Masachika Kumeno

**Masachika Kumeno** (粂 (くめ) 野 (の)  匡 (まさ) 近 (ちか) , *Kumeno Masachika*?) was a Demon Slayer closely acquainted with the Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa.

## Appearance

Masachika was a young man with an average build and short, spiky black hair. He had noticeably small, rounded eyebrows and two prominent scars on his left cheek. His mouth was usually curved into a happy smile.

Masachika wore the standard Demon Slayer uniform that consisted of a dark gakuran jacket, white belt, and baggy hakama pants tucked into white wraps of cloth around his ankles.

## Personality

Not much is known about Masachika's personality, however, he was likely a very kind person, befriending Sanemi and even introducing him to someone that could help train him. In his will, Masachika considered Sanemi as a brother and wished the best for his loved ones.

## History

Little is known about Masachika prior to joining the Demon Slayer Corps, but he had a younger brother killed by demons.

After Sanemi began wandering in search of demons to kill, he met Masachika by chance. Masachika was already a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, and he arranged a trainer for Sanemi so he could properly learn how to defeat demons. Some time later, the two encountered Ubume, the previous Lower Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki, but in the battle, Masachika was killed by the demon.

For killing Ubume, Sanemi was given the rank of Wind Hashira, but despite this, he remained bitter over his friend's death. When he confronts Kagaya Ubuyashiki about the latter's inability to fight, Kagaya apologizes for his weakness and identifies Masachika by name, much to Sanemi's surprise. Kanae Kocho then informs him that Kagaya has memorized every slain Demon Slayer's name and background, and Kagaya decides to give Sanemi Masachika's will.

## Synopsis

### Infinity Castle Arc

During his clash with Kokushibo, Sanemi recalls the time he had met Masachika.

## Relationships

### Sanemi Shinazugawa

Sanemi and Masachika had a close brotherly relationship, with Masachika viewing Sanemi as the younger brother he lost.

## Abilities

**Overall Abilities:** Masachika was an incredibly powerful swordsman, who attained the position of Kinoe, the highest non-Hashira rank in the Demon Slayer Corps. He and Sanemi, who was also Kinoe at the time, were able to successfully defeat Lower Rank One Ubume, the most powerful of the Lower Ranks despite sacrificing his life in the process.

## Fighting Style

### Breathing Style

**Wind Breathing** (風 (かぜ) の呼 (こ) 吸 (きゅう) , *Kaze no kokyū*?):

## References

1. ↑ *Kimetsu no Yaiba* Manga: Chapter 168 (Page 3).
2. ↑ *Kimetsu no Yaiba* Manga: Chapter 168 (Page 16-17).
3. ↑ *Kimetsu no Yaiba* Manga: Chapter 168 (Page 16).
4. ↑ *Kimetsu no Yaiba* Manga: Chapter 168.
5. ↑ *Kimetsu no Yaiba* Manga: Chapter 168 (Page 4).
6. ↑ *Kimetsu no Yaiba* Manga: Chapter 168 (Pages 9-16).
7. ↑ *Kimetsu no Yaiba* Manga: Chapter 168 (Page 3).

## Trivia

* Masachika's given name contains the kanji for "frame, framework, chest" (匡, *masa*?) and the Kun reading of "near, close" (近, *chika*?), and his surname contains the Kun readings for a kokuji, which bore the meaning of "long time" and "rice" (粂, *kume*?) and "field" (野, *no*?).