Demon Slayeras a story always revolved around the idea of taking the successes and foundation built by the previous generation, and expanding on those to pass them on to the future generation. Tanjiro learned the Water Breathing from Master Urokodaki, who used to be a Water Hashira before Giyu Tomioka, and later awakened to the Hinokami Kagura thanks to a memory of his father comitting to a ritualistic dance. Even in the second season, where he fought against the Upper Moon 6, Tanjiro managed to do so with the assistance of another Hashira who valued the lives of others to live on even in the face of danger. However, with the third season underway, Tanjiro awakened to a memory that wasn’t from his lifetime, but rather belonging to an ancestor. With glimpses of an important man, and potentially the key to explaining the Hinokami Kagura, how important is the concept of an Inherited Memory inDemon Slayerand how it could change the narrative?
Early on in the third season, the audience learned of a brief memory that Tanjiro witnessed during his coma in recovery. We not only saw an ancestor of Tanjiro, but we managed to see somebody with a mark on his face similar to the one that Tanjiro manifested later on. This ancestor in particularseemed to be a good friendof the man with the blade, who could supposedly be a Demon Slayer from the Sengoku Era. However, more importantly, it seems that he is also modeled on the Yoriichi Type-Zero, which needed 6 blades to accurately replicate his moves. However, what isn’t confirmed is whether he is the first Sun Breather, or a distant relative of his. Even so, the fact that Tanjiro manifested a memory with him in it shows that the man, who we can assume is Yoriichi, is an important figure and the key to Tanjiro learning more about the Hinokami Kagura and Muichiro’s relation to the first Sun Breather.
RELATED:Demon Slayer: The Hashira, Ranked From Youngest To Oldest
Explaining The Inherited Memory.
Despite the inherited memory, Tanjiro understandably was confused by the sudden memory and the emotions that came with it. After all, not many can say or believe they experienced a memory that belonged to an old ancestor who could have lived during the Sengoku Era. However, in the world ofDemon Slayer, inheritance andpassing on previous knowledgeand dreams are not such an odd thing in that world. Which is why when it was explained by Kotetsu of the Swordsmith VIllage, he described it as such.
It isn’t just your physical form that gets passed on. Living creatures pass on their memories, too. - Kotetsu
The implications this statement has overall seems to me that Tanjiro may not be getting simply one inherited memory period. If he manages to survive the coming battle with Upper 4 Hantengu, then it’s possible we may be able to see more ofTanjiro’s ancestors' inherited memories. If he’s lucky, Tanjiro may yet find out more information about the Sun Breather and the Hinokami Kagura in the future. Considering the struggle as well as the remaining Upper Moon’s strength, it may be necessary to gleaming more information that could help in the battle against demons and Muzan.
RELATED:Demon Slayer: How Strong Is Upper Moon 5 Demon, Gyokko
Why This Matters For The Narrative
Sure, the inherited memory may seem almost superfluous to many people due to the fact that it doesn’t get as much focus in the last few episodes or attention other than a handful of few individuals. In fact, it’s only really briefly explained by Kotetsu, and questioned by Tanjiro before we move on to the training montage, which could trivialize its importance for the overall narrative in the long run. However, that is where many people could be mistaken. After all, any clues regarding the Sun Breather from the Sengoku Era could behelpful and beneficial to the Demon Slayer Corps.Demon Slayerhas had the ability to present flashbacks and character moments that are important for progression as well as intrigue to the audience. The Inherited Memory could so far be not just something that Tanjiro may have, but considering Muichiro’s connection as a descendant of the first Sun Breather, it is likely he may also develop something similar.
The narrative will change if the arc proceeds as normal, but with the Inherited Memory that Tanjiro witnessed, there may be aninkling of intrigue in the storyas to how the Hinokami Kagura was passed on, and more importantly what breathing style it was based on. It may be confirmed in the near future, and Tanjiro has managed to grow stronger thanks to learning from the Inherited Memory, developing a mark on his forehead that we now know as the Demon Slayer Mark. However, where this will lead in the long-run heavily depends on how the story is presented overtime.Demon Slayer’sinherited memory and focus on passing on knowledge and abilities to the next generation may be paid off, and is best exemplified thanks to the efforts of the Demon Slayer Corps, and most recently thanks to the inherited memory that Tanjiro awakened to.
