in history. But he lit a spark—one that would keep burning through people like Tanjiro.
If Tanjiro is the hopeful sunrise of Demon Slayer, then Yoriichi was the first light that cut through the darkness. He showed that one person, no matter how lonely, could change the course of history—even if the world forgets his name.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is Yoriichi Tsugikuni in Demon Slayer?
Yoriichi is the original demon-slaying beast. He invented Sun Breathing, nearly killed Muzan, and set the bar so high that nobody else could reach it—not even with a ladder and WiFi.
2. What makes Yoriichi so strong?
Aside from being born with plot armor? His Sun Breathing technique, natural talent, demon slayer mark, and the fact that he was more humble than a monk with amnesia. He’s strong because he never needed to flex.
3. Why didn’t Yoriichi kill Muzan?
Oh, he almost did. Yoriichi sliced Muzan like a sashimi chef on espresso. But Muzan pulled a sneaky move, exploded into flesh confetti, and escaped. Total villain move.
4. What is Sun Breathing, and why is it special?
It’s the original breathing technique—the blueprint for every other style like Water, Flame, and Thunder. If the breathing styles were Pokémon, Sun Breathing is Arceus.
5. Is Yoriichi related to Kokushibo?
Yup. Kokushibo is Yoriichi’s older twin brother, Michikatsu. They went from womb-mates to mortal enemies when jealousy turned Michikatsu into a demon. Family reunions must’ve been awkward.
6. Why was Yoriichi considered a “failure”?
Even after all the epic stuff he did, people still saw him as a failure because he didn’t kill Muzan completely, and he couldn’t save his bro from turning into Upper Moon 1. Harsh crowd, huh?
7. What’s Yoriichi’s legacy in the story?
Yoriichi passed down Sun Breathing through the Kamado family (hello, Tanjiro), rocked the iconic Hanafuda earrings, and remains the Demon Slayer Corps’ silent GOAT (Greatest of All Time).
8. Did Yoriichi die peacefully?
Not exactly. He died standing, sword still in hand, facing his demon brother Kokushibo. Even at the end, he was ready to throw hands.
Curious about his tragic demon brother? Check out Kokushibo’s full biography as Upper Moon 1. Spoiler alert: from sibling goals to sworn enemies!