[Demon Slayer/12Gwi-Wol] Kaigaku, the evil villain who mastered the most difficult lightning breathing technique through hard work

Demon Slayer is all about the human characters, whether villains or heroes, which makes readers feel even more immersed in the work. This time, the character is Sang-Hyun 6 Kaigaku.

 

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1) Kaigaku, the Villain Who Shattered the Cliche of the Hardworking, Ordinary Character

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Kaigaku is a character who defies the common cliche that "ordinary people who work hard are good." Within the manga, his portrayal presents a unique yet highly realistic villain. He contrasts sharply with his disciple, Zenitsu, in many ways, particularly in his personality and actions. Kaigaku possesses an arrogant sense of self-importance, coupled with an elitism. This attitude has led to his duality: servility to the powerful while being rude to the weak. His unfortunate upbringing as an orphan also contributes to his stubborn belief in this personality flaw as his own, refusing to change it. Ultimately, this stubbornness and flaws lead him to a tragic end.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba typically features characters with noble character and a spirit of sacrifice. Among these characters, Kaigaku is a rare example of a realistic, selfish, and ungrateful character. In this respect, despite being the last of the 12 Gwiwol to become a Blood Demon, he bears a strong resemblance to Muzan Kibutsuji. While possessing Muzan's brutal nature, he also displays a certain human vulnerability and self-centeredness.

Thus, we understand that Kaigaku is more than just a villain; he imbues the story with depth and realism through his dark side and complex emotions. This unique personality not only adds layers to the conflict between "demons and humans," but also constantly questions the classic dichotomy of good and evil. In particular, Kaigaku's distorted beliefs about himself and his unwavering refusal to change them ultimately lead to a tragic end, vividly demonstrating the flaws and devastation inherent in human nature.

 

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2) Kaigaku, a savage from the start

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Kaigaku is a character who, from the very beginning, displays an extraordinary character in the "Demon Slayer" story. He is accused of stealing from a temple and is briefly banished from the temple's children. This incident serves as the starting point for his dark personality and tragic fate. While the exact reason for the theft is not stated, given his hobby of gambling, it is likely due to financial difficulties caused by gambling. This incident alone provides a glimpse into his moral failings and criminal tendencies.

On the night he is banished for stealing, Kaigaku encounters a Blood Demon near the temple, putting him in a precarious situation. To save his life, the demon makes a cunning yet cruel offer: if he spares his life, he will sacrifice his remaining family. He then extinguishes the incense sticks around the temple, allowing the demons to invade. As a result, many of the children in the temple die. In this incident, the selfish and cruel nature of Kaigaku, both the perpetrator and the survivor, is clearly highlighted.

In fact, only Kyomei and Sayo survived. Kyomei is blind, and the children lied about Kaigaku's absence that night, so they didn't realize he was gone. It's also interesting to note that had Kyomei known about Kaigaku's theft, given his personality, he would likely have gently rebuked him. Furthermore, the children initially didn't hold Kaigaku hostile, and their attempts to help him with white lies demonstrate their humanity. Had Kaigaku acknowledged his wrongdoing and sincerely apologized, their relationship could have been restored. However, he didn't.

These actions reveal a deeper inner problem than mere crime or mistake. His willingness to sacrifice even his family and friends for his own gain and survival reveals a deep-seated problem that was already evident from a young age, worthy of the expression "yellow-budded." This incident clearly highlights Kaigaku's ruthless nature, unwavering in his pursuit of personal ambition and selfishness.

Following the theft, Kaigaku's actions escalate to private transactions, such as contract killings. Essentially, he puts the lives of others at a price for his own survival and advancement, solidifying his cruel nature of betrayal and sacrifice at a young age. This trait aligns with his later transformation into a demon, becoming subservient to the powerful and ruthless toward the weak. Furthermore, his early ruthlessness ultimately serves as the backdrop for his rise to a unique position within the powerful demon organization, 12-GwiWol.

