Demon Slayer Characters

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” features a world where humans and demons exist together, though not peacefully. The story centers on the Demon Slayer Corps, a group of warriors who protect humans from demons. The characters in Demon Slayer are diverse, with each one playing an important role in the story. This guide will explain who these characters are, their backstories, and how they contribute to the fight against demons. Let’s begin with the heroes who drive the plot forward.

Table of Contents

Character/Group	Key Characteristics	Notable Abilities/Traits
Tanjiro Kamado	Kind-hearted, strong sense of justice	Water Breathing, heightened sense of smell
Nezuko Kamado	Demon with retained humanity	Ability to shrink/grow in size, immune to sunlight
Giyu Tomioka	Water Hashira, stoic personality	Master of Water Breathing
Kyojuro Rengoku	Flame Hashira, positive and inspiring	Flame Breathing, exceptional swordsmanship
Shinobu Kocho	Insect Hashira, gentle demeanor	Uses poison-based attacks, expert in medical knowledge
Tengen Uzui	Sound Hashira, flamboyant and flashy	Sound Breathing, heightened hearing
Mitsuri Kanroji	Love Hashira, kind and affectionate	Love Breathing, uses a flexible, whip-like sword
Muichiro Tokito	Mist Hashira, calm and emotionless	Mist Breathing, creates a fog effect to confuse enemies
Zenitsu Agatsuma	Fearful personality, fights while unconscious	Thunder Breathing, Thunderclap and Flash attack
Inosuke Hashibira	Wild and aggressive, raised by boars	Beast Breathing, dual-wields serrated swords
Kanao Tsuyuri	Quiet and disciplined	Flower Breathing, precise and graceful attacks
Genya Shinazugawa	Unique fighter, doesn’t use traditional Breathing Techniques	Gains demon powers by consuming demon flesh
Muzan Kibutsuji	Main antagonist, creator of demons	Shape-shifting, regeneration, controls other demons
Kokushibo	Upper Moon One, former human swordsman	Mastery of swordsmanship and demon powers
Doma	Upper Moon Two, emotionless personality	Ice-based attacks, Blood Demon Art
Akaza	Upper Moon Three, skilled martial artist	Enhances physical abilities through Blood Demon Art
Rui	Lower Moon Five, obsessed with the concept of family	Manipulates threads for attacks and traps
Enmu	Dream Demon, manipulates dreams	Puts opponents to sleep, controls dreams
Tamayo	Friendly demon doctor, helps humanity	Medical knowledge, works to find a cure for demon transformation
Demon Slayer Corps	Secret organization that hunts demons	Consists of highly trained Demon Slayers who use Breathing Techniques to combat demons

The Main Protagonists

The main protagonists are the characters who lead the story and are central to its development. In “Demon Slayer,” the Kamado siblings—Tanjiro and Nezuko—are the heart of the story. They face many challenges together, overcoming hardships and fighting powerful demons.

Tanjiro Kamado

Tanjiro Kamado is the main character of the series. He is a kind-hearted boy with a strong sense of justice and an unbreakable will to protect his loved ones. When his family is killed by a demon, Tanjiro becomes a Demon Slayer to find a cure for his sister Nezuko, who was turned into a demon.

Tanjiro’s Backstory: How It All Began

Tanjiro comes from a poor but happy family that makes a living selling charcoal.
One day, while Tanjiro is away, a demon attacks his family, killing everyone except his sister, Nezuko.
Nezuko is transformed into a demon, but she retains her love for her brother and does not attack humans.
This event motivates Tanjiro to join the Demon Slayer Corps and find a way to turn Nezuko back into a human.

Tanjiro’s Fighting Style: Water Breathing Explained

Tanjiro learns the Water Breathing technique from his teacher, Sakonji Urokodaki.
Water Breathing is a sword fighting style that mimics the flow of water, making Tanjiro’s movements smooth and powerful.
It has various forms, like Water Surface Slash and Whirlpool, each with unique effects in battle.

Hinokami Kagura: Tanjiro’s Special Fire Technique

Later in the series, Tanjiro discovers a special technique called the Hinokami Kagura, which was passed down through his family.
This technique is a fire-based fighting style that allows Tanjiro to perform incredibly powerful attacks.
Combining Water Breathing and Hinokami Kagura makes Tanjiro even more formidable in battle.

