Demon Slayer Chapter 176

Demon Slayer Chapter 176, titled "Samurai," chronicles the dramatic final moments of Upper Rank One, Kokushibo, as the combined efforts of Gyomei Himejima, Sanemi Shinazugawa, and the sacrifices of Muichiro Tokito and Genya Shinazugawa lead to his ultimate defeat, culminating in a poignant reflection on his brother Yoriichi Tsugikuni's prophecy. Kokushibo recalls Yoriichi's disturbing smile, born from an optimism for the future despite the lack of Breathing Style successors. Kokushibo, proud of his generation's uniqueness, was sickened by his brother's baseless hope. He curses the Hashiras' persistence: Muichiro's dismembered body still gripping his blade, Genya's human Blood Demon Art, Sanemi's refusal to bleed out, and Gyomei's ability to surpass limits and turn his weapon red like a demon. He questions what was amusing about such a future, boiling with rage at the thought of losing in the thrilling narrative of the Demon Slayer manga.

Upper Rank One vows never to lose again, even after decapitation, and miraculously stops the bleeding in his neck. Gyomei, seeing this, orders Sanemi to attack with everything, to drive Kokushibo into a corner, vowing their sacrifices won't be in vain. A tearful, enraged Sanemi promises to shred the demon to nothing. He unleashes Wind Breathing, Eighth Form: Primary Gale Slash, enveloping Kokushibo, while Gyomei performs Stone Breathing, Fifth Form: Arcs of Justice, trapping him. Kokushibo slashes Muichiro's dead body away and attempts to pull his katana from his own body. Declaring he won't crumble, he believes he can still heal, and with Muichiro and Genya's deaths, the red blade and Blood Demon Art will fade, allowing him to conquer decapitation. The Wind and Stone Hashiras attack together, but Kokushibo vanishes, reappearing behind them.

He has regenerated his head, but his unstable regeneration results in a grotesque, monstrous form. Sanemi is furious, but Gyomei realizes his weakened body will make him vulnerable. Knowing he can't heal as fast as Muzan, they target his head again. Proudly, Kokushibo believes he has defeated death by decapitation, with only the sun remaining as a threat. But as he boasts, he catches his reflection in Sanemi's blade, seeing his horrifying new form. He is disgusted and suddenly hears a young Yoriichi's voice: "My brother, is your dream to become the strongest samurai in the land? I want to be like you. I... want to become the second strongest samurai." Kokushibo questions if his current appearance truly reflects a samurai, if it was what he truly wanted. In that moment, the area where Muichiro stabbed him crumbles to ash, distracting Kokushibo long enough for Gyomei to destroy his head once more. As Sanemi follows with a ripping attack, Kokushibo desperately tries to use his Blood Demon Art but cannot. His body crumbles faster, and he tries to believe he can still regenerate, but Yoriichi's wise visage appears, pitying him. As Sanemi and Gyomei relentlessly destroy his body, Kokushibo reflects on his unwillingness to accept defeat, despite being decapitated, dismembered, and crushed. He has lived in disgrace for centuries only to die now, wondering if his fear of death made him a human-eating monster. "Did I become this miserable creature because I didn't want to die? No. Yoriichi... I just wanted to be you." This final, heartbreaking realization encapsulates Kokushibo's envy and his ultimate failure to surpass his brother, bringing a tragic end to one of the most powerful demons in the climactic Infinity Castle Arc of the Demon Slayer manga.