Shinobu's death is Demon Slayer's ultimate act of revenge

In Demon Slayer, the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, is one of the most beloved characters. Ever since the beginning, she captivated fans with her bright and playful personality, showcasing impressive abilities and sharing an adorable dynamic with Giyu Tomioka.

However, as the series progressed, it became clear that Shinobu’s personality was a facade that hid her intense hatred for demons. Her emotions came bursting forth during the Infinity Castle Arc, where she confronted the target of her rage, the Upper Rank Two Demon, Doma.

Rather than showing Shinobu achieve victory by overpowering the demon, Koyoharu Gotouge chose a much more chilling and impactful path, where Shinobu sacrificed herself for the sake of her revenge. Though a moment of tragedy, it stands as the ultimate act of revenge that is unlike anything else in shonen manga.

Shinobu’s sacrifice is the most satisfying moment in Demon Slayer

In the Infinity Castle Arc, Shinobu was paired against the Upper Rank Two Demon, Doma, who was coincidentally responsible for killing her elder sister. No longer needing to contain her emotions, she went on a rampage, using every blade technique and poison at her disposal.

Unfortunately, due to his unparalleled recovery speed, Doma could render all her maneuvers useless and killed and absorbed her just in time for her disciple, Kanao, to arrive. At first glance, this may seem to be a moment of failure, as a formidable Hashira died unceremoniously against a demon responsible for killing her sister.

However, the real genius of Shinobu’s plan was unveiled during Doma’s fight against Kanao and Inosuke. Having been revealed as the person who killed Inosuke’s mother, too, the demon had risen through the ranks to become the most detestable character in the series. Nevertheless, he remained immensely powerful, never giving his opponents the upper hand.

Right when the two Demon Slayers seemed destined for a tragic fate, however, Doma’s body began breaking down. In a flashback sequence, Shinobu revealed that she had been ingesting Wisteria Poison for over a year, amounting to 37 kilograms in total. This would be 70 times the lethal amount for a demon.

By using Doma’s obsession for absorbing and eating women, she could poison him right from the inside, severely weakening him and creating an opportunity to kill him. This ended up working, as Doma was completely tricked by Shinobu’s scheme, after which Kanao and Inosuke beheaded him together.

This was a unique battle in Demon Slayer, a series where individuals generally surpass their limits and grow stronger to defeat their immortal enemies. Shinobu acknowledged her weakness and utilized what she was best at. She could interpret Doma’s character perfectly and delivered swift justice to the demon that had taken advantage of countless vulnerable humans.

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Sacrificing her life achieved two objectives: weakening Doma and serving as a catalyst to motivate her companions. As a result, Shinobu’s revenge was not loud and angry like most others, but cold and calculating.

Therefore, even if her powers did not match up to those of her colleagues in Demon Slayer, she gained the reputation of a fearsome figure who could do anything for the sake of her vendetta. After achieving her goals, the afterlife scene where she reunited with her sister and parents made for a beautiful yet bittersweet parting.

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