Nezuko Kamado

Nezuko is Tanjiro’s younger sister who was turned into a demon. Despite becoming a demon, she remains caring and protective of her brother. Nezuko is unique because she doesn’t eat humans like other demons, and she helps Tanjiro in his fight against evil.

Nezuko’s Transformation into a Demon: What Happened?

Nezuko was attacked by a powerful demon named Muzan Kibutsuji, who turned her into a demon.
Unlike other demons, Nezuko does not lose her humanity completely. She still recognizes her brother and wants to protect him.
Nezuko’s transformation gives her incredible strength and regenerative abilities, making her a valuable ally to Tanjiro.

Nezuko’s Special Abilities: Blood Demon Art and Size-Shifting

Nezuko has a unique ability called Blood Demon Art, which allows her to create special demon flames that can harm other demons but not humans.
She can also change her size, shrinking down to fit inside a small box that Tanjiro carries or growing larger to fight enemies.
Nezuko’s ability to resist sunlight is rare among demons, making her even more special as the story progresses.

The Pillars (Hashira)

The Pillars, or Hashira, are the strongest members of the Demon Slayer Corps. They are elite warriors who have mastered their respective Breathing Techniques, and each one has their own unique style and personality. These characters are crucial in the fight against the most powerful demons.

Giyu Tomioka

Giyu Tomioka is the Water Hashira, one of the most skilled members of the Demon Slayer Corps. He is calm, quiet, and very strong, often keeping his emotions hidden. Giyu plays a key role in the series by helping Tanjiro and Nezuko in the beginning.

Giyu as the Water Hashira: His Role and Abilities

Giyu is a master of Water Breathing, the same fighting style that Tanjiro learns.
He is responsible for saving Nezuko’s life by convincing the other Hashira that she can be trusted despite being a demon.
Giyu’s fighting techniques are focused on swift, flowing movements that can take down demons quickly and efficiently.

Kyojuro Rengoku

Kyojuro Rengoku is the Flame Hashira, known for his fiery passion and determination. He is one of the most charismatic characters in the series, always full of energy and optimism, even in the face of danger.

Rengoku’s Fiery Passion: What Makes Him the Flame Hashira

Rengoku is a master of Flame Breathing, a technique that uses fire-based attacks to burn and destroy demons.
He is always upbeat and tries to inspire others, even when facing overwhelming odds.
Rengoku’s heroic actions during the Mugen Train Arc leave a lasting impact on Tanjiro and the other Demon Slayers.

Shinobu Kocho

Shinobu Kocho is the Insect Hashira, and she is known for her calm and gentle demeanor. Unlike the other Hashira, Shinobu cannot cut off a demon’s head to kill them. Instead, she uses poison to defeat them.

Shinobu’s Unique Poison-Based Fighting Style

Shinobu’s fighting style revolves around using poison that is deadly to demons.
She developed this technique because she lacks the physical strength to decapitate demons, which is the usual way to kill them.
Her knowledge of poisons and medical skills make her one of the most resourceful Hashira.

Tengen Uzui

Tengen Uzui is the Sound Hashira, known for his flashy and flamboyant personality. He believes that life should be lived to the fullest and always aims to make his battles as “flashy” as possible.

Tengen’s Flashy Personality and Sound-Based Attacks

Tengen uses Sound Breathing, a unique technique that allows him to hear and predict his enemy’s movements through sound.
His fighting style is highly theatrical, often involving explosions and other grand displays of power.
Despite his flashy exterior, Tengen is deeply caring and values the lives of his comrades.

Mitsuri Kanroji

Mitsuri Kanroji is the Love Hashira, and she is characterized by her kind and affectionate nature. Despite her sweet personality, she is incredibly strong and a fierce fighter.

Mitsuri’s Role as the Love Hashira and Her Unique Swordsmanship

Mitsuri’s Love Breathing is based on flexibility and speed, allowing her to perform unpredictable and swift attacks.
She wields a unique sword that is very thin and flexible, almost like a whip, which complements her fighting style.
Mitsuri’s kind heart and strength make her an important member of the Hashira.

Muichiro Tokito

Muichiro Tokito is the Mist Hashira, known for his calm and often emotionless demeanor. He is a prodigy and became a Hashira at a very young age due to his exceptional skill.

