Genya Shinazugawa/Synopsis (2024)

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History[]

Genya belonged to a family of seven children with a hardworking mother who never slept and an abusive father who would beat her and his children. Despite his father often beating both Genya’s mother and siblings his mother always protected them; which he greatly admired, calling his mother “amazing”. His father was hated among the villagers and was eventually stabbed to death by an unknown assailant. After that, Sanemi and Genya vowed to protect their siblings and mother together.

One day, their mother didn’t come back home, and eldest sibling Sanemi left to find her. As suspicion and worry began to cross the minds of the children since their mother “was never this late before.” Genya tried his best to reassure them, saying that they were “tired” and advised his siblings to go to sleep. Alone and unprotected, a sudden loud knock was heard from their door. Four of his siblings ran to the door despite Genya's protests and warnings that it might not be their mother, but before he could react the door is sliced open and they were cut down immediately. During that moment Genya’s cheek was cut, forming a scar that goes across his face in the future.

In the ensuing panic, Genya watched helplessly as the dark figure which he assumed to be a wolf attacked them. Before it could attack Genya however, Sanemi tackled it out of their window to the streets below and ordered Genya to run away. Seeing his bloodied siblings and subconsciously aware that they were already dead but unable to fully process it, Genya tried to temporarily slow down the bleeding by appyling pressure to their wounds, then setting out for a doctor to treat them. However he soon stumbled across Sanemi holding a knife and with their mother lying dead at his feet. Genya, in confusion and panic labeled Sanemi a murderer and cradled their mother's body in his arms as she dissolved in the rising sunlight.

Later on, Genya realized his mistake and decided to join the Demon Slayers to try and reconcile his relationship with his brother. Although he found he had no talent for Breathing Styles, he discovered that he could eat demons and gain demonic abilities. He was discovered by the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima. Since Genya couldn’t use Breaths, Gyomei didn’t make him his Tsuguko, but he still decided to train him as an apprentice. At some point, he reunited with Sanemi and tried to apologize, but Sanemi rejected him and said he had no brother. After this, Genya decided to become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps as a way to regain some connection with his brother.

Synopsis[]

Final Selection Arc[]

Genya participated in the Final Selection exam,^[1] managing to survive the seven-day trial. He impatiently inquired about receiving his Nichirin Sword, angrily hitting both his crow and Kanata when his demand went unfulfilled. Tanjiro intervened, threatening to break his arm if he didn't immediately let go of Kanata. When Genya instead dares him to, Tanjiro obliges, leaving the irate youth to nurse his broken limb. Kiriya Ubuyashiki, undeterred by the rough treatment his sister received, simply continues with his instructions.^[2]

Mugen Train Arc[]

Later, at the Butterfly Estate under unknown circ*mstances, Genya intentionally bumped into Tanjiro, ignoring his greeting afterwards.^[3] While training with Gyomei, he later received the report of Kyojuro Rengoku's death via his Kasugai Crow.^[4]

Swordsmith Village Arc[]

Genya later appeared at the Swordsmith Village, ignoring Mitsuri when she asked for his name—though out of shyness rather than spite—and is found by Tanjiro in the hot springs. Before realizing Tanjiro is present, the scarred youth ripped one of his teeth out and discarded it, accidentally hitting Tanjiro with it. He turned when his name is called, angrily told his fellow Demon Slayer to drop dead, and plunged his head into the hot water when he persisted in talking with him.^[5] Genya also did not show up for any meals, having told the villagers he wouldn't eat at all. When Tanjiro went to bring him some leftovers, he isn't in his room.^[6]

A few days later, Genya listened with impatient anger as Tanjiro explained the situation with Hotaru Haganezuka and the rusted Nichirin Sword, exclaiming that he didn't care and that Tanjiro shouldn't talk to him as if he were his friend. He reminded his companion that he had broken his arm, told him not to call him by his first name, broke the rice cracker Tanjiro offered him, and told him to get out. He fell silent when Tanjiro pointed out his regrown tooth, telling him that he must be seeing things, but is disgusted when his companion showed him the tooth in question. Telling him to throw it out, the scarred youth kicked Tanjiro out of his room.^[7]

