Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira

Who is Obanai Iguro, the snake guy?

Obanai Iguro is a prominent supporting character in “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.” As the current Serpent Hashira within the Demon Slayer Corps, he holds a significant position among the mighty Hashira, who are powerful swordsmen dedicated to eliminating demons. Voiced by Keichi Suzumura in the Japanese version of the anime and by Erik Scott Kimerer in the English version, Obanai is visually distinctive with pale skin, heterochromia (yellow right eye, turquoise left eye), and a large serpent-like scar on the lower half of his face.

Obanai’s unique appearance is complemented by his serious and stoic personality. He is deeply committed to his duty as a Hashira and possesses exceptional swordsmanship skills. His proficiency in the Serpent Breathing technique, a style mimicking snake movements, allows him to strike enemies with deadly precision. Despite his cold exterior, Obanai carries a tragic past, having been born into a family that worshipped demons and offered him as a sacrifice. This traumatic experience fuels his intense hatred for demons.

Obanai’s character gains complexity through his relationship with Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira. Despite his stern demeanor, Obanai harbors feelings for Mitsuri and cares deeply for her, adding emotional depth to his personality.

What defines Obanai Iguro’s Personality and Background?

Obanai Iguro is a character with a multifaceted personality and a compelling background. His stern and serious nature, coupled with a reserved and aloof demeanor, defines him as a man of few words. Despite these qualities, there lies beneath a deeply caring individual, particularly towards Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira.

In terms of physical appearance, Obanai’s snake-themed features make him stand out. His bandaged face, exposing only his eyes, and the presence of his snake companion, Kaburamaru, contribute to his unique persona. The Wisteria flower pattern on his outfit signifies his esteemed role as a Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps. The bandaged face not only conceals his mouth but also serves as a reminder of a curse mark, symbolizing his tragic past. He has sharp, almond-shaped eyes with unusual colors due to heterochromia. His right eye is yellow and his left eye is turquoise. He is also partially blind and can barely see out of his right eye.

Obanai is a highly skilled demon slayer, wielding a unique sword with a curved serpentine blade and employing the Serpent Breathing technique. Despite his cold demeanor in battles, he shows a protective side, especially towards Mitsuri Kanroji, risking his life to shield her from harm. The relationships between Obanai and Mitsuri and his deep respect for Kagaya Ubuyashiki showcase deeper connections beyond his strict exterior. Despite his sense of duty, Obanai harbors immense self-loathing, feeling tainted by his family’s actions. This self-hatred is reflected in his bandaged face and adds layers to his character.

Obanai’s determination is evident in his continued fight against Muzan, even after being blinded and covered in wounds. His ability to protect others, express gratitude, and drop initial grudges highlight his capacity for change and growth. As one of the strongest Hashira, Obanai’s mastery of the Serpent Breathing technique further emphasizes his exceptional combat skills, contributing to his status within the Demon Slayer Corps.

What is Iguro Obanai’s backstory?

Obanai Iguro’s backstory is a tale of a tragic and traumatic childhood. He was born and raised in a cell by a family who worshipped a female snake-like Demon. This demonic entity had a face and lower half resembling that of a snake and had a gruesome appetite for consuming infants. Obanai’s family engaged in a horrifying practice of sacrificing their own children to the Demon. In return, they received stolen goods taken from the victims killed by the malevolent creature.

The most harrowing part of Obanai’s background occurred when he was just twelve years old. At this tender age, his mouth was forcibly cut, reshaping it to resemble that of a snake. This brutal act left him with a large wound from the corners of his lips to his ears. The visible aftermath of this traumatic experience is concealed by the bandages that cover the lower half of Obanai’s face.

Despite the physical and emotional scars inflicted upon him during his childhood, Obanai managed to overcome his tragic past. He emerged as a highly skilled demon slayer, wielding a distinctive curved serpentine blade and mastering the Serpent Breathing technique.

What is Obanai’s Power and Fighting Style?

Overall Abilities:

As a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Obanai Iguro showcases remarkable combat prowess despite being more or less blind in his right eye. His ascent to the highest rank with one functioning eye, coupled with his smaller stature and lesser physical strength, highlights his exceptional skills and determination.

Demon Slayer Mark:

During the final battle against Muzan, Obanai awakened his Demon Slayer Mark, enhancing his natural abilities. The distinct snake-like tattoo patterns boosted his strength, speed, and durability, allowing him to land powerful strikes, dodge swiftly, and endure severe injuries.

Bright Red Nichirin Sword:

Obanai, drawing inspiration from Muichiro Tokito, turned his blade bright red by channeling all his strength into gripping it. This unique technique proved effective against Muzan, impeding his regeneration and aiding fellow Demon Slayers.

Transparent World:

Briefly accessing the Transparent World during Gyomei‘s instruction, Obanai glimpsed Muzan’s twelve vital organs, showcasing a momentary connection with heightened perception.

Demon Slayer Abilities:

Obanai, the snake hashira demonstrated exceptional combat skills during the Infinity Castle events and the battle against Muzan. He swiftly decapitated demons, held his ground against Upper Rank Four Nakime, and contributed significantly to Muzan’s defeat.

Kaburamaru:

Utilizing his pet snake Kaburamaru, Obanai developed a unique combat technique. Kaburamaru reads and predicts opponents’ attacks, aiding Obanai even when he was completely blinded. The snake’s cleverness and emotional understanding added a dynamic layer to their partnership.

Physical Abilities:

Despite his smaller stature, Obanai exhibited enhanced strength, pinning Tanjiro forcefully and slashing Muzan’s body. His speed, reflexes, stamina, and endurance were on par with other Hashira, allowing him to endure prolonged battles and contribute significantly to the final confrontation.

Fighting Style:

Obanai’s mastery of swordsmanship made him one of the most powerful swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps. His unique style, characterized by slithering motions akin to a serpent, enabled him to weave through narrow openings with ease.

Breathing Style – Serpent Breathing:

Obanai created and mastered the Serpent Breathing style, incorporating snake-like twists and turns into his attacks. This style, coupled with Kaburamaru’s involvement, proved highly effective in combat.

Techniques:

Winding Serpent Slash:

Slashes in a winding pattern, mimicking a slithering snake.

Venom Fangs of the Narrow Head:

Swiftly slices off the opponent’s head by dashing behind them.

Coil Choke:

Circles the opponent, slicing from all directions.

Twin-Headed Reptile:

Leaps forward, performing a horizontal slash.

Slithering Serpent:

Curves the sword in multiple directions, capable of decapitating multiple enemies at once.

Know more about the Snake Hashira

What does Obanai’s face look like?

Obanai’s right eye is yellow and his left eye is turquoise. Obanai’s lower half of his face is covered in bandages to hide his mouth which was cut from the corners of his lips to his ears to appear snake-like.

What is Iguro’s snake name?

Obanai Iguro’s snake’s name is Kaburamaru. Kaburamaru is a small, white serpent that slithers into Iguro’s cell and eventually coils around his neck when Iguro escapes. Kaburamaru is always seen wrapped around Iguro’s shoulders.

What are Iguro’s eyes like?

Obanai Iguro, also known as the Serpent Pillar, has sharp, almond-shaped eyes with unusual colors. This is due to his heterochromia, which gives him a yellow right eye and a turquoise left eye.

How did Obanai get his scar?

Obanai Iguro has a scar on his mouth from when he was 12 years old. Obanai’s family forced him to have his mouth cut to make him look like a snake demon. The snake demon told Obanai he was small and weak, so the demon made a scar on Obanai’s mouth to match the snake demon’s mouth.