Japanese Culture
Demon Slayer: Explanation of the Best Characters
Sep
Demon Slayer is one of the most watched anime of the moment. The manga that was adapted for this series is also the best-selling manga in the world in 2019 and 2020. He holds the 9ème place in the ranking with more than 150 million copies sold in 2021.
But what is so fascinating about this adaptation? What made it a worldwide success?
A look back at this legendary manga by Koyoharu Gotōge, a cornerstone of Japanese manga culture.
The history of Demon Slayer
In 2016, Koyoharu Gotōge immerses readers in a hectic world where demons and demon-slayers wage a fierce battle during the Taisho era (1912-1926). This is the beginning of the publication of the manga “Kimetsu no yaiba”, better known as “Demon Slayer”.
In this incredible story, we follow the adventures of Tanjiro, a coal seller who will become a demon slayer.
But what drove this character to follow this dangerous path? How did this seemingly ordinary young boy get involved in more dangerous battles than any other?
The synopsis
Demon Slayer tells the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a young coal seller who lives with his family in the mountains. One day, back home, he finds that his entire family has been decimated by demons. The only survivor is her sister Nezuko, but she was bitten. She became a demon. However, her transformation is not complete: she has not yet eaten human flesh.
Tanjiro and his sister’s journey to try to transform her into a human follows.
The arcs of the anime
The manga written by Koyoharu Gotōge has 13 arcs, namely:
– the final selection
– the first mission
– the Asakusa Arch
– the drum house
– Mount Natagumo
– recovery training
– the infinity train
– the pleasure district
– the village of the Blacksmiths
– training of the Pillars
– The Final Battle
– the infinite dimensional fortress
– the count of the Aube
Each of its arcs depicts a particular stage of Tanjiro and Nezuko’s journey with one or more notable demons to fight along the way.
Where are we now?
The manga is completed since May 18, 2020, but the animated adaptation is still far from this end. Indeed, after two seasons of 26 and 18 episodes and a feature film, we are currently only at the Pleasure District arc in the story.
If the studio ufotable, which produces the work in anime, has already confirmed the release of a third season for 2023, we do not yet know precisely what arcs will be covered in it. The rest of the story in anime is still to be seen.
The main characters of Demon Slayer
Demon Slayer does not fail to bathe us in a vibrant universe with captivating characters, whose past is all the more endearing. But who are these Demon Slayer characters that have seduced the world and what are their specificities?
The main characters
There are a number of key characters in the manga, some more interesting than others. But in terms of importance, we can remember the following characters as being at the heart of the plot:
- Tanjiro Kamado
He is the protagonist of the story. The whole script is therefore essentially based around him.
For the little story, after the death of his family, he trains to be a demon slayer to try to save his sister.
- Nezuko Kamado
Nezuko is Tanjiro’s sister. Arguably the most important female character in the series, she was turned into a demon at the beginning of the story and has been trying to fight her demonic urges ever since. Having not yet eaten human flesh, his transition into a demon is not yet complete. So she still has a chance to become human again.
Interesting fact
Even if Nezuko is not totally a demon, the blood she absorbed from Muzan gives her powers that make her totally badass.
- Muzan Kibutsuji
Muzan is the main antagonist of the manga. King of the demons, he is the first demon of his kind and the ancestor and creator of all other demons. He also happens to be the one who turned Nezuko into a member of his species.
Important secondary characters
- Zenitsu Agatsuma
Without a doubt one of the favorite characters of the series, Zenitsu is a demon slayer. Recognizable thanks to his yellow hair, he will become one of the main companions of Tanjiro’s missions.
- Inosuke Hashibira
Recognized thanks to his warthog mask, Inosuke is also a demon slayer. Surely one of the most mysterious characters at the beginning of the series, his hidden face will have made pose a good number of theories. He also happens to be one of Tanjiro’s favorite companions in his missions.
- Kanao Tsuyuri
Kanao is the adopted daughter of the Kocho family. She is a demon slayer like her two adopted sisters Kanae Kocho and Shinobu Kocho. Identified as Tanjiro’s love interest, she passed the slayer’s exam with him and develops a bond with him throughout the story.
The most fascinating characters
- Tamayo
Tamayo is perhaps the first sympathetic demoness that Tanjiro meets during his adventure. With her knowledge of the demon transformation process, she gives hope to the protagonist in his quest to turn his sister back into a human.
Tamayo has a real hatred for Muzan and has been trying to kill him for a long time. It is precisely this hatred that creates the fascination for this character. Indeed, why does a demoness despise her creator so much?
Spoiler alert!
Tamayo’s gifts will be of great help in the fight of the slayers against the demons. It will be the drug she developed that will contribute to Muzan’s defeat during the final battle.
The first slayer Tanjiro meets, Giyu lifts the veil on the world of demons. A pillar of the water, he seems to dominate all his opponents in battle. This over-power, added to the mysterious aura that surrounds him with his always neutral expression, makes Giyu all the more interesting.
