Koyoharu Gotouge Could Have Taken Demon Slayer into a Completely Different Direction with its Most Powerful Tool Without Which Even Tanjiro Can Do Nothing

SUMMARY

• Demon Slayer season 4 left the fans wanting for more with the demon slayers getting trapped in the Infinity Castle.
• The Demon Slayer Corp could have been stronger if they were not restricted to a single weapon.
• Innovation from Koyoharu Gotouge and the blacksmiths could have unlocked various Nichirin weapons that could have been more useful than blades.

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Demon Slayer is considered one of the modern-generation Big Three of anime. The anime became popular not only in Japan but also in overseas countries. The story features Tanjiro Kamado as the protagonist, who embarks on a path to cure his sister after Kibutsuji Muzan turns her into a demon. To reach his goal, he joined the Demon Slayer Corps to kill demons who attack innocent people.

However, there is one aspect of Koyouharo Gotouge’s creation that made the fans confused. All the demon slayers seem to possess blades made of Nichirin. Swords are the only weapon that are available. A little innovation could have made the weapon selection more exciting and might have unlocked new potential for the characters.

Demon Slayer Could Have Had Tons Of Weapons With A Little Bit Of Innovation

Tanjiro Kamado’s Nichirin Sword (Credits: Ufotable)

There are countless Breathing Techniques in Demon Slayer, with all of them originating from the Sun Breathing Technique. To use the Breathing Techniques to their full potential, the demon slayers need to possess a sword or blade made of Nichirin. Since Nichirin ore contains some properties of the sun, it can handle the power techniques.

If someone uses any other type of sword, the weapon might not be able to handle the pressure and break. However, the Nichirin blades happen to be the only choice of option in Demon Slayer. The demon slayers use them because swords have sharp edges that can easily cut through a demon’s neck.

Tomioka Giyu’s weapon (Credits: Ufotable)

Since the ore has unique properties, the blacksmiths could show a little innovation and create an arsenal of weapons from which the demon slayers could choose whatever they liked. Options like sticks that turn into hand-sized spears when broken, long spears, nunchaku, axes, etc., could have made it more appealing. Moreover, the characters could choose the weapons according to their Breathing Styles.

There are a few exceptions, like Genya and Gyomei, who uses a different type of Nichirin weapon. The former uses a double-barrelled gun with Nichirin cartridges, while the latter uses a hand axe attached to a spiked ball with a long chain. Koyoharu Gotouge could have taken inspiration from Bleach for its versatility of weapons. It would have also been visually appealing and not monotonous.

Demons Are More Innovative When It Comes To Weapons

Akaza uses his hands to fight (Credits: Ufotable)

The Nichirin Blade has been limited to one design for the demon slayers. In the case of the demons, they seem to be innovative with their weapon choices. Upper Moon 1, Kokushibo possesses a Nichirin Blade from his days as a demon slayer. However, after he became a demon, he fused the weapon with his flesh which allowed him to regenerate the broken parts. Upper Moon 2, Douma, uses a pair of sharp fans, which is quite different from a blade.

Then there is Upper Moon 3, Akaza, who does not use any weapons and uses his hands instead. He is a martial artist, so he was proficient in using his body parts as an offense and defense mechanism. There are several examples of innovative weapons when it comes to demons. If Gotouge had given the same advantage to the group of protagonists, Demon Slayer would have been completely different.

Demon Slayer is available to watch on Crunchyroll.

Written by Priyanko Chakraborty

Articles Published: 852

Priyanko is an aspiring economists who is a secret member of the anime world. Unfortunately, he is a Manchester United fan. He has watched multiple anime only to leave them halfway between. His day goes by playing video games, scrolling through reels, watching anime, and rarely opening his books.