Demon Slayer released new art of the Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho for her birthday.
The new illustration was posted to the official Demon Slayer Twitter account and shows the character celebrating her birthday, Feb. 24, alongside several of her fellow Hashira. The Water and Mist Hashiras, Giyu Tomioka and Muichiro Tokito, hang up decorations for the event, though the Serpent Hashira Obanai Iguro angrily points out that they've misspelled the congratulatory birthday message on the banner that they're hanging up. Nevertheless, Shinobu appears to be touched by the celebration, as she blushes while holding a bouquet of roses.
Happy birthday Shinobu Kocho! ? pic.twitter.com/dwY4YCTthe
— Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (English) (@DemonSlayerUSA) February 24, 2022
Shinobu Kocho is first introduced in the Natagumo Mountain arc and becomes a major part of the storyline during the Rehabilitation Training arc, where she helps Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke recover from their injuries and master a new technique that greatly increases their fighting abilities. The character is one of the Demon Slayer Corps' nine Hashira, a rank given to only the most powerful and courageous leaders within the force. Shinobu's small frame and outwardly pleasant demeanor mask her devastating speed and seething hatred of demons.
The Demon Slayer anime recently wrapped up its second season on Feb. 13. The majority of the season was focused on the Entertainment District arc, which heavily featured another member of the Hashira, the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui. The arc is one of the most well-regarded parts of Koyoharu Gotouge's original manga, and the anime adaptation of it was similarly lauded, with additional praise going to studio Ufotable's feature-quality animation and impressively intricate fight choreography.
Fans who want to see the Mist Hashira do something besides mess up some birthday decorations should keep an eye out for the anime's third season, which will feature an adaptation of the Swordsmith Village arc. This story sees central protagonist Tanjiro Kamado traveling to the home village of the Demon Slayer Corps' blacksmiths in order to repair his worn-down Nichirin katana. The arc will let viewers see the air-headed Mist Hashira in action, as well as the overly affectionate Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji. A premiere date has yet to be announced for the anime's continuation.
The complete Season 1 and Season 2 of the anime are now available for streaming from Funimation and Crunchyroll. Koyoharu Gotouge's original manga published its final chapter in 2020 and the full series is now available in English from VIZ Media.
Source: Twitter
