Summary
Pivotal moments within anime may shape an entire storyline. Fans enjoy speculating about how everything would have changed with one simple change. InDemon Slayer, one such moment came in the tragic fight between Kyojuro Rengoku, Flame Hashira, and Akaza, Upper Rank Three. Rengoku’s death certainly had a deep impact on the plot; what if he survived that fateful fight? His survival would have completely altered the events of the story, as so many key moments in the story would be rewritten, along with the trajectory theDemon SlayerCorps takes.
That would have meant a difference between the development of the other characters' arcs, mainly the Hashira Training Arc, and perhaps even the final fights. Considering what happened in the story, especially his fight against Akaza, given his participation in the storyline and considering Tanjiro’s journey, there are a number of possibilities that arise.
Flame Embers Remain Strong
Rengoku’s Role After Surviving the Battle
With Rengoku alive, he still would have been an important figure to the Demon Slayer Corps. Being as strong as he already was and a leading figure in many aspects, the greater guidance he would have given would have improvedTanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosukefurther. He could have been sort of a mentor to them three, teaching them more refined techniques and perhaps making them more ready for their limits while he helped them overcome them.
His survival would have driven the other Hashira to try even harder. Rengoku’s bravery and positivity would have knit them together and further solidified their determination in defeating the demons. His leadership would have played a great part in training the Corps for their eventual fight against Muzan and the Upper Moons, perhaps not making fights in the future such a disaster.
Flame Hashira’s Training
Impact on the Hashira Training Arc
The Hashira Training Arc would, in this case, include Rengoku, an added layer to guide and encourage Tanjiro and his friends further. His expertise in flame breathing would help in improving the ability and adapting it to fit Tanjiro, as he inherited some form of flame breathing from his family in the form of Hinokami Kagura. Mentorship by Rengoku would definitely fast-track Tanjiro’s growth and development in being a demon slayer.
With this, the Hashiratraining arc perhaps could have allowed the Hashirato unite more solidly under Rengoku’s leadership. His power to inspire others may have made the Hashira more powerful as a whole, preparing them for the fights ahead with the Upper Moons and Muzan himself. If Rengoku had lived, the Corps would be in a far better position to take on what was to come.
Rengoku’s Demon Slayer Mark Awakening
New Powers Rengoku Could Have Gained
Had Rengoku survived and continued to grow, he likely would have developed new and advanced forms of flame breathing. His determination and near-death experience with Akaza could have pushed him to unlock higher levels of his flame techniques. These new abilities would have made him an even greater threat to the demons, perhaps giving him the edge he needed to defeat more Upper Moons.
Rengoku’s evolution as a fighter would have brought about not only new techniques but also an elevated understanding of how to battle demons. His leadership could have guided the Hashira into developing strategies that combined their respective breathing techniques, creating team-based attacks that could overwhelm even the strongest demons, since Rengoku was one of the strongest Hashira. With Rengoku at the forefront,the Demon Slayer Corps could have made significant stridesin their fight against Muzan and his Upper Moons.
Rematch at Infinity Castle
Could Rengoku Have Defeated Akaza
Rengoku’s survival begs the question of whether he would have been able to ultimately defeat Akaza. Their first fight was closely contested, and given a chance for Rengoku to get stronger, he may have been able to win in a rematch considering how Tenzen was barely able to win against Gyutaro even with Tanjiro and the others' help. Meanwhile, Rengoku held up his own against an even stronger opponent and protected everyone on the train. Given the circumstances, killing Akaza could have arguably come from Rengoku with his Demon Slayer Mark and polished techniques during the Infinity Castle Arc.
But even if Rengoku was alive to be given an opportunity for a rematch, it might well have remained the case that Tanjiro’s narrative position would have written him as the only onewho could have brought Akaza down. Rengoku might have gravely injured Akaza, but Tanjiro’s destined role might have had him give the finishing blow, and it also raises the question that Akaza was actually not defeated technically, since he chose not to regenerate and let the demon slayers win once he regained his memories, so that whole event might’ve changed too.
Sun And Flame Duo
Was Rengoku’s Fate Inevitable for Tanjiro’s Growth?
While it’s tempting to imagine Rengoku surviving and continuing to fight alongside Tanjiro, his death played a crucial role in shaping Tanjiro’s journey. Rengoku’s sacrifice served as a powerful motivator for Tanjiro, pushing him to grow stronger and embrace his role as a demon slayer. Rengoku’s death was also a key emotional moment that spurred the remaining Hashira to rally for the final battles.
If Rengoku had survived, it’s possible that Tanjiro’s character development could have gone either way; it might have been delayed or accelerated. Tanjiro relied on Rengoku’s guidance, and with him alive, Tanjiro might not have faced the same emotional hardships that fueled his growth. Rengoku’s death was a necessary narrative device to push Tanjiro forward as the central figure in the fight against Muzan.
Rengoku’s survival after his battle with Akaza presents an exciting “what if” scenario that could have dramatically changed the course ofDemon Slayer. From altering the Hashira Training Arc to potentiallydefeating Akaza in the Infinity Castle, Rengoku’s continued presence would have shaped key moments in the series. However, his death was a pivotal moment for Tanjiro’s growth, and while Rengoku’s survival offers intriguing possibilities, it’s likely that the story’s focus on Tanjiro as the protagonist would have remained unchanged.
Demon Slayer
Based on Koyoharu Gotouge’s shonen manga, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is an action anime set in Japan during the early 20th century. Seeking revenge for the murder of his family while also looking to save his sister, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps as they try to eradicate Demons led by Muzan.
