Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese manga-turned-anime series, written by Koyoharu Gotouge. The Demon Slayer universe is well known for having some fan-favorite characters, and many that people love. It follows young Tanjiro Kamado in his quest to avenge the death of his entire family and find the cure for his younger sister Nezuko who was transformed into a demon by the main villain, Muzan Kibutsuji. The anime's rapid success led to it receiving its own film, which did very well and earned the title of the highest-grossing anime film of all time. Fans of the manga were delighted to learn that the anime series would be getting a third season that would focus on the “Swordsmith Village” arc of the manga. With its bright, colorful style and endearing characters, there's no doubt that Demon Slayer has become one of the most popular media franchises. Let's take a look at some of the characters from the Demon Slayer series that helped make the series so enjoyable. The choice was difficult, but here is our final selection.
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Main characters
1. Tanjiro Kamado
Tanjiro Kamado, the most important of all Demon Slayer characters, is the main protagonist of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibo, and is a young man of unwavering determination. He was a coal miner like the rest of his family, but after everyone was massacred by Muzan Kibutsuji except his younger sister, he joined the Demon Slayer Corps and vowed to defeat Muzan so that no one has to suffer the same fate as him and Nezuko. While seeking to hunt down Muzan, as well as other violent and malicious demons, Tanjiro is also searching for a cure that will allow his sister to become human again.
Most of the time, Tanjiro is a very gentle, compassionate, understanding, and beloved character (like many other anime protagonists) who does everything he can to succeed in his quests and is extremely protective of his sister and the others. other people he likes, one of the many traits that place him among the strongest and most popular characters in the main cast.
He also prides himself on his honesty, and so it is very difficult for him to lie without his face immediately betraying him. Although he has compassion for people and is able to empathize with demons, he has very little patience for those who prove to be crude and cowardly, and he shows of a deep rage that manifests itself in cold, cutting violence when he fights mercilessly against his enemies.
When fighting demons, Tanjiro uses his genius intelligence and heightened senses to analyze his enemy and their fighting style before eliminating them with his incredible speed and the many different techniques used with his breathing style. He is also one of the few characters in the Demon Slayer world to often use a sword (or several). He is an experienced swordsman and fighter, with great physical strength and combat skill.
At first he uses water breathing because that's what he was taught first, but due to the intense strain it puts on his body, he switches to Hinokami Kagura, a fire-based breathing style that he remembers in the heat of battle and was taught to him by his father. This style suits him much better.
After learning all the Hinokami Kagura techniques, he realized that his way of fighting included a number of unnecessary movements. He adjusted his techniques and in doing so awakened Sun Breathing, a legendary breathing style that he doesn't use very often.
Its original voice is that of Japanese actor Natsuki Hanae and its English dubbed voice is that of American actor Zach Aguilar.
2. Nezuko Kamado
Nezuko is the younger sister of Tanjiro Kamado, transformed into a demon by Muzan Kibutsiji after he massacred her family.
Before becoming a demon, she had a very similar personality to her older brother Tanjiro: she was extremely kind and caring, always putting the needs of others before her own, and took very good care of her younger siblings. Her transformation left her unable to remember her human life, and while it altered her personality slightly, she retained many of her previous character traits.
The demon slayer has become extremely protective of those she cares about, and although she appears to be detached from her human emotions, she is still capable of experiencing occasional moments of sadness and happiness.
Tanjiro's younger sister is of a calm temperament, much more so than many demons, and demonstrates previously unmatched restraint and willpower when it comes to ingesting human blood. Nezuko is not afraid to fight and does not hesitate to put herself in danger to protect others. This fearlessness and willpower does not leave her, even after she becomes human again.
She is a character who speaks very little throughout the series, which is mainly attributed to the bamboo muzzle she wears to hide her fangs and restrict her if she ever loses control.
Despite her young age, Nezuko is an incredibly powerful demon, capable of surviving without consuming human blood and walking in the sun (which is impossible for other demons and earning her the name “Chosen Demon”). She uses her own form of Demon Blood Art (in her case, a pyrokinetic ability that allows her to produce demonic pink flames through air and the inflammation of her blood) against her enemies and has regenerative abilities equivalent to those of a higher-ranking demon. She also has incredible control over her blood and is able to manipulate it such that she can reattach previously severed limbs.
Its original voice is that of Japanese actress Akari Kito, and its English dubbed version is that of actress Abby Trott.
3. Zenitsu Agatsuma
Zenitsu is one of the main characters, also a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. He was first Tanjiro and Nezuko's traveling companion, before becoming their friend. He is a bit of a coward, doesn't believe in himself despite his improved abilities, and often states that he would prefer to live a normal life.
Although he is a slight womanizer, his affection for Nezuko (he constantly rushes to protect her, often becoming more aggressive when she is in danger) and times when he is respectful of women gets the better of him from time to time. .
Over the course of the series, Zenitsu slowly sheds his cowardly tendencies and begins to mature, especially in moments of anger. This often surprises people who have known him before.
