Kyojuro Rengoku’s death in Demon Slayer: Mugen Train was one of the most tragic deaths in anime history. It isn’t just heartbreaking; it is an event that was narratively necessary.

From the moment he clashed with Akaza, it became clear that he was a man whose strength wasn’t just physical but rooted in unwavering principles. Not to mention, like his fire, he embodied a radiance that could not be snuffed out; he inspired the likes of Tanjiro with his beliefs.

Kyojuro Rengoku kills the Slasher in Demon Slayer. [Credit: Ufotable]

Yet beneath that strong, seemingly unbreakable surface was a quiet internal struggle that only came to light in the last few seconds of his life. The death wasn’t tragic because he fell to an opponent; it was tragic because even when he did his best, he started to fear that maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t enough.

Rengoku...