| “ | Until you die, you haven't lost. You may rub your face in the dirt... you may lose your home or drink muddy water... people may curse you for stealing money... but as long as you live on... you can win someday. You will win. I have moved forward with that belief. |
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— Kaigaku's ideology in Box of Happiness
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Kaigaku (
Kaigaku was a former Demon Slayer and Zenitsu Agatsuma's senior disciple under the former Thunder Hashira (
Quick Answers
Who is Kaigaku in the context of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba?
How did Kaigaku rise to the position of Upper Rank Six in the Twelve Kizuki?
What led to Kaigaku's transition from a Demon Slayer to a demon?
Is Kaigaku related to Zenitsu by blood or are they simply former disciples under the same master?
Appearance[]
As a human, Kaigaku is a muscular young man of average height and pale skin tone who has short, spiky black hair, with two thick strands framing his face, and a pair of dull, cold turquoise eyes framed by thick, arched eyebrows. He has an unfriendly face, that is always set in a semi-permanent snarl.
After becoming a demon, he gains many demonic traits, including four black flame-like markings on both sides of his cheeks, turquoise irises with black sclera, elongated canines resembling fangs, sickly pale skin, sharp blackened nails, and pointed ears. By becoming a member of the Twelve Kizuki and rising to the position of Upper Rank Six, his eyes are etched with the kanji of "Upper Rank" (
When he was still human, who is still undergoing training under Kuwajima, he is shown to be wearing a black kimono with a white collar, worn loosely to expose his chest and his signature magatama-necklaces around his neck. When he became a Demon Slayer, he wore the Corps' standard uniform consisting of a black gakuran-like jacket, a pair of equally black tattsuke-hakama pants held up by a white belt, tucked into white kyahan wrapped around his ankles, and a pair of tabi socks and zori.
When he became a demon, he is shown to be wearing his signature kimono secured with a blue obi over his Demon Slayer uniform that has yellow flame-like markings near the chest area. His forearms are seemingly wrapped in kyahan-like material. He also wears multiple necklaces on his neck and wrist with green colored strings that hold together blue magatama-like pendants that were yellow in color when he was human.
Gallery[]
.png "Kaigaku colored profile (human).png (144 KB)")
Personality[]
Kaigaku's satisfaction over his teacher's death.
Though outwardly brash, haughty, and arrogant, Kaigaku is in fact cowardly and selfish. Like many orphans who grew up with nothing, he resorted to doing any immoral or demeaning acts as a means to survive, like thievery and drinking from a puddle.[4][3] His intense sense of self-preservation goes so far as to sacrifice the lives of Gyomei and the other children to save his own skin, showing that he will do anything if it means survival. This attitude also was evident during his time as a Demon Slayer; unlike those who join the Corps, Kaigaku never developed a desire to slay demons or protect people. When confronted with a stronger opponent, Kaigaku immediately surrenders, once again cementing his cowardice and indifference towards making immoral choices if it will save him in the end.[3] However, despite his disinterest in becoming a Demon Slayer for the greater good, Kaigaku did show a desire for status as a master swordsman. This is shown when even as a demon, he chooses to make his flesh weapon of choice resemble a nichirin sword.
Additionally, Kaigaku has developed a sense of hypocritical self-righteousness. He considered Zenitsu Agatsuma worthless for having no dignity or perseverance and was repulsed at the idea of succeeding Jigoro along with him. Despite this, his actions prove him to be as cowardly as Zenitsu, if not worse, and his accusation of Zenitsu shaming Jigoro proves void when he himself ends up disgracing the former Hashira by becoming a demon. Furthermore, when confronted with the news of Jigoro's death, he only claimed his demise was earned for not believing he alone was worthy to succeed him.
Kaigaku claims that Jigoro deserved his death.
