Who is Hotaru Haganezuka?
Hotaru Haganezuka is a notable supporting character in the anime “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba,” recognized for his role as a swordsmith within the Demon Slayer Corps. His attire is quite distinctive; he is often seen wearing a haori adorned with a sunflower pattern, and his head is wrapped in a spotted scarf, which adds to his unique appearance. To maintain anonymity, like his fellow swordsmiths, he conceals his face behind a Hyottoko mask, a traditional wooden festival mask.
When on the move, Hotaru’s choice of a large, woven hat embellished with floral wind chimes is not only practical but also adds to his enigmatic persona. His appearance undergoes a noticeable change during the Swordsmith Village Arc, where he is depicted with a more muscular physique, a result of his rigorous training in the mountains.
Hotaru’s unmasked visage is rarely seen, but when it is, he is characterized by long, black hair, sharp eyes, and notably thick, well-defined eyebrows. His encounter with Gyokko, who is Upper Rank Five among the demons, leaves him with lasting physical reminders of the conflict. He bears deep scars and cuts across his body, with a prominent X-shaped scar marring his face, and the encounter results in the loss of vision in his left eye, marking his sacrifice and dedication to his craft and the Corps.
Hotaru Haganezuka’s character adds a layer of depth to the “Demon Slayer” series, illustrating the personal costs faced by those who support the front-line warriors in their battle against demons.
Hotaru Haganezuka’s Personality and Background
Hotaru Haganezuka is a character whose passion for swordsmithing is both his defining trait and his Achilles’ heel in the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” series. His fervor for crafting swords is unparalleled, even among his peers, and he can speak at length about his creations with an enthusiasm that is unmatched. This intense dedication is a double-edged sword, as it also fuels his comical outbursts of rage whenever one of his swords is broken, regardless of the reasons behind it. Tanjiro Kamado, the series’ protagonist, often bears the brunt of these outbursts.
Hotaru’s method of self-soothing involves eating mitarashi dango, a type of Japanese sweet. Interestingly, despite his volatile nature, he can be easily subdued by being pinned down or tickled, after which he becomes docile, as demonstrated by Kozo Kanamori.
Social interactions are not Hotaru’s forte, which is reflected in his bachelor status. His intense focus on his craft and lack of social skills have alienated him from other swordsmen, leading to a loss of clientele. However, he secretly appreciates Tanjiro’s continued trust in his sword-making abilities.
His concentration when forging a sword is so intense that he becomes oblivious to everything else, even to the point of ignoring a demon attack and sustaining serious injuries. If the sword-making process is interrupted, his perfectionism compels him to start over from the beginning. Any imperfection on a blade, no matter how minor, causes him great distress.
Hotaru hails from the esteemed Haganezuka Clan, a lineage of swordsmiths. His difficult temperament manifested early in life, causing such strain that his parents suffered a mental breakdown when he was only two years old. Consequently, the village chief, Tecchin Tecchikawahara, took on the responsibility of raising him. Hotaru’s given name, which he dislikes for its cuteness, was chosen by the chief, and Hotaru often speaks ill of him because of it. His temperamental nature has been a constant since childhood, characterized by immediate tantrums followed by storming off.
Hotaru’s skill in swordsmithing was honed under the tutelage of other swordsmiths in his clan. He specializes in forging and polishing Nichirin Swords for the Demon Slayers. Following Tanjiro’s survival of the Final Selection, the Corps assigned Hotaru the task of forging Tanjiro’s sword, cementing his role as an integral part of the Demon Slayer’s journey.
