Are you watching ‘Demon Slayer?’ The second episode of the second season uses the term ‘ashinuke.” What does it mean? This post unpacks everything you need to know about this Japanese expression.
Meaning
The term ‘ashinuke’ is a Japanese word translating to “Breaking one’s ties.” However, Japanese people will use it to describe a woman or girl that runs away from home to be with a man. She leaves her family and community behind, absconding from her duties to those that depend on her.
In some cases, an ‘ashinuke’ escapes her situation to avoid paying her debts, leaving with a man who takes her far away from her home. Some girls abscond to escape their miserable life in the Entertainment District, while others do it to chase true love.
In the anime series 'Demon Slayer,’ a ‘ashinuke’ refers to a call girl that runs away from her debts. The girls work in the Entertainment District as prostitutes, and they start disappearing.
Example Usage
“Did you watch the new episode of Demon Slayer last night? The second season is warming up. I don’t know Japanese, so I’m wondering what that word ‘ashinuke’ means in English?”
“I’m a big Demon Slayer fan, but it frustrates me sometimes. I get lost with the story when they use Japanese words like ‘ashinuke’ and don’t explain the meaning.”
“Demon Slayer is such an awesome anime show. I can’t wait for the next episode. When the lead character went ashinuke last week, I almost lost it.”
“Demon Slayer has many Japanese terminologies, and it’s easy to lose the plot if you don’t know what they’re talking about in the storyline.”
“I love that Demon Slayer anime series. It’s amazing. The artwork and the storyline are intense. I wonder what the word ashinuke means?”
“Ashinuke refers to a woman that runs away from her societal responsibilities to be with a man. It comes from the Demon Slayer anime series.”
“Demon Slayer is one of the best anime series ever. I find it hard to follow the story when they start using words like ashinuke. I don’t speak Japanese.”
Origin
The expression ‘ashinuke’ originates from the anime series Demon Slayer.’ It appears in the second episode of the second season and had fans wondering what the term means.
Demon Slayer is an anime title following the life events of Tengen, Inosuke, Tanjiro, and Zenitsu, spreading to the Entertainment District.
The episode starts with the trio getting mesmerized by the beauty of the Yoshiwara Entertainment District. Tengen asks the rest of the crew to search for his wives, who went missing while investigating the demons in the Entertainment District.
Tengen disguises Insouke, Tanjiro, and Zenitsu as teenage girls, sending them undercover to catch the demon.
Phrases Similar to Ashinuke
- Runaway lover.
- Runaway girl.
- Absconding from responsibility.
Phrases Opposite to Ashinuke
- Committed.
- Dedicated.
What is the Correct Saying?
- Ashinuke.
Ways People May Say Ashinuke Incorrectly
Some people may use the term ‘ashinuke’ outside Demon Slayer communities. It’s a Japanese word, and people in the Western world that don’t speak Japanese, or have never watched Demon Slayer, will not understand its meaning.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Ashinuke
You can use the phrase ‘ashinuke’ when discussing the anime series Demon Slayer.” You can use the term when talking about the show with other fans on platforms like Reddit and social media. The word means a woman who runs away with another man to escape her situation, which can also apply to real life.
However, using it to describe a woman absconding from a relationship will require the people you’re speaking with to watch Demon Slayer and understand the meaning of the Japanese term. So, it’s a niche word and only suitable for discussions surrounding the Demon Slayer anime series. If you live in Japan and speak Japanese, you could use the term to mean ‘breaking ties,’ which can apply to personal or professional relationships.