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Kanao Tsuyuri is often seen as a quiet, reserved character in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, but her true significance becomes undeniable in the intense Infinity Castle arc. As the Tsuguko of the Kocho sisters, Kanao's combat prowess and emotional depth come to the forefront, especially during her battle against Upper-Rank Demon Doma.
Her strategic brilliance, unwavering will, and personal growth, coupled with the emotional weight of avenging Shinobu's death, reveal her as a pivotal figure. This arc not only cements her strength but also highlights her essential role in the Demon Slayer Corps, far beyond what many fans expected.
Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga
Kanao Tsuyuri's role in the Demon Slayer's Infinity Castle arc
During the raid on Muzan's castle, Kanao confronts Upper-Rank Demon Doma following Shinobu’s death. Prior to the battle, Shinobu had devised a plan to defeat Doma, requiring her to be consumed by him, delivering a lethal dose of wisteria poison.
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As Kanao arrives, Doma has nearly finished absorbing Shinobu, leaving only her butterfly-shaped hairpin behind. Enraged, Kanao attacks Doma, who repels her and mocks her fury. Doma shows no emotion and dismisses Akaza’s death, prompting Kanao to call him an empty shell incapable of feeling, questioning why he was even born.
In response, Doma attacks her, however, she counters with Flower Breathing techniques. She is quickly overwhelmed despite being complimented by him on her speed and combat skills. Though Kanao fails to withstand him, Inosuke arrives at the scene at this moment, defending her from Doma's attack and joining the fray.
Inosuke and Kanao fight side by side; Inosuke learns that many years ago, Doma murdered his mother, Kotoha. He is then angered and pledges to take vengeance not only on her behalf but also for Shinobu. Despite their spirited efforts, Doma brings forth stronger ice clones to protect himself against them.
However, just as Doma is about to escape, the poison Shinobu infused in her body begins to take effect, melting Doma from the inside. In a desperate last move, he summons his Blood Demon Art: Rime Waterlily Bodhisattva. Kanao uses her final Flower Breathing technique to break through Doma’s defenses. With Inosuke’s help, they succeed in beheading him.
After Doma's defeat, Kanao searches for Shinobu’s lost hairpin, reflecting on her late mentors, Kanae and Shinobu, and finally breaking down in tears as their spirits reassure her that she did well.
Demon Slayer: All you need to know about Kanao Tsuyuri
Kanao Tsuyuri is a major supporting character in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and a highly skilled Demon Slayer of the Demon Slayer Corps. She serves as the Tsuguko of Kanae and Shinobu Kocho, receiving extensive combat training from both.
Her refined abilities and remarkable potential position her as a future Hashira candidate, a fact recognized by Tanjiro Kamado during their first encounter. Kanao's strength is further highlighted when the Upper-Rank Two demon, Doma, acknowledges that she has surpassed Shinobu in power during their battle.
Kanao possesses an indomitable will, never backing down even against powerful foes like Doma and Muzan Kibutsuji. Her keen intellect allows her to analyze her enemies’ techniques with precision, predicting their moves and reacting accordingly.
This was especially evident during her battle with Doma, where she skillfully analyzed his attacks, adapting to his fighting style. She was also intuitive enough to understand Shinobu's hand signals before her death.
During the final stages of their fight, Kanao identified Doma’s last-ditch effort as a desperate, unrefined technique, allowing her to use this moment of weakness to secure his defeat. Her sharp observation and analytical skills played a crucial role in overcoming one of the most powerful demons.
Final thoughts
Kanao Tsuyuri's pivotal role in the Infinity Castle arc underscores her importance beyond a supporting character. Her strength, intellect, and emotional resilience in defeating Upper-Rank Two, Doma, solidify her as a key player in the Demon Slayer Corps, proving she’s more vital than fans might realize.
