Marks of Demon Slayer: a Blessing and a Curse
The greatest of the best occasionally show up on Demon Slayer as a unique mark on their body. Not every Demon Slayer can receive these enigmatic marks, which give incredible power at a price. They also differ personally and don't show up the same way for everyone. Here's all fans need to know about the Demon Slayer Marks, broken out.
Simply said, a Demon Slayer Mark is precisely what it sounds like—a mark designating one as a Demon Slayer. These are not some sort of brand, though, or tattoo either. Rather, occasionally Demon Slayer Marks show up unexpectedly on slayers in the heat of fight. Though their duration is usually brief, they consistently show the same pattern, which varies throughout individuals. The chosen Breathing Style of the slayer in issue affects the marks; Tokito's, for example, somewhat reflects fog moving in to complement his Mist Breathing. The Demon Slayer Mark does also have a big drawback, though.
Why Yoriichi Managed to Live Past 25 Once His Mark Activated?
Why Yoriichi is the sole demon slayer able to lead a long life despite bearing a mark is never completely clear. It is suggested that this could be the result of his birth with the mark instead of unlocking it later in life. Yoriichi was able to do some quite amazing things as he had a mark since birth, like using the "Transparent World" technique from early age. The tattoo might have even affected his capacity to learn the several Breathing Styles used throughout the show.
One person is reported to always develop a mark first, before it starts showing up on everyone around them; this could possibly be the reason he survived past 25. If so, Tanjiro would be happy since he was the first Taisho-era demon slayer to show a mark. Though he did have the scar there before the Demon Slayer Mark showed up, Tanjiro's mark also almost exactly matches Yoriichi's. Tanjiro's father had a birthmark in the same location, implying that the mark is passed on genetically as well.
The Demon Slayer Mark exactly?
A Demon Slayer Mark must be activated by the Slayer reaching specific physical states during fight. In chapter 129, Tokito told the others he had a heart rate of 200 BPM and a body temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit), after activating his Mark. Tokito hypothesizes that the only way to unlock the Mark is by simply surviving these diseases; that is a possibly fatal fever and a quite dangerous heart rate. But the Mark lets slayers activate the Red Nichirin for their swords, therefore enhancing their demon-slaying power, raising their physical strength and endurance, and even giving access to the enigmatic "Transparent World."
After knowing about the Marks, the Hashira usually always agrees to try to get one for themself; yet, it turns out that there is a hefty cost. Stories of the Demon Slayer Mark from the past show that, aside from the initial Mark holder Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who lived to 80, individuals who manifest a Mark will not live past the age of 25. Those above 25 can show the Mark, but the implications of it are unknown. Basically, activating a Demon Slayer Mark is selling away one's life and future for power in the present, and sadly, there is no undoing this as even a fleeting activation of the Mark is sufficient.
Tanjiro and His Legacy
Rengoku's father Shinjuro says that all those who can use Sun Breathing have the same mark on their forehead in the same area, implying that Tanjiro always had enormous potential as a Demon Slayer, as probably his father did before him. This would help to explain why Tanjiro's father was able to perform the Hinokami Kagura even though he was not aware that his actions sprang from Sun Breathing. This also appears like a positive indicator that Tanjiro could be able to avoid the Mark's curse like Yoriichi did.
Knowing this, it's definitely a mixed bag event for viewers to witness a character exhibit a Mark. It denotes a short life even if they survive the war, even if it indicates they have reached the height of their fighting capability. Though it seems some of the best slayers have determined a Demon Slayer Mark is worth the trade, if it means cleansing the world of Muzan and his demons, power definitely doesn't come easy in the realm of Demon Slayer.
With the inclusion of anime-original material in the most recent Demon Slayer Season, Ufotable is redefining the definition of "Filler" Episodes.
A Demon Slayer Mark must be activated by the Slayer reaching specific physical states during fight. In chapter 129, Tokito told the others he had a heart rate of 200 BPM and a body temperature of 39 degrees Celsius (102.2 degrees Fahrenheit), after activating his Mark. Tokito hypothesizes that the only way to unlock the Mark is by simply surviving these diseases; that is a possibly fatal fever and a quite dangerous heart rate. But the Mark lets slayers activate the Red Nichirin for their swords, therefore enhancing their demon-slaying power, raising their physical strength and endurance, and even giving access to the enigmatic "Transparent World."
After knowing about the Marks, the Hashira usually always agrees to try to get one for themself; yet, it turns out that there is a hefty cost. Stories of the Demon Slayer Mark from the past show that, aside from the initial Mark holder Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who lived to 80, individuals who manifest a Mark will not live past the age of 25. Those above 25 can show the Mark, but the implications of it are unknown. Basically, turning on a Demon Slayer Mark means sacrificing one's life and future for power in the present; however, this cannot be undone since even a fleeting activation of the Mark is sufficient.
