In the Demon Slayer manga and anime, Demon Slayers master breathing styles to fight demons. Their hope is to someday eliminate them for good by killing their progenitor, Muzan Kibutsuji. Unfortunately, some demons are too overpowered even for the most skilled Hashiras, and are almost impossible to defeat in a one-on-one confrontation. But when the members of the Demon Slayer Corps surpass their physical and psychological limits, they manifest a Demon Slayer Mark that helps them awaken superhuman abilities.
Demon Slayers who have manifested this special mark experience a dramatic improvement in their healing, speed, strength, and efficacy of breathing style. Sadly, not all members of the corps are lucky enough to manifest one. Here are a few demon slayers who never get a Demon Slayer Mark.
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6 Inosuke Hashibira
Creator of Beast Breathing
Inosuke Hashibira is one of the few demon slayers who participated in the Final Selection without ever receiving formal training. Raised by boars from a young age in the mountains, he faced harsh realities early in his life and learned to adapt accordingly. Thanks to his unique upbringing, Inosuke developed Beast Breathing, which imitates the lethal and unexpected movements and attacks of wild animals.
Everything that dies returns to the earth, but crying won't bring any of them back [...] Even if you think you're wretched and unworthy. You must keep on living.
Despite his humble background, Inosuke goes on to fight several crucial battles for the Demon Slayer Corps and makes a name for himself. But his most significant trial transpires in the Infinity Castle and Sunrise Countdown Arc. He fights valiantly, but the corps suffers significant losses in the final battle between good and evil.
If someone like Inosuke, who was creative enough to develop his own breathing style, manifested a mark, he could have potentially turned the tide of the battle and saved many lives in the process. Unfortunately, Hashibira never got a mark. This could be because its manifestation necessitated several circumstantial conditions, and only one demon slayer managed to satisfy them apart from the Hashiras.
5 Kanao Tsuyuri
The Girl Who Braved Her Tragic Past
Kanao Tsuyuri was adopted by Shinobu and Kanae Kocho after they rescued her. Because of her abusive parents, she struggled with stunted emotional growth for several years. Looking beyond her shortcomings, the Kocho sisters helped her overcome the trauma she had endured and nurtured her as a demon slayer.
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Kanao learnt Flower Breathing on her own by observing Kanae. This demonstrates that she has a mind for strategy and is far more intelligent than most of her peers. Her combat knowledge would have allowed her to flourish and surpass some of the best combatants if she had manifested a Demon Slayer Mark, which unfortunately never happened.
4 Zenitsu Agatsuma
Tanjiro's Closest Friend and Jigoro Kuwajima's Disciple
One of the Demon Slayer Corps' most cowardly and anxious fighters, Zenitsu Agatsuma, trained under the watchful eyes of the former Thunder Hashira Jigoro Kuwajima. The harsh conditioning he underwent before going for the Final Selection helped him master Thunder Breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, despite his timid nature.
I always think I have to get my act together, but I end up cowering, running away, and sniveling. I want to change. I want to be a competent person.
Zenitsu went on to introduce several adaptions and variations of his own to Thunder Breathing and became a worthy member of the Demon Slayer Corps. He fought several dangerous wars, but, despite growing in stature among his peers, he remained one of the few combatants who participated in the final battle against Muzan and his forces without awakening his mark.
3 Kanae Kocho
The Late Flower Hashira and Shinobu's Sister
The Kocho sisters were born into an affluent family and lived a privileged life when they were young. They had loving parents who put their lives on the line to protect their children when a demon attacked their home. The tragic incident pushed the sisters to join the Demon Slayer Corps, and they went on to become Hashira.
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Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho, as the elder sister, always looked after Shinobu and played a crucial role in the rescue of her adoptive sister Kanao. Her calm demeanor, kindness, and easygoing personality left a lasting impression on both her sisters and her Hashira peers. She sadly passed away following an unexpected confrontation with the Upper-Rank Two Doma. Kanae fought all her life without manifesting the Demon Slayer Mark, and may have escaped the battle with Doma alive if she had manifested one.
2 Tengen Uzui
The Hashira Who Retired Before His Comrades Awakened Their Marks
Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui is one of the most charismatic and bold combatants of his generation. Confident and resolute, he likes to confront his adversaries with his characteristic flamboyant style, relying on his sharp instincts and superior skills. Unfortunately, Tengen is one of the few Hashiras of his era who never manifested a Demon Slayer Mark.
In the Entertainment District Arc, Uzui fought Gyutaro and Daki alongside Tanjiro and his comrades. The fierce battle had widespread repercussions and caused a domino effect that eventually led to Muzan's downfall. But the crucial victory came at a huge cost, as the Sound Hashira lost his left hand and one eye. If Tengen had manifested his Demon Slayer Mark, he would probably have escaped the battle without any long-term injuries.
1 Kyojuro Rengoku
The Flame Hashira Died Fighting Akaza
Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku was one of the bravest warriors in the Demon Slayer Corps. He dedicated his life to the relentless pursuit of excellence and mastered Flame Breathing by himself after reading a three-volume guide. In his illustrious career, Rengoku fought several fierce battles and courageously put his life on the line for the greater good. His victories over Lower Rank Two, Hairo, and the Flute Demon were some of his most impressive achievements.
Life is a series of decisions. You never have unlimited options or unlimited time to think, but what you choose in that instant defines who you are.
In the Mugen Train arc, the Flame Hashira fought Upper-Rank Three Akaza on equal ground. The battle was intense and Kyojuro fought bravely. But despite his best efforts, he lost his life. If Rengoku had awakened his Demon Slayer Mark at the time, he may have triumphed in the battle as it ended just shortly before sunrise.
The defeat had far-reaching consequences, since the Demon Slayer Corps lost one of its most talented combatants and someone as dangerous as Akaza managed to escape. If the Upper-Rank Three had been defeated at the time, it would have been a huge loss to Muzan's forces. Unfortunately, things didn't turn out this way, primarily because Rengoku fought without a Demon Slayer Mark.
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