Zenitsu uses the thunder breathing style, which he learned from Jigoro Kuwajima, but he has failed to master more than the first six forms. This didn't stop him from making his own modifications to the style and even using different techniques while unconscious, which he was able to do thanks to his enhanced hearing.
His original voice is performed by Japanese voice actor Hiro Shimono, and the English dubbed version is performed by voice actor Aleks Le.
4. Inosuke Hashibira
Inosuke is another of the main characters of Demon Slayer who, along with Zenitsu, was the traveling companion and then friend of Tanjiro and Nezuko. He is a demon slayer of the Demon Slayer Corps and is most distinguished by the hollowed boar's head that he wears as a mask, in homage to his adopted boar mother.
He is extremely short-tempered (a major contrast to Tanjiro and likely a result of his upbringing) and is always looking for a fight, often overestimating his abilities and getting himself into trouble. He doesn't always understand human interactions and can be unintentionally rude to people, but he is fiercely loyal and protective of those he loves.
Inosuke uses Beast Breathing, his own breathing technique similar to Wind Breathing, which he developed through instinct and upbringing. His fighting techniques make him an unpredictable and formidable opponent, and his increased flexibility and speed give him a major advantage in many fights.
The original voice is that of Japanese actor Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, and the English dubbed version was performed by actor Bryce Papenbrook.
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Secondary characters
5. Giyu Tomioka
Giyu is a demon slayer. He was the one who found and recruited Tanjiro and let Nezuko live despite her demon nature. He has a strong sense of justice and a rather reserved personality, with a stoic expression on his face. Despite his attitude, he cares deeply for those close to him, even going so far as to carry mementos of his fallen friends.
He is the Water Hashira (one of the highest ranking fighters in the Demon Slayer Corps, who trains other Demon Slayers to stand a chance against the demons they fight) and suffers from intense survivor's guilt.
His original voice is that of Japanese actor Takahiro Sakurai and the English dubbed version of his character in Demon Slayer is that of actor Johnny Yong Bosch.
6. Kyōjurō Rengoku
Kyōjurō was an extremely talented demon hunter who took the position of Flame Hashira after managing to surpass his father's skills by undergoing strict intensive training and reading the guide on flame breathing. He was such a skilled warrior that even the demons he fought admired his abilities, and one, Akaza, even offered to turn him into a demon so he could go further than his human limits allowed. allowed.
He was an enthusiastic and vocal individual who had a strong moral code and believed that the strong were born strong so they could protect the weak, something his mother instilled in him from a young age. He cared greatly about his family, especially his younger brother Senjuro, whom he encouraged to pursue his dreams no matter what, until the day he died.
Despite his boundless optimism, this demon slayer had times when he felt there was a risk that the people he trained and believed in would die.
Kyōjurō was very logical in combat and, thanks to his incredible speed and reflexes, he always acted against his enemies quickly and precisely in order to take them down as quickly as possible. He was also very good at picking up on the talent of others.
His original voice is performed by Japanese voice actor Satoshi Hino, and the English-dubbed version of his character is performed by voice actor Mark Whitten.
7. Shinobu Kocho
Shinobu Kocho is one of the main supporting characters in the manga and the television adaptation of the anime. She is the Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps and is a very skilled teacher in her field, especially regarding poison attacks.
Kocho also has an interesting family tree in the series, as she is Kanae Kocho's younger sister biologically and Kanao Tsuyuri's older sister adoptively. Tsuyuri is also known as Master Kanao, and she is one of the doctors and supporting characters.
Kocho was a gentle soul who wished that humans and demons could live in peace, sometimes befriending some of her enemies, until her older sister was killed by demons.
Her original voice is performed by voice actress Saori Hayami, and the English dubbed version is performed by voice actress Erika Harlacher.
8. Other Demon Slayer Corps Characters
- Tengen Uzui – Tengen was once a shinobi, a demon slayer, one of the Hashiras slayers of demons, and more specifically of sounds. Portrayed by Katsuyuki Konishi in the original version and Ray Chase in the English dub.
- Suma – member of the Demon Slayer Corps and one of Tengen Uzui's wives. Performed by Nao Toyama in the original version and Emi Lo in the English dub.
- Mitsuri Kanroji – Mitsuri is the Love Hashira. Portrayed by Kana Hanazawa in the original version and Kira Buckland in the English dub.
- Sanemi Shinazugawa – Sanemi is the Hashira of Wind. Portrayed by Tomokazu Seki in the original version and Kaiji Tang in the English dub.
- Genya Shinazugawa – member of the Demon Slayer Corps and younger brother of Senami Shinazugawa. Portrayed by Nobuhiko Okamoto in the original version and Zeno Robinson in the English dub.
- Tamayo – Although she is a demon, she is also a skilled doctor who joins the Demon Slayer Corps in order to develop a medicine to help them. Portrayed by Maaya Sakamoto in the original version and Laura Post in the English dub.
- Gyomei Himejima – Gyomei is the Stone Hashira. Portrayed by Tomokazu Sugita in the original version and Crispin Freeman in the English dub.
- Muichiro Tokito – Muichiro is the current Mist Hashira. He often has an unserious attitude and is considered an airhead. He was played by Kengo Kawanishi in the original version and by Griffin Burns in the English dub.
