A passionate and talented fan has created a cosplay of her favorite character Inosuke while also changing and expanding the gender confines that Inosuke is associated with. As fans know, Inosuke is from the infamous Demon Slayer manga series and is one of the most distinct characters with a strong back-story to match.
Inosuke Hashibira is known for his aggression that he finds nearly impossible to hold back, often jumping into battles with no care or fear. The Demon Slayer series is filled to the brim with mythical creatures, monsters, and the occasional centaur. Inosuke is one of the centaurs whose foundation and personality have been thoroughly explored in the series.
His animalistic appearance is ultimately what often makes Inosuke stand out the most. Given the explosive anger and short temperament that Inosuke possesses, a lot of these traits in society are gender expectations and traits that men are “supposed” to have. With her incredible cosplay, KittyBitGames has managed to break down gender stereotypes that also exist for women. It’s evident in her cosplay that she is ripped, with muscular arms out for display and images of her in a power stance.
Females are often not portrayed or seen as strong, whether that be physically or mentally. The docile nature is expected, which is the exact opposite of what this fan is embodying. Other Demon Slayer fans have taken to singling out her ripped physique in the comments. She is misgendered in the comments, with one other fan replying, “the man is jacked,” which she denounced. However, other fans in the comments were expressing how badly they have wanted to see Inosuke in female form, with her physical, militant power visible for all to see.
In the first image, this Demon Slayer fan is seen with a bandana-like mask shielding her face so that her eyes are the only thing showing. She has fur covering her body like it’s a coat and Inosuke's double-edged sword is being highlighted. The fact that the first image is a side profile of the cosplay is what makes her muscles that much more noticeable. Yet, the second image of her cosplay is fully engulfed in Inosuke’s more demonic and beastly side. The first image represents more of the pure Inosuke before his mother was slaughtered and he was subsequently raised by a pack of boars.
The classic pig head Inosuke adorns is done immaculately by this cosplay creator. She has the mask on, with the pig’s tormented eyes staring wildly right at the camera. The double-edged sword that she holds in two different power stances might be the main attraction. She stands with a sword in each hand, ready to fight at the drop of a hat, while the other stance showcases Inosuke’s more stoic side. This fan didn’t just create an impressive cosplay of her favorite Demon Slayer character, but she shifted Inosuke's hyper-masculine narrative by dismantling the gender rules that are often taught through the film itself.
Demon Slayer: Mugen Train is now available to stream on Funimation.
Source: KittyBitGames/Reddit