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| “ | How do you know the names of those dead children!? | „ |
| ~ Sakonji's response when told to send Tanjiro's regards to Sabito and Makomo, revealing that someone killed them. |
Sakonji Urokodaki (鱗滝 左近次) is a supporting character in the dark fantasy manga and anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
He is a former member of the Demon Slayer Corps, and the previous Water Hashira. He is also the teacher of Tanjiro Kamado, Giyu Tomioka, Sabito and Makomo.
He is voiced by Hōchū Ōtsuka in Japanese and by Brook Chalmers in English. He is played by Tomoyuki Takagi in the stage play.
Appearance[]
Sakonji's real face has never been shown throughout the manga due to always wearing a red tengu mask, although according to what Tanjiro revealed through a Taisho Secret, it's very calm and gentle. As a more elderly man, he has grey hair, but as a younger man, his hair was black and fashioned into a topknot.
He wears a white cloud-patterned jinbei kimono with a light blue shirt, dark blue pants fastened on the shins with white kyahan guards. He has a black traditional socks tabi, wears similar sandals to the ones Tanjiro has, with the only difference being that the straps are dark blue. When he travels, he also wears a white cloth that covers the head and wraps around his neck.
When he was younger, his hair was black and fashioned into a topknot.
Personality[]
As a trainer and former Demon Slayer, Sakonji is pragmatic, strict, and vigilant, while simultaneously sympathetic and understanding. When first meeting Tanjiro, he was quick to criticize him for his weak resolve and innate kindness, harshly telling him the solution to when Nezuko eats someone is to kill her and then himself. He possessed a no-nonsense demeanour while training Tanjiro, repeatedly kicking, beating, and harshly instructing him to get his bearings together and get things quickly and properly; he even began to utilize traps armed with knives and spikes when Tanjiro began to improve his descent of his mountain. That said, he became incredibly proud of the Demon Slayer Tanjiro would become.
As a cultivator who had lost so many student over the years, Sakonji was haunted by his association with the Hand Demon, realizing it had been the demon to kill his past 13 students. He flatly told Tanjiro that he had no intention of sending him to Final Selection and believed the giant boulder he had set on the boy was too big to cut. Taken aback by his student's accomplishment, he hugged him and told him to come home. Upon seeing that Tanjiro would indeed return from Final Selection, Sakonji embraced him and cried in relief. He also commended him for being the one to kill the Hand Demon.
He showed great dedication to Nezuko, attempting, and successfully, to implant suggestions within her to protect humans and kill demons. He wrote to Kagaya Ubuyashiki his belief that Nezuko was completely able to withstand her hunger of humans, even putting his own life on the line by promising to commit suicide should the occasion ever arise.
Abilities[]
Overall Abilities[]
Sakonji is a very powerful and capable swordsman. As the former Water Hashira, he was once one of the Demon Slayer Corps' most powerful fighters. He singlehandedly captured and imprisoned the Hand Demon on Mt. Fujikasane, a notable feat considering the presumed challenge of disabling the powerful demon without killing it. As the cultivator of Water Breathing, he is both incredibly knowledgable and an accomplished teacher, having trained at least 14 students in the art. Even in his old age, a young and physically fit Tanjiro barely kept up with him while running and Sakonji was strong enough to flip him over and fend his attacks off without exertion.
Enhanced Stealth: Sakonji possesses a light footstep while moving, which was noted by Tanjiro during his attempt to follow him back to Mount Sagiri. Even while running at a considerable pace, his feet barely made a sound.
Physical Abilities[]
Enhanced Speed: Sakonji is shown to be incredibly fast; during his confrontation of the Hand Demon, he was able to catch the demon off-guard and slice it several times, despite the demon already having consumed several victims. He was ultimately able to appear behind it and end the battle with its capture.
Supernatural Abilities[]
Enhanced Smell: Sakonji has a heightened sense of smell, revealed when Giyu Tomioka writes to Sakonji asking for him to train Tanjiro, citing that he also possesses the same ability as the cultivator. This was shown during his first meeting with Tanjiro during his battle against the Temple Demon, where Sakonji was able to smell out Tanjiro's emotions and detect the scent of sympathy and consideration even when considering to kill the demon. Later, he also informs Tanjiro that should his sense of smell sharpen as he trains, he can determine the number of victims a demon has eaten.
Fighting Style[]
Breathing Style[]
Water Breathing (の Mizu no kokyū?): Sakonji is the primary instructor of this Breathing Style. He has taught ten breathing techniques to both Tanjiro Kamado and the successor of his former position as Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka. The user can increase the amount of oxygen in one's blood by controlling their breathing pattern. Doing this increases his strength and agility to equal a demon's. It is currently unknown what his level of skill while utilizing this style is, but it can be assumed that he was a formidable swordsman as a former Hashira.