Kaigaku's story is far removed from the heroic sacrifice or romantic coming-of-age narrative often found in "Demon Slayer." He is inherently selfish, constantly striving for self-interest and survival. This personality trait leads to tragic conflicts and failures in his relationships with those around him, ultimately leading to his miserable and disastrous end. In this way, Kaigaku's series of actions and decisions, beginning in childhood, are not mere mistakes, but rather a reflection of his fundamental character and worldview. The inhumane choices revealed in the theft incident and his deal with the demons serve as a barometer for his later acts of evil, betrayal, and self-centeredness. His notoriety transcends mere power, becoming a symbol of the dark independence and cruelty inherent in human nature.

In summary, the description of Kaigaku as "yellow-born" is by no means an exaggeration. Rather, he is the embodiment of a dark nature and moral corruption that was already evident from an early age. His actions, which began in childhood, play a key role in developing a unique character within the "Demon Slayer" story, straddling the delicate lines between light and darkness, good and evil.

This concludes our analysis of Kaigaku's childhood and the ruthless nature he displayed.

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3) Agatsuma Zenitsu, the Successor, and Kaigaku's Dislike of Him

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When Agatsuma Zenitsu arrived at the temple as his successor, Kaigaku expressed strong resentment. He was deeply dissatisfied when his former teacher, Kochishiro Jigoro, who had patiently and tirelessly taught him, showed the same attitude toward Zenitsu. He was particularly displeased with Zenitsu's clumsiness and frequent crybaby, and he expressed his contempt for him in crude terms, even throwing a peach at him. Even more surprising was the fact that, despite being his first disciple, Jigoro treated him and Zenitsu equally, making him feel deeply betrayed. In fact, Kaigaku received the triangular haori that Jigoro had given Zenitsu, but never wore it, demonstrating his genuine resentment and dissatisfaction with Jigoro. This was due to his arrogant belief that he alone was special and superior. Ironically, Kaigaku, despite being the heir to the Lightning Breath, was an ordinary person who couldn't use the most basic and fundamental form, "Ichi no Hyo." However, he diligently mastered all the other forms of Lightning, a practice that earned him recognition within the demon hunter community. Those around him even gossiped about his arrogant demeanor and his inability to use Ichi no Hyo. Zenitsu, on the other hand, didn't like Kaigaku, but he respected his hard work and even suppressed the gossip he heard from his older brothers. Despite his outward appearance and incompetence, Zenitsu respected Kaigaku's diligent efforts and acknowledged his efforts.

However, Kaigaku didn't express his gratitude to Zenitsu. Instead, he coldly warned him not to cause trouble, saying it was shameful to be his classmate. This attitude reveals the depth of Kaigaku's arrogance and self-centeredness. His internal contradictions and complex emotions create tension and conflict within the team, revealing a multifaceted character.

Nevertheless, Kaigaku's position as the successor of the Lightning Breath was by no means insignificant. Despite his inability to use "One Form," his remaining skills, dedication, and talent were sufficiently recognized within the Blood Demon Society, to the point where he was considered a candidate for the Lord of Illusion. This demonstrates that Kaigaku was more than just a competitor; he possessed both talent and influence.

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As the story progresses and Zenitsu reaches Infinity, much later, he encounters Kaigaku in a completely different, horrifying form. The previously arrogant and cold-hearted Kaigaku has vanished, transformed into a miserable and shocking figure. This scene symbolizes his downfall and despair, leaving a powerful impression on the reader of the pain and transformation he has endured.

The relationship between Kaigaku and Zenitsu goes beyond mere rivalry; it reveals a complex web of emotions, attitudes, and intertwined fates. The interplay of Kaigaku's jealousy and hatred for Zenitsu, along with his hidden efforts, further sharpens the contrast between the two characters and heightens the tension of the story. Furthermore, the contrast between Kaigaku's arrogance, which conceals his own shortcomings, and Zenitsu's purity and hard work serves as a crucial element in demon slayer, highlighting their human side and potential for growth.

In summary, while Kaigaku harbored deep resentment and betrayal toward his successor, Zenitsu, his hard work earned him recognition among his colleagues. Even Zenitsu, while not outwardly sympathetic, respected his efforts. Kaigaku's arrogance, unstable self-esteem, and his pursuit of his own uniqueness ultimately profoundly impacted his life and destiny, and his relationship with Zenitsu exemplifies this duality.

