Iwajima Takeyama

## Portrayal

**Iwajima Takeyama** is a main character of Demon Slayer: Blade of the Night. He is a Demon Slayer, while also being a travelling companion of Ryo Yorunoha, Taro Tokito, Kanjuro Rengoku, Shinku Mono and Fubuki Tokan.

Iwajima, before joining the Demon Slayer Core, lived with his family, fishing and farming for substance.

## **Appearance:**

Iwajima is a slim, incredibly tall boy with a fairly muscular build, which while prominent, does not accentuate on his size, making him slender, if not lanky. He has dark brown hair, which is incredibly straight, cascading into his shoulders unfaltered by waves of any kind.

Iwajima wears the traditional Demon Slayer Uniform, although his possesses a dark brown tint to it. He wears a dark brown leather overcoat hanging around his shoulders, which is closer to a cape than a true overcoat in usage. Iwajima also wears small, circular glasses that are visibly much smaller than his face, and he has the constant need to push them up, lest they fall from his face.

## **Personality:**

Iwajima is a difficult person to love. He generally portrays himself as irritable and unfriendly. Neither of these things are necessarily unmatching with his actual self, that is.

Iwajima is generally very serious, the only semblance of humor which he enjoys tends to be mocking or making fun of others, even if he rarely engages in lighthearted conversations where he is the butt of the joke without much issue when he is with his friends. This does however, mean that he gets annoyed with things incredibly easily, be it a joke at his expense that he does not condone in any way, or just a person that he dislikes.

Iwajima also has a tendency to dislike people for no apparent, much less evident reason. This is generally justified by himself as hating "famous" people (which more specifically means someone that takes notoriety from feats that are not their own, or rather using something they have no control over to determine their worth), which while not wrong, it's only one of the many reasons he may simply dislike someone. Easy to form grudges, Iwajima was quick to figure Ryo as an enemy back in the Final Selection for merely intervening when he insulted Taro and Kanjuro for being descendants of famous Pillars.

For an example of him overblowing his own ideology due to a heavy misconception over someone, Iwajima's initial dislike and insulting of Taro and Kanjuro for merely mentioning their families within a conversation, whereas neither were bragging about their status, but either way, Iwajima felt personally insulted by those people. This hatred for "famous" people does generate a powerful dichotomy with his respect for "nobodies", a group which includes himself, and (as the only named example) Ryo. This respect is so intense that despite disliking Ryo as a person, Iwajima was willing to overlook his own dislike for the sake of supporting "one of his own"

Iwajima, perhaps due to personal experience, believes it is the unnamed nobodies who truly make the world turn, and their memories and lives should be remembered, and the unfairness of so many forgotten names being left to dust below other, less important people who perhaps were merely born in the right place and the right time, generates an anger that occasionally boils over into outraged bouts.

Iwajima is also violent. Incredibly so. While toned down due to the positive influences around him, Iwajima was very quick to jump to murder to set his scores with Ryo, Kanjuro, Taro and Kaguya, with barely any hesitation. This comes from the amount of times he's confronted either demons or humans, and his general difficulty in separating demons as another kind, instead seeing them as merely superpowered evil people. Iwajima has no qualms with killing another man, though it isn't something he enjoys, much less would do for just any reason. However, if necessary, he doesn't mind being the one to pull through.

This difficulty in separating both kinds may have been born from his past, where he met (and fought) the same man in both human and demon forms, so in his mind, these events might have solidified that demons are merely a set of particularly despicable humans

Iwajima, however, is not a heartless boy. In fact, he is quite oddly compassionate and caring towards those he considers dear, or even others that simply lived through something similar to him. Iwajima was quick to Ryo's aid when the boy had a brief mental breakdown during the Final Selection, which only lasted as shortly due to his intervention. His only real drive to do so was because he knew how hurt Ryo was, and he didn't want him to suffer through that like he did. Iwajima's intense empathy for the loss of a loved one, rolled in with his respect for Ryo, led to him taking the one action that redeemed him in Taro's eyes, snowballing into a more positive path.

