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- Yoriichi. I just wanted to be like you.
- —Kokushibo reflecting on his past, particularly Yoriichi, Chapter 176
MichiYori is the familyship between Michikatsu Tsugikuni/Kokushibo and Yoriichi Tsugikuni from the Demon Slayer fandom.
Canon[]
Despite their parents expecting only one child, Akeno Tsugikuni, their mother, defied expectations and gave birth to twins: Yoriichi and Michikatsu. Born during the Sengoku Era, twins were viewed as highly unfortunate, believed to herald bad omens. Yoriichi, being born with an unusual mark on his forehead, later revealed to be a Demon Slayer Mark, caused his father to declare him to be killed. His mother, Akeno, intervened and prevented them from executing him. They then agreed upon letting Yoriichi become a monk once he reached the age of ten.
Yoriichi was raised much differently from Michikatsu, he was rasied in poorer conditions due to favoritism and was confined to a small three-tatami room separated from everyone he lived with. Yoriichi's lack of interaction with his family led them to believe he was hard of hearing. Their mother, Akeno, crafted Hanafuda charm earrings for him, praying that the gods would bestow upon him the gift of speech. Yoriichi frequently clung onto his mother, a behavior that Michikatsu regarded with pity. Although he viewed Yoriichi with pity, Michikatsu clandestinely visited him behind their father's back, even presenting him with a hand-made flute as a gesture of comfort.
On a fateful day, at the age of seven, Yoriichi uttered his first words, expressing his aspiration to become a samurai like his brother, Michikatsu, after observing him practice. However, Michikatsu brushed aside Yoriichi's ambition, aware that he was destined to become a monk once he reached the age of ten. Nevertheless, one of his father's men, who trained Michikatsu, decided to indulge Yoriichi, demonstrating a basic stance to humor him. To everyone's surprise, Yoriichi sprang into action immediately after the trainer demonstrated the stance, delivering four swift blows that left the trainer stunned. This unexpected display shocked Michikatsu, especially considering Yoriichi had never even held a sword before. It was clear that Yoriichi was more skilled than Michikatsu was. Despite his remarkable skill, Yoriichi couldn't bear the thought of causing harm to another person. Consequently, he renounced his aspiration to become a samurai like Michikatsu. Michikatsu frequently questioned Yoriichi about his sudden burst of skill in combat. Yoriichi explained to him a concept that seemed to resemble an early form of a Breathing Style technique. Despite Michikatsu's persistent inquiries, Yoriichi expressed a preference for spending time playing ban-sugoroku board games and flying kites with his brother.
As their mother, Akeno, succumbed to an unknown illness, Yoriichi, who was likely ten years old at the time, broke the news to Michikatsu that night. He then bid his brother farewell, intending to depart for the temple to become a monk. Yoriichi claimed that he would always think about Michikatsu, and that he cherished the handmade flute that Michikatsu gifted him. Michikatsu later found out through Akeno's diary that Yoriichi was completely aware of her illness, and that was the reason he clung to her. It came to light that their father had discovered Yoriichi's exceptional skills and intended to designate him as his heir, while sending Michikatsu to the temple. Yoriichi, wanting Michikatsu to pursue his dream of becoming a samurai, chose to flee to the temple. Despite Yoriichi's kindness towards him, Michikatsu harbored intense feelings of hatred and envy towards his brother. This was fueled by Yoriichi's continual surpassing of him in various aspects.
After fleeing, Yoriichi encountered Uta, who would soon become his wife. They lived their lives together until Uta was tragically murdered by a mysterious demon. Devastated by Uta's murder, Yoriichi's life took a drastic turn, leading him to dedicate himself to becoming a Demon Slayer. Yoriichi's journey as a Demon Slayer was fueled by his extraordinary swordsmanship and the power of his Demon Slayer Mark, making him an exceptionally formidable slayer. Yoriichi reunited with Michikatsu after an unknown demon murdered Michikatsu's samurai encampment. Yoriichi effortlessly slaughtered the demon, rescuing Michikatsu, who was the only survivor. Yoriichi apologized to Michikatsu for not arriving in time in order to save him as well as his comrades.
Yoriichi endeavored to impart his mastery of the breathing technique, later dubbed Sun Breathing, to his fellow Demon Slayers. However, the intricacies proved challenging for many, including Michikatsu. Since he could not master it, Michikatsu developed his own technique, which he named Moon Breathing, in contrast to Yoriichi's Sun Breathing.