This chapter explores in detail how Kaigaku accepted Zenitsu and the complex emotions and bond that developed between them.

 

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4) Kaigaku Appears as a Blood Demon in the Infinity Arc

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Kaigaku surprisingly resurrects as a Blood Demon in the Infinity Arc. His appearance has completely transformed, with his entire skin turning pale and his fingernails turning sharp black. He also has pointed ears and inverted eyes with turquoise pupils. He also has a demonic emblem engraved on both cheeks, giving him a terrifying appearance completely different from his previous human form. This transformation is believed to have occurred shortly after his transformation into a Blood Demon, close to the joint training. Therefore, he still wears his former Blood Demon Corps uniform, but he also wears a black haori over it and a blue belt.

Kaigaku's weapons are also notable. According to a fan book, he created a sword using pieces of his own flesh, regenerative cells, cartilage, and bone. This can be compared to the Heogok Shingeo wielded by the single-digit SangHyun Blood Demon Kokushibo, and can be seen as a weapon that maximizes his abilities as a Blood Demon. The weapon itself resembles the Nichirinto used in his human days, and the hilt retains its original form, adding to its significance. The blade is a sharp, dark gold on a black background, and is engraved with the Hamon, a symbol of the Blood Demon Jutsu symbol representing a black lightning bolt, demonstrating a close connection to Kaigaku's Blood Demon Jutsu.

Kaigaku's eyes are engraved with the kanji for "SangHyun (上弦)" and the number "6," clearly indicating his Blood Demon status. This is a powerful symbol that indicates his status as SangHyun 6, the sixth-highest rank within the Blood Demon organization.

During a previous joint training exercise, Agatsuma Zenitsu learned that Kaigaku had transformed into a Blood Demon. We also learn that his master, Jigoro Kochishiro, upon hearing this, took responsibility and committed seppuku. Jigoro's prolonged and painful death, without Kaishaku to decapitate him, adds to the horror of the situation. Hearing this news, Zenitsu is deeply enraged and becomes engrossed in his training.

 

The scene where Zenitsu reunites with Kaigaku in the Infinite Dimension is both striking and shocking. Kaigaku, once cynical and arrogant, appears much more shabby and ugly. While he displays his old, rude, mocking demeanor toward Zenitsu, we also see that his situation has become far more pitiful and miserable. Zenitsu, unlike before, does not cower or weep, but instead fights back with genuine anger. This confrontation between the two is dramatically expressed through a fierce exchange of emotions, unlike before. In this way, Kaigaku in the Infinity Arc is reborn not as the cold and arrogant human he once was, but as a tragic being trapped in the desperate and miserable reality of a Blood Demon. His transformation vividly symbolizes the character's fate, growth, and downfall within the story, and his confrontation with Zenitsu forms a crucial emotional axis of the story.

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In summary, Kaigaku reappears in the Infinity Arc as a Blood Demon, undergoing physical and mental changes unlike before, and dramatically reunites with Zenitsu. His newly enhanced Blood Demon skills, armament, and the status of the Sixth Aspect prove that he remains a formidable fighter. However, his appearance and demeanor vividly reflect the suffering, downfall, and destruction of human bonds he has endured, lending a deeper, more tragic resonance. This scene serves as a pivotal moment in the central narrative of the Demon Slayer Infinity Arc, further enhancing the complex appeal of Kaigaku's character.

 

 

5) Why Kaigaku Became a Blood Demon

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Kaigaku became a Blood Demon because he surrendered to the Kokushibo, the first Sanghyun, and chose to survive as he had in the past. While the two men differ in their hierarchy within the Blood Demon organization, they both ultimately achieved high positions as Sanghyuns. They also share a similarity in that choosing the path of a Blood Demon entailed sacrifice. Kokushibo, as a human, betrayed Muzan by beheading the head of the Ubuyashiki clan, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. While Kaigaku did not directly commit the murder, his betrayal caused his mentor, shocked by his actions, to take responsibility and commit seppuku, resulting in the tragedy.