Iwajima cares deeply for others, now his friends taking center stage, but he still remains to learn how to properly emote that, as not only does he have very poor chemistry with all of them, but he also does not trust them in the slightest. While originally motivating Ryo to fight during their first ceasefire, Iwajima nowadays would force him to step back as if he was a child that had just been handed a sword, rather than a trained fighter. This does fuel the rivalry that he shares with Shinku, as them both have a similar view on their place in the group.

Iwajima's biggest fear is that of forgetting those he considers dear. Since he is aware that his memories are all that remain of his previous family and loved ones, he would hate the idea of ever forgetting them, while also feeling immense guilt when they aren't in the front of his mind at all times. A good example is his crush on Izumi Shimeri, which, while not developed whatsoever up to this point, brings him immense guilt because a part of him feels like his is forgetting, abandoning or trading his memories and love for Ai Chojo with this girl. This is best shown by the immense amount of care he shows for his glasses, which are the only surviving memory of Ai. He treats the object with gentleness, putting its safety and state first, while also keeping it on himself at all times.

This sense of duty to his own past makes it so Iwajima finds himself incapable of enjoying the current life he has. Even if it is less than ideal, considering he is a Demon Slayer, not even the moments with his friends saciate his desire to go back and make things right, and as of now, finds himself wishing that all these years were but a dream that he'd wake up from, with his family and Ai still safe and sound.

## **Synopsis:**

Iwajima was once the eldest son of the very poor Takeyama Family, which lived with the Chojo Family for the sake of convenience, since both were in a similar situation. Iwajima fell in love with the Chojo Family's daughter, Ai, and the feeling was mutual. During a chance encounter, Ai found some richer folk hunting for sport, and rejected one of them's advances. The rejected fellow returned while drunk, and Iwajima beat him up, sending him back home. At another time, the man returned again, now as a demon, and wanting to recover his pride. Iwajima beat the man up until sunrise, and after losing everything in that night, he joined the Demon Slayer Core.

## **Abilities:**

**Superhuman Strength:** Iwajima is the physically strongest member of his group, being easily capable of handling such a heavy kusarigama-like axe and flail with only one hand, while managing a rifle with another. While such a use significantly reduces his skill on both weapons, he is not impaired by his own strength, which can be seen as a feat in and of itself.

**Superhuman Speed:** While not the fastest of his group, Iwajima is incredibly quick in his movement, which is just another testament to his strength, considering he can keep up with his peers while carrying two heavy weapons.

**Genius Intellect:** Despite not demonstrating it as often as Ryo, Iwajima is easily able to pick apart his friend's plans, while also adding ideas of his own. He can generally be considered to be the second strategist brain of the group.

**Indomitable Will:** Iwajima is shown to be one of the most physically and mentally fortituous people in the entire story, standing unshaken by most traumatizing events that take place around him, but also having the stamina to overpower a demon throughout an entire night without training, all the while only using his body. A feat shared only by Gyomei Himejima.

**Total Concentration Breathing:** Iwajima has long achieved Total Concentration Breathing, taking his already insane physical prowess to a level far above those of regular humans, allowing him to contend with demons.

**Repetitive Action:** While not shown in the Story as of yet, Iwajima knows and makes use of Repetitive Action, which, similarly to Ryo, who has an unconvential way to activate it, Iwajima needs to remove his glasses in order to activate Repetitive Action.

**Demon Slayer Mark:** Iwajima, despite being a young, and unranked Slayer, already activated his Demon Slayer Mark, which is composed of cracks forming in his skin in multiple areas, from his hands, forearms, neck, and even under his eyes.

## **Fighting Style:**

**Kusarigamajutsu:** Unlike ordinary Demon Slayers who use swords in combat, Iwajima uses a spiked flail and axe reminiscent of a Kusarigama. Even other members of the Stone Sect tend to use normal Kusarigama due to the Axe-Flail being far too heavy, although Iwajima is not only able to wield such a heavy weapon, he can do so with skill so commendable he is famous around his Sect, and is poised to become the next Stone Pillar one day.

