How old is Shinobu Kocho in Demon Slayer? Insect Hashira's age explored

Modified Jul 07, 2024 13:30 GMT

Understanding more about Shinobu Kocho in the Demon Slayer series (Image via Ufotable)

The beauty of the Demon Slayer series is that it has a plethora of characters, each having a unique personality and fighting style. This variety is crucial to world-building which is what fans love about the show. One such character who has received love from the majority of the fanbase is Shinobu Kocho.

She is the Insect Hashira who was introduced in the very first season. Her fighting style was quite graceful, and she utilized venom in her attacks. She is also the only Hashira who doesn’t have enough strength to behead a demon due to her small stature.

However, fans of Demon Slayer have often wondered about Shinobu Kocho's age. The Incect Hashira is 18 years old, becoming the second youngest Hashira in the organization.

Disclaimer: The final section of the article contains massive spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga chapters.

How old is Shinobu in Demon Slayer?

Shinobu Kocho as seen in the anime series (Image via Ufotable)

As stated earlier, Shinobu Kocho is 18 years old. That being said, this topic seems to be a bit of a grey area. The manga hasn’t particularly specified her age, which is what caused a ton of confusion in the first place. Many fans had assumed that she was older because she and her older sister had adopted Kanao Tsuyuri, who was suffering from a bad fate. Based on her appearance and demeanor, fans assumed that she was in her early 20s, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.

The Wiki page for the character states that the Insect Hashira is 18 years old. However, there is no proof backing this claim. That being said, a large part of the community believes that she is 18 years old, despite not having any proof in the manga or fan books that have been released periodically.

More about Shinobu Kocho

Shinobu's sword is altered in anime since she only utilizes thrusts in her attack (Image via Ufotable)

As stated earlier, Shinobu Kocho is the Insect Hashira and also overlooks the rehabilitation program for demon hunters. One of her biggest assets is her knowledge in the field of medicine and botany. Her ability to extract and create venom against demons makes her one of the most important characters in the series.

She and Tamayo works in the shadows and plays a massive role in bringing down Kibutsuji Muzan. The duo creates a drug that not only stops Muzan from regenerating, but it also reverts Kamado Tanjiro back to his human form when Muzan turns him into a demon.

She also has the responsibility of mentoring Kanao Tsuyuri. She is one of the most important figures in Kanao’s life as the latter becomes a polished demon hunter by the end of the series. Furthermore, Shinobu Kocho also has a unique sword. Instead of a traditional Katana, she uses a Rapier which is more effective for stabbing and thrusting. The tip of the blade is laced with poison which is effective in killing demons.

Expand Tweet

One of the most notable moments in the manga series is her fight against Doma, the Upper Moon 2 demon. While she sacrifices her life in the process, she weakens him to such an extent that both Kanao and Inosuke are able to deliver the final blow. Shinobu Kocho is one of the most underrated characters in the anime series.

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

Related Links:

Edited by Tiasha