The ongoing fourth season of Demon Slayer is well underway, with the current story arc effectively showcasing the Hashiras. While this arc may not contain as much action, it instead focuses on the dynamic interactions between Tanjiro and other beloved characters. One of the standout features of this season is the opportunity for fans to learn about the Hashiras’ pasts.
Each Hashira possesses a remarkable trait – a painful past. The journey towards becoming a member of the Demon Slayer Corps has been marked by life-changing experiences for every Hashira. The anime has depicted some of the most heart-wrenching backstories.
Gyomei Himejima, also known as the Stone Hashira, possesses one of the most tragic backstories among all the characters. In the upcoming episodes, viewers will gain a deeper understanding of his past and how he rose to become one of the most formidable demon slayers in the Corps.
Please note: This article contains major spoilers from the manga chapters.
Demon Slayer: Exploring Gyomei Himejima’s backstory
Despite being blind, Gyomei Himejima is a formidable Hashira in the anime series. His unique ability to fight without sight sets him apart from the other demon hunters. However, his past is marked by great suffering, as he was a priest who dedicated himself to protecting and providing for orphans within the temple.
The temple constantly burned Wisteria incense to prevent demons from entering the grounds. Additionally, the children were prohibited from venturing outside the premises at night due to the potential threat of demons.
On a fateful day, a young orphan ventured beyond the temple grounds and came face to face with a menacing demon. In order to protect himself from becoming the demon’s next meal, he lit the Wisteria incense and allowed the demon to enter the temple. Once inside, the demon discovered the other orphaned children.
Among the 9 children, the first to escape after letting the demon in was Kaigaku. The demon quickly killed four of the remaining children. Despite Gyomei’s instructions for them to take cover behind him, the remaining children were doubtful of his ability to protect them due to his blindness and frail physique. Three of them attempted to flee but were tragically killed by the demon. Only one child remained, seeking refuge behind Gyomei.
Despite his weak physical form, Gyomei possessed incredible strength. He used this strength to relentlessly attack the demon for hours until the sun rose, ultimately defeating and killing it. As he did not have a Nichirin Blade at his disposal, this was his only course of action.
Upon arriving at the scene, the villagers were alarmed to find the little girl trembling in fear. She tearfully exclaimed, “That man is a monster,”causing the villagers to immediately assume that Gyomei was responsible for the deaths of the children. Acting on this belief, they imprisoned him. However, Kagaya Ubuyashiki bravely intervened and saved Gyomei’s life, even though it meant risking his own in order to protect the innocent child.
Despite taking care of these orphaned children and risking his own life to save one, Gyomei was imprisoned due to a misunderstanding. This tragic turn of events, where he not only witnessed the deaths of those he loved but also faced punishment for crimes he didn’t commit, solidifies his backstory as one of the saddest in Demon Slayer.
Keep checking back for further updates on anime and manga news throughout the year 2024.
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