Genya appeared during Tanjiro and Nezuko's battle against Hantengu, aiming his gun at the Upper Rank's staff-wielding form, Sekido.^[8] He shot a cluster of bullets, which completely decapitated Sekido but failed to completely do so with Karaku. Moving in to finish the job with his Nichirin Sword, Genya ignored Tanjiro's advice, proceeding to complete Karaku's decapitation. The two demons became four, and Genya is stabbed through the chest by the spear-wielding Hantengu, Aizetsu.^[9]

Aizetsu attempted to pull the spear out of Genya to attack Nezuko, only to be unable to do so. Genya shot at the surprised demon, blowing his head to bits.^[10] He noted that the headless demon is starting to pull his spear free, getting a horrendous slash wound across his chest as a result. Genya began to pray, avoided another attack from his opponent, and attacking the Aizetsu from behind. However, Sekido intervened using his electricity and Aizetsu attacked him once more, this time managing to smash him into a wall. Undeterred, Genya began to pray again, answering his opponent's question of what he is by introducing himself, promising to kill Aizetsu.^[11]

Genya manages to defeat his opponent, spearing him to a tree and ripping his head off. He turns to face Tanjiro, his appearance now resembling a demon's, then grabbed him by the neck and told him not to push his luck, as he would kill the Upper Rank. He goes on to deny Tanjiro's defeat of Upper Rank Six Daki and Gyutaro, chokes him harder and states that he will become a Hashira before him. When Tanjiro happily agrees to this, even offering his support, Genya tries to call his bluff, only to see in his comrade's eyes that he is telling the truth. They were then interrupted by an electricity attack from Sekido, with Tanjiro heading off to find the Upper Rank's fifth body, telling Genya not to attack Nezuko.^[12]

Genya heads northeast at Tanjiro's instruction to find the fifth Hantengu, noting with frustration that he still couldn't see him, only to finally notice him: A small version of Hantengu's original form, only about the size of a rat. He shot at his tiny foe, then attempted to cut his head off with his blade, only for it to break. After firing another shot at the tiny Hantengu, he discovers his tactic would not work. Sekido ambushes him from behind and Genya only has time to apologize to Sanemi in his mind for "what happened back then", noting that he only wanted to become a Hashira so his sibling would accept him.^[13]

Luckily, he is saved at the last second by Tanjiro and Nezuko, but after Hantengu’s hatred forcefully combines with his fellow aspects into Zohakuten, he attacks Tanjiro. Before Genya can shoot the demon, Zohakuten uses his Blood Demon Art to turn the trees into dragons. When Tanjiro proclaims his hatred for the demon and his mentality—that demons were protecting themselves from humans that hunted them down, even though they regularly attacked and consumed humans—Genya is shocked that the kind boy had any anger in him.

When Mitsuri arrives and starts fighting Zohakuten, he goes to protect her when the demon stuns and nearly kills her. Mitsuri decides to hold off Zohakuten while Genya, Tanjiro, and Nezuko pursue Hantengu's main body. When they get constricted by the wood dragons, Genya simply eats the dragon to free themselves and absorb its demonic abilities. After they finally destroy the wood dragon and get to Hatengu's protective orb, they find that the wooden sphere is empty. When they spy the small demon, Genya throws a tree at the demon in his anger. He misses, however, so the three give chase once again. Tanjiro, emulating Zenitsu Agatsuma's Thunder Breathing, rushes at the demon with blinding speed.

However, Hantengu's resentment causes him to split again, creating a larger body around himself, while he is hidden inside its heart. When Hantengu grabs Tanjiro, Genya goes to his aid. He pries the demon's hands off and then rips off his arms, while Nezuko shoots fire at him. Due to becoming a partial demon as a result of consuming them, the flames start hurting him, forcing him to retreat so the fire wouldn't spread to him. Hantengu, Nezuko, and Tanjiro fall off a cliff. Genya, heavily injured, is unable to help further in the fight. After Tanjiro finally slays the demon and Nezuko reveals her resistance to the sun, everyone celebrates and even Genya cracks a warm smile.

