Kyojuro Rengoku, the beloved Flame Hashira, was a prominent supporting character in the Demon Slayer anime and manga series. His overt enthusiasm set him apart from the other Hashira and Demon Slayer characters.
Besides showing great zeal in his job, the Flame Hashira was a kind, friendly, and generous character. Sadly, he met his end in the series towards the conclusion of the Mugen Train arc. In the manga, Rengoku died in chapter 66. On the other hand, he passed away in season 2 episode 7 of the anime.
Rengoku’s death explained
Kyojuro Rengoku first appeared along with the other Hashira in the first season of the anime. However, he was properly introduced in the Mugen Train arc. He boards the Mugen train along with Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu, to take down the demon who had been wrecking havoc onboard.
Eventually, Tanjiro and his friends successfully defeat Enmu, the Lower Moon One demon who was responsible for the Mugen Train incidents. The Flame Hashira even praises Tanjiro for his ability to control Total Concentration Breathing and shares words of motivation, encouraging him to become a Hashira.
Although Tanjiro suffered a fatal blow during the fight, Rengoku guides him to heal himself by focusing on his breathing. However, right when it had seemed that the battle is over, the arc revealed a new demon – Upper Moon Three, Akaza.
Upon his first appearance, the new demon lurched forward to punch Tanjiro, only to be intervened by Rengoku’s Flame Breathing. Witnessing the latter’s skills, Akaza had offered him the chance to become a demon, but the Hashira immediately refused it.
During the fight, Akaza used Destructive Death: Compass Needle to attack Rengoku. The latter retaliated with his Flame Breathing’s first form. As the battle intensifies, Akaza launches various attacks, including Destructive Death: Air Type and Disorder.
Despite using higher forms of his Flame Breathing, Akaza’s regenerative abilities allow him to have an upper hand in the fight. In one of the most intense combat scenes in the series, Rengoku slices through one of Akaza’s hands. In a shocking turn of events, the Upper Moon Three is able to punch through the Flame Hashira’s solar plexus.
As he realises that his end is nigh, Rengoku makes the last effort to stop Akaza from escaping. He clenches his abdominal muscles so that the demon could not get his hand out of Rengoku’s body. As the sun rose steadily, Akaza had no choice but to rip his arm off to flee the scene.
Watching this, Tanjiro rushes towards Akaza and curses him for injuring Rengoku. While counting his final moments, the Flame Hashira asks Tanjiro to visit his house to learn about Flame Breathing. Moreover, he urges him to live with his head held high without being worried about Rengoku’s death. He tells the young demon slayers that he has faith in them. As he gradually succumbs to his injuries, Rengoku sees his mother’s spirit flashing before his eyes.
