Demon Slayer’s Rengoku is the Demon and Akaza the Hashira in New Fanart

It’s no understatement to say that Demon Slayer‘s Mugen Train arc took the world by storm. The film adaptation broke records across the world, especially, but not surprisingly, in Japan, where the movie dethroned Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away as the country’s top-grossing movie. The arc is notable in its introduction of Akaza, a powerful demon that ranks in the Upper Three. Mugen Train has him take part in an epic battle with Kyojiro Rengoku, one of the Hashira, where Akaza reigns victorious. New fanart depicting these two characters has appeared online, albeit with their roles reversed.

Just like the Upper Rank demons, the Demon Slayer Corps has its own elite unit. The Hashira, or Pillars, are a group of top-notch demon-killing professionals. In situations where Upper Rank demons are involved, usually only the Hashira are able to stand a chance. Even then, they are not always victorious, just like in the case of Akaza vs. Rengoku.

A new piece of fanart found on Instagram by user therealsketchyartist is done in the style of a Mugen Train movie poster. It depicts an alternate universe where the Hashira are Upper Rank demons, and vice versa. Akaza stands in the foreground as the Ice Hashira, in a combative stance releasing a breathing technique. Fire rages in the midground, while Rengoku, now a terrifying flame demon, looms in the background, a profile view of his face revealing a terrifying smile.

The best thing about this fanart is its quality resemblance to an actual Mugen Train poster, a testament to therealsketchyartist’s skill. The vertical kanji in the bottom right corner says “kokoro wo moyase” or “hearts will burn” and is taken from actual movie posters. The saying fits better with the alternate universe depicted in this fanart, because rather than hearts burning with passion as originally intended, hearts are now burning as a result of the Flame Demon and his fiery onslaught, and only the Ice Hashira Akaza can oppose him.

Mugen Train is just one of many incredible story arcs in the Demon Slayer series, and the real gem of it is the battle between the Flame Hashira and the Upper Rank demon, a battle that created a different tone for the series. With their roles reversed in the fanart, it is exciting to ponder whether or not the battle would have ended with the same outcome, or if Rengoku would have emerged as the victor this time. Either way, this depiction of Rengoku as a demon and Akaza as a Hashira is brilliant and appeals to all fans of Demon Slayer.

Source: @therealsketchyartist

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