Both demons possessed character flaws. As a human, Kokushibo, as Tsugikuni Michikatsu, the older brother of Tsugikuni Yoriichi, suffered from an inferiority complex and jealousy toward his more accomplished brother. Meanwhile, Kaigaku, inherently arrogant and possessing a strong sense of self, resented his successor, Zenitsu, and felt uncomfortable with his master's treatment of him as an equal. Furthermore, Kaigaku resisted his master's offer to become a Tsuguko alongside Zenitsu, demonstrating his stubbornness to uphold his own position and values. This attitude ultimately led to his master's tragic death.

 

Feeling responsible for Kaigaku's betrayal, his master committed seppuku, a process reportedly agonizing. However, Kaigaku reacted cynically to his master's death, mocking him and strongly warning an enraged Zenitsu not to compare himself to Zenitsu. Zenitsu lamented his master's misfortune, claiming that he was the only one who could not use the First Form, and that he was equally as incompetent. Kaigaku, however, was enraged by this, determined to preserve his own uniqueness. Thus, Kaigaku's transformation into a Blood Demon stems not only from a choice for survival, but also from arrogance, jealousy, and a deeply flawed self-centered personality. His journey to becoming a Blood Demon was not simply a matter of power, but rather a complex series of human conflicts and wounds. His past actions and personality clearly reveal why he betrayed his master and comrades and became a Blood Demon, and the tragic consequences of that choice.

In summary, Kaigaku's transformation into a Blood Demon, much like Kokushibo, the first of the Upper Worlds, was a product of surrender and betrayal for survival. Deep-rooted arrogance and self-centeredness from his human days fueled his decision. His master's painful death, his cold reception, and his conflict with Zenitsu ultimately reveal the inner reasons behind Kaigaku's betrayal. His story is a crucial passage in "Demon Slayer," vividly revealing the complex boundaries and emotions between humans and Blood Demons, between good and evil.

 

 

 

 

 

6) A Comprehensive Evaluation of Kaigaku, the 6th Demon King

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Kaigaku, a high-ranking demon in the manga "Demon Slayer," has a complex personality and history, spanning his human years and subsequent transformation into a demon. His presence transcends the conventional stereotype of a "hardworking ordinary person," demonstrating a profound significance as a character who vividly reveals the dark side of realistic humanity. This evaluation will examine his upbringing, his humanity and transformation into a demon, his traits as a demon, his relationship with Zenitsu, and ultimately his ultimate fate.

6-1) A Man Recognized for His Efforts Yet Arrogant

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Kaigaku possessed mediocre talent even as a human, yet he was a diligent individual. He trained diligently, mastering all the forms except for the "Work Form," essential to his Thunder Breath. Even his mentor, Kochishiro Jigoro, praised Kaigaku's diligent approach and urged Zenitsu to emulate him. However, despite these efforts, his personality remained arrogant and self-centered, displaying a strong obsession with his own specialness. This manifested itself in his resentment toward his master, who treated him and Zenitsu as equals, and in his insults and contempt for his successor, Zenitsu.

This is a key factor in Kaigaku's failure to master the core technique of lightning breathing, "Ichi no Hyo," and his conflicts with his colleagues. His characteristic arrogance and elitism led to his refusal to engage in healthy cooperative relationships with his colleagues or master, ultimately leading to his growing isolation and downfall. This complex psychological structure of Kaigaku emerged not as a mere villain, but as an independent and realistic figure.

6-2) Theft and the Deal with the Blood Demon, the Fall of Humanity

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Kaigaku's path to trouble began in his youth when he committed a crime, stealing money from a temple. This incident is believed to have been related to his gambling addiction, and he was temporarily expelled from the temple. However, when he encountered the Blood Demon that night and faced threats to his life, he offered to sacrifice his remaining family members, including Gyomei and Sayo, in exchange for his life. Ultimately, most of the temple's residents were killed by the demons.

This incident symbolizes the extreme degeneration of Kaigaku's humanity and selfishness. He readily sacrificed others' lives for his own, feeling no guilt. Rather, he displayed a cynical and mocking attitude toward the fact that his master had taken responsibility for his betrayal and committed seppuku, clearly revealing his moral breakdown. From this point on, Kaigaku embarked on a self-centered and inhumane path, laying the foundation for his later rise to the highest level as a Blood Demon.

