Demon Slayer: Why Does Nezuko Wear A Bamboo Muzzle?
Demon Slayer is one of the most popular ongoing anime series currently. With its roots from the hugely popular manga series of the same name. While Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba has a lot to like about the series, its distinctive characters, their costumes. However, the one standing out most is Nezuko; with her quirky looks, long hair, pink eyes, the matching peach pink kimono, everything about her character design is flawless. And, of course, the bamboo muzzle, which has left many of the viewers wondering why Nezuko keeps a bamboo muzzle over her mouth.
Having received the bamboo muzzle in Season 1 of Demon Slayer, the bamboo muzzle was placed on her mouth by Giyu Tomioka after knocking her unconscious. Now, to answer the question “Why does Nezuko wear a Bamboo Muzzle?”, let’s clear the story of Demon Slayer and the events that led to the incident changing Tanjiro and Nezuko’s lives forever.
Nezuko’s Bamboo Muzzle, more than just character design
Since we’ve already talked about how Nezuko got the Bamboo Muzzle, let’s delve further into the events leading up to Giyu Tomioka putting the bamboo muzzle over Nezuko’s mouth. In the first season of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro’s family was brutally murdered by demon Muzan Kibutsuji. However, the demon killed all but one, Tanjiro’s sister Nezuko, turning her into a demon.
After returning to his home, Tanjiro is welcomed by the horrible sight of his family murdered in cold blood; however, he finds Nezuko barely alive. Furthermore, upon deciding to take her for treatment, our protagonist carries her sister through the freshly laid snow.
As Tanjiro carries her sister through the snow, Nezuko awakens in her demon form and attacks Tanjiro in a fit of rage and craving for human flesh. While the sudden attack from Nezuko took Tanjiro by surprise, he was fortunately saved by Giyu Tomioka, who appeared at the scene just in time to save Tanjiro from his recently turned demon sister; while also threatening to kill her.
As the Demon Slayer Giyu Tomioka was about to put Nezuko down, Tanjiro threw himself between the two to save his sister. Meanwhile, seeing all this, Nezuko had a change of heart. Upon seeing the bond of the brother-sister duo, Giyu decided not to kill Nezuko; instead, he knocked her unconscious and put the Bamboo muzzle to stop her from using her demonic fangs.
Nezuko’s firm and strong will
Now the bamboo muzzle prevents Nezuko from feeding on human flesh. However, the bamboo muzzle doesn’t have any magical powers to keep Nezuko in control. Nezuko’s aggression and demonic craving for human flesh are in control through her own strong will. Much of which can be attributed to Tanjiro, who helped Neuko realize that the choice is always with her regardless of her current form. Afterward, Sensei Urodokai’s attempt to hypnotize Nezuko and make her see all humans as a family also contributes to Nezuko’s strong will.
The Pacifist Demon
While many of us Demon Slayer fans are in awe of Nezuko, her character, her traits. At the same time, many of us wonder why is Nezuko’s bamboo muzzle still necessary, meaning after Sensei Urodokai’s efforts to make her accept her humanity.
Moreover, the bamboo muzzle prevents Nezuko from getting any human blood in her mouth at tall. Which further prevents her demonic rage from taking over her. Ultimately, acting as a failsafe in keeping everyone around Nezuko safe. In addition, Nezuko’s bamboo muzzle allows her to appear human and blend in with the human population. However, the Demon Slayers can see right through Nezuko’s appearance.
Meanwhile, towards the end of Season 1 of Demon Slayer, we saw Kagaya Ubuyashiki and other Hashiras testing and accepting Nezuko to be the sole pacifist Demon they’ve come across. However, it remains to be seen how the Anime will take the story of the Demon Slayer brother and his demon sister duo in the coming seasons if Nezuko would ever be human again; or will the demonic side finally take hold of her.