Hashira Training Arc[]

He and Tanjiro are sent to the Butterfly Mansion to recover from their injuries following the assault on the Swordsmith Village. He is placed in a bed next to Tanjiro, and complains about the volume of the conversation he is having with Goto and Hotaru. When Tanjiro apologizes, Inosuke Hashibira suddenly burts through a window and begins to make a loud ruckus about his excitement to start training. As Goto attempts to calm the boar child down, Genya covers his ears and sulks about wanting to be in a seperate room.

Genya and Tanjiro unexpectedly meet again at Sanemi's training; after the latter overhears him trying to get his brother's attention. Genya pleads with him to listen, but Sanemi dismisses him, claiming he does not have a brother and threatening to kill him if he continues. Sanemi tells Genya not to act like they are close and belittles him by noting his lack of skill, remarking that he should quit the Demon Slayer Corps since he cannot call himself a swordsman without using breathing techniques. As he turns away, Genya tries to explain that he had always wanted to apologize to him, but Sanemi ignores it as unimportant to him and walks on. Desperate not to lose his chance, Genya confesses that he even ate demons to fight and reach where he is now, causing Sanemi to stop. aking in what he just said, the Wind Hashira angrily demands he repeat himself, stomping down his foot and frightening Genya and Tanjiro with his rage. He then vanishes; as Genya grows confused at his sudden disappearance, Tanjiro bursts forth to reach him as Sanemi viciously attempts to gouge out his eyes.

Tanjiro grabs Genya and pushes him away, causing a cut across his face from his fingers as the two punch through the wall. In the yard, Zenitsu and the trainees question how much longer their training will last when he is startled by the loud sound of Tanjiro and Genya landing outside. Tanjiro demands to know if Sanemi intended to kill Genya, to which he replies he was not, claiming it would be too simple; instead, he intends to cripple him beyond his healing, though he would "forgive" him if he leaves the Corps at once. Tanjiro refuses to accept his authority and tells Sanemi he has no right to make Genya's decisions by disowning him as his brother only moments prior. He explains that he chose to risk his life battling demons, whether he had the talent to do so or not, and promises not to let even him get in his way; without Genya, they wouldn't have defeated an Upper Rank without him, and he will not let the Hashira harm him. Hearing this, Sanemi instead decides he will cripple the Demon Slayer first before taking a fighting stance. With tremendous speed, he lunges forward and punches Tanjiro in the chest, lifting him up and shocking Genya and Zenitsu.

Tanjiro orders Zenitsu to force Genya away from the scene, and as Genya attempts to dissuade his brother from further violence, Zenitsu pulls him away from the scene, much to his chagrin. He remarks that it is best to separate two arguing individuals as they flee, before claiming he pities him for having a "total lunatic" as an elder brother, though Genya does not take kindly to the insult and punches Zenitsu in the face. After the scuffle between the two is settled Tanjiro is barred from making contact with Sanemi, which also results in the same for Genya^[14]

Tanjiro and Genya later meet at Gyomei's Muscle Amplification training. He asks if his mark is darker, leaving Tanjiro surprised as he could not contact him after the incident at Sanemi's dojo. He mentions being under house arrest as punishment and that Gyomei scolded him as well; even when he was barred from seeing Sanemi, he ignored it, and the situation ended with Tanjiro being involved. He apologizes for the fight and thanks Tanjiro for defending him, though he does not mind. Regarding his mark, Genya tells him it has gotten darker, which Tanjiro was unaware of since the trainees are always seeing him, and he is delighted to know his training is paying off. Seeing he is training with the boulder, Genya mentions he is at the same stage as well, and Tanjiro is surprised to learn he was able to move it. He asks if he is using Repetitive Action, but Tanjiro's confused expression demonstrates proves that he's not, which Genya blames on Gyomei's poor teaching. He reveals he had learned the technique through watching Gyomei and explains that Repetitive Action involves heightening concentration with a predetermined action; in his case, he recites the Nenbutsu. Tanjiro realizes Gyomei does the same, and Genya jokingly mimics his habit of saying "Namu, Namu." As Genya departs after giving his advice, Tanjiro tells him he will attempt to use Repetitive Action; Genya tells him not to push himself too much, though he mutters under his breath that Tanjiro is not one to listen.

