Demon Slayer: How has Muichiro Changed Since Season 1? (2024)

In season one of Demon Slayer, the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito was introduced to us as a stoic, emotionless, and dazed young boy, but he was never always this way. Muichiro was more fleshed out in season three, and fans came to learn how he became the way he is.

In the most recent season of Demon Slayer, Muichiro has changed a lot. It can be said that he may have even returned somewhat to the energetic and lively boy he once was. So, how exactly has Muichiro changed since season one?

Season 1 Muichiro: The First Impression

We first meet Muichiro when Tanjiro and the gang are taken to the Ubuyashiki Mansion in season 1 of Demon Slayer. Here, Tanjiro and, by extension, Nezuko, are put on trial to decide if she is a danger to humans. While the Hashira had their own opinions on Nezuko's fate in this very serious debate, Muichiro did not seem to care. He was much more interested in staring up at the clouds and birds. In his final verdict was that he did not care that much about the matter at hand.

Muichiro clearly does not have any passionate feelings about anything, at first glance. In a matter that requires the intervention of the Hashira, the most elite group of demon slayers, Muichiro was very unbothered about it. There is a lack of passion and attention in him in season one, at least one assumes.

The Mugen Train and Entertainment District Arcs did not feature Muichiro at all, however, season 3 is all about him and how he came to be.

Season 3 Muichiro: Behind the Mask

Great power, great cruelty

Tanjiro and Nezuko take a very complicated road to the mysterious Swordsmith Village in season 3, where all demon slaying weapons are made. Whilst there, Muichiro is first seen conversing, or rather arguing, with a young swordsmith, Kotetsu. The latter boy has access to a very precious mechanical practice dummy named Yoriichi Type Zero, a replica of the real famed demon slayer Yoriichi. Kotetsu, sworn to secrecy, protests Muichiro's request with all his might. Muichiro strikes his face for his defiance. He even threatens him with torture and chastises Kotetsu, calling his skills as as a blacksmith useless, for what good is a sword-maker if it weren't for sword-wielders?

Muichiro's unbothered and careless behavior from season 1 is still prevalent here. However, it is evident that he possesses a cruel streak in him. This stems from wanting to get his way, and doing anything to get what he wants. He does not care that he is speaking to a child, he slaps him nonetheless for not immediately adhering to his request. When little Kotetsu still didn't submit, Muichiro shifted from physical attacks to attacking his craft as a swordsmith. Tanjiro marvels at how a Hashira can act this way, even one as powerful as Muichiro. But alas, Muichiro's behavior is a facade; for that impenetrable exterior is cemented together by a history of pain and trauma. Tanjiro's instincts notice this, as well.

Yuichiro, Muichiro's mask

Muichiro's difficult history with his twin brother Yuichiro is the reason why Muichiro acts and speaks the way he does. As a little boy, Muichiro was bubbly, energetic, and hopeful. He had his own dreams and desires, however they were always bulldozed by Yuichiro. Yuichiro was the complete antithesis of his brother; he was pessimistic, cynical, and miserable. When tragedy struck the Tokito family, the boys were left orphaned after their mother and father died from an illness and in a storm, respectively. Yuichiro became an even more heightened and intense version of himself, leaving Muichiro finding it very difficult to live with him. He would be subjected to the most vile behaviors and words from his brother regarding their family and Muichiro's dream to be a swordsman.

One fateful day, a demon attacked the boys and Yuichiro sacrificed his life for Muichiro's. His dying words were a complete shock to Muichiro, maybe even more so than the brotherly shield from the demon. Yuichiro wished good things for Muichiro, and wanted him to succeed. And just like that, Muichiro's last remaining family was gone.

It is interesting to note that Muichiro completely changed after that day. He eventually got to train as a demon slayer and displayed raw talent. However, he was not entirely present in his body. Mentally, he was elsewhere. His smile and energy disappeared, and he became pessimistic, uncaring, and unbothered by everything around him. What Muichiro turned into, was a husk of who he knew his brother to be. Sadly, this version of Muichiro existed throughout most of season 3.

Muichiro Slowly Comes Around

We see Muichiro in action fighting against the Upper Rank 5 demon Gyokko. He manages to defeat after putting up an incredible fight and even being poisoned and pierced all over his body. When Tanjiro tries to defeat Upper Rank 4 demon Hantengu, it is Muichiro who tosses Haganezuka's unfinished blade to him, yelling at him to use it and kill him once and for all.

After the grueling events of the last few episodes of season 3, Muichiro has bonded with Tanjiro in an indirect way. They survived an incredible ordeal and even witnessed the miracle of Nezuko conquering the sun. Muichiro has softened now, and season 4 proves it.

What About Muichiro Now?

Demon Slayer has now entered its fourth season, the Hashira Training Arc. It is decided in a Hashira meeting that the Hashira will have training sessions for the current demon slayer corps to improve their overall performances as demon hunters. So far we have followed Tanjiro as he trained with former Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui.

Most recently, he trained with Muichiro. Muichiro put Tanjiro and his peers through many drills and exercises, much to their dismay. Muichiro wants Tanjiro to loosen up his muscles, which will enable him to fight with more ease and less tension. He has clearly taken a liking to Tanjiro. He smiles more in his presence when he's being cheeky during their training, makes little playful quips to him and even flies paper planes with him. On the latter point, Muichiro agreed to a childish bet with Tanjiro. He proposed a paper plane race, if Tanjiro's plane wins then Muichiro will ease up on his students. Muichiro, being a paper plane expert, naturally won.

We sometimes forget this due to his high-ranking status as a Hashira, but Muichiro is a child, slightly younger than Tanjiro. After the intense events of season 3, Muichiro has relaxed a lot around Tanjiro especially. He smiles, makes, jokes and gives in to childish activities like racing paper planes. While Tanjiro lost a family at a young age too, he still has memories of a happy and playful childhood with his many siblings. When Muichiro was even younger, his brother was not warm nor playful. He does not know what it means to play games with fellow children, for his childhood was robbed from him.

Now, we finally see Muichiro come out of his adopted persona of his brother and reveal somewhat of the real Muichiro. The happy, lively kid is still in there and Tanjiro seems to bring it out of him. The paper plane scene was particularly touching, as it reminded fans that he is still a child. It is relieving and emotional to see this side of Muichiro, for it feels right. He deserves to know what childhood is like, even in these life-or-death situations that loom in Demon Slayer.

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.