'Why Iguro Obanai'

             Iguro Obanai: 'The Serpent Pillar'

Born in a family of thieves who would sacrifice new born babies to a demon for riches, Obanai led a life in captivity waiting for the day when finally he would meet the same fate. Obanai's blood was considered to be tainted because of this vile tradition of his family. Hence he always believed that his blood was impure. Later he was saved by a demon corp Hashira, which he eventually joined so that he could wipe the demon race who tormented him in his childhood. In his early life he only had a single friend in captivity and it was a snake named 'Kaburamaru'. He joins the demon corp and quickly rises up the hierarchy to finally earn the title of a Hashira and becomes the deadly 'Serpent Pillar'.  Outwardly Iguro looks like a taciturn person who is usually reserved and does not speak unless necessary. He looks like a very hostile individual but as the manga progresses and one lives the character, it becomes apparent that it was all a facade and all this time he was soft and caring. Later he falls in love with another Hashira named Mitsuri Kanroji. Till the end Iguro was so ashamed of his blood that he did not see himself fit as a suitable partner for Mitsuri Kanroji. So he could never confess his love for her until the moment they are on the verge of death. Sad, I know. The scene in which Iguro and Mitsuri both breathe their last breath with Mitsuri's head in Iguro's lap where finally they confess their love for each other will move anyone to tears.

      (This sketch has been made by an artist from Switzerland. Do checkout her insta handle:-                           @thatslarasart for more sketches. She also accepts commission work)

Now in all this where do I connect with him more personally. My ancestors, we come from a socially weaker and backward section of the society as per the norms decided by the fabric of society. It is accepted that the ones at the apex of the heirarchy consider themselves as the 'Pure Blood' and the ones at the bottom as 'Tainted Blood'. Hence according to the society my blood is tainted. We often brand people as being snakes because it is considered that snakes can never be friends with humans, and it is their characteristic behaviour to bite humans but still Iguro befriended 'Kaburamaru' and he becomes so attached with Iguro that he literally becomes the eyes and ears of Iguro while in a battle. Likewise in society, historically people with 'Tainted Blood' were never considered to be someone who can ever be friends with those of 'Pure Blood'. Iguro was accepted as a member of the family by all the Hashira and demon slayer corps alike.  Similarly I had the fortune of making acquaintance with so nice people who looked past the historical and cultural differences and accepted me as a friend,as a brother and as a member of their family. Unfortunately I havent yet found my Mitsuri Kanroji as Iguro did but I hope I might soon enough! 

Hence my affinity for Iguro is not just because he was one of the most powerful Hashira but also because I could connect with him in a more intimate way ! Though he was not the strongest but he was compassionate in his own way. The atrocities that he faced as a child
made him seem a bit of an obnoxious individual who always kept to himself and would never ask for help but in the end he collectively defeated the antagonist with the help of Kamado Tanjiro, a person who Iguro was not usually fond of. Shows how far he has developed throughout the Manga.