Summary

Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, never awakened the Demon Slayer Mark, leading to her demise against Upper Moon Two.
Insect breathing, an offshoot of Water Breathing, lacks variation and left Shinobu vulnerable in battles.
Without a marked swordsman nearby, it is technically impossible for a Demon Slayer to manifest the Mark.

The Hashira are arguably the most talented swordsmen of each generation, who, through hard work or pure talent, manage to master techniques that can overwhelm most demons in the world. Among the many competent Demon Slayer Corps combatants from the Taisho era is Shinobu Kocho. Despite being of average height and physically weaker, the Insect Hashira has managed to establish herself as a valiant warrior who instills fear in the hearts of demons.

As she prepares to participate in what could be a final battle against demons, many must be wondering if she will finally get the mysterious Demon Slayer Mark. It could complement her unique fighting style and will probably help her become a better version of herself. But does she even get the Demon Slayer Mark?

Demon Slayer: Why Insect Breathing Is The Weakest Breathing Style, Explained

Despite being created by a Hashira, Insect breathing is not on par with other breathing styles. Here's why it is often described as the weakest.

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By Mirza Aaqib Beg

The following contains spoilers from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga and anime.

Will Shinobu Awaken the Mark?

Insect Hashira Didn't Satisfy All the Conditions to Manifest the Mark

Anime Debut: Episode 15
Manga Debut: Chapter 28

In the Infinity Castle arc, Shinobu Kocho will be the only Hashira who has a nearly perfect plan prepared months in advance for the mission ahead. But once inside, most factors will be beyond her control. During her search, she will come across Upper-Rank Two, as he is feasting on the dead bodies of several women whom he has just killed. Demons of Doma's stature are extremely dangerous, and their unique abilities are overpowering even for the Hashira.

Yes, I'm angry, Tanjiro. I've always been angry. My parents were killed. My older sister was killed. And all my Tsuguko except Kanao were killed. If demons hadn't murdered those girls' families, they'd be living happily with them right now. It really makes me furious. ~ Shinobu Kocho to Tanjiro Kamado

Unfortunately, Shinobu Kocho will be all alone as she confronts the Upper Moon. The bodies of innocent girls around him will infuriate the Insect Hashira, who will immediately push the demon for a fight. To manifest a Demon Slayer Mark, a swordsman's body temperature must exceed 102.2° Fahrenheit, and their heart rate should ideally be over 200 beats per minute. While it's unclear if Shinobu satisfied those conditions during the fight, even in case she did, it wouldn't have mattered for a specific reason.

It is technically impossible to manifest a Demon Slayer Mark without a marked swordsman nearby. Unfortunately, the Insect Hashira was all alone when she met Doma, and at the time, there were only three demon slayers with a mark, namely, Muichiro, Tanjiro, and Mitsuri. But the only other demon slayers who came anywhere near her were Inosuke and Kanao, both of whom never manifested a mark. Therefore, Insect Hashira Shinobu Hashira never awakened a Demon Slayer Mark, like her sister Kanae Kocho, and had to rely on her unique strategies alone to fight Doma.

The Horrific Consequence of Not Awakening Demon Slayer Mark

Shinobu Kocho Had to Pay Dearly For Not Awakening the Mark

Shinobu Kocho, while being extremely skilled, has to rely on a few techniques for her success. Her swordsmanship style is a derivative of flower breathing, which was an offshoot of water breathing. Even water breathing itself was derived from sun breathing. Since insect breathing is so far removed from the original swordsmanship style, it is significantly underdeveloped and lacks variation. Because of this Shinobu is an extremely predictable fighter who stands no chance against someone like Doma.

Kocho's only hope would have been awakening the mark, which would have surely given her an edge in the battle. But she never managed to get it, and as she was fighting all alone, she became an easy target for the Upper-Rank Two, who decided to toy with her. While Shinobu managed to strike him on a few occasions, they were not significant enough to bother Doma. Eventually, she lost the battle and had the misfortune of suffering one of the worst possible deaths as she was devoured alive by the Upper Moon.