The Tragic and Beautiful Love of the Love Pillar and Snake Pillar: Kanroji Mitsuri and Iguro Obanai, a Touching Vow Transcending Life and Death
In 'Demon Slayer', a work filled with passionate battles and deep emotions, aside from the growth of the main characters, the stories among the Hashira are equally moving. Among them, the subtle, profound, yet intensely passionate relationship between the 'Love Hashira' Kanroji Mitsuri and the 'Serpent Hashira' Iguro Obanai is undoubtedly the most poignant and complete love story in the hearts of fans. Their story begins with silent protection, reaches its climax at life's end, and ultimately finds fulfillment in reincarnation.
Love at first sight and silent protection: Unspoken affection
The Serpent Hashira's love for the Love Hashira began with love at first sight. During a chance encounter, Iguro Obanai was immediately captivated by Kanroji Mitsuri's bright, innocent smile. However, Iguro, due to his tragic background—born into a sinful family that survived by plundering, with his mouth forcibly torn—felt deeply inferior, believing that someone with 'dirty blood' like him was unworthy of tainting a pure and wonderful girl like Mitsuri.
Therefore, he chose to bury this love deep in his heart, transforming it into silent protection. He remembered all of Mitsuri's preferences, cared for her in their correspondence, and even gave her those iconic green striped socks, just to see her smile. During Hashira meetings or joint missions, he always watched over Mitsuri quietly, feeling happy and blushing when she was cared for, and also showing a cute, clumsy side by getting jealous when Tanjiro got close to her.
Confession at life's end: In the next life, please marry me
This deeply buried emotion wasn't fully poured out until the final battle against the Demon King Muzan. In this fierce battle, the Love Hashira and the Serpent Hashira fought side by side, and both suffered fatal injuries. In their final moments, the nearly blind Iguro tightly held the dying Mitsuri, and the two finally revealed their long-suppressed feelings to each other.
Mitsuri cried, saying she hadn't been of any help to everyone, and that her dango wasn't as good as Iguro's. She confessed to Iguro, hoping to marry him, but there was no chance in this life. Iguro gently refuted her self-blame and, with his last strength, made her a promise: 'If we can have a next life, if we can be reborn as humans again, please let me marry you then.' This confession and promise at the brink of death painted a poignant and romantic end to their tragic sacrifice, becoming one of the most tear-jerking scenes in 'Demon Slayer'.
The fulfillment of reincarnation: This time, they are a happy teishoku restaurant couple
Although the author Koyoharu Gotouge gave them a tragic ending, they also provided the gentlest consolation. In the modern-day chapter of the manga's final episode, their wish was finally realized. Kanroji Mitsuri and Iguro Obanai were reincarnated as a loving couple, running a popular teishoku restaurant named 'Mitsuri' together, and they have five children.
That girl who once felt inferior due to her unique traits, and that man who carried the burden of a sinful bloodline and dared not love, finally came together as they wished in a peaceful world without demons. Not only did they fulfill their promise from a past life, but they also lived the ordinary, happy life they had always dreamed of. This ending comforts all the fans who were heartbroken by their love, and perfectly illustrates the core themes of 'life goes on' and 'the future earned through protection'.
In summary, the love story of the Love Hashira and the Serpent Hashira is the most tender yet tragic hue in 'Demon Slayer'. It proves that even in the darkest and most desperate times, love can still exist in its purest form, transcending life and death, and ultimately bearing fruit.
Browse immediately Demon Slayer merchandise