Demon Slayer Mugen Train has been one of the most loved and adored films of recent times. And this love perfectly reflects in the numbers that the film adorned. Being the best performing anime film of all time, it has exceeded almost every other movie out there. With these many eyeballs, the film also attracts debates and theories on what could have been an alternate ending. One of the strongest theories that fans passionately debate around is Rengoku’s death. Was the death of the prime Hashira worth it in the film? Let us analyze all aspects of this story’s decision.
Mugen Train showcased some of the best action that fans had seen in a while. The action was divided into three specific cours in the film itself. In the first act, Tanjiro, Rengoku, Nezuko, Inosuke, and Zenitsu fought Enmu, one of the Lower Ranker in the Twelve Kizuki. In the second act, Enmu infused his entire body into the Mugen Train, essentially devouring each passenger of the train. For the final act, the higher-ranking Kizuki, Akaza, fought Rengoku. While the battle of the final act was the most epic combats of the entire series, it also came with an inconsolable loss of Rengoku Kyojuro.
Rengoku’s Death: Why Did The Most Favourite Hashira Die?
One of the most common questions that the makers get is why did the favorite Hashira die in the final act? Why did Tanjiro lose him? Well, there are many ways one could answer that question. From the story’s perspective, the simplest answer one could give is that- if Peter did not lose Uncle Ben, he would have never become Spider-Man. For Tanjiro, the loss of his family was a great push towards his goal to find Muzan Kibutsuji. However, without Rengoku’s death, he would have never understood the stakes of the warfare he is getting into.
Meeting Muzan in a crowded street is one thing, but facing the worst forms of him in Akaza and Enmu left a different scar over him. The shift in Tanjiro’s beliefs was evident in his final speech of the movie. Crying over the loss of his senior, Tanjiro resolved that he would follow the ideal path that Rengoku paved. Inosuke was also grieving the loss of the Hashira and rejected everyone’s sorrow. He reminded them that this is not what Rengoku would have wanted them to do. Besides, he declared that the Flame Hashira would want the young Demon Slayer to move forwards with the same resolve as he did.
His Death Changes The Theme To A Grim Tone
Another reason why Rengoku’s death is of keen importance to the film is that his death changes many things for further seasons to come. Since the first episode, Demon Slayer has made it clear that it is not a children’s story. In the very first episode, Tanjiro witnesses a complete visual of his massacred family. However, in the latter parts of the show, the danger was not fully explored. Even the powers of Kizuki demons were not explored, let aside Kibutsuji.
It was Mugen Train that first touched upon the powers of Upper Ranking Demons. While Enmu was a low-ranker, he still managed to overwhelm all the junior demon slayers combined. However, when Akaza came on the battlefield, Rengoku clearly refused Tanjiro and the rest to enter the scene. In the end, no one could save Rengoku. This implies how strong the Upper Ranking Demons are. And there is no limit to how strong Muzan Kibutsuji would be.
Hence, Rengoku’s death sets the right tone for the coming seasons. Now the younger Demon Corps know what they are about to face in the future.