**Marksmanship:** Iwajima also uses a rifle in his fighting style. His aim is stellar, and his overall skill is further demonstrated with his lack of proper training on the weapon. Despite not having a teacher, he picked up on how to use the weapon properly incredibly quickly, and now is capable of sniping enemies incredibly far away. That said, due to decapitation being required to kill demons, and most of his harsher opponents being significantly faster than bullets, he tends to use this skill as backup

### **Breathing Style:**

**Stone Breathing** *(Iwa no Kokyu)*: Iwajima learned this Breathing Style from one of the many cultivators of the Stone Sect. He is notably proficient on it, being quite famous in the Sect, and being regarded as a prodigy, if not Gyomei Himejima's successor.

#### **Techniques:**

* **First Form: Serpentinite Bipolar** *(Ichi no Kata: Jamongan - Sokyoku)* - The user throws both the flail and axe towards their intended target and manipulates the chain by rotating it, thus causing the axe and flail to also rotate in order to drill and grind right through his target.

* **Second Form: Upper Smash** *(Ni no Kata: Tenmen Kudaki)* - The user throws both his axe and spiked flail for a pincer move before smashing down on the chain to cause the flail to rebound and smash his target from afar.

* **Third Form: Stone Skin** *(San no Kata: Ganku no Hadae)* - The user unleashes a series of slashes with his axe deflecting nearby attacks. This Form can also be used to destroy a target at very close range. It can also be used with the chains to increase the amount of damage blocked

* **Fourth Form: Volcanic Rock, Rapid Conquest** *(Shi no Kata: Ryumongan - Sokusei)* - The user manipulates both the flail and axe weapons at both ends of the chain by swinging the chain on both sides in order to strike his opponents using a two-pronged wide ranged attack.

* **Fifth Form: Arcs of Justice** *(Go no Kata: Garin Gyobu)* - The user utilizes a powerful barrage with his flail and axe, doing a great amount of damage. The axe is destined to hit first with the trajectory of the flail following from the opposite side and slamming into the opponent.

* **Sixth Form: Rock Slide** *(Roku no Kata: Iwana Dare)* - The user will use the flail and axe completely defensively, surrounding themselves before bashing the flail on the ground. This attack can be done sideways, as the Form is fairly versatile.

* **Seventh Form: Crushing Bipolar** *(Shichi no Kata: Funsai Sokyoku)* - The user throws both the flail and the axe against the opponent, forcing them to bash together by strongly tugging the chain. This attack is devastating and even if it doesn’t decapitate, causes immense damage

* **Eighth Form: Meteor Strike** *(Hachi no Kata: Ryusei Kogeki)* - Launching himself up, the user throws the flail high up in the air, pulling it downwards with immense strength using the chains. The attack is so powerful it can crush an enemy instantly.

* **Ninth Form: Destructive Landslide** *(Ku no Kata: Hakai Jisuberi)* - The user spins their chains around themselves, using the axe to block direct attacks, while the chains and the flail block incoming projectiles. This attack can be done on any surface and while the user moves, also destroying their surroundings

* **Tenth Form: Sprawling Disaster** *(Ju no Kata: Kodaina Sagai)* - The user manipulates both ends of the weapon while they advance, making a pincer attack with both ends, and then advancing themselves to strike, or reuse one of the ends to strike again in a quicker move

* **Eleventh Form: Stone Statue** *(Ju Ichi no Kata: Ishi no Zo)* - The user manipulates their weapon in order to surround the opponent with the chains. Once the target is locked on, the user will pull on the weapon, ensnaring them still for either capturing a foe, or to hold them down for an ally

* **Twelfth Form: Glorious Conquest** *(Ju Ni no Kata: Kagayakashi Seifuku)* - The user manipulates their weapons into forming a pincer move with a confusing tempo. The attack is hit thrice in a row, first axe, then flail, then the user’s own fists, and then all three at once.