Despite the curse of the Demon Slayer Mark typically leading to death in one's mid-20s, Yoriichi defied this fate as he was born with the mark. In his 80s, he faced his brother Michikatsu, now known as Kokushibo, for their final confrontation. Kokushibo had become Muzan Kibutsuji's strongest subordinate, being Upper Moon One. Yoriichi felt a deep sense of shame witnessing what Kokushibo had become, to the point where it brought tears to his eyes. In contrast, Kokushibo was filled with nothing but disgust at Yoriichi's presence, particularly since Yoriichi had surpassed the mark. Despite feeling sorrow for his brother, Yoriichi steeled himself for the impending battle, understanding that he had to defeat him. As Kokushibo's initial disgust transformed into fear, he realized that despite Yoriichi's advanced age, he was still as formidable as he had been in his youth. After announcing his intent to strike, Yoriichi effortlessly severed Kokushibo's neck before he could even draw his blade. Filled with anger at Yoriichi's continued surpassing, Kokushibo braced himself for the anticipated next attack. However, to his surprise, Yoriichi remained motionless, succumbing to the passage of time and passing away due to old age before he could deliver another strike. In a fit of hatred, Kokushibo struck at Yoriichi's lifeless body, but his rage turned to despair when he noticed that Yoriichi still clutched the flute he had given him in their childhood. Overwhelmed with emotion, Kokushibo wept as he retrieved the broken flute, holding onto it as a poignant reminder of their shared past.
As Kokushibo faces off Hashiras Sanemi Shinazugawa, Gyomei Himejima, and his descendent, Muichiro Tokito, he becomes a gruesome monster, far from the samurai he had originally envisioned himself being when he was a human. In his final moments, he asks Yoriichi his purpose for being born as he disintegrates, the hand-made flute alongside him.
Fanon[]
Despite their tragic relationship, MichiYori remains beloved among fans, emerging as one of the series' most popular sibling dynamics. In fan depictions, Kokushibo is portrayed as finding Yoriichi irritating, while Yoriichi is depicted as Kokushibo's staunchest supporter. Fan creations often feature Yoriichi kidnapping Kokushibo from the Infinity Castle to facilitate long-overdue interaction and catch-up sessions, as their limited previous interactions regardless of their blood relation.
Fans commonly embrace this pairing alongside KokuMui, with Muichiro Tokito standing as their descendant. In fan interpretations, Muichiro is depicted as the (great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-great-) grandson of both Yoriichi and Kokushibo. Despite Muichiro's independence, Yoriichi and Kokushibo are often portrayed babysitting or just caring for him in fan works. Strangely enough, supporters tend to make a mockery of the fact that Kokushibo slit both Muichiro and Yoriichi horizontally during their battles against him. Fans call Yoriichi and Muichiro the “KitKat Duo” due to a KitKat being sliced in ½, similar to how Muichiro and Yoriichi were when they died. Fans also appreciate the pairing of KokuMui alongside the friendship YoriTan. Despite Yoriichi and Tanjiro not being related, fans often envision them sharing a father-son or teacher-student dynamic akin to GiyuTan or RenTan. This is because Yoriichi plays a significant role in inspiring Tanjiro to use Sun Breathing, also known as Hinokami Kagura (a modified version of Sun Breathing created by the Kamado Ancestors). In fan depictions, Yoriichi is commonly portrayed as Tanjiro's primary mentor.
Although the fandom appreciates the familial bond between the two, some members of the community ship them romantically, a sentiment that is met with disapproval by those who find the pairing inappropriate due to their blood relation. Due to individuals shipping them romantically, there are presently more fan fictions categorized under the tag “Tsugikuni Michikatsu/Tsugikuni Yoriichi” than under the tag “Tsugikuni Michikatsu & Tsugikuni Yoriichi” on AO3. There being up to 655+ works under the romantic tag and 160+ under the general/platonic tag.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Yoriichi & Michikatsu tag on AO3
- WIKI
- Yoriichi Tsugikuni's Relationship with Michikatsu Tsugikuni on the Kimetsu no Yaiba Wiki
- Michikatsu Tsugikuni's Relationship with Yoriichi Tsugikuni on the Kimetsu no Yaiba Wiki
- TSUGIKUNI BROTHERS DAY
- Tsugikuni Brothers Day is celebrated September 14th yearly.
- 9月14日は継国の日 (9/14 is Tsugikuni's Day) hashtag on Twitter
- 赤い月夜の縁巌会4周年 hashtag on Twitter
Gallery[]
- Main article: MichiYori/Gallery
Trivia[]
- Yoriichi's first words were directed towards Michikatsu.
- Michikatsu and Yoriichi both died with Michikatsu's hand-made flute alongside them.
- Michikatsu's Moon Breathing is the exact opposite of Yoriichi's Sun Breathing, this shows his desire to distinguish himself from his brother.
- The twins desired what the other possessed: Yoriichi wanted a happy family life but trained to become stronger after their passing, while Michikatsu, out of jealousy, left his family despite his love for them to focus on training and strength.
- Yoriichi's legacy inspired Demon Slayers with his unwavering commitment to humanity's protection. In contrast, Kokushibo instilled fear in others, contradicting Yoriichi's contributions.
- In contrast to Akaza, whose fiancée, father-in-law, and father accompanied him, Yoriichi didn't join Kokushibo in hell, leaving him to suffer the consequences without any of his loved ones.
Variations[]
- AkenoMichiYori refers to the ship between the two and Akeno Tsugikuni
- Tsugikuni Family refers to the ship between the two, Akeno Tsugikuni, and their unnamed father
- YoriMichikai refers to the ship between the two and Kaigaku
