Towards the end of the Demon Slayer series, some of the most powerful demon slayers started to acquire a Demon Slayer Mark. This unique mark appears on the body of a powerful demon slayer and appears to be a tattoo or a birthmark that reflects the breathing style that they use. Once it appears on a demon slayer, it is an indication that they've achieved incredible power beyond their normal limits.
The Demon Slayer Mark grants more than just increased power, also giving them the ability to slow the regeneration of demons. In order to activate it, the user must go through life-threatening conditions, and when one demon slayer activates their Mark, others nearby are more likely to activate theirs as well. Once activated, the demon slayer will inevitably die when they reach the age of 25. Not every Hashira was able to gain a Demon Slayer Mark, but they would have greatly benefited from obtaining one during their battles.
Updated by Ajay Aravind on July 20, 2023: Koyouharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer is arguably one of the most influential animanga of the 21st century. The Mugen Train movie has grossed more than $500 million, further cementing the anime's universal popularity. With the Swordsmith Village arc in full swing, fans are finally getting to see the fabled Demon Slayer Marks in action. That said, some demon slayers never end up receiving their Marks. As such, we've added a few more entries to this list.
Characters Who Got Their Demon Slayer Mark
Tanjiro Kamado
Protagonist Tanjiro Kamado was the first demon slayer of his generation to acquire the Demon Slayer Mark. The Mark, which was once a burn mark that he acquired earlier in life, slowly changed over the course of the series to heavily resemble the Demon Slayer Mark that both Yoriichi and Tanjiro's father Tanjuro had. The appearance of this Mark showed how he was moving away from Water Breathing techniques. Thanks to his acquiring his Mark first, many of the Hashira were able to acquire Marks of their own, which were essential in winning the battle against Muzan and his Upper Moons.
Muichiro Tokito
Despite being 14, the male kuudere Muichiro Tokito earned his rank as a Hashira after training for a mere two months. His strength surpassed many of his peers, even before he got a Demon Slayer Mark. During his battle against Gyokko, Upper Moon 5, the demon revealed his true form and trapped Muichiro in a watery cocoon. Despite this, Muichiro finished the demon off with a single blow soon after activating his own Mark. Following this critical event, the Mist Hashira quickly understood the conditions for gaining it, which was key in helping other Hashira acquire their own.
Gyomei Himejima
Gyomei was already past the age of 25 when he first activated his Demon Slayer Mark, yet he was able to hold his own against Upper Moon 1. Although the demon did confirm that activating the Mark was fatal, Gyomei did not die immediately, proving that he deserved to be considered the current strongest Hashira. Gyomei had no choice but to activate his Mark, as it was required in order for him to stand a chance against Kokushibo, Muzan's strongest minion. Additionally, the Stone Hashira was ready to die with the knowledge that his sacrifice would save countless lives in the long run.
*Sanemi Shinazugawa
The Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa is nothing less than a child prodigy, not unlike his colleague Muichiro. Sanemi is strong enough to match Giyu Tomioka while sparring, and later takes on Kokushibo himself. The Upper Moon 1 Demon acknowledges the Wind Hashira's potential, stating that Sanemi is a formidable combatant indeed. Despite Gyomei's support, defeating Kokushibo proves to be nigh impossible without activating the Demon Slayer Mark. Sanemi's Mark takes the form of a green paper windmill, augmenting his physical prowess, speed, and durability across the board.
Mitsuri Kanroji
The cheerful deredere Mitsuri Kanroji was one of the most powerful Hashira in purely physical terms, as her muscle density gave her enormous strength. This allowed her to withstand powerful demon attacks and to even perform superhuman feats. While fighting Zohakuten during the Swordsmith Village Arc, she unintentionally activated her Demon Slayer Mark, as her attempt to increase the circulation through her body made her meet the requirements to manifest one. It allowed her to barely manage to fend off the demon's attacks, giving Tanjiro enough time to find the demon's main body and kill him.
*Giyu Tomioka
Giyu Tomioka is the first Hashira to be introduced in Demon Slayer, as well as one of the most formidable. His fighting skills are far beyond Team Tanjiro, as seen when he effortlessly decapitates the Spider Demon Rui. Giyu's most significant battle in the story takes place against Akaza, the Upper Rank 3 and Kyojuro Rengoku's killer. In his desperation to defeat the demon, Giyu manifests his Demon Slayer Mark. The Water Hashira's base techniques are vastly improved after this point, allowing him to fight on par with Akaza. Giyu later helps Tanjiro and the others defeat Muzan, partly thanks to his Mark.
