D&D Character Creation: Building Inosuke Hashibira (Demon Slayer)

"If hell doesn't exist, I'll create it for you!!"

If you watch the anime Demon Slayer then you already know Inosuke Hashibira's whole deal: raised by wild boars, charges into battle wearing a boar mask (so on brand), and dual-wields serrated swords. He's chaotic, competitive, and absolutely feral.

Here's how *I would bring my favorite beast-breathing berserker to the D&D table.

*THB NOTE: My D&D character creations are meant to be stepping stones for your next character, so please don't feel like you have to use this as bible! If you want your Inosuke to be a Druid, Ranger or any other class, change it up! This is your character, after all :)

Jotting down the facts

First, I write down the character traits I know about Inosuke:

• Enhanced senses

• Dual-wielding fighter with an animalistic combat style

• Raised by boars with zero social skills (slowly learning friendship through his companions)

• Refuses to accept defeat and constantly challenges everyone

• Beast Breathing technique (self-taught, primal power)

• Impulsive hothead who rushes into danger

  
  

Now that I have my building blocks, let's translate them into a D&D 5e character!

Class: Barbarian

Subclass: Path of the Wild Heart (or Path of the Totem Warrior)

Why Barbarian?

• Rage = Beast Breathing activation

• d12 hit dice gives you the highest potential HP

• Resistance to physical damage while raging (a re-flavor of his shifting internal organs)

• Reckless Attack was made for his "charge in headfirst" fighting style

• Unarmored Defense because the Hashiras couldn't even get the boy to wear a SHIRT

2024 Wild Heart Rage Options:

• Bear: Resistance to most damage types (except Force, Necrotic, Psychic, Radiant)

• Eagle: Disengage and Dash as part of your Rage bonus action

• Wolf: Allies get advantage on attacks against enemies within 5 feet of you

Choose Bear for raw survivability, or Wolf for pack tactics.

2014 Totem Spirit Options:

• Bear (3rd level): Resistance to all damage except psychic while raging

• Wolf (3rd level): Allies have advantage on melee attacks against enemies within 5 feet of you

• Bear (6th level): Carrying capacity doubles, advantage on Strength checks

• Wolf (6th level): You can move stealthily and track other creatures (while moving at a fast pace)

Ability Scores

Prioritize these stats:

1. Strength (First) - Inosuke is strong enough to serrate his own blades by smashing the serrations into them with large rocks...I mean...

2. Constitution (Second) - This lil' guy survives getting stabbed repeatedly

3. Dexterity (Third) - He's incredibly flexible and can attack at the weirdest of angles

4. Wisdom (Decent) - Enhanced sense of touch and spatial awareness

5. Intelligence (Dump stat) - Inosuke can barely remember people's names

6. Charisma (Low) - Zero social skills, raised by boars

Point buy suggestion: STR 15, DEX 14, CON 15, INT 8, WIS 12, CHA 10

Species: Human (or Variant Human)

2014 Rules - Human (Variant):

• +1 to two ability scores (choose STR and CON)

• One skill proficiency (Athletics)

• One feat at 1st level: Dual Wielder (lets you dual-wield non-light weapons like longswords re-flavored as katanas)

2024 Rules - Human:

• Resourceful: Heroic Inspiration after every long rest

• Skillful: Proficiency in one skill (Athletics)

• Versatile: One Origin feat: Dual Wielder (same benefit - dual-wield bigger weapons and +1 AC)

Alternatively, take the Tough feat to boost your HP even more, or Sentinel to punish enemies who attack your underlings ... er, I mean, allies.

Skills

Barbarians can choose two from Animal Handling, Athletics, Intimidation, Nature, Perception, and Survival.

I would pick these, but if neither of them matches your vibe or the campaign, any of the other options would work:

• Athletics for grappling, climbing, and raw physical prowess

• Survival since he was raised in the mountains and tracks demons

Background: Outlander (or Wayfarer)

2024 Rules: Choose Wayfarer background

• Ability Score Increases: +2 STR, +1 CON (or distribute as +1/+1/+1)

• Origin Feat: Tough (extra HP for survivability)

• Skill Proficiencies: Insight, Stealth

• Tool Proficiency: Thieves' Tools (re-flavor as survival tools)

2014 Rules: Choose Outlander:

• Skill Proficiencies: Athletics, Survival

• Tool Proficiency: One musical instrument

• Languages: One of your choice

• Feature: Wanderer (excellent memory for geography, can find food/water in the wild)

I picked these because he literally wandered the mountains surviving off the land, has no understanding of civilization, and learned everything from nature.

Equipment

Start with:

• Two shortswords or scimitars (re-flavor as serrated katanas)

• Explorer's Pack

• Four javelins (he does throw things sometimes)

• No shirt, no problem; since you have Unarmored Defense, you won't need any starting armor

Later, consider having your character buy Bracers of Defense to get +2 added to your Armor Class (AC).

Personality & Roleplay

Personality Traits:

• Challenges everyone to prove he's the strongest

• Mispronounces names constantly

• Voted "Most Likely to 'Leroy Jenkins' Into Combat"

Ideal: Strength - The strong survive and the WEAK SHALL PERISH!

Bond: My companions are pack members (even if I won't admit it and especially if they are adamantly against it)

Flaw: Refuses to accept defeat and is impulsive as hell; legit worst battle plans ever

Character Arc

Start as a lone wolf who doesn't understand kindness. Slowly learn the value of working with others and developing friendships through the campaign, just like Inosuke did with Tanjiro and Zenitsu. Always remember: YOU are their leader, THEY are your underlings (hehehe).

Your DM can help by:

• Creating situations where cooperation is necessary

• Having NPCs show you genuine kindness

• Punishing reckless solo charges (sometimes you need authority)