Shinobu Kocho Demon Slayer - Figures
Demon Slayer is a franchise that first started out as a manga series that was created by Koyoharu Gotoge and published in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2016. Due to the manga performing exceedingly well among readers, the series eventually received an anime adaptation that was produced by studio Ufotable in April 2019. This adaptation only served to throw the series into the limelight, causing some in the anime community to consider it an instant classic. With the success of the Demon Slayer franchise came a large demand for merchandise from fans, which many manufacturers were keen on jumping on the Demon Slayer craze. Although merchandise like plushies, charms, and art prints are popular in their own right, one particularly popular type of merchandise fans like to collect are figures of their favorite characters. One such character is Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira (also called the Insect Pillar). Out of the dozen figures of Shinobu that fans can choose from, some of the most popular include the “Figuarts Zero Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Shinobu Kocho Insect Breathing”, the “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Shinobu Kocho 1/8 Scale Figure”, and the “Ichibansho Figure Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Shinobu Kocho: Pearl White Color”.
Figuarts Zero Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Shinobu Kocho Insect Breathing Figure
This figure from Bandai’s Figuarts Zero line features Shinobu as she uses her unique Insect Breathing technique against an unseen foe. She is posed gracefully floating through the air with her modified Nichirin Blade as she smiles calmly at the target in front of her. The haori she wears has a butterfly wing pattern colored with turquoise and pink and has wide sleeves, which float up in the air to make it look like she has wings. This figure also has a swirling purple effect that surrounds her body as a part of her Insect Breathing technique. This effect is emphasized even further with the numerous purple butterflies that fly around the purple swirls.
- Release Date: August 2021
- Manufacturer: Bandai
- Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale PVC and ABS figure with base
- Height (Approx.): 6.7”
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Shinobu Kocho 1/8 Scale Figure
This scale figure from Aniplex shows Shinobu in a dynamic pose and captures as much detail of her design as physically possible. She is posed leaping backward as she gazes at something behind her with a gentle smile. The sleeves of her butterfly patterned haori spread out wide to make it look like she is flying in the air while the turquoise and pink gradient blend in seamlessly with each other to give it a clean, elegant look. The haori also has many folds, creases, and seams sculpted into it to make it look as realistic as possible. Other notable details of this figure include the unique design of Shinobu’s Nichirin Blade, the purple gradient in her eyes, and the immaculate detail of the translucent purple butterflies that surround her.
- Release Date: September 2021
- Manufacturer: Aniplex
- Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, 1/8 scale PVC and ABS figure with stand
- Height (Approx.): 220 mm
Ichibansho Figure Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Shinobu Kocho: Pear White Color
This figure from Bandai’s Ichibansho line features Shinobu taking careful steps in front of her as she brandishes her unique stinger Nichirin Blade. Despite having her sword drawn, a sign often indicating battle, she has a comforting smile on her face. This figure may have a smaller price tag, but it still manages to capture a surprising amount of detail, like her butterfly-shaped hair ornament and the kanji engraved onto her katana. The pearlescent paints used to color this figure also give it a beautiful sparkling finish. In the past, the Ichibansho line of figures was only available by winning the first prize in Banpresto’s Ichiban Kuji raffles, but they have since been made available for purchase in other countries.
- Release Date: May 2021
- Manufacturer: Bandai
- Specifications: Painted, non-articulated, non-scale figure
- Height (Approx.): 5.9”
About Shinobu Kocho
Shinobu Kocho is the Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayers, making her one of the most powerful fighters in the series. She is often seen as carefree and easy-going but despises any and all demons after her sister was killed by them when she was younger. Shinobu often enjoys teasing others, especially the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka. When it comes to demons, however, she can be incredibly cruel, often opting to torture them instead of killing them outright. As the Insect Hashira, Shinobu makes use of her unique breathing style, Insect Breathing. This style is derived from Flower Breathing and was created by Shinobu to make up for her lack of physical strength. Instead of using power to cut off a demon’s head, Insect Breathing makes use of stabbing and shallow cuts that are used in tandem with Shinobu’s sword to inject demons with Wisteria poison into its target.
Other Important Demon Slayer Characters
One of the most important characters to Shinobu is her adoptive sister and Tsuguko (a Hashira successor or apprentice), Kanao Tsuyuri. Although Shinobu was often frustrated by Kanao’s inability to make her own decisions, they eventually gained each other’s mutual trust. Although Shinobu was notably hostile toward Nezuko because of her demonic nature, she was one of the few other Hashira that legitimately listened to Tanjiro’s perspective and came to care for the two siblings as time went on. When sent on missions, Shinobu is often sent with Giyu Tomioka as a team. Although their personalities clash from time to time, they generally work together well and care for the other’s well-being.
Links
Figuarts Zero Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Shinobu Kocho Insect Breathing
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Shinobu Kocho 1/8 Scale Figure
Ichibansho Figure Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Shinobu Kocho: Pearl White Color
Demon Slayer Figures
Nezuko Kamado Figures
Nezuko Kamado Nendoroid
Tanjiro Kamado Figures
Zenitsu Agatsuma Figures
Inosuke Hashibira Figures
Giyu Tomioka Figures
Kyojuro Rengoku Figures
Mitsuri Kanroji Figures
Demon Slayer Label
Shinobu Kocho Label
Tanjiro Kamado Label
Zenitsu Agatsuma Label
Inosuke Hashibira Label
Nezuko Kamado Label
Giyu Tomioka Label