The Mist Hashira’s Calm Demeanor and Unpredictable Fighting Style

Muichiro uses Mist Breathing, which creates a fog-like effect, making it hard for enemies to predict his movements.
He is highly focused during battle and doesn’t show much emotion, which helps him stay calm under pressure.
Muichiro’s fighting style is swift and elusive, often leaving his opponents confused and off-balance.

The Supporting Characters

Supporting characters are those who aren’t the main focus of the story but still play crucial roles in helping the protagonists on their journey. These characters add depth to the story and often have their own interesting abilities and backgrounds.

Zenitsu Agatsuma

Zenitsu Agatsuma is one of Tanjiro’s companions. He is known for his cowardly personality, often panicking and crying in the face of danger. However, despite his fears, Zenitsu is incredibly powerful when he is unconscious.

Zenitsu’s Fear and Hidden Power: Thunder Breathing Explained

Zenitsu is a master of Thunder Breathing, a sword style that mimics the speed and power of lightning.
He can only fight effectively when he is unconscious, as his fear takes over when he is awake.
His most famous move is the Thunderclap and Flash, a lightning-fast strike that can defeat enemies in an instant.

Inosuke Hashibira

Inosuke Hashibira is another of Tanjiro’s companions. He is wild and aggressive, often charging into battle without thinking. Inosuke was raised by boars in the mountains, which explains his beast-like behavior.

Inosuke’s Wild and Untamed Beast Breathing

Inosuke uses Beast Breathing, a sword style that mimics the movements of wild animals.
He dual-wields serrated swords, which he uses to tear through his enemies with brute force.
Inosuke’s instincts are incredibly sharp, allowing him to sense danger and react quickly in battle.

Kanao Tsuyuri

Kanao Tsuyuri is a quiet and reserved girl who also fights alongside Tanjiro. She was trained by Shinobu Kocho and is highly skilled in her own right, though she initially struggles with making decisions on her own.

Kanao’s Silent Strength and Flower Breathing

Kanao uses Flower Breathing, a delicate and graceful sword style that focuses on precision and agility.
She is highly disciplined and can perform powerful attacks with minimal effort.
Over time, Kanao learns to trust her instincts and make decisions independently, becoming a strong and confident warrior.

Genya Shinazugawa

Genya Shinazugawa is a unique member of the Demon Slayer Corps because he does not use a traditional Breathing Technique like the others. Instead, Genya gains power by consuming parts of demons, which temporarily gives him their abilities.

Genya’s Unconventional Fighting Style: Eating Demons for Power

Genya can temporarily gain a demon’s power by consuming their flesh, which makes him stronger and gives him unique abilities.
His fighting style is unpredictable, as it depends on the abilities of the demons he consumes.
Genya’s determination to protect his friends drives him to use this risky technique, even though it puts him in danger.

The Demons

The demons in “Demon Slayer” are the primary antagonists. They were once humans but were transformed into demons by Muzan Kibutsuji, the most powerful demon. These demons are immortal, possess supernatural abilities, and must be defeated by the Demon Slayers to protect humanity.

Muzan Kibutsuji

Muzan Kibutsuji is the main antagonist of the series and the first demon ever created. He is responsible for turning humans into demons and has immense power. Muzan is ruthless, cunning, and will stop at nothing to achieve his goals.

Muzan’s Creation of Demons and His Immense Power

Muzan was turned into a demon over a thousand years ago, and since then, he has created countless other demons by sharing his blood with them.
He can shape-shift, regenerate, and control other demons, making him a nearly unstoppable force.
Muzan’s goal is to become truly immortal by overcoming his one weakness: sunlight.

The Twelve Kizuki

The Twelve Kizuki, also known as the Twelve Demon Moons, are the most powerful demons who serve under Muzan. They are divided into Upper Moons and Lower Moons, with the Upper Moons being the strongest.

Upper Moon One – Kokushibo: The Strongest Demon

Kokushibo is the most powerful of the Twelve Kizuki and is known for his mastery of both swordsmanship and demon powers.
He was once a human and a skilled swordsman, but his desire for power led him to become a demon.
Kokushibo’s techniques are extremely dangerous, and only the strongest Demon Slayers can hope to challenge him.