6-3) Blood Demonization, Sanghyeon 6, and Destructive Power

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In the Infinity Arc, Kaigaku reappears as a Blood Demon. As a Blood Demon, he underwent a symbolic transformation, completely different from his original human form: pale skin, sharp black claws, pointed ears, turquoise-colored eyes, and the Blood Demon emblem emblazoned on both cheeks. As a Blood Demon, he wore a black haori over his old Daewon uniform and wielded a uniquely crafted six-sword sword based on his own body. This sword features a dark gold blade on a black background, and is engraved with the Blood Demon Art's Hamon symbol, symbolizing a black thunderbolt. This symbolizes his evolution from the Nichirin sword he wielded as a human, but with a far more powerful and brutal force.

He rose to the rank of Sanghyun 6 within the Blood Demon organization, becoming one of Muzan's most powerful subordinates. This represents the rapid growth in talent and power since his transformation, and it is said that his talents only truly blossomed after becoming a Blood Demon. During this process, he, along with Kokushibo, was recognized by Muzan and ascended to the rank of Sanghyun. Both share a painful history of betraying or sacrificing others after becoming Blood Demons.

6-4) Complicated Relationship with Zenitsu

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Kaigaku and Zenitsu's relationship serves as a crucial axis in "Demon Slayer." Kaigaku deeply resents Zenitsu, despising him for his inferiority. He was particularly resentful and jealous when his master treated the two students equally. These feelings led him to verbally abuse and insult Zenitsu, even venting his anger at him for not treating him and Zenitsu as equals.

Nevertheless, Zenitsu acknowledged and respected Kaigaku's efforts. He grew enraged by the news of Kaigaku's transformation into a Blood Demon and his master Jigoro's suicide. When they reunited on the Infinite Star, he confronted them with a different kind of courage and resolve. This relationship enabled a multi-layered narrative, interweaving diverse emotions—conflict, compassion, competition, and respect—as the two characters experienced growth and change.

6-5) Depiction of the End and Humanity

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Kaigaku is portrayed as a man who has lived a life of humiliation, fleeing death. However, when his throat is finally cut in his fight with Zenitsu, he is confronted with the reality that he has been completely overtaken by Zenitsu. At this point, he is gripped by the miserable thought that Zenitsu will die along with him, and he accepts death with a deeply ugly and tragic attitude. In contrast to the typical heroic death, his end is characterized by a vivid display of fear, self-pity, and self-destructive psychology, earning him recognition as a dynamic human figure.

His eventual destruction and disappearance in the agony of death serves to articulate the contrast between humanity and evil, courage and cowardice within the Demon Slayer series. It offers readers a profound reflection on the inevitable confrontation with death, their own limitations, and the inner ugliness revealed in the process.

 

6-6) Overall Review

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Kaigaku occupies a very unique position in "Demon Slayer." Unlike other characters who are noble and full of self-sacrifice, he is realistic, ruthless, and selfish, breaking the conventional stereotype of the ordinary, hard-working character. His stubbornness, arrogance, theft, and betrayal as a human, and his subsequent transformation into a Blood Demon, armed with immense power and a terrifying appearance, challenge the complex boundaries between "evil" and "humanity."

In particular, his contrast with Zenitsu vividly illustrates his human contradictions and conflicts. His tragic narrative, in which he ultimately meets a miserable fate amidst an inevitable emotional vortex, deepens and enriches the entire work. His end, neither a tale of cowardice nor heroism, unflinchingly reveals the harsh reality and the dark side of human nature, leaving a powerful impression on the reader.

Consequently, Kaigaku is more than just a supporting character or villain in "Demon Slayer"; he is a crucial character who embodies the complex story of human flaws, realistic inner self, growth, and destruction. His story, psychology, and transformation will continue to be valuable for many readers and analysts, offering profound insights and diverse interpretations.

This concludes my comprehensive evaluation of Sanghyun 6's Kaigaku.

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That's All

 

It's Okay