i really love mitsuri

   As a Demon Slayer/Kimentus no Yaiba fan, who finished the manga in 2020, Mitsuri is one of my favorite characters and one of my kins. Therefore, it saddens me when I see Mitsuri hate. Not that everyone has to agree with my view, but mostly because people are calling her shallow in comparison to other demon slayers. 

    The latest Swordsmen Village Arc has been animated and with that we learn about her backstory and motivations why she joined the corps. In contrast to the other pillars/hashira, she does not have a tragic backstory. Her family was very loving, they cared for her, accommodated her big appetite and praised her for being strong. They never made a negative comment about her appearance and behavior as we know of. 

   Mitsuri's aspiration was to get married and have a family on her own, which by many is viewed as a stereotype, which of course it is one. The difference I see between this trope in writing women and Mitsuri is that it is her own decision. She voices her concerns to her family that she is scared that she might not ever find someone to marry like other girls her age do, in which her family responds that she can stay with them. I read that as even though they support her desire to have a husband, they do not pressure her to get one. When she dyes her hair black to appear "normal" her family gives her concerned looks. Then, on her own, she draws the conclusion that love is not worth it if you are pretending to be someone else. 

   Mitsuri joined the corpse, because it is one of the places that will accept her strength and not care about her appearance. She teaches the lesson that love is worth it, but only when the other person does not try to change you. She meets Obanai who is this type of person, that loves her for who she is and does not hold her to what he expects from a woman. 

   She is cheerful, full of love and positivity. People like that exist and can be reliable and strong. I think Mitsuri is a great character to represent how love and partnership should feel like.