Kaigaku also possesses a twisted perspective of 'right' and 'wrong', believing that those who judge him right (i.e., say he is worthy) are good and those who judge him wrong and have a low estimation of him are evil.[5] His inflated ego and superiority complex was evident when could not stand the idea of sharing the position of Thunder Hashira with Zenitsu, and later accused Jigoro of favoring Zenitsu over him. In addition, when Zenitsu points out how Kaigaku could never master the first form and remarks that he pitied Jigoro for having such pathetic successors, Kaigaku immediately lost his composure and screamed at Zenitsu to not compare them to each other.
While he was already spiteful and cruel as a human, as evidenced by his constant verbal abuse of Zenitsu, becoming a demon revealed a much more unrestrained and psychotic side to Kaigaku. Not only was he gleeful at the prospect of killing the junior he had long hated with his newfound power, but he expressed his satisfaction towards Jigoro's suicide with a large smile on his face and referred to his former master with insulting labels like "old fart".
In spite of all his flaws, Kaigaku seemed to be genuinely happy as a young child living with Gyomei and other orphans, cheerfully conversing and eating with them, and smiling when being pat on the head by Gyomei. However, his egocentric nature outweighed his attachment to his first found family. In the end, after being beheaded and being at death's door, Kaigaku remains unrepentant and is pleased to know that at least Zenitsu would die with him. However, Yushiro arrives and begins mocking him that he will be given nothing since he never learned how to give, and Kaigaku's fate was sealed once he decided to let his desire inflate and take control of him. Upon seeing Yushiro rescue Zenitsu, Kaigaku screams in anger as the remainder of his body disintegrates.
History[]
Kaigaku inviting a demon to Gyomei's temple.
Kaigaku was an orphan and a thief who had to eat scraps and steal to survive. He was one of the orphans Gyomei Himejima cared for at his temple, where he was shown to be chipper in their company. However, after he was caught by the other children for stealing temple money, he was chased out at night and encountered a demon, which he then let into the temple in exchange for having his life spared.[6] He did so by extinguishing the wisteria incense meant to ward demons off and running off when the deed was done.
Kaigaku developed the belief that strength and survival were the only things worth respecting and was willing to grovel and beg for his life if it was what it took to survive. Eventually, he was taken in by Jigoro along with Zenitsu, learning Thunder Breathing. He became determined to become Jigoro's successor and the new Thunder Hashira. Jigoro, however, insisted that both he and Zenitsu would become his successors, despite Zenitsu's weakness and timid nature. Kaigaku was disgusted with Zenitsu's cowardice and outraged at the prospect of sharing a position with him. As a result, Kaigaku frequently berated him and harshly ordered him to leave.
Kaigaku eating a peach as he demands Zenitsu give up becoming a swordsman
During the time when the boys were training together, Kaigaku had admonished Zenitsu for wasting the time of Jigoro, who he had respected, because of his constant whining and cowardice. When he called their trainer "Gramps", Kaigaku threw a peach at him and demanded he never attempt to act familiar with him. Growing further agitated, he demandingly asked why Zenitsu insisted on staying if he was so scared. [7]
Kaigaku's cruelty fostered mutual resentment, but he was unaware or uncaring of Zenitsu's admiration for his senior. In one incident, Zenitsu had punched a Demon Slayer for insulting Kaigaku behind his back, only for Kaigaku to ungratefully admonish his junior for attacking a higher-ranking slayer and demanding he quit once again.
Abilities[]
Overall Abilities[]
Kaigaku overpowering Zenitsu with his Blood Demon Art-enhanced techniques.
As a transformed Demon Slayer and a member of the Upper Ranks, Kaigaku was an extremely powerful demon. This is supported by the fact that he had to receive a lot of Muzan Kibutsuji's blood for him to turn into a demon as users of Total Concentration Breathing are more resistant to the effects of the Demon King's blood.[8] Zenitsu also noted that Kaigaku had eaten a lot of humans in the short period of time between Hashira Training and his encounter with him, further testifying his strength.[9]
According to Yushiro, during Kaigaku's short tenure as Upper Rank Six, he has yet to master his techniques and abilities and could have killed Zenitsu immediately in a year's time.[10]
Physical Abilities[]
Immense Speed & Reflexes: As a Thunder Breathing user turned Upper Rank demon, Kaigaku possesses tremendous movement speed and reflexes due to the Thunder Breathing swordsmanship style placing a heavy emphasis on swiftness and bursts of speed.[11] This combined with assimilating a large amount of Muzan's blood makes Kaigaku an extremely fast fighter, as shown when he could more than keep up with Zenitsu Agatsuma, a seasoned and skilled Demon Slayer that had trained under the same teacher to learn the same Breathing Style, and even overpower him for the majority of their clash.
