A Demon Slayer Mark wouldn't have helped Rengoku against Akaza at all

Modified Oct 04, 2024 15:30 GMT

Understanding whether or not a Demon Slayer Mark would have given Rengoku the upper hand (Image via Ufotable)

The Demon Slayer series stands out because of the world-building aspects. While it might have a slightly generic battle system, there were a few concepts that were introduced into this system that enhanced the overall viewing experience.

This recurring symbol appears on demon hunters and grants them immense strength, allowing them to fight powerful demons on equal footing. Fans love these unique touches, which contribute to the show's popularity. The Demon Slayer Mark plays a key role in enhancing the lore and making the series more engaging for viewers.

This raised an interesting discussion as it brought up the topic of Kyojuro Rengoku. The Flame Hashira was a talented and hardworking swordsman who had a bright future ahead of him. However, his future was snatched when Akaza killed him. Would the Demon Slayer Mark have allowed Rengoku to kill Akaza? No, the Upper Moon demon was far too powerful for the Flame Hashira to handle by himself.

Disclaimer: This article contains massive spoilers from the manga chapters.

Demon Slayer: Why the Demon Slayer Mark wouldn’t have helped Rengoku kill Akaza?

Rengoku as seen in the anime series (Image via Ufotable)

Those who have only watched the anime might argue that Rengoku managed to keep Akaza at bay during the Mugen Train arc. However, it is important to note that the Upper Moon 3 demon wasn’t even trying against the Flame Hashira. Akaza was amused by the vigor and martial arts prowess of the Flame Hashira and therefore, enjoyed himself a lot more than he should have.

When the sun rose, Akaza became serious and killed the Hashira, giving anime-only fans a slightly misleading impression. Manga readers, however, know that it took both Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka working together to defeat Akaza. Both unlocked their Demon Slayer Marks, with a Hashira and a Sun Breathing user involved in the fight.

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If Rengoku achieved his Mark, he would on a similar level to Giyu with his Mark unlocked. The stronger among the two is a topic that is up for debate, but there is no definitive answer since we don’t know the Flame Hashira’s strength with a power-up like the Mark.

That being said, it’s safe to assume that Giyu and Rengoku would have similar power levels. However, adding Tanjiro with the Mark to this equation changes everything. Rengoku would not have been as powerful as Tanjiro and Giyu with their powers enhanced, especially when we account for the fact that Tanjiro was able to perform more forms from the Breath of the Sun.

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That being said, it would be interesting to see Rengoku take on Akaza after having his powers enhanced. Akaza’s Blood Demon Art called Destructive Death was incredibly powerful the first time around. However, when he took on Giyu and Tanjiro, he showed just how destructive it could be.

Rengoku would have had the endurance to take the hit and continue fighting. The best outcome that Rengoku could have kept Akaza at bay until sunrise. However, he wouldn’t be able to kill Akaza under any cirumstance.

In conclusion

The Demon Slayer Mark would not enabled Rengoku to kill Akaza. The Upper Moon 3 demon is far too powerful to be heated by a single Hashira. While it is difficult to assess Rengoku's true potential, it's safe to say that he will not be as powerful as Giyu and Tanjiro in their enhanced state. Hence, Akaza will emerge victorious in this hypothetical battle.

Stay tuned for more anime and manga news as 2024 progresses.

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Edited by Divya Singh