Who is Kanao Tsuyuri in Demon Slayer – Character Insight & Importance
Kanao Tsuyuri is a major supporting character in the popular fantasy horror manga and anime series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. As a Demon Slayer of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kanao plays a significant role in the story while showcasing her skills and abilities as a formidable fighter.
Kanao’s character is often depicted as calm and mysterious, with a gentle smile on her face. Despite her young age, she holds the rank of Tsuguko (successor) and is the adoptive sister of the skilled demon slayers, Shinobu and Kanae Kocho. As the story progresses, Kanao interacts with and forms relationships with fellow Demon Slayer Corps members, including the protagonist Tanjiro Kamado.
Throughout Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Kanao proves time and time again the strength of her character and the importance of her role within the Demon Slayer Corps. Her unique personality and impressive abilities make her a memorable and beloved character within the series.
Character Background
Kanao Tsuyuri is a significant character in the popular anime and manga series, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. She is a talented demon slayer who gets introduced in the Rehabilitation Training Arc. Kanao is known for her mysterious calm demeanor and rarely talks on her own. As the story progresses, her background and emotions gradually get revealed.
Personal Details
Birthday: Kanao’s birthday is on May 19th, and she is 16 years old at the start of the series. She has a height of 156 cm (5’1½”) and weighs 46 kg (101 lb).
Appearance: Kanao has large, lilac-colored eyes framed by thick eyelashes. Her thin black hair has a straight fringe and two chin-length strands curving downwards from above each ear. Her hair later changes to black to pink from the Infinity Castle Arc onwards, and she often sports a ponytail while on her missions.
Abilities and Combat Style: Kanao is highly skilled in Flower Breathing, a unique combat style used against demons. She becomes a Tsuguko, an elite apprentice demon slayer, and further refines her skills throughout the story. Eventually, Kanao takes on a new role as a doctor after the war.
Voice Actors: In the anime adaptation, Kanao is voiced by Reina Ueda in the Japanese version and Brianna Knickerbocker in the English version. Their respective performances encapsulate Kanao’s calm and composed nature, which adds depth to her character.
Family and Relationships
Kanao Tsuyuri is a young and talented demon slayer in the Demon Slayer series. Despite her quiet and mysterious demeanor, she has developed a variety of significant relationships throughout the story.
Kanao was taken in by the Kocho sisters, Kanae Kocho and Shinobu Kocho, after being rescued from a harsh life of slavery. The sisters became her adoptive family, providing her with love, support, and training. The protective relationship formed between Kanao and her adoptive sisters can be gleaned from the fact that Kanao wears a butterfly ornament that once belonged to Kanae Kocho in her hair.
As a demon slayer, Kanao is a practitioner of the Flower Breathing sword style, a skill passed down to her by her adoptive older sister Kanae Kocho. As Kanae’s successor, Kanao demonstrates great respect and commitment to the techniques and values taught to her by her elder sibling.
With regard to Kanao’s relationship with her other adoptive sister, Shinobu, Kanao originally served as her Tsuguko (successor). Their bond is equally important, as they have spent a significant amount of time training and supporting each other in their demon-slaying efforts.
Outside of her family connections, Kanao’s relationships with other characters have allowed her to gradually open up and express herself more. One such instance is her sisterly relationship with fellow demon slayer Aoi, which led Kanao to eventually make her own decisions and go against her orders, contradicting her generally submissive nature.
Demon Slayer Corps
The Demon Slayer Corps is an organization that has existed since ancient times, dedicating its existence to protecting humanity from demons. There are hundreds of Demon Slayers within the organization, although they are not officially recognized by the government(source).
Tsuguko
Kanao Tsuyuri is a major supporting character in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. She is a Demon Slayer of the Demon Slayer Corps and serves as the Tsuguko (successor) of her adoptive older sister Shinobu Kocho (source).
Final Selection
Before becoming a Demon Slayer, candidates must undergo a rigorous test known as the Final Selection. Those who survive this trial can become members of the Demon Slayer Corps. The Final Selection is overseen by Sakonji Urokodaki, a former Water Hashira and the mentor of both Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka(source).
Rank and Abilities
Members of the Demon Slayer Corps are ranked based on their abilities and achievements. Kanao’s high rank within the organization is a testament to her strength and skill as a Demon Slayer, which she honed under the guidance of her older sister, Shinobu Kocho(source).
Following the conclusion of the series, the Demon Slayer Corps disbanded due to the absence of demons. However, the legacy of the organization and its members continues through the descendants of its former members. This is evident in Kanata Kamado and Sumihiko Kamado, who inherited the skills and abilities of their ancestors(source).