Fighting Style[]
Master Swordsman: As the one who was initially supposed to inherit Jigoro's position as the Thunder Hashira, it is implied that Kaigaku is an extremely proficient swordsman with great skill in Thunder Breathing. His swordsmanship is different compared to most Demon Slayers as he places his sword sheath at his back rather than on either side of his waists. Nonetheless, his swordsmanship skill could match that of Zenitsu who had previously fought Upper Rank demons. With his Blood Demon Art, Kaigaku's swordsmanship was greatly enhanced and became even more dangerous.
Breathing Style[]
Thunder Breathing (
After becoming a demon and developing a Blood Demon Art, Kaigaku's Thunder Breathing has manifested into reality as he can manipulate actual lightning and electricity, greatly improving the offensive power of this Breathing Style. Kaigaku even stated that he has "surpassed Thunder Breathing".[12]
Blood Demon Art[]
Electrokinesis: Complementing his Breathing Style, Thunder Breathing, Kaigaku's Blood Demon Art grants him special electrokinetic abilities which allow him to generate and manipulate black colored lightning and electricity from his flesh and blood. This lightning-like Blood Demon Art creates a special effect which cracks and rends his target's flesh while burning it, greatly augmenting the lethality and offensive capability of his attacks.[15] The bleeding caused by Kaigaku's sword effect nearly destroyed Zenitsu's eyeballs and left him severely injured after the fight.[16]
Kaigaku uses this Blood Demon Art to great effect, utilizing lightning in conjunction with his Thunder Breathing techniques to enhance his attack range and speed, which even Zenitsu had trouble keeping up with. It is implied that this Blood Demon Art helped make up for Kaigaku's own inability to perform the most fundamental technique of the Thunder Breathing style, Thunderclap and Flash.[17]
Techniques[]
- Second Form: Rice Spirit (
弐 ノ型 稲 魂 Ni no kata: Inadama?)[9] - Kaigaku releases five arched slashes accompanied by lightning in quick succession.
- Third Form: Thunder Swarm (
参 ノ型 聚 蚊 成 雷 San no kata: Shūbun Seirai?)[5] - Kaigaku surrounds the enemy with waves of arched lightning and attacks them from all directions.
- Fourth Form: Distant Thunder (
肆 ノ型 遠 雷 Shi no kata: Enrai?)[18] - Kaigaku generates a ball of electricity that releases waves of strong multi-directional lightning bolts from afar.
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Equipment[]
Flesh Katana: Similar to the demon who would transform him, Kokushibo, Kaigaku carries around a modified version of the Nichirin katana he used when he was a Demon Slayer that is made from his flesh and blood.[2] However, unlike Kokushibo's katana, his katana isn't heavily distorted and is nearly identical to his original one. His flesh katana has a black lightning pattern on both sides of his yellow tinted blade along with a black and gold handle. Kaigaku's katana has a tsuba identical to the one used by Zenitsu Agatsuma, which is circular shaped with four slight indentations, the center has a silver tone with small triangles and has a golden border. It is implied that his flesh blade facilitates the use of his Blood Demon Art, as he can channel his blood through it when he unleashes his techniques. Unlike most swordsmen, Kaigaku places his sword sheath on his back instead of by his waist.
Gallery[]
Battles[]
Relatives[]
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*Gyomei acted as the caretaker of 9 orphaned children.
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*Jigoro acted as Zenitsu and Kaigaku's adoptive guardian.