- Obanai Iguro – Obanai is the current Serpent Hashira, who covers his lower face with bandages to hide his disfigurement. Portrayed by Kenichi Suzumura in the original version and Erik Scott Kimerer in the English dub.
- Kagaya Ubuyashiki – The 97th leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, more often known as Oyakata-sama. Portrayed by Toshiyuki Morikawa in the original version and Matthew Mercer in the English dub.
- Aoi Kanzaki – is part of the Demon Slayer Corps, but works at the Butterfly Mansion instead of going on missions and going to the front lines. Portrayed by Yuri Ehara in the original version and Reba Buhr in the English dub.
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The villains
9. Muzan Kibutsuji
Muzan is the demon king who massacred the entire Kamado family and turned Nezuko into a demon. He is one of the main antagonists of the anime. He is ruthless and doesn't care about anyone, mercilessly killing his subordinates when they disappoint him. The only times he shows emotion in the anime is when his vision of perfection advances or when the demons under his command completely submit to his will.
For all his power and belief in being a near-perfect being, Muzan is incredibly cowardly, often running away when Demon Slayers arrive or manipulating his many subordinates into doing his dirty work for him.
In combat, Muzan's attacks are extremely fast and completely unpredictable, and most demon slayers are unable to keep up with him, being cut into pieces when attempting to defeat him. He transforms and changes his appearance, growing whip-like limbs of varying lengths, some of which have mouths that he can use to inhale his opponents and carve them to pieces with his incredibly sharp teeth.
He is also capable of creating demons when they consume his blood, as well as enhancing the abilities of pre-existing demons; however, this is usually limited by their ability to assimilate into Muzan's blood. He is also known to transfer his memories and consciousness through his blood into a suitable host when he is on the verge of death.
Muzan's original voice is performed by Japanese voice actor Toshihiko Seki, and the English-dubbed version of his character in Demon Slayer is performed by voice actor Greg Chun.
10. The twelve Kizuki
The Twelve Kizuki, also known as the Demon Moons, are an organization made up of the 12 most powerful demons from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and are all under the command of the Demon King himself, the upper ranks of the moon being the highest. Each of them has unique abilities, further enhanced by Muzan's blood.
Upper Ranks (the most powerful demons of the group, who have killed many demon slayers and Hashira over the years) and Lower Ranks (the least powerful demons of the group, many of whom were easily killed by the Hashira) are divided into two categories. While the lower ranks are constantly being replaced, no one has successfully removed a member of the higher ranks in over a century.
They were tasked with destroying the Demon Slayer Corps, and specifically the Ubuyashiki family, who were running the entire operation, and finding the Blue Spider Lily (which was used to create the medicine that turned Muzan into a demon).
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The demons included in Demon Slayer's Twelve Kizuki are as follows:
- Kokushibo – The Six-Eyed Demon held Top Rank 1 for a long time and was considered the most powerful demon. He had been a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and was the older twin brother of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, considered one of Demon Slayer's strongest characters as well as one of the most powerful demon slayers, and who was the first to bear the Demon Slayer mark. He still uses moon breathing even as a demon.
- Doma – The demon that occupied the upper rank 2 space. He was the one who transformed Gyutaro and Daki and brought them into the Twelve Kizuki. He was also the one who killed Inosuke Hashibira's biological mother, Kotoha.
- Akaza – The demon who occupies top rank 3 and is probably Muzan's favorite, although he dislikes his subordinates. He is responsible for the death of Kyōjurō Rengoku. He looked down on the weak and complimented those strong enough to face him in combat, sometimes offering to turn them into demons.
- Nakime – This one-eyed demon was originally responsible for summoning other demons to Infinity Castle, but was later promoted to High Rank 4. She is very mysterious and shows sincere loyalty to the Demon King.
- Hantengu – He was in the top rank 4 before Nakime.
- Gyokko – The demon who occupies the top rank 5. He has a mouth in place of eyes and an eye on his forehead in place of a mouth. This demon is quick to anger and is easily insulted when it comes to his art.
- Kaigaku – Former member of the Demon Slayer Corps and elder of Zenitsu Agatsuma. He agreed to become a demon after being defeated by Kokushibo and took the top rank 6 position after the deaths of Gyutaro and Daki.
- Gyutaro and Daki – The two demon brothers shared the upper rank 6, although Daki was significantly weaker than his brother. Both were quite sadistic and shared a familial love despite their habit of insulting each other's intelligence.
- Enmu – The last member of the Lower Rankdemons who became Lower Rank 1 after Muzan killed the other Rank members. He merges with a train in an attempt to kill a couple of Harisha and Tanjiro Kamado, but his efforts are in vain and he is decapitated thanks to the joint efforts of Tanjiro and Inosuke.
- Ubume – former lower rank 1
- Rokuro – former lower rank 2 who took over the position after Hairo's death.
- Hairo – former lower rank 2
- Wakuraba – formerly lower rank 3
- Mukago – formerly lower rank 4
- Rui – occupies lower rank 5, and it was his fight that awakened Tanjiro's memory of Hