Jujutsu Kaisen has a cool Demon Slayer reference you definitely missed

Although Jujutsu Kaisen makes no effort to hide its pop culture references, there is one subtle nod to Demon Slayer in the manga that has gone unnoticed.

In the Culling Game Arc of Jujutsu Kaisen, numerous new characters are introduced. Among them is Hagane Daido, known as the reincarnation of an ancient master swordsman. Despite having a minor role in the series, he takes advantage of his screen time to make a clever reference to Demon Slayer.

During his search for katanas in modern-day Japan in Chapter 195, Hagane eventually discovers a toy sword in a storeroom. The hilt of the katana bears a striking resemblance to Tanjiro’s Nichirin Blade and mimics the shape of his Water Breathing techniques.

Additionally, Hagane boldly proclaims, “First Form!! Water Surface Splash!!”This technique may be familiar to Demon Slayer enthusiasts as it is the initial form of Water Breathing. Despite the dissimilar appearance from Hagane’s katana, the allusion is unmistakable.

Despite being a relatively insignificant character, Hagane’s small detail went unnoticed by many fans. However, now that it has been brought to their attention, they are raving about how fantastic it is.

One fan commented on Reddit that they had not noticed the reference before because they had read it before watching Demon Slayer. They also speculated how the reference would be adapted in the anime and predicted that, like Chainsaw Man’s cameo in MHA, it would likely be altered for legal reasons.

Another person chimed in, exclaiming, “Wow, that’s amazing! I’m also a fan of JJK. I can’t wait to start reading the manga after I finish watching season 2!”

“According to a third person, the toy is a genuine item that they have seen before, possibly made for Rengoku. It consists of a plastic sword with an elemental effect and has a button that plays recorded lines when pressed.”

One reader also remarked, “I am a fan of how Gege makes references to other series, it’s really interesting to see.”

Besides Demon Slayer, Jujutsu Kaisen has also made allusions to other well-known series such as One Piece, Naruto, and Bleach. Even Hollywood stars like Jennifer Lawrence and Sebastian Stan have been featured in Gege Akutami’s manga.

To learn more, be sure to read fans’ thoughts on Megumi’s comeback and which characters will make it to the end. Additionally, stay updated on the upcoming conclusion of the Jujutsu Kaisen manga.