Techniques[]
- First Form: Water Surface Slash (ノ り Ichi no kata: Minamo Giri?) - The user generates enough momentum to create a powerful single concentrated slash.
- Second Form: Water Wheel (ノ Ni no kata: Mizu Guruma?) - The user leaps and vertically spins forward in the air while releasing a flowing attack in a circular motion.
- Third Form: Flowing Dance (ノ い San no kata: Ryūryū Mai?)- The user swings and bends their blade in a winding motion along with their body and dances in a flowing pattern, slicing everything in its path.
- Fourth Form: Striking Tide (ノ ち Shi no kata: Uchishio?) - The user makes multiple consecutive slashes while twisting their body and sword in a flowing fashion to deliver multiple blows simultaneously.
- Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought (ノ の Go no kata: Kanten no Jiu?) - The user changes the grip on their sword and decapitates the opponent in a single flowing strike that causes little to no pain. It is a “sword strike of kindness” used when the enemy willingly surrenders.
- Sixth Form: Whirlpool (ノ ねじれ Roku no kata: Nejire Uzu?) - The user fiercely twists their upper and lower body, creating a whirlpool of air that cuts anything caught in it. Its effect and efficiently is enhanced underwater, where the user can draw water around their weapon to enhance their slashes.
- Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust (ノ き Shichi no kata: Shizuku Hamon Tsuki?) - The user performs a fast and accurate stab, capable of reducing the impact of a moving target.
- Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin (ノ Hachi no kata: Takitsubo?) - The user cuts the target vertically in a flowing motion which is most effective when they are falling downward.
- Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent (ノ ・ Ku no kata: Suiryū Shibuki - Ran?) - The user changes their footwork in a way that minimizes the landing time and surface needed when landing, allowing the user to move without limits. Ideal when fighting in a place with no solid foothold.
- Tenth Form: Constant Flux (ノ Jū no kata: Seisei Ruten?) - The user performs a continuous flowing attack which seemingly takes the form of a water dragon that increases in strength and power with each rotation due to momentum.
History[]
Backstory[]
Sakonji was a capable Demon Slayer trained with the style of Water Breathing, and was solely responsible for capturing the Hand Demon and imprisoning him on Mount Fujikasane. He would then go on to become the Water Hashira for an undisclosed period of time, before retiring to become one of the cultivators of the Water Breathingstyle to Demon Slayers.
Final Selection Arc[]
Having received a letter from Giyu Tomioka requesting that he train Tanjiro Kamado, explaining the boy and his sister's circumstances, Sakonji set forth from his home to find the two. Upon finding them, he stops Tanjiro from attempting to kill a demon with his knife, stating that he will be unable to kill the creature with such a weak weapon.Admonishing the youth for his question of how to properly defeat the beast, Sakonji watches as Tanjiro struggles to come up with a way to dispatch the creature. Sniffing the youth, Sakonji deems him unworthy to be a Demon Slayer, as he still has the scent of kindness even when confronted by a vile demon.
While Tanjiro is continues struggling to kill the demon, Sakonji buries the victims of the creature, afterwards kneeling by their graves with his hands together in prayer. After Tanjiro's hesitation leaves the demon to die in the sunlight, he then introduces himself to Tanjiro, asking if he is the one Giyu spoke of in his letter. Getting an affirmation to his inquiry, Sakonji goes on to ask the boy on what he will do if his sister decides to feast on a human, slapping him when he hesitates to answer. He admonishes him on his slowness to answer, stating that he lacks determination, and stresses that he must not allow his sister to harm another human under any circumstance. Getting an answer of conviction from Tanjiro, the trainer agrees to test the boy to see if he is worthy of becoming a Demon Slayer, telling him to bring his sister and follow him.
Sakonji then swiftly makes for his home, with Tanjiro struggling to keep up with his pace. Arriving at his hut, Sakonji tells the exhausted youth that the test begins now, instructing him to hike up the mountain. He travels with Tanjiro part way up the mountain before suddenly telling him that he must make his way back to his home before dawn. He then vanishes into the heavy fog surrounding them. Later, having made his way back down the mountain, Sakonji drapes a blanket over Nezuko, before noticing a noise at his door. A heavily exhausted and injured Tanjiro opens the door, prompting Sakonji to recognize his abilities and his passing of the test.
