Tanjiro’s scar certainly isn’t inconspicuous. It also plays a defining role in his appearance and the fight scenes if you have noticed the subtle changes – which begs the question, what exactly is this scar? And why is it “evolving?”
The scar (or marking) on Tanjiro’s forehead is the ‘Demon Slayer Mark.’ In some cases, it’s a tattoo-like scar or a birthmark on strong Demon Slayers like Tanjiro and Rengoku that bestows incredible powers onto its host.
The mark was earlier associated with the individuals who practice Sun-Breathing, but it was later revealed to be untrue.
What is the Demon Slayer Mark?
Tanjiro’s Demon Slayer Mark is no longer a birthmark or an accidental scar, as he still believes. It’s a mysterious marking that appears on the bodies of an exceptionally strong Demon Slayer.
You can call it a tattoo, scar, birthmark, or Demon Slayer insignia! However, its main attribute is its association with power.
Each Demon Slayer is unique in its appearance and tailored to the bearer’s Breathing Style.
Unfortunately, this mark’s true origin is unknown and may never be known to readers. However, it is seen that certain individuals were born with the Demon Slayer mark.
For example, the first Sun Breathing user, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, was born with the mark. As stated in chapter 177 by his brother, Kokushibo, the mark was so disturbing or unusual that their father was ready to kill Yoriichi. Astonishingly, it was already assumed to be a curse.
But what’s even more astonishing is that Amane Ubuyashiki states earlier in the manga that the swordsmen that brought Muzan to the brink of his death all possessed theMarkk. Curious, isn’t it?
On how Tanjiro received his scar, the interesting fact is that it originally wasn’t a mark. It was merely a scar born out of an accident where he saved his brother out of the way of a falling brazier.
But soon, as Tanjiro ventures into his journey to become the strongest Demon Slayer, his scar transforms into a mark. Other than power, one of the other associations of theMarkk is with Sun Breathing users such as Yoriichi and, ostensibly, Tanjuro Kamado.
As Shinjuro Rengoku claims, the Demon Slayer mark is linked with Sun Breathing users.
Tanjiro’s direct association and as a practitioner of the Sun Breathing technique, he can access the Demon Slayer Mark. Amane Ubuyashiki herself states that the first to have the Demon Slayer Mark is Tanjiro (presently).
But with great power comes great responsibility, well, in this case, a curse. Those who awakened their Demon Slayer Marks passed away at age 25.
As per Kokushibo’s speculation, the enhanced powers come in exchange for their lifespan. However, two people do bypass this curse.
Kokushibo opts out of mortal life to become an immortal demon, while Yoriichi, through means unknown, lives to the age of 85 years old.
Why does the Demon Slayer Mark Change?
The key to this answer is Tanjiro himself. The Demon Slayer mark can develop and resonate. Originally, the scar on Tanjiro’s forehead was merely a burn he received from saving his brother from a falling brazier.
But gradually, as Tanjiro keeps gaining powers and growing strong, the scar develops into a mark spreading across his forehead.
We see four prominent forms of the Demon Slayer mark through the storyline. The first form was his original frayed patch of skin. His second form marks the transformation of his scar after his fight with the Hand Demon.
The evolution of the third form happens during the fight with Rui and is more prominent. Finally, Tanjiro awakens his Demon Slayer Mark for the first time against the Upper Moon 6, Gyutaro, and once again with Hantengo.
It is revealed that the Demon Slayer mark is awakened after meeting certain criteria, i.e., persisting over life-threatening conditions such as a heart rate over 200 bpm and a body temperature of 39 degrees Celsius.
Another precondition, the most important one, is direct association with the Sun Breathing technique. Once he awakens his Demon Slayer Mark, we see him access otherworldly powers such as Transparent World during his fight against Akaza.
The power-up is enough to enable them to fight on par with the Twelve Kizuki.
Another interesting detail of the Demon Slayer Mark is its capacity to resonate.
Just like in the Sengoku Era, where multiple Demon Slayers were able to access the Demon Slayer Mark, a similar incident takes place where the Hashiras, who have no direct association with the Sun Breathing technique, awaken their Demon Slayer Marks.
The original Demon Slayer mark can act as a catalyst and spread to other Demon Slayers who can meet the criteria through what’s called resonance.
This ability marked the fate of Muzan Kibutsuji and the Twelve Kizuki. The Hashiras resonate with Tanjiro’s marks and access abilities that rival the Twelve Kizuki’s.
How many Demon Slayers possess the mark?
In the Sengoku Era, Yoriichi Tsugikuni and a few swordsmen who established the Demon Slayer corps possessed this Demon Slayer mark. It is implied that Tanjiro’s father, Tanjuro Kamado, also accessed the mark.
As per the main storyline, Tanjiro Kamado and the Hashiras – Giyu Tomioka, Mitsuri Kanroji, Obanai Iguro, Sanemi Shinazugawa, Gyomei Himejima and Muichiro Tokito awakened their Demon Slayer Marks.
Is Tanjiro the strongest of all?
If the question were phrased differently, such as ‘Is Tanjiro the strongest demon slayer of all time?’ then the answer would be no because Yoriichi Tsugikuni could smoke Tanjiro in a fight.
But Tanjiro doesn’t disappoint because he surely is the strongest demon slayer of his time – the Taisho period. Tanjiro undergoes a gradual yet dynamic transformation throughout the show. By the end of the manga, he defeats Muzan.
At that point, Tanjiro possesses enhanced physical capacities and great mental fortitude. Before the battle with Muzan, Tanjiro masters the Hinokami Kagura and accesses the 13th form of the technique, which helps him prolong his abilities of Selfless State, Transparent World, and the Crimson Blade.
And without further explanation, he awakens his Demon Slayer Mark, placing his abilities at peak level.
About Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotoge. Its publication in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump began in February 2016 and ended in May 2020 with 23 collected tankōbon volumes.
In a world filled with demons and demon slayers, Kimetsu no Yaiba follows the lives of two siblings Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado after— the murder of their family at the hands of a demon. Their hardship does not end there, as Nezuko’s life is spared only for her to live as a demon.
As the oldest sibling, Tanjiro vows to protect and cure his sister. The story traces the bond of this brother-sister or better yet, demon slayer and demon combo against the odds of an arch antagonist and the society.
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