- Shinobu Kocho
Shinobu Kocho is probably one of the most powerful female characters in the series. A pillar of the insect, her art of poison makes her dangerous to anyone who dares to oppose her. But what makes Shinobu an interesting character is in what she gives off. A mask of tranquility and good humor that hides a surprising sadism and cruelty.
The most badass characters
Besides the main character Tanjiro, who will obviously become overpowered as the story progresses, there are other characters with incredible abilities in Demon Slayer.
Here is a list of some of them:
- Yoriichi Tsugikuni
The first demon slayer to successfully inflict a fatal wound on Muzan, Yoriichi is undoubtedly one of the strongest characters in the series. Not to say that he is surely the strongest of the defenders. At least, in Muzan’s eyes…
Spoiler alert!
He also happens to be Tanjiro’s ancestor, hence the fact that Tanjiro’s family is targeted by Muzan at the beginning of the story. It is from him that Tanjiro inherited the breath of the sun.
- Muzan Kibutsuji
The demon king Muzan must, of course, as the main antagonist, be badass. And he demonstrates his strength and temperament many times throughout the series.
In addition to his super-power, his notable traits, making him all the more dangerous, are his ability to change his appearance and his near-immortality.
Spoiler alert
Quasi-immortality, because a slayer, Yoruichi, has already almost killed him, showing him the limit of his powers. This will push him to search for the blue lycoris, the flower that holds the secret of immortality in his eyes.
- Akaza
Azaka is the third highest of the 12 demonic moons under Muzan. It is certainly one of the most powerful characters of the series with its capacity of regeneration out of standard. It will give a lot of trouble to the defenders.
His contempt for the weak and his vocation to be the strongest is also one of his main characteristics.
Spoiler alert!
Azaka is so powerful that he will be unbeatable in the manga. His super-powerful regeneration power is beyond his understanding and his own will. So much so that during his fight against Tanjiro and Giyu Tomiaka, he will have to commit suicide thanks to one of his attacks to neutralize his regeneration and end the fight.
- Nezuko Kamado
Arguably the most badass female character in the series, Nezuko has powers that far exceed those of the other demons. The fact that it has absorbed so much of Muzen’s blood could put it on par with the other higher demonic moons.
But what makes Nezuko really interesting is definitely her insubordination to Muzan despite her demon blood.
Pillar characters of the demon-slaying army
The universe of Demon Slayer depicts a world opposing demons, demonic beings with awesome powers, and slayers, humans who have developed exceptional abilities to kill demons.
But what is the real structure of the camp of the demon-slayers?
Let’s see the basic characters of the demon slayer camp.
The Ubuyashiki family: the head of the army of demon slayers
The army of demon slayers is led by the Ubuyashiki family, more precisely by Kagaya Ubuyashiki. A character who, let’s face it, doesn’t look impressive at all.
How did this seemingly weak family end up leading the demon slayers?
Spoiler alert!
Well, it seems that they have blood ties with Muzen. Yes, Muzen, the famous demon king. To overcome the curse that follows, they must dedicate their lives to destroying the demons.
Result of the races: the demon slayers are born.
The 9 Pillars of Demon Slayers
In the Demon Slayer universe, demon slayers are ranked according to their power and their ability to master a style of breath. At the top of the hierarchy are the Pillars. There are 9 of them, namely:
– Giyu TomiokaPillar of Water.
– Mitsuri KanrojiPillar of Love
– Obanai IguroPillar of the Snake
– Sanemi ShinazugawaPillar of the Wind
– Gyomei HimejimaPillar of the Rock
– Tengen UzuiPillar of Sound
– Muichiro TokitoPillar of the Mist
– Shinobu KochoPillar of the Insect
Good to know!
Before these pillars, there were also other pillars including Kanae Kocho, Sakonji Urokodaki, Jigoro Kuwajima, Kyojuro Rengoku and Shinjuro Rengoku, respectively pillar of the Flower, Water, Lightning, Flame and Flame.
The main characters of the demon army: the 12 demonic moons
The world of Demon Slayer depicts demons as sworn enemies of demon slayers. Muzen, the king of these creatures, is at the head of a truly powerful army. But who are they and how do they organize themselves?
Called the “demonic moons”, Muzen’s henchmen are demons that have received his blood directly. They are under his direct orders and follow a distinct hierarchy, which goes hand in hand with their power.
The upper moons
The upper moons happen to be the most powerful demons in Muzen’s army. There are 6 of them and they are ranked from the strongest to the weakest:
- Kokushibo
- Doma
- Akaza
- Nakime
- Gyokko
- Kaigaku
To wit: Among the demons considered superior moons are Hantengu, Gyutaro and Daki, respectively former holder of the title of fourth, sixth and still sixth superior moon.
The lower moons
Low-ranking moons are still powerful demons compared to other demons. However, they are still weak against the higher demonic moons. This category includes:
- Enmu
- Rokuro
- Wakuraba
- Mukago
- Rui
- Kamanue
To know more
Among those considered as lower moons were also Hairo and Kyogai, respectively former lower moons of rank 2 and 6.