Obanai Iguro (伊い黒ぐろ 小お芭ば内ない Iguro Obanai) is a prominent character in the anime and manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He holds the esteemed position of Serpent Hashira (蛇へび柱ばしら Hebi Bashira) within the Demon Slayer Corps.
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| Obanai Iguro |
Appearance
Obanai is a man of short stature with a muscular build and a pale complexion. He possesses distinctive features, including straight-edged black hair of varying lengths, with the longest strands reaching his shoulders and shorter strands framing his face. His heterochromia, where his right eye is yellow and his left eye is turquoise, adds to his unique appearance. Notably, Obanai is partially blind, with his right eye barely functional.
A significant aspect of his appearance is the large wound running from the corners of his mouth to his ears, a result of his mouth being forcibly cut and altered to resemble that of a snake when he was twelve years old. He conceals this disfigurement with a bandage that covers the lower part of his face.
In terms of attire, Obanai wears the standard Demon Slayer uniform in navy blue, along with a black and white pinstriped haori. His haori is distinct, with stripes running horizontally on the hem and cuffs. Bandages substitute the leg-wraps, giving the appearance of kyahan. He also sports white zōri sandals with blue straps and is always accompanied by his pet snake, Kaburamaru, which wraps around his shoulders.
During a battle with Muzan, Obanai sustains three long slanted scratches over his eyes, resulting in complete blindness.
Personality
Obanai is characterized by his strict, unforgiving, and unyielding nature. He upholds the Demon Slayer Corps' rules with unwavering dedication and expects the same level of commitment from his fellow Demon Slayers. He sets high standards, berating those who don't meet them, even to the point of deeming them expendable. This rigid personality is evident when he criticizes Tengen Uzui for sustaining injuries against what he considers the "weakest" Upper Rank demon and urges him to fight to the death.
Obanai's demeanor extends to his approach to training, where he uses lower-ranked Demon Slayers as obstacles during Hashira Training for what he deems relatively minor reasons. He often underestimates the potential of newer recruits and views them as weak and unlikely to improve.
Despite his harsh exterior, Obanai has a softer side, as he deeply cares for two individuals: Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Mitsuri Kanroji. He harbors romantic feelings for Mitsuri, frequently sharing meals with her and offering gifts like green socks. Obanai's overprotective tendencies toward Mitsuri are apparent, as he even threatens Tanjiro Kamado for growing too close to her. His feelings for Mitsuri are rooted in her cheerful personality, which offers him respite from the strife of his past and makes him feel like an ordinary young man.
Obanai's sense of self-loathing is profound, stemming from his traumatic upbringing within a family that mercilessly sacrificed newborns to demons for financial gain. He considers himself and his family so tainted that he believes he must die and cleanse himself of his corrupted blood before confessing his feelings to Mitsuri. His past experiences, raised solely by women who treated him as a tool, have also contributed to his gynophobia.
Obanai's unwavering determination shines through in his actions, especially during the battle against Muzan. He continues to fight even after being blinded and covered in wounds, displaying incredible bravery and resolve.
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| Obanai Iguro |
Abilities
Overall Abilities
Obanai's position as a Hashira signifies his exceptional combat prowess and skill. His path to becoming a Hashira is particularly impressive considering his partial blindness in one eye and his relatively small stature. His abilities include:
Combat Prowess:
Obanai can quickly decapitate demons on par with Lower Ranks and engage in battle with Upper Rank demons effectively.
Endurance and Stamina:
He demonstrates remarkable endurance and stamina, with the ability to fight for extended periods, even when heavily injured.
Speed and Reflexes:
Obanai possesses superhuman speed and reflexes, allowing him to engage in high-speed combat and dodge attacks from formidable foes.
Demon Slayer Mark
During the final battle against Muzan, Obanai awakens his Demon Slayer Mark. This mark enhances his natural abilities, including increased speed, strength, and durability.
Serpent Breathing
Obanai developed his unique **Serpent Breathing** style, characterized by serpentine movements and attacks that mimic the slithering of snakes. This style is exceptionally effective in combat, allowing him to strike opponents in unpredictable ways. Obanai also incorporates his pet snake, Kaburamaru, into this style, enhancing its effectiveness.
Techniques
Obanai has several Serpent Breathing techniques at his disposal:
1. First Form: Winding Serpent Slash: In this technique, Obanai moves like a slithering snake and delivers multiple winding slashes.
2. Second Form: Venom Fangs of the Narrow Head: This technique involves dashing behind the opponent at high speed and aiming to swiftly slice off their head.
3. Third Form: Coil Choke: Obanai circles around his opponent while using his sword to slice from multiple directions.
4. Fourth Form: Twin-Headed Reptile: He leaps forward and performs a horizontal slash aimed at the target.
5. Fifth Form: Slithering Serpent: In this technique, Obanai curves his sword in various directions to slice multiple enemies simultaneously.
Equipment
Obanai wields a unique Twisted Nichirin Katana, lavender in color and designed to resemble the appearance of waves or a slithering snake. The handguard features two snakes connected by intricate patterns, and the words "Destroyer of Demons" are engraved on the blade. His scabbard is specially designed for vertical unsheathing.
Battles
Obanai Iguro played a significant role in several key battles throughout the series, including the final confrontation against Muzan Kibutsuji, where his unwavering determination and combat skills were instrumental in subduing the Demon King.
Obanai Iguro's character in Demon Slayer exemplifies both the strict discipline of a Hashira and the complexity of a person shaped by a traumatic past. His development throughout the series showcases themes of resilience, loyalty, and the capacity for change, making him a memorable and multi-dimensional character in the world of Demon Slayer.