That evening, Genya joins the trainees and helps Tanjiro with cooking dinner. While preparing vegetables, he asks about his attempt at Repetitive Action. Tanjiro claims it feels different from Total Concentration, which Genya explains is due to the technique stirring his emotions. He wonders if his mark only appears when he is in a similar state, though Tanjiro disagrees given that both he and Gyomei have not manifested theirs. They are stumped at what he could be missing to use it until Genya asks Tanjiro about when he feels his emotions most strongly. This causes him to pause for a moment, and Genya apologizes, believing he had upset him, though Tanjiro is not offended. Genya nonetheless reassures him of his ability to use Repetitive Action.

Genya's advice and encouragement allow Tanjiro to move his boulder and pass Gyomei's training.^[15] Before he departs, Tanjiro and Inosuke Hashibira accomany Genya for a meal. Genya remarks that despite what others may say, Gyomei is a kind person; due to not being talented enough to be a Tsuguko, he was instead taken in as the Hashira's apprentice when he sensed that he ate demons. He also took him to Shinobu to be examined, but in their first meeting, she gave Genya a harsh look and lectured him anytime they met. As Inosuke finishes his bowl, he attempts to take another fish when Tanjiro stops him, claiming it is Zenitsu's portion. The Demon Slayer grows annoyed, seeing that Zenitsu is not present to eat it, but his friend eventually persuades him to leave it; Inosuke complies but points out his annoying worry for others. Genya also notices that Shinobu does not lecture him, despite his own stubbornness, as much as he is being reprimanded by her. Tanjiro claims he would be the same as him if he couldn't use breathing techniques and believes Shinobu is only harsh on him because she cares about his health, though Genya does not believe it. After eating, he mentions he will be heading to Giyu's place and asks Genya if he can come, though he declines as he is yet to push his boulder one chō. After Inosuke excitedly claims he is nearly finished, which Genya notes is due to his inability to breathing techniques. Hearing this, Inosuke laughs in his face and insults him, instantly causing the two to hurl punches at each other in anger and retaliation. Tanjiro urges them to stop and resorts to sitting on Inosuke to end the brawl, explaining that he had wanted to talk with Genya during his walk about his brother.

Unbeknownst to him, that night, Muzan Kibutsuji himself would invade the Ubuyashiki Mansion and confront Kagaya Ubuyashiki. After the attempted ambush resulted in Kagaya exploding his own mansion with him in it, Muzan was about the face the wrath of all the Hashira plus Tanjiro, but Muzan quickly turned the tables and summoned every single active Demon Slayer inside the Infinity Castle, a vast extra-dimensional space that serves as the lair of the demons. As Nakime transports the Demon Slayers, Genya is practicing his shooting skills by firing at target dummies. However, when preparing to fire another round, Genya finds himself falling inside. As Genya plummets through the endless space, he angrily questions what is going on.

Infinity Castle Arc[]

Genya, confused at his surroundings, traverses through the Infinity Castle until he encounters Kokushibo, after the demon had subdued Muichiro Tokito. The Demon Slayer takes aim at Upper One and fires, but the demon appears behind him and severs off his arms. Kokushibo recognizes that Genya has consumed demons before and bisects him at the waist, and reveals that he has encountered a Demon Slayer like Genya in the past, who was killed when he beheaded him. He prepares to kill Genya in the same fashion when he is attacked by Sanemi.

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