Why does Inosuke wear a boar mask? It’s his most recognizable feature, but how did it come about?
Inosuke likes to wear a boar mask because he was raised by boars for the first few years of his life. It is unknown how the wild boar found him, but his origin chapter says the mother boar may have just lost one of her children.
The boar mask has become the recognizable signature of Inosuke’s character.
The Origin Of Why Inosuke Likes To Wear A Boar Mask
A bonus chapter, “The Inosuke Tales” summarized Inosuke’s past. Chapter #71.5 details his first interactions with people after being raised in the wild.
“Hashibira Inosuke is a boy raised by boars. It is not known how this wild boar found him, but the mother boar may have just lost one of her children.”
The Inosuke Tales / Chapter #71.5
The chapter specifies that humans who don’t learn how to speak by a certain age usually have problems learning language later in life. Inosuke, despite his upbringing, was skilled with words.
A young man named Takaharu lived with his grandfather. He worked often, but came home one day to see his grandfather giving food to a “strange animal.” This turned out to be baby Inosuke, walking around on all fours like a beast with a boar face on his head.
Takaharu, protecting his grandfather, scurried Inosuke away. The young man had a foul mouth because of a bad upbringing, but he took it upon himself to protect his grandfather due to his failing memory.
“Old man!! It’s dangerous, so don’t feed it. His mother might come back down from the mountains.”
The Inosuke Tales / Chapter #71.5
Baby Inosuke returned, and Takaharu’s grandfather put the boar-kid on his lap to read stories. Takaharu chased Inosuke off a second time. When Inosuke came back again, the grandfather took notice of the name “Hashibira Inosuke” on the baby’s sash. Takaharu lectured his grandfather on teaching Inosuke to speak.
Before he could be chased away again, Inosuke kicked the young man in the face. He stayed with the family for the foreseeable future. It’s unknown when Inosuke left and met Tanjiro, someone with his own distinct scar. When the two met up, Inosuke still liked to wear a boar mask.