* **Unnamed Thirteenth Form** *(Ju San no Kata)* - The user pulls the weapon's chains close to their body, tying them around their forearms, and manipulating the ends of the weapon from a proximity. Using the axe/flail combination weapon, the user will hold the axe in their hand, while spinning the flail with the other. This is a Form mostly designed to fight opponents from up close, avoiding the Stone Breathing's general weakness for close range fights. It is hard to master, however, as aside from being effectively dual wielding with different weapons, it also requires enough strength for the user to effectively move around while lugging around the heavy metal weapon.

## **Equipment:**

**Axe-Flail Kusarigama-Type Weapon:** Being a member of the Stone Sect, instead of a Nichirin sword, Iwajima wields a weapon similar to a Kusarigama, consisting of an axe attached to a flail via a long chain. He is one of the few members of the Sect that actually uses such a weapon, due to its massive weight. While it is modelled after Gyomei Himejima's own, the quality of the material is significantly worse, as not as much care was placed onto the weapon, leading to it being broken by Akaza, and replaced by a copy of the exact same quality.

**Mace-Flail Kusarigama-Type Weapon:** Formerly, Iwajima carried a weapon nearly the exact same as his current one, however, the axe end had been swapped for a mace, with four blades running vertically across its axis. The mace was proven to be mostly useless, and far less refined than the axe, and as soon as the weapon broke, Iwajima swapped it for the more "traditional" version.

**Pump-Action Rifle:** While having multiple guns throughout the story, Iwajima has always used similar models. Mostly wooden in build, with a few metallic components, Iwajima used his salary to buy three rifles in total. His first rifle was broken in the Final Selection by Kaguya's cleavers, and the second one was broken by Akaza, as all the wooden parts of the gun splintered to dust against a single vacuum wave. Currently, Iwajima is with his third rifle, and it is now the last one he has in stock

## **Familiars:**

**Ishi:** Iwajima has a Crow named Ishi, and it was shown to be quite dutiful and competent.

**Yorumaru:** Shared with his group, Yorumaru is a demon serpent that has displayed at the very least affection for the main group, while also providing support in battles with its abilities.

## **Battles:**

* Iwajima vs Ryo
* Iwajima vs Ryo, Kaguya and Taro
* Iwajima, Ryo and Shinku vs Dokuro
* Iwajima vs Yorumaru
* Iwajima, Ryo and Kanjuro vs Kyojin
* Iwajima vs Hirofumi Hashimoto (Flashback)
* Iwajima vs Shinku (Sparring)
* Iwajima, Ryo, Taro, Shinku and Fubuki vs Hisame
* Iwajima vs Ken Yoroi
* Iwajima, Ryo, Taro, Kanjuro, Fubuki, Shinku, Gikuro, Yushibo and Aya vs Akaza
* Iwajima vs Ryo (Sparring)
* Iwajima, Shinku, Taro, Ryo and Yorumaru vs Kosui

## **Trivia:**

* Iwajima's name is very simple in meaning, with his given name broken down into [Iwa], which means Stone, and [Jima] means Island. This, while lining up with his straightforward personality, does imply his emotional state, someone who's stone-hearted, who has survived through the weather mostly unbothered, but is an island, distant. His surname, [Takeyama] means Mountain. Note that the first Kanji for his surname, for [Take], can be read as "warrior"
* Iwajima's favorite food is grilled salmon
* Iwajima pushing up his glasses is a habit he so commonly does that some times he pushes them up without needing to, which always leads to him almost piercing his own eyes
* Iwajima's openness level is ranked about 10%
* Iwajima's favorite color is orange
* Iwajima has very few battles because describing how his weapon moves is incredibly difficult
* A small running gag is how ineffective Iwajima's gun tends to be in battle, be it either not piercing the opponent's skin or causing no damage at all.
* Iwajima really likes the idea of carving, be it sculptures or just furniture, but every single attempt he made led to the stone shattering in the first touch of his chisel
* If Iwajima was in Kimetsu Academy, he'd be despised by faculty and students alike, but still have an undyingly loyal inner circle, and god knows how he formed it.