Say Hello To The New Demon Slayer Mark User Of The Hashira

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 - Akaza's Return was a smash hit at the box office, and through its new July 28, 2026 streaming release on Crunchyroll, all of us fans across the world are finally able to explore this exciting adaptation by Ufotable Studio once again, brought to life with flashy action and amazing direction.

In the Infinity Castle movie, the biggest battle that we saw unfolding was Tanjiro and Giyu Vs. Akaza. Akaza's strength was simply too overwhelming, and because of that, Giyu had to tap into a new power-up that allowed him to keep up and fight on more equal footing with the Upper Rank Three. This power-up is the Demon Slayer Mark. Giyu gaining the new power-up of the Demon Slayer Mark makes him the newest character to unlock this powerful ability and the only one in the movie to do so. Sadly, the likes of Shinobu were never able to tap into this ability, and neither was Zenitsu, who also partook in a heated, high-octane battle.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Showcases Giyu’s New Demon Slayer Mark

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 - Akaza's Return was officially released in Japanese theaters in July 2025. Because of the movie's overwhelming success, it was allowed to run in theaters until April 2026 in Japan. Finally, on July 28, 2026, the movie made its streaming debut, with its physical release on DVD following a day later. Through this new streaming release on Crunchyroll, we were finally able to watch Infinity Castle from the comfort of our own homes. As such, we're able to explore one of the best power-up awakenings of the movie, and that is Giyu's awakening to the Demon Slayer Mark.

In Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1, the biggest battle that we witnessed was Akaza Vs. the duo of Tanjiro and Giyu. However, being the Upper Rank Three, Akaza's strength was on a whole other level than anything these two had previously seen. Akaza's Compass Needle, coupled with his regeneration and raw power, made him an unbeatable foe who needed new measures taken up for a chance of victory against him.

“I don’t want to wield my blade to the best of my ability. And I don’t like joining fights where the opponent swings at everything for the fun of it. But right now, I met someone so strong that he overwhelmed me for the first time in a long time. I quickly understood that his senses were polished and trained. My sealed senses were slapped awake and dragged out to a place where the strong face off. The moment we call an extreme life or death struggle is a matter of how much one can stretch their true ability. I understood that.” — Giyu Before Awakening his Demon Slayer Mark

Midway through this movie, Giyu finally tapped into the power of his Demon Slayer Mark. Giyu's Demon Slayer Mark manifests itself as a stream of water marked on his face, blood red. It awakened due to Akaza pushing him to the brink of his capacities, and because of it, he was able to hold off the Demon. While it certainly powered up Giyu a lot, by itself, it was not enough to defeat him, as Akaza's Compass Needle was an unbeatable power that allowed him to predict any movement. It's only through Giyu's Demon Slayer Mark power-up and Tanjiro's Selfless State and Transparent World together that the two of them were finally able to take out this overpowered foe.

How The Demon Slayer Mark Powers Up Giyu

For anime-only fans, the Demon Slayer Mark remains quite a mysterious ability. In Demon Slayer, the true origins of the Demon Slayer Mark have never really been revealed, and it simply shows itself as a supernatural power that Demon Slayers can potentially awaken. This ability is rare and is only unlocked by the very best. Through the power of the Demon Slayer Mark, Giyu can surpass regular human limitations. The Demon Slayer Mark thus gives him greater physical strength, greater speed, and better control over his swordsmanship. How exactly it works was never revealed by Gotouge. However, while it might manifest itself as a blessing, its real secret is a curse.

It was confirmed by the author of Demon Slayer that characters who unlock their Demon Slayer Marks are doomed to an early death, and that, in turn, seals Giyu's fate. In Demon Slayer, almost any character that unlocks this mark is set to die by the age of 25. At the moment, Giyu is 21, giving him 4 more years to live after the events of the movie if he survives the other big threat, notably the other upper ranks as well as the King of Demons himself, Muzan. For Giyu, however, this power-up was more than necessary. Without it, he would have died against Akaza, so an early death outweighs an imminent one he would have met against Akaza.

Why Only Giyu Awakened The Demon Slayer Mark In Infinity Castle Part 1

Giyu's Demon Slayer Mark awakening in Infinity Castle Part 1 was one of the highlights of the movie. In a time of dire need, when Giyu knew he needed a power-up, his mark finally manifested and granted him what he needed to keep up with Akaza and allow Tanjiro enough time to come back to help him defeat the Upper Rank 3 once and for all. However, on July 28, 2026, fans were confused once again after watching this movie through streaming on Crunchyroll. Watchers questioned as to why Giyu was the only one to awaken his Demon Slayer Mark in this movie. Akaza vs. Tanjiro and Giyu was only one of three major fights that unfolded. Alongside Akaza, the new Upper Rank 6, Kaigaku, had to be defeated by Zenitsu. With his new resolve, Zenitsu was able to beat his former brotherly figure and take him down as revenge for the suicide of the former Thunder Hashira Jigoro Kuwajima. But he did it without the Demon Slayer Mark.

In Zenitsu's case, it makes sense as to why he didn't awaken the Demon Slayer Mark. The reason is that he simply did not need to. Upper Rank 6 Kaigaku still had not awakened to his true powers, and because of that, he was a foe that Zenitsu could take on in a one-versus-one battle. Overall, Zenitsu did not struggle too much in the battle, and he left the fight rather unscathed. To awaken the Demon Slayer Mark in such a moment would have been a complete waste for him, especially with the curse effect that would come into effect and kill him in a few years.

Then, there is the case of the Insect Hashira, Shinobu. She would have definitely made for a good candidate to receive this power-up, as she had to fight the Upper Rank 2, Doma, in a one-versus-one battle. As we know, she ended up dying after a short encounter due to the foe's overwhelming powers and Blood Demon Art. Had Shinobu awakened her Demon Slayer Mark, she could have fought slightly longer or inflicted more damage on Doma. For her, the curse's drawback makes no difference, as her fate was always to die in this battle. The fact that needs to be stated is that it would've made no difference whether Shinobu unlocked her Demon Slayer Mark or not. Her defeat was still inevitable. As seen with Giyu vs. Akaza, the Demon Slayer Mark does not suddenly make one an unbeatable force. In that sense, the author probably saw no point in granting Shinobu that power, as she was going to die anyway. Shinobu's true grand plan is what matters, and we're eagerly waiting to see it come to fruition in Infinity Castle Part 2.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is available to stream via Crunchyroll.