Trigger warning: manga spoilers ahead!
Demon Slayer is a very popular anime noted for its story filled with emotional and heartwarming arcs. This is made possible by the unique yet lovable characters of the series. One of the characters who stand out among them would be Inosuke Hashibira. The brash and loud companion of Tanjiro and Zenitsu, with a boar’s head covering the face.
But when Inosuke’s boar head was removed, it confused Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and even the audience themselves. This is because Inosuke has a beautiful and feminine face, yet a deep and masculine voice.
What is Inosuke’s gender then? Are they really a boy or a girl?
Inosuke Is a Boy
Inosuke is a boy who just has a feminine face. This is most apparent with his voice and his body. If he were a girl then he probably would have covered his chest. His voice is also undoubtedly manly – which is why it is easy to assume he is already an adult man. The truth of that is he is actually only 15 years old.
His beautiful face does not match his voice at all, which adds comedy to the series. Frankly, both Inosuke and Zenitsu are comic reliefs to counter the dark and serious themes. Inosuke and Zenitsu are polar opposites of one another, showcasing an entertaining dynamic.
In particular, Zenitsu, being girl-crazy, was absolutely shocked that Inosuke looks like a pretty girl. He cannot fathom that someone that pretty has such a loud and harsh voice.
We can even say that Zenitsu might even be disappointed that Inosuke is a guy. If Inosuke is actually a girl, Zenitsu will definitely fall head-over-heels.
This is made apparent in the Entertainment District Arc, when Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke are tasked to infiltrate the popular oiran or courtesan houses suspected with demon activity. As such, they should be disguised as aspiring courtesans so they should wear kimonos and makeup to pass as girls. Inosuke actually did not need makeup to pass as a girl.
Inosuke is the second boy to be adopted into an oiran house, with the first one being Tanjiro. But we must take note that Tanjiro only got taken in because Uzui managed to charm the oiran headmistress. Inosuke is the only one among them in which an oiran headmistress from the famed Ogimoto House really expressed an interest. It meant that she genuinely thought Inosuke has the potential.
Later on, Inosuke’s thick makeup was wiped off, and the members of the Ogimoto House were amazed by his looks. They said that the makeup made him look more strange, but when it was removed, his beauty shines through. They firmly believed they have managed to get a beautiful girl with the potential in becoming a successful courtesan – therefore bringing more gold and honor to the house. The headmistress even danced with joy as she is pleased by Inosuke’s looks.
If someone did not watch Demon Slayer and would stumble upon Inosuke wearing a kimono, they would think that he is a girl. Some may even be surprised to find out he is actually a boy, and even wonder why he had feminine features. So how did it happen? Why does he have that face when he is a guy? For anime watchers, you will find out soon in the future episodes!
Read More: What Are Nezuko’s Demon Powers So Far?
Warning: Manga spoilers ahead!
Please stop reading the article if you do not wish to get spoiled.
Inosuke Inherited His Looks From His Birth Mother
In the manga, it was explained how Inosuke came to be with his pretty face.
Inosuke has been raised by boars, so he is not aware of basic social skills humans have. This is why he often shouts and attacks everyone, thinking of them as his enemies. He has birth human parents that he did not get to meet. His mother was named Konoha Hashibira, and she looked strikingly like her son.
She has green eyes similar to her son. She has a long dark hair that framed her gentle face. Douma even acknowledged that Inosuke looks a lot like his mother, except that his mother has softer and more delicate features.
In other words, Inosuke’s girly looks are just a case for genetics. It is also what makes him unique, and also entertaining.
Read More: Who Are the Hashiras in Demon Slayer?