*Obanai Iguro
Obanai Iguro might come off as harsh and unsympathetic, but he genuinely cares about his colleagues. As expected from the Serpent Hashira, his combat talents are absolutely peerless. Obanai battles Nakime during the Infinity Castle arc, and subsequently takes Muzan on. Fighting the Demon King triggers the manifestation of the Serpent Hashira's Demon Slayer Mark, which gives him a slight edge. Although still much weaker than Muzan, Obanai's Mark boosts his overall strength and agility to a great degree. While the Serpent Hashira ultimately perishes from his injuries, his actions aren't in vain.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni
It only makes sense that Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the strongest swordsman in the series, would be the first recorded individual to have a Demon Slayer Mark appear on his body. He bore the Mark even as a small child and showed a natural talent for wielding the sword. He is believed to be the progenitor of the Mark and was born with the innate abilities connected to his Demon Slayer Mark. Yoriichi is the only known demon slayer to live past 24, surviving until the age of 80. Even as an old man, he very nearly managed to kill his twin brother, the Upper Moon 1 Kokushibo.
Characters Who Deserve A Demon Slayer Mark
Zenitsu Agatsuma
After hearing about Kaigaku's transformation into a demon and his betrayal of their master, Zenitsu Agatsuma was motivated to become stronger. He developed his own technique, which he had originally wanted to use while fighting alongside his peer. Instead, he used it on his old comrade, taking him out quickly. The battle was too brief, making it feel anticlimactic since he was able to defeat Kaigaku in a single blow. Fans were hoping for a bigger fight, and are still curious as to what Zenitsu's Demon Slayer Mark would have looked like.
Kyojuro Rengoku
Following an unfortunate encounter with Akaza, Kyojuro Rengoku was the first Hashira to die at the hands of an Upper Moon demon. Despite the intensity of his battle against the demon, he never manifested his Demon Slayer Mark, and undoubtedly did not even know the conditions for doing so. As Akaza stated, Kyojuro had a great deal of potential that he hadn't tapped into yet. If he at least had his Mark, he would have stood a better chance against the demon. Without it, Kyojuro barely lasted until sunrise. That said, the Fire Hashira still managed to turn Akaza into a nervous wreck.
Tengen Uzui
Considering that he is almost always seen with his bright red eye makeup, it's easy to forget that Tengen Uzui did not get his Demon Slayer Mark. The Hashira began obtaining their Marks after the Upper Moons appeared in the Swordsmith village. This event occurred immediately after the Entertainment District Arc which contains Tengen's final battle. After his fight against Daki and Gyutaro, Tengen had no choice but to retire. From this point, he played a smaller role in the series, acting as a guard and training other slayers to pass on his knowledge to a new generation of sword-slinging heroes.
Inosuke Hashibira
Inosuke Hashibira, like Zenitsu, spent most of the series traveling with Tanjiro. They fought demons and trained together, yet Inosuke never acquired a Demon Slayer Mark of his own. Inosuke did learn a great deal about his tragic past, but he didn't get as much of a chance to shine as his other friends when it came to displaying his talents. Inosuke ended up losing his mask during his battle against Doma, but this doesn't foreshadow the appearance of a Mark as some readers had expected. Becoming powerful enough to manifest a Mark would have pleased both Inosuke and his fans quite a bit.
Kanao Tsuyuri
Shinobu Kocho was never able to activate her Demon Slayer Mark, and never once considered the possibility of it appearing during their fight against Doma. As the Mark only appears on a strong demon slayer, her chances of activating it weren't good simply because she was the weakest of the Hashira. The quiet Kanao Tsuyuri, on the other hand, battled against Doma for a longer period of time. She had a better chance of obtaining the Mark, and it would have been a good way of showing that she surpassed her mentor. Shinobu sacrificed a lot to win the battle, but because Kanao didn't get a Demon Slayer Mark, she sacrificed a lot as well.
*Genya Shinazugawa
Sanemi's younger brother Genya Shinazugawa never becomes a Hashira, but not from a lack of trying. Although doesn't even rely on a Breathing Style, his attacks pack quite a punch. Genya's first major fight occurs in the Swordsmith Village arc, where he takes on Hantengu's clone Aizetsu. Further, he obtains a Blood Demon Art when he consumes part of Kokushibo's sword. This allows him to spawn Vampiric Trees powerful enough to temporarily capture the Upper Moon 1. Given that Kokushibo had a Demon Slayer Mark, it would have made sense to give Genya one too. Stranger things have happened in Demon Slayer.