Sakonji explains his profession as a cultivator to Tanjiro, as well as how to join the Demon Slayer Corps: surviving Final Selection. To prepare him for this trial, and to see if he is worthy of even being able to participate in it, Sakonji begins to train Tanjiro in the way of the sword. He explains and drills him in how to descend the mountain successfully and repeatedly, how to breathe properly to gain power, the intricacies of the weapon and the forces behind it, sparring with Tanjiro to improve his endurance and stance using only his bare hands, and getting him used to harsh conditions.
When Nezuko continues to fall asleep without waking up, Sakonji calls for a doctor, who cannot find anything wrong with her. Finally, after a year has passed, the elder tells Tanjiro that he has nothing more to teach him, instructing him to prove himself by improving the basics he has been taught. He then leads the boy to a huge boulder, telling him that if he can cut it in half, he will be permitted to go to Final Selection. When Tanjiro hesitates, overcome by doubt, Sakonji leaves without a word, his hand in the boy's training completed.
Six months later, after Tanjiro finally succeeds in slicing the boulder in half, Sakonji explains his reasons for not wanting Tanjiro to go to Final Selection, complimenting the boy on his accomplishment. He then wraps Tanjiro in a hug, urging him to come back alive from the Demon Slayer Corps' test. Before Tanjiro leaves, the trainer gives him a mask to ward off bad luck. Additionally, Sakonji explains that demons increase in power by consuming humans, and that Tanjiro will be able to figure out how many humans a demon has consumed if he increases the sensitivity of his nose. When Tanjiro wishes him farewell, asking that he look after Sabito and Makomo, Sakonji wonders aloud how the boy knew the names of his two dead apprentices.
After Tanjiro returns from the Final Selection, Sakonji and Nezuko embrace him, the old trainer weeping tears of joy over the long-awaited return of a student of his. Fifteen days after this, Haganezuka arrives with Tanjiro's new sword, but ignores the youth's attempts at hospitality, prompting Sakonji to note to himself that the swordsmith's behaviour had not changed. He then agrees with Haganezuka when he notes that Tanjiro's blade may turn red, watching shortly after that as it instead turns black. Noting this, the elder watches as Haganezuka throws a fit over this unexpected development.
Sakonji then watches in silence as Tanjiro buttons up his uniform, and subsequently shows him a box made out of "Mist Cloud Fir", for which he can hide Nezuko from the sun with. He speculates that Tanjiro's sister may have fallen into her coma because she was attempting to regain strength through sleep, rather than through consuming humans. He goes on to tell Tanjiro that while she was sleeping, he gave Nezuko some suggestions to her subconscious to defend humans as her family from other demons. He also informs his apprentice about Blood Demon Arts and the sole demon responsible for the creation of all other and the likely murderer of Tanjiro's family, Muzan Kibutsuji.
Rehabilitation Training Arc[]
After Nezuko's existence was discovered by the Demon Slayer Corps, Sakonji sends a letter to Kagaya Ubuyashiki. In it, he requested Tanjiro Kamado be forgiven for harboring a demon and explained Nezuko's unique circumstances. He further wrote that if Nezuko were to ever kill a human he, Tanjiro, and Giyu will all commit seppuku to repent.
Infinity Castle Arc[]
While Tanjiro and the remaining Hashira engaged Muzan and the remaining Kizuki in the Infinity Castle, Sakonji was summoned to the Butterfly Mansion to protect Nezuko, whose newfound resistance to sunlight Muzan now seeks. He also gave her the cure developed by Tamayo, which would turn her back into a human and thus ruin Muzan's plans. While tending to her as she fell ill as a result of taking the cure, Sakonji thought about everything that happened since he met her and Tanjiro and told both of them not to lose.
While watching over Nezuko, she suddenly wakes up and leaves the Demon Slayer Corps.
Gallery[]
.png "Sakonji Urokodaki (Puzzle & Dragons).png (191 KB)")
Trivia[]
- Before sakonji's face was finally shown, there were only two people who knows how Sakonji's real face looks like: Koyoharu Gotoge (the author of the manga herself) and the editor of Shonen Jump at the time.
- He is a poor drinker.
- Fox is his favorite animal; hence he gave masks to his students that had faces of foxes.
- His Japanese Voice Actor, Hōchū Ōtsuka, also voiced Joseph Joestar in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Heritage for the Future, Jiraiya in Naruto, Alfred Pennyworth in Batman Ninja, Rob in The Duke of Death and His Maid, Chibodee Crocket in G Gundam, and Bookman in D.Gray-man Hallow.
External Links[]
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Demon Slayer Corps Demons Butterfly Mansion Swordsmith Village Others | ||