Combat Style
Kanao Tsuyuri is a highly skilled demon slayer in the popular anime series, Demon Slayer. Despite her young age, she has shown great prowess as a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Flower Breathing
One of the key aspects of Kanao’s fighting style is her practice of the Flower Breathing sword style, passed down to her by her adoptive older sister Kanae Kocho. Flower Breathing is a derivative of the Water Breathing style, which forms the basis for several other breathing styles in the series, including Sun Breathing and Thunder Breathing.
Breathing Techniques
Practitioners of Flower Breathing such as Kanao use specific techniques and forms to strengthen their physical skills, increase their concentration, and enhance their swordsmanship. These breathing techniques not only boost physical abilities, but also impact the wielder’s movements in a way that mimics the natural patterns of blooming flowers.
Though the series explores various breathing styles like Sun Breathing, Thunder Breathing, and Water Breathing, Kanao’s specialty remains the Flower Breathing techniques. As she continues to grow as a fighter, Kanao’s mastery of these techniques helps her deliver powerful and graceful moves in combat, setting her apart from her fellow demon slayers.
Major Arcs and Events
Rehabilitation Training Arc
Kanao Tsuyuri, a talented young female demon slayer, plays a significant role in the Rehabilitation Training Arc of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series. During this arc, Kanao is seen training with the main characters, including Tanjiro and Nezuko, at the Butterfly Mansion under the guidance of Aoi Kanzaki, one of the caretakers.
Mount Natagumo Arc
In the Mount Natagumo Arc, Kanao doesn’t have a substantial role, as she remains at the Butterfly Mansion while her fellow demon slayers are sent on a mission to Mount Natagumo. However, her presence is still felt in the background as an essential member of this elite group of fighters.
Infinity Castle Arc
As the story progresses into the Infinity Castle Arc, Kanao’s character takes on a more prominent role. In this arc, she joins her fellow demon slayers in an intense battle against powerful demons within the Infinity Castle. Her skills and determination are on full display as she fights alongside her comrades to protect humanity and eradicate demons.
Entertainment District Arc
During the Entertainment District Arc, Kanao continues to showcase her impressive demon-slaying abilities. Although this arc focuses more on other characters and their battles, Kanao’s presence is still vital to the overall progression of the storyline and the growth of the demon-slaying corps as a whole.
In conclusion, Kanao Tsuyuri is a crucial character in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series, playing essential roles in various story arcs. Her growth throughout the series is a testament to her abilities and dedication as a demon slayer.
Important Encounters
Kanao Tsuyuri, a skilled and reserved Demon Slayer, has significant interactions with various characters throughout the series. One of her first major encounters is with Tanjiro Kamado and Zenitsu Agatsuma during the Final Selection arc. As they progress through the series, Kanao develops closer connections with the main characters like Tanjiro, Nezuko Kamado, Inosuke Hashibira, and Zenitsu Agatsuma.
Another essential encounter involves her adoptive sisters, Shinobu and Kanae Kocho. Through them, Kanao was introduced to the Demon Slayer Corps and trained as a successor in the Flower Breathing sword style. Her relationship with her adoptive sisters significantly impacts her character development and her journey as a demon slayer.
Kanao plays a crucial role in the battles against formidable antagonists such as the Twelve Kizuki and their leader, Muzan Kibutsuji. During the story, she faces off against demons like Doma, the Upper Rank Two, and helps the main characters in their ongoing struggle against these powerful adversarie.
Throughout the series, Kanao’s encounters with various characters not only showcase her growth and determination but also contribute significantly to the overall narrative of Demon Slayer. These interactions demonstrate the strong bond she shares with her fellow Demon Slayers and reinforce the importance of teamwork and camaraderie in combating the demonic forces that threaten their world.
Symbolism and Motifs
Kanao Tsuyuri is a significant character in Demon Slayer, and her presence is marked by various symbolic elements and motifs. One notable symbol is the butterfly ornament that she wears. It emphasizes her connection to her adoptive sisters, Kanae and Shinobu Kocho, who also adopt the butterfly motif. The Butterfly Mansion, where Kanao resides and trains, serves as a place for healing and recovery for injured Demon Slayers, further aligning with the butterfly symbolism representing transformation and growth.
Another significant symbol associated with Kanao is her coin flip. Due to her past trauma and inability to make decisions for herself, she relies on the flip of a coin to guide her actions. This motif indicates her struggle with self-determination, a crucial theme in her character development.
Kanao’s Demon Slayer uniform also carries meaning, with her unique pink-colored sword hinting at her particular combat style. The light pink Nachirin blade, derived from Water Breathing, represents the Flower and is shared with her sister Kanae. This connection signifies Kanao’s growing strength and skill within the Demon Slayer Corps.
Lastly, Kanao’s choice of surname, Tsuyuri, embodies her personal journey. After being adopted by the Kocho sisters, she was given the newfound freedom to choose her own surname from a list provided by Aoi Kanzaki. Her choice demonstrates her growing autonomy and self-identity, adding depth to her character.