Upper Moon Two – Doma: The Ice Demon

Doma is the Upper Moon Two and has a cruel and emotionless personality. He views humans as nothing more than food.
His Blood Demon Art allows him to create deadly ice attacks that can freeze and shatter his enemies.
Doma’s lack of empathy and his chilling abilities make him one of the most terrifying demons in the series.

Upper Moon Three – Akaza: The Martial Artist Demon

Akaza is the Upper Moon Three and is known for his incredible martial arts skills. He loves fighting strong opponents and respects those with strength.
His Blood Demon Art enhances his physical abilities, making him a formidable close-combat fighter.
Akaza’s tragic backstory adds depth to his character, showing that even demons have complex emotions.

Lower Moon Five – Rui: The Thread Manipulator

Rui is the Lower Moon Five and has the ability to manipulate threads, which he uses to control and cut through his enemies.
He values family above all else, though his twisted idea of family leads to horrific consequences.
Rui’s thread manipulation makes him a dangerous opponent, as he can create traps and deadly attacks from a distance.

Other Notable Demons

In addition to the Twelve Kizuki, there are other demons in the series who play important roles, whether as allies or enemies.

Enmu, the Dream Demon: His Powers and Weaknesses

Enmu is a demon who can put people to sleep and manipulate their dreams. He uses this ability to trap and defeat his enemies.
His powers make him a dangerous opponent, as he can control people’s minds while they are unaware.
However, Enmu’s overconfidence becomes his downfall when he underestimates the Demon Slayers.

Tamayo: The Friendly Demon Doctor

Tamayo is a demon who has chosen to live peacefully among humans, using her medical knowledge to help others.
She works to find a cure for Nezuko and seeks to stop Muzan’s reign of terror.
Tamayo’s intelligence and kindness make her a valuable ally to Tanjiro and his friends.

Conclusion

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” is a rich and emotional story that draws its strength from its diverse and compelling characters. Whether you’re following Tanjiro’s journey, admiring the strength of the Hashira, or feeling the terror of the demons, each character adds something special to the story. Through their battles and personal growth, we see themes of bravery, loyalty, and the never-ending fight between good and evil.

FAQs

How does Tanjiro’s sword change color?

Tanjiro’s sword changes color based on the user’s personality and fighting style. His sword turns black, which is considered rare, and its full potential is revealed later in the series.

What makes Nezuko resistant to sunlight?

Nezuko becomes resistant to sunlight due to her unique abilities as a demon. Unlike other demons, she doesn’t need to consume human flesh, which may contribute to her resistance.

Who is the strongest Hashira in Demon Slayer?

While all the Hashira are incredibly strong, Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, is often considered the strongest due to his immense physical strength and mastery of his Breathing Technique.

How do demons in Demon Slayer gain power?

Demons gain power by consuming human flesh and absorbing Muzan Kibutsuji’s blood. The more blood they receive from Muzan, the stronger they become.

Is Muzan Kibutsuji based on a real figure?

Muzan Kibutsuji is a fictional character, but his portrayal as a demon leader is inspired by various myths and folklore surrounding demons and evil spirits.

Why is Tanjiro’s sense of smell so important?

Tanjiro’s heightened sense of smell allows him to track demons, sense danger, and even detect emotions. This ability plays a crucial role in his combat strategy, helping him anticipate and counter his enemies’ moves.

Why does Zenitsu fall asleep during battles?

Zenitsu’s intense fear causes him to pass out during stressful situations. However, once unconscious, his body automatically taps into his Thunder Breathing techniques, allowing him to fight at his full potential without being hindered by fear.

How did Inosuke learn Beast Breathing?

Inosuke developed Beast Breathing on his own while living in the mountains, mimicking the behaviors and instincts of wild animals. His technique is raw, powerful, and perfectly suited to his aggressive fighting style.

Why doesn’t Nezuko eat humans?

Unlike most demons, Nezuko doesn’t crave human flesh. She suppresses her demon instincts due to her strong will and desire to protect humans, especially her brother Tanjiro. She gains her strength through sleep rather than consuming humans.

What is the role of the Demon Slayer Corps?

The Demon Slayer Corps is a secret organization dedicated to hunting down and exterminating demons to protect humanity. They are not officially recognized by the government but are highly respected for their role in defending people from demon threats.