Title: “Zenitsu’s Profound Transformation: A Grief-Stricken Demon Slayer”
In the seventh episode of “Demon Slayer” Season 4, titled “The Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima,” viewers witnessed a remarkable shift in Zenitsu Agatsuma’s demeanor.
The once carefree and anxious Thunder Breath user appeared markedly different—focused, serious, and resolute. This transformation was triggered by a letter delivered by his crow companion, Chuntaro, bearing devastating news.
Zenitsu received the heart-wrenching revelation that his beloved mentor and grandfather, Jigoro Kuwajima, had passed away. Jigoro’s seppuku—an act of atonement—was prompted by the actions of his former student, Kaigaku. Kaigaku had fallen from grace, becoming an Upper-Rank Six demon and replacing the defeated Daki and Gyutaro.
Jigoro Kuwajima wasn’t merely Zenitsu’s mentor; he was a father figure who had trained him rigorously in the art of Thunder Breathing. Under Jigoro’s tutelage, Zenitsu developed his unique fighting style, but he wasn’t Jigoro’s sole pupil. Kaigaku, another student, took a divergent path, succumbing to the allure of demonhood and joining Muzan’s ranks.
Jigoro’s influence on both Zenitsu and Kaigaku was profound. As a former Thunder Hashira, he embodied values of honor, duty, and discipline. Despite their contrasting personalities and training approaches, Jigoro saw potential in both students.
For Zenitsu, Jigoro was a lifeline—a source of strength that helped him navigate his fears and insecurities. Jigoro’s tragic death forced Zenitsu to reevaluate his purpose as a Demon Slayer. Meanwhile, Kaigaku viewed Jigoro’s teachings as a means to greater power, harboring resentment toward Zenitsu due to his own inability to master the first form of Thunder Breathing.
In a poignant flashback, viewers learned that Kaigaku’s actions had led to the deaths of seven children and nearly cost Gyomei Himejima his life. Jigoro’s seppuku was an attempt to atone for failing to prevent Kaigaku’s fall from grace, and his death without a decapitator added to the tragedy.
Zenitsu grappled with the weight of Jigoro’s suffering and Kaigaku’s betrayal. Consumed by grief, guilt, and newfound determination, he transformed into a resolute warrior. Gone was the timid swordsman; in his place stood someone driven by a mission he kept secret from Tanjiro Kamado.
Chuntaro’s letter marked a true turning point for Zenitsu. He now carried the burden of Jigoro’s legacy and the responsibility to address Kaigaku’s betrayal. His self-imposed guilt fueled his resolve to honor Jigoro’s memory and atone for Kaigaku’s actions.
Zenitsu’s relationship with Kaigaku had always been fraught, and this pivotal moment would shape his path as a Demon Slayer.