Who Killed the Legendary Yoriichi Tsugikuni?

It was none other than his own twin brother, Michikatsu, who turned into the formidable Upper Rank 1 demon Kokushibo. After a long life and near-mythical feats as a Demon Slayer, the elder Tsugikuni met his fate at Kokushibo‘s hands shortly before his death at 85 years of age.

As a passionate gamer myself, I wanted to delve deeper into the story of Yoriichi – legitimately the most powerful known character in the entire Demon Slayer franchise. How did this virtual god among men finally meet his end after decades of being viewed as undefeatable?

Yoriichi‘s Legend

Even amongst the elite Demon Slayer ranks, Yoriichi Tsugikuni stands apart as a once-in-a-millennium talent. Some key facts about his astounding abilities:

• Inventor of the first and most powerful Breath Style, Sun Breathing
• Born with a Demon Slayer mark, making him far stronger than normal slayers
• Single-handedly brought Muzan Kibutsuji to the brink of death
• Estimated to have killed at least 1,500 demons in his lifetime

Despite being long-retired and over 80 years old, Yoriichi was still considered to have more raw talent than any current Hashira. He had long surpassed normal human limits thanks to a unique connection to sunlight absorption.

Yoriichi was so overwhelmingly powerful that many fans wondered – who or what could possibly kill this guy?!

Confronting Muzan Kibutsuji

During his peak years actively slaying demons, there was one foe no other slayer even came close to touching – the Progenitor Demon himself, Muzan Kibutsuji. After countless failures by the Demon Slayer Corps, Yoriichi confronted Muzan alone:

In a one-on-one battle, Yoriichi proved himself as Muzan‘s natural predator. He brought the demon to the cusp of death and nearly eradicated him completely.

In fact, Yoriichi wounded Muzan so grievously that the demon was forced to divide himself into 1,800 pieces just to escape utter destruction.

Even then, Yoriichi still managed to destroy 1,500 of those fragments before Muzan slipped away. This astonishing confrontation cemented his status as the most powerful known character in the series‘ history.

Fated Battle with Kokushibo

However, one demon rivaled Yoriichi‘s own talents…his own twin brother, Michikatsu. After jealously watching his gifted sibling for years, Michikatsu forsook his humanity and purpose to become the demon Kokushibo.

In their fated battle as old men decades later, the author Gotouge painted a melancholy picture:

Despite being blind and nearing 90, Yoriichi quickly reacted to cut Kokushibo‘s neck in their final clash. He perished on his feet without a wound on his body after a lifetime of unmatched triumph.

So in the end, perhaps fate conspired to ensure balance – that the legendary slayer could only fall to his equally prodigious twin turned to evil.

Could Anyone Else Have Killed Yoriichi?

Considering the mythology surrounding Sun Breathing and its connections to divinity, I speculate Yoriichi had to retain an untouchable aura. Within the story lore, perhaps only another child of the gods like Kokushibo could have defeated him.

That being said – who‘s to say Yoriichi could not have eventually fallen to old age even if he hadn‘t reunited with his brother? Even demigods have limits. And there are a few villains in the anime multiverse theoretically capable of overpowering anyone.

For example, that anime‘s Rimuru Tempest transcends space-time itself as a Universal-tier reality warpper. Hax abilities could maybe overcome Yoriichi‘s fighting talent to score an absolute win. Food for thought!

Yoriichi‘s Legacy: Tanjiro Kamado?

Despite perishing against Kokushibo, Yoriichi‘s briefly revealed Sun Breathing legacy still catalyzes the entire Demon Slayer storyline we follow:

• Tanjiro Kamado masters Sun Breathing to avenge his family against Muzan
• Tanjiro‘s Hanafuda Earrings are inherited from Yoriichi himself
• Tanjiro unlocks the "Selfless State" via deep bonds – much like Yoriichi

Tanjiro even activates a distinct scar on his forehead, hinting at a genetic tie between the Kamados and Tsugikunis. He has flashback visions conveying that sense of fate and lineage.

So although dead by early 20th century events, Yoriichi‘s influence persists through Tanjiro unlocking the full mythic potential of Sun Breathing!

How Does Yoriichi Rank Against the Demons?

While deceased in-universe, Yoriichi clearly stands at the apex of Kimetsu no Yaiba in our hearts. Let me know your thoughts on this godly warrior and his mythic legacy! Could any other demon or slayer possibly kill Yoriichi at full power?