Demon Slayer fans were left reeling after season 4, episode 8. In this episode, Muzan Kibutsuji, the series’ primary antagonist, invades the Ubuyashiki Mansion. The events that follow are as explosive as they are tragic, especially for the Ubuyashiki family, who have hunted Muzan for centuries.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the 97th leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, detonates himself along with his wife in a desperate attempt to kill Muzan.
But why were his daughters also caught in the blast? The haunting scene leaves viewers questioning the seemingly ruthless act.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki did not directly order the deaths of his daughters. Both Nichika and Hinaki chose to stay by his side and accepted their fate while deceiving Muzan Kibutsuji of the trap.
Understanding this moment requires delving into the Ubuyashiki family’s history and the curse they bear. Muzan Kibutsuji is a product of their bloodline, resulting in a curse that afflicts the family with a debilitating condition and a short lifespan.
Their mission to eradicate Muzan is both a personal and ancestral duty, aimed at freeing their lineage from this curse.
When Muzan stormed the Ubuyashiki Mansion, the family was ready with a well-planned trap. Kagaya and his wife Amane sacrificed themselves in an explosion designed to weaken Muzan. Their daughters, Nichika and Hinaki, were not mere victims of circumstance.
According to the manga, Kagaya never commanded his family to die with him. Instead, his wife and daughters chose to stay, driven by their unwavering commitment to their father’s mission. They believed that their presence would prevent Muzan from suspecting a trap, making the sacrifice even more effective.
The daughters’ decision was both a strategy and a demonstration of their resolve.
As stated by Amane,
“Our children have accepted Kagaya’s will and are willing to do anything to defeat Muzan.”
Their presence created a sense of normalcy, reducing Muzan’s suspicion and ensuring he walked into the ambush. Kagaya’s daughters displayed maturity beyond their years, choosing to support their father in his final stand.
So, does this mean the Ubuyashiki line is extinct?
Not quite.
Kagaya and Amane had five children. While Nichika and Hinaki perished in the explosion, the other three—Kiriya, Kuina, and Kanata—survived.
Kiriya, the only son, takes over as the 98th leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. He guides the organization through its final battle against Muzan and ultimately disbands it after their victory, having fulfilled their centuries-old mission.
The survival of the younger Ubuyashiki siblings is tied to a slight mitigation of the curse. A priest advised the family to marry spouses from his lineage, slightly slowing the curse’s effects. This allowed the children to have somewhat normal childhoods before the curse began to manifest in their later years.
For instance, Kiriya, who is eight years old during the series’ events, shows no visible signs of the curse yet.
The tragic yet noble act of Kagaya Ubuyashiki and his daughters underscores the heavy burden carried by the Ubuyashiki family. Their willingness to sacrifice everything in the fight against Muzan speaks to their deep sense of duty and the lengths they are willing to go to protect humanity.
What do you think about the Ubuyashiki family’s ultimate sacrifice? Do you believe their strategy was justified?
Share your thoughts and join the discussion!
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