Summary
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Obanai Iguro, also known as the Serpent Hashira and is one of the most powerful Hashiras in the Demon Slayer series. Coming from an extremely tragic background and past, Obanai does not get along well with everyone, except for Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the former leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, and Mitsuri Kanroji who he has a crush on.
However, apart from his human acquaintances, he also carries around a snake which is always seen wrapped around his shoulder, known as Kaburamaru. Kaburamaru is instrumental in Obanai’s life and is also seen to be able to understand human speech and emotions.
The Origins Of Kaburamaru, Explained
Obanai’s and Kaburamaru’s fateful encounter
To understand the origins of Kaburamaru is to understand Obanai’s past. Many years ago, the Serpent Demon was worshiped by Iguro Clan, the Iguro clan would feed her with their offspring in exchange for riches she would gather from attacks. The Serpent Demon was well revered among the Iguro Clan, and she was worshiped like an empress. At some point in time, Obanai was born, and was the first male to be born into the clan in three-hundred and seventy years.His life was temporarily sparedas the Serpent Demon decided she would save him for later and when he reached a size, that would satisfy her hunger. She made Obanai’s life a living hell and visited him in his cell and tormented him.
Obanai’s sadness didn’t last long, as when he was held captive a small white snake slithered into his cell. Obanai made friends with the snake and gave it the name Kaburamaru. Shortly after this, Obanai was able to escape from his cell. This enrages the Serpent Demon, killing most of the Iguro Clan. While the Serpent Demon caught up with Obanai, she was killed by the past Flame Hashira, Shinjuro Rengoku, who arrived just in time to save him. Ever since that fateful day, Kaburamaruhad never left Obanai’s sideand goes wherever he goes, even as he became a Demon Slayer and eventually a Hashira.
Once A Friend, Always A Friend
Kaburamaru never left Obanai’s side as they grew up.
Kaburamaru is more than just the average snake and also serves as a guide for Obanai. As Obanai was partially blind, he was able to use Kaburamaru to heighten his senses and transfer information on his surroundings and potential attacks to him. As Obanai grew up in a toxic environment, his only form of solace is his companionship with Kaburamaru. Obanai also does not trust everyone easily.
Kaburamaru can also read an enemy’s movements and anticipate them, providing Obanai with real-time feedback during battles, this is how Obanai is still able to fight with precision while being partially blind.As the Serpent Hashira, Kaburamaru is closely tied to Obanai’s representation of his Breathing Technique - Serpent Breathing, a breathing technique which he learned and mastered himself.
Similar to how a snake slithers, Obanai’s swordsmanship reflects these movements, making his attacks unpredictable. Kaburamaru was instrumental in the battle against Muzan, as Kaburamaru was able to direct Obanai after Muzan had completely blinded him. One could say that Obanai was able to survive against the Demon King thanks to Kaburamaru and his ability to read Muzan’s lethal attacks. Just like how Obanai saved Kaburamaru from the Serpent Demon as he escaped from his cell, Kaburamaru was able to save Obanai when his life was at risk, making Kaburamaru more than just a pet, but a true companion.The bond that Obanai shareswith Kaburamaru is unique, and the bond is just as special as friends. Kaburamaru takes his role in protecting Obanai seriously, as he is loyal and still sticks by Obanai’s side through it all, as Obanai keeps growing as one of the most powerful Hashiras in the Demon Slayer series.
