Demon Slayer: Akaza’s Past And The Flame Hashira Rengoku

By Author: Alexsi
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Although there are several anime genres, Shonen remains the most popular and well-known. Anyone looking to be introduced to it will have no dearth of options to choose from. However, very few of them can make the viewers feel bad about the villains as Naruto and Demon Slayer. It is quite common for the Demon Slayer to add a sympathetic edge to its Demons when they are about to die. It feels as if they are not being killed but instead relieved of years and sometimes decades of pain and suffering buried deep inside their hearts.
Akaza, the Upper Rank 3 Demon, probably has the most tragic past of the demons that have died so far.

Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, and Akaza confront each other in the Mugen Train Arc. The fight turns out to be devastating as Rengoku’s Fire Breathing and Destructive Death techniques of Akaza are up against each other. However, their fight shows the contrast in their ideologies and not the power that they have. It encapsulates their perspective on weakness, hate, and ideals, which is captivating and can leave the viewers spellbound.

Akaza’s Confrontation with Rengoku

Akaza, being a demon, tries to convince the Flame Hashira of the benefits of becoming a demon. He respects strength and has a deep-rooted hatred for weakness. However, Rengoku is not convinced by his arguments. He believes that human beings’ limited life span makes them unique and gives their lives meaning. Unfortunately, the Flame Hashira is killed by Akaza, but even while dying, he ensures other people’s safety, unlike the demon who flees because of his weakness of the sun. Even in his death, Rengoku’s principles make Akaza seem weak.

Tanjiro and Akaza’s Clash

Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, and Tanjiro face Akaza in the Infinity Castle, much later in the series. The fight is long and horrific, which pushes the three of them to their limits. Tanjiro, with his Transparent World Technique, succeeds in cutting off the Akaza’s head; however, even that is not enough to kill the Upper-Rank demon. Akaza persists and fights without his head, driven by his hatred for the weak, which he associated with Tanjiro for some reason. As he continues fighting with the Demon Slayers, he gets visions of his past life and memories of the loved ones he has forgotten long ago.

Akaza’s Past

Akaza was known as Hikuji when he was a human being. He spent most of his life stealing to feed his sick father. He often got beaten up when he was caught, but it mattered little to him since he was happy taking care of his father. However, his father could not see his son suffer and give away his life, to take care of him. So, he killed himself, hoping that his son will be freed from his burden and live a normal life.

Akaza later met a kind man Keizo who looked after him. He started living with him and his daughter Koyuki. The three years that he spent with them were one of the happiest years of his life. They got so close that Keizo even planned to wed his daughter with Akaza. However, a rival dojo murdered both of them, leaving Akaza alone. He was filled with hatred and resentment towards the world. Muzan cleverly used this opportunity to make him a demon and gave all the power that he desired. Akaza avenged the death of Keizo and Koyuki.

However, while he was dying, he finally realized that his hatred stemmed from self-disgust. He blamed himself for not protecting the ones he loved, and that made him envious and spiteful. In his last moments, he attacks his body and gratefully acknowledges defeat. He is then met with his loved ones, who welcome him and join him in hell, forgiving him of all the crimes he committed as a demon.

Source: Demon Slayer: Akaza’s Past and the Flame Hashira Rengoku.