Trivia[]
- His given name, Kaigaku, is composed of the Kan-on'yomi reading of the kanji for both "sly, cunning, crafty" (
獪 kai?) and "tall mountain, mountain peak" (岳 gaku?).- His surname in the Kimetsu Academy, Inadama, is composed of the Kun'yomi reading for "the rice plant Oryza sativa" (
稲 ina?) along with the rendaku for "gem, jewel" (玉 dama?).
- His surname in the Kimetsu Academy, Inadama, is composed of the Kun'yomi reading for "the rice plant Oryza sativa" (
- Because of the movement pattern of the Thunder Breathing's first form, it can be speculated that one reason he had difficulty mastering it was because he placed his scabbard/sheath on his back instead of either side of his waist.
- Kaigaku is the second known Demon Slayer to have become a demon, the first being Kokushibo.
- Kaigaku's necklace and bracelets are Taijitu/magatama (tomoe) symbols. Before he transforms into a demon, the symbol is yellow (good, enlightened), and it turns blue (bad, darkness, depth) after he becomes one. The fractured magatama itself seems to represent his broken and unstable mentality.
- Kaigaku ranked 21st place in 2nd character popularity poll with 865 votes.
- Kaigaku received a kimono from Jigoro Kuwajima, his sensei, identical to the one he himself wore, but Kaigaku never wore it once.[21]
- Kaigaku is one of the few known demons, the others being Rui and Gyutaro, to use their human name as their demon moniker.[2]
- Kokushibo had a high estimation of Kaigaku, but by that time, Muzan was not interested in breathing style users[2]
- Kaigaku’s hobby is gambling.[2]
- Kaigaku shares his Japanese and English voice actors with Akane Tsutsui from the anime Handa-kun.
- Kaigaku shares an English voice actor with Sanemi Shinazugawa's Kasugai Crow, Sorai.
- Gyutaro and Kaigaku are the only Upper Rank demons to never be shown interacting with Muzan. Coincidentally, both are Upper Rank Six and where first given blood by Upper Ranks demons.
- In Kimetsu Academy, Kaigaku, now given the surname Indama, is one of Muzan's spies at Kimetsu Academy, who works with Kokushibo and frequently collaborates with Yahaba and Maru Susa.[22][23] He lives with his foster parent Jigoro and foster brother Zenitsu. Per his routine, he visits the Kibutsuji Corporate Office every day after school.[24]
Quotes[]
- (To Zenitsu Agatsuma) ""Gramps"? Don't speak of him in that familiar way! Sensei is a former Hashira! Someone who earned the highest title in the Demon Slayer Corps! Almost no one ever gets the chance to be trained by a former Hashira! The time Sensei spends training you is all for nothing! You're an eyesore, okay? Get out of my sight! Why are you here? Why do you insist on clinging here?"[25]
- (To Zenitsu Agatsuma about his teacher) "I don't care! So what? Are you saying I should be sad? That I should repent? I don't care about anyone who doesn't value me! At every moment I always serve those who know my value!"[26]
- "There is no shame in kneeling before someone in overwhelming strength. As long as you stay alive, it will work out somehow. Until you die, you haven't lost. You may rub your face in the dirt... you may lose your home or drink muddy water... people may curse you for stealing money... but as long as you live on... you can win someday. You will win. I have moved forward with that belief."[3]
- (To Zenitsu Agatsuma about good and evil) "Those who correctly evaluate me and know my value are good! Those who have a low estimation of me are evil!"[5]
References[]
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Volume 13, (Extra Pages).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Kimetsu no Yaiba Second Fanbook.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 2-3).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 135 (Page 13).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 8).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Volume 17, (Extra Pages).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 34 (Pages 4-5).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 4).
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 7).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 146 (Page 9).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 125 (Page 5).
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 11).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 144 (Page 16).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 13).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 9-11).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 146 (Page 8-9).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 11-13).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 144 (Page 17).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 9).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 145 (Page 10).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Volume 17.
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba First Fanbook.
- ↑ Kimetsu Gakuen: Volume 3, Chapter 12
- ↑ Kimetsu Gakuen: Volume 3, (Extra Pages).
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Anime: Episode 17.
- ↑ Kimetsu no Yaiba Manga: Chapter 144 (Page 14).