kokushibo

Kanji 黒死牟 (Demon) 継国厳勝 (Human)

Romaji Kokushibō (Demon) Tsukiguni Michikatsu (Human)

Alias Upper Moon One State Personal information Species Human (Previously) Devil Gender Male Age 20 to 24 (Physically) 480 to 485 (Chronologically) Hair color Black (Human) Bordeaux (Demon) Eye color Blacks (Human) Yellows (Demon) Family Yoriichi Tsukiguni (Younger twin brother) † Muichiro Tokito (Descendant) †[2] Yuichiro Tokito (Descendant) †

Nearly five centuries ago, during the Sengoku Period, Kokushibo was once a human by the name of Michikatsu Tsugikuni (継つぎ国くに厳みち勝かつ, Tsugikuni Michikatsu?), a former Demon Slayer and part of the Demon Slayer Corps. He was the older twin brother of Yoriichi Tsukiguni, the strongest Demon Slayer to ever exist and the first confirmed user of the Sun Breathing.[2]

Devil: Kokushibo was a Demon who retained his human features despite having devoured countless people for 400 years. He maintained several rather unusual characteristics: he was a tall man, with a pale skin tone and an athletic and muscular build; his hair was long and black with burgundy edges[6], held back by a long ponytail that reached almost to the height of his lower back[5].

On his face, he had a series of flame-like markings covering the left side of his head and the right side of his neck; these markings were, in his human stage, his Hunter's Mark. Kokushibo's most emblematic feature and, in turn, one of his most sinister identifying marks were his three pairs of eyebrow-less eyes[5] which had a yellowish coloration in their iris and a red sclera divided into segments[6]. In the center of the eyes, his numbering as the Upper Moon One is located, identified with the kanji for First Crescent (壱 上弦, Ichi Jōgen?), indicating his dominant position within the Upper Moons.

As for his attire, he wore a kimono with patterns of violet and black tones with a white haneri (undergarment of a kimono), a black hakama and a white obi belt. He owned a katana made from his own flesh and bones, which was completely decorated with eyes on the cutting blade, on the tsuba and the tsuka [7] [8]. The guard was also covered in flesh [5] and eyes to completely increase his degree of peripheral vision. After Sanemi and Himejima were able to decapitate him, Kokushibo managed to regenerate his head transforming his body into a completely grotesque version of himself, with several fangs emerging from his mouth, a pair of horns growing from his head and several sharp appendages [9].

Kokushibo was a reserved being shrouded in absolute mystery. At the Upper Moons Meeting, he proved to be punctual, respectful of the rules[5] and placed a high value on the hierarchy of the Twelve Demon Moons[7]. He was also humble, as he did not hesitate to admit his failure or complain about any difficulties, rather than acknowledge the strength of his opponent. He has shown a strong sense of loyalty towards Muzan Kibutsuji, and most of his actions were done with the sole purpose of fulfilling Muzan's goals[2].

Despite displaying a reserved and humble exterior, he was also quite cold: his words could be harsh, especially when reprimanding people. His threats were nothing short of cruel and crushingly serious, and he demanded absolute obedience.

He has a complex relationship with his human past. He shows some warmth towards his descendant, Muichiro Tokito, praising his skills and resolve,[2] and is determined to turn Muichiro into a Demon to save his life. At the same time, he refers to Muichiro and his abilities as a natural result of passing on his "cells."[8] As a result, it is unclear whether he has any true attachment to Muichiro or if it is a result of overblown narcissistic pride. Watching the two Demon-slaying brothers, Sanemi Shinazugawa and Genya Shinazugawa, makes him nostalgic.[8] Fighting Sanemi caused him to recall dueling an ancient Wind Pillar to enhance his abilities.[10] It is revealed that during his human past, he harbored a massive grudge of spite and envy towards his younger twin brother, Yoriichi Tsukiguni, due to his natural talent and abilities since birth. These feelings of jealousy and contempt eventually intensified further upon seeing his brother grow old and having survived to that age despite awakening his Demon Slayer Mark which, supposedly, would condemn him to death at the age of 25.

However, despite the anger she held towards her brother due to their difference in skill, it was shown that she still loved Yoriichi despite dismembering his corpse after he died, keeping as proof the carved wooden flute she made for him as a memento of his memory for years to come, expressing genuine regret for the path she chose.[12]

In his duel against Gyomei Himejima, his joking suggests a fear of the idea of ​​death. When Gyomei's marks appear, Kokushibo preemptively mourns the loss of a talented fighter and urges him to become a Demon in order to continue honing his skills. He seems genuinely surprised when Gyomei vehemently rejects his offer and calls his mentality pathetic.[13]

Probably as a result of his inferiority complex and his immense desire for strength, Kokushibo is afraid of the possibility of suffering defeat[9], so much so that he becomes increasingly aggressive and agitated when cornered, evidence of which is the degree of aggressiveness in his attacks when he is in that situation and the use of his demonic power[14].