Why Did Kaigaku Become a Demon? Who is Kaigaku in Demon Slayer?

Demon Slayer 

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge, is a popular Japanese manga series. It was serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump from February 2016 to May 2020, with a total of 23 tankōbon volumes. The manga has been published in English by Viz Media and is also available on Shueisha’s Manga Plus platform.

The story revolves around Tanjiro Kamado, a teenage boy who aspires to become a Demon Slayer after his family is attacked by demons and his sister, Nezuko, is transformed into one. An anime adaptation of the series was produced by Ufotable and aired from April to September 2019. It consists of 26 episodes.

The franchise’s sequel film, titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, was released in October 2020 and achieved great success, becoming the highest-grossing anime film and the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time.

The second season of the anime aired from October 2021 to February 2022, featuring an original episode and re-edited episodes from the Mugen Train film. It also covered the “Entertainment District” arc from the manga. A compilation film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village, was released in February 2024, and a third season covering the “Swordsmith Village” arc premiered in April 2024.

Why Did Kaigaku Become a Demon?

Kaigaku’s transformation into a demon can be attributed to a combination of factors, including his desire for power, his feelings of resentment and inferiority, and the influence of Kokushibou, the Upper Moon One.

After acknowledging the existence of demons and witnessing their formidable strength, Kaigaku became determined to become stronger himself. This desire for power likely stemmed from a combination of personal ambition and a need to prove himself. Kaigaku saw becoming a demon as a means to achieve the strength he craved, believing that the demonic powers would elevate him to a level where he could surpass his fellow Demon Slayers, including Zenitsu, whom he despised.

Kaigaku’s resentment towards Zenitsu played a significant role in his decision to become a demon. He resented Zenitsu for receiving his master’s favor, believing that Zenitsu had only achieved that status through luck rather than true strength and skill.

This resentment fueled Kaigaku’s desire to surpass Zenitsu and become Jigoro Kuwajima’s successor as the Thunder Pillar. However, when Kuwajima revealed that Zenitsu would be his successor due to his potential to master the First Form of Thunder Breathing, Kaigaku’s feelings of inferiority were further magnified, intensifying his bitterness.

In his weakened and vulnerable state, Kaigaku encountered Kokushibou, the Upper Moon One, during a solo mission to hunt him down. Overwhelmed by Kokushibou’s power and facing the prospect of defeat, Kaigaku chose to beg for his life. Seizing this opportunity, Kokushibou offered Kaigaku a way to obtain power and survival: by consuming Muzan’s blood and becoming a demon himself. Driven by desperation and a desire for strength, Kaigaku accepted Kokushibou’s offer, transforming into a bloodthirsty, man-eating demon.

The combination of Kaigaku’s personal ambition, resentment towards Zenitsu, and the manipulative influence of Kokushibou led him to make the fateful decision to become a demon, ultimately sealing his own fate and setting in motion tragic consequences for both himself and his former mentor, Jigoro Kuwajima.

Who is Kaigaku in Demon Slayer?

Kaigaku is a character who appears in the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga and anime. He serves as a minor antagonist and holds the position of Upper Rank Six in the Twelve Kizuki after the deaths of Daki and Gyutaro. Kaigaku plays a supporting antagonist role in the Infinity Castle Arc.

Originally, Kaigaku was a member of the Demon Killing Corps and a Demon Hunter. He was also Zenitsu Agatsuma’s senior student while they were both under the tutelage of Jigoro Kuwajima. However, Kaigaku’s actions later betray the trust of his comrades, making him Zenitsu’s ultimate adversary.

Throughout the story, Kaigaku’s cowardice becomes his downfall, particularly when Zenitsu overcomes his own insecurities and confronts Kaigaku’s mockery of their shared mentor, Jigoro. Kaigaku’s Thunder Breathing training ultimately leads to the development of his own Blood Demon Arts, which are centered around lightning.

In the Japanese version of the anime, Kaigaku is voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya, who has also provided his voice for characters such as Wave in Akame Ga Kill! and Reiner Braun in Attack on Titan. In the English version, he is voiced by Alejandro Saab.

Kaigaku Rank

Kaigaku holds the rank of Upper Moon 6 in the Demon Slayer series. The Upper Moons are a group of powerful demons who serve under Muzan Kibutsuji, the main antagonist of the series. These demons are considered the elite and strongest members of the Demon Slayer organization.

In the story, Kaigaku was initially a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and a former classmate of Zenitsu, both trained by Jigoro Kuwajima. However, Kaigaku harbored bitterness towards Zenitsu and desired to receive all the recognition and praise as Jigoro’s successor.

Despite being skilled in various Thunder Breathing Techniques, Kaigaku was unable to master the first style. Feeling deprived of the title of Hashira, which is bestowed upon the most powerful Demon Slayers, Kaigaku made the decision to transform into a demon. This transformation granted them a significant power boost. Although Kaigaku lacked experience in using their newfound Blood Demon Art, their strength was impressive enough for Muzan Kibutsuji to grant them the position of Upper Moon 6.

As an Upper Moon, Kaigaku became one of the top-ranking and most formidable demons within the Demon Slayer organization. Their role in the series as an antagonist adds an additional layer of challenge for the protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado, and his allies as they fight to protect humanity and eliminate the demon threat.

Kaigaku Upper Moon

Kaigaku, also known as Upper Moon Six, was a significant character in the Demon Slayer series. He held the position of Upper Moon Six in the Twelve Kizuki, replacing Daki and Gyutaro after their deaths. Kaigaku’s appearance in the series occurred during the Infinity Castle arc, which is considered one of the most anticipated story arcs due to the formidable demons it introduces and the Hashiras’ display of their true strength.

In the Demon Slayer manga, it is revealed that Kaigaku was once an orphaned child under the care of Gyomei Himejima at the temple. Unfortunately, he fell victim to a demon’s trickery when he ventured outside the temple grounds at night, against the advice given to him. This allowed the demon to enter the temple and claim the lives of the orphaned children present.

Gyomei, using his incredible strength, fought and defeated the demon, but it was Kaigaku who unintentionally set these tragic events in motion. Kaigaku’s connection to the main protagonist, Zenitsu Agatsuma, is established through their shared training under Jigoro Kuwajima, the former Thunder Hashira and Zenitsu’s teacher.

Unlike Zenitsu, Kaigaku lacked honor and was driven solely by a survival-oriented mindset. However, his ambitions for power and resentment towards Zenitsu grew over time. During his journey, Kaigaku encountered Kokushibou, the Upper Moon One demon. Outmatched by Kokushibou’s strength, Kaigaku was forced to yield.

In a moment of desperation, Kokushibou offered Kaigaku a chance to prolong his life by consuming Muzan’s blood and becoming a demon. Eager to gain power, Kaigaku accepted the offer and underwent the transformation, turning into a demon himself. The consequences of Kaigaku’s transformation were grave.

Jigoro, devastated by the betrayal of his student, felt compelled to perform seppuku (ritual suicide) as a result. This tragic event deeply affected Zenitsu, who cherished his relationship with Jigoro and sought to avenge his teacher’s death. The climax of their conflict took place during the Infinity Castle arc, where Zenitsu, fully conscious and armed with a newfound Thunder Breathing technique, confronted and defeated Kaigaku.

Kaigaku’s character arc serves as a cautionary tale of the dangers of succumbing to one’s inner darkness and the consequences it can have on both oneself and those around them. His transformation into a demon and subsequent clashes with Zenitsu highlight themes of betrayal, ambition, and the importance of inner strength. As fans of the Demon Slayer series, we witness the depth and impact of Kaigaku’s character, solidifying his place as an intriguing and significant antagonist within the story.

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