Mitsuri Kanroji: Spotlight

The Love That Fights Back.

Spoiler: Season 1 – End of Infinity Castle (Manga)

It is Valentine’s Day and that means dedicated to express gratitude, affection, and love. There is so much love that’s represented in Anime, and who’s better to talk about than Mitsuri Kanroji from Demon Slayer. When we were talking about this post she was the first one that popped in my mind. She is the Love Hashira after all. So it only makes sense.

Love can be represented in so many ways for family, friends, yourself, and romantically. Most of the time if people don’t have one, you tend to lean on the other. Mitsuri is a great example that shows all versions of love. 

That being said, her character is one that tends to be looked over a lot and not taken fully serious… Not by me though. When we first got introduced to her, I was intrigued. Then when getting her backstory she reminded me a lot of myself. Especially when it came to loving herself and wanting to find love she deserved. 

Mitsuri has many traits to be desired.

Her beauty might be a big one for many people, but that is definitely not the only thing.

Love Breathing was created by Mitsuri, not by an unknown person from the past. It was made by altering Flame Breathing which she learned while training with Rengoku. Honestly when thinking about that I see her almost being sad at it, but using that to stride to be the best she could be. Which in my opinion is impressive and if you don’t think that is then there is something wrong with you. Creating such an art takes determination, power, and strength.

She also shows us constantly how she got to be a Hashira. Mitsuri really probably takes the saying “when there is a will, there is a way” to heart. 

Another thing is that she doesn’t let the power go over her head. She treats people with love, kindness, and respect. It doesn’t matter who you are.

In Mitsuri’s first appearance you can tell she admires her fellow Hashira. Stating very often that they are always looking fantastic. Along with continuing that throughout the series. Also seeming to not want to punish Tanjiro and Nezuko. So when the Master said the siblings could fight by each other’s side, she didn’t mind and was absolutely fine with doing as he wanted.

Then we don’t see her again till the Swordsmith Arc. This is where we get to know Mitsuri a little more in depth. How she operates and what her thoughts are. Which also takes us to one of my favorite scenes with her that is at the beginning of this Arc.

She comes running down the steps from the hot spring, not caring about her appearance, but sad because someone had ignored her. Meanwhile Tanjiro’s fearing she is going to bush out of the clothes and expose herself. Causing him to run towards her to close her robe and them to collide. 

Shortly after we see how she doesn’t really have a judgemental bone in her body. Which is shown by loving Nezuko just the way she is and acting almost motherly to her. It’s like she doesn’t know or see what she is.

When it comes to other Demons though, it is slightly different. Mainly because she doesn’t understand how they can be so ruthless. Therefore she fights alongside her comrades to help protect humans that can’t defeat demons on their own. Her fight against Zohakuten proves as such. Girly literally wakes up from passing out and continues to fight with ease like nothing even happened. Mitsuri is also able to wield a sword that is very similar to a whip. Her breathing style and katana are made to suit her flexibility and her strength.

Being the 2nd Hashira to get her Demon Slayer mark.

Which being one to acquire a mark is then asked to describe how it happens during a Hashira meeting. God she was just so freaking adorable I just had to add this part. It almost gave me zoomie vibes.

In the meeting they all decided that training for everyone would be the best way to go. Therefore we get Hashira training. 

We don’t see her much in this Arc. Just her seeming to unconsciously torture her subordinates.

We do get to see Obani Iguro react to a letter she wrote him. Then becoming jealous that Tanjiro got to spend time with her. 

Mitsuri is too shy to admit her feelings for him though and thinks that he is just sweet to everyone. Not realizing that he loves her back. With learning why she joined the Demon Slayer Corps, you would think she would be a little more aware. 

But… When we learned her backstory during her fight with Zohakuten in the Swordsmith Arc. It would make sense why she is a little shy when it comes to her feelings. She most definitely is a little traumatized with love considering the men before would judge her for the strength, looks, and motivation she has. So much so that she didn’t fully love herself at one point. That she should change who she is.

She joined the Demon Slayer Corps in hopes of finding love. There are things she had to learn first. 

As any human we eventually need to learn how to love ourselves and who we are becoming. Most of the time this needs to happen before we learn to love another person romantically. 

She definitely learned to love herself. Her colorful hair, big personality, and her strength. Then Mitsuri found people that would allow her to be her fullest self, while finding a place to really grow into her own skin. Becoming more comfortable than she has ever been. 

That’s where we get her and Obani. Both not admitting their feelings. He is pretty obvious and she doesn’t really realize. When we get to the infinity castle we get to see more of their connection. When they were dropping into the castle they held onto each other so they wouldn’t get separated. Them both being able to protect each other’s back the whole time.

***WARNING:  If you haven’t read the “Corps Records” or the manga past Infinity Castle Part 1, I highly recommend you do. That being said, past this point if you haven’t read the manga or the corps records there will be some BIG SPOILERS.***

Jumping to after Muzan is defeated we sadly get Mitsuri and Obani’s deaths.

I can confidently say that if and when this gets animated I am going to be balling my eyes out. Cause honestly I balled my eyes out just reading about it. She is very much a hopeless romantic and I would say there is a little side of Iguro too. We learn in their last moments that when he met Mitsuri, she saved his life that day. He believes that she saved his heart along with so many other people. 

Then with their dying breaths Mitsuri opens up about her feelings and asks him to take her as his wife in their next lives. Honestly, how could he say no to her? He in their next lives wants her to be happy and to be able to protect her so she could live a full life.

They are then able to pass away holding each other.

He wasn’t the only one that thought she saved hearts though. In the Corps Records they asked Demons about fighting and being defeated by the different Hashira. When it came to Mitsuri they all felt the love radiating off of her. Them saying ” At the end, she looked apologetic, so I think she had feelings for me” or even “Now I wanna fall in love!”. 

She was also very much liked among her fellow Hashira. 

Mitsuri Kanroji would have loved Valentine’s Day if she had the chance to experience it and would make sure everyone felt loved and seen on this special day. 

What did you love about Mitsuri?

Happy Valentine’s Day and if you are maybe wanting to read about another type of love. I suggest you read about Rengoku and his fighting spirit or the traumatized kid that just wants to turn his sister back into a human Tanjiro.

Want to rewatch Mitsuri’s best moments? Demon Slayer is on Crunchyroll.