Demon Slayer is one of the biggest names in shonen anime right now. Its worldwide success is due to many factors, from Studio UFOtable's exceptional animation to the intriguing combat system to the sympathetic and compelling characters found in the story.
Protagonist Kamado Tanjiro has endeared himself to many fans with his compassion and bravery. Other characters such as Rengoku Kyojuro, the flame Hashira, and Kocho Shinobu, the insect Hashira, are emotionally complex as well. They can be further explored by analyzing their astrological signs, and Shinobu, born on February 24th, is a Pisces. Here's how she embodies her sign in Demon Slayer.
Kocho Shinobu Is a Pisces, The Astrological Sign Of Two Fish
Pisces is one of the three water signs, which are known for their introverted and mystical nature. Those born under the water signs are expected to be wise, empathetic, calculating and attuned to mystic energies, meaning they are highly insightful and intelligent.
Astrological lore describes Pisces as a flexible and resourceful sign that can quickly adjust to the changes and people around it, hence its symbol of two fish swimming in different directions. What is more, Pisces is ruled by the 12th house, meaning these individuals can use past knowledge and experience to prepare themselves for the future and wipe the slate clean if they must. Pisces are fairly energetic and have a can-do attitude, and are rather adventurous for water signs while being believing in others and being quite idealistic.
Then again, Pisces might also absorb the negative side of the people and events around them and become saddened or discouraged. Pisces absorb everything, which often works in their favor but can sometimes sabotage them. So they must be careful about who and what they expose themselves to, because they can't help being so sensitive and mentally attuned to the energies of the world around them.
Kocho Shinobu As A Pisces In Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer's Kocho Shinobu isn't a model Pisces but her behavior does reflect her astrological sign in some ways, including her intense emotions and being attuned to the needs of others. Shinobu was rather insensitive for a Pisces when she was younger; she took little interest in adopting the weary young Tsuyuri Kanao, but her big sister Kanae insisted. Kanae was the true Pisces back then, a kind and empathetic lady who put the needs of others first and understood their worldview. Shinobu felt differently at first, but that changed when Kanae lost her life to demons.
As a sensitive Pisces, Shinobu was deeply affected by the tragic loss of her sister and absorbed a lot of negative mental energy in the process. That's the downside of the Pisces sign -- being saddened or angered by negative events or personalities around them -- and Shinobu has held onto these emotions tightly ever since. A Pisces cannot let things go very easily, and her rage was palpable when she met Tanjiro. Shinobu may hide her anger and grief with a falsely cheery exterior, but she cannot deny her sensitive Pisces nature on the inside.
On the more positive side, Shinobu embraces her sign's flexible and resourceful ways,and found clever solutions for all her problems. She assumed Kanae's role as Kanao's big sister and mentor while also developing her own unique fighting style. Shinobu is frustrated with her limited physical strength and stamina compared to her fellow Hashira, so she compensated with the use of wisteria poisons and a creative Nichirin sword that's easier to swing around. Shinobu would rather poison a demon to death than cut its head off, and her unorthodox fighting style works in Demon Slayer.
Demon slayers have a rough lot in life, and physically vulnerable ones like Shinobu don't have the luxury of self-pity. Instead, as a true Pisces, she adjusted and found the perfect solution, and it has served her well so far. She also empathized with Tanjiro and Nezuko after learning more about their tragic backstory -- true to her sign -- and quickly abandoned her quest to personally slay Nezuko. A Pisces like her can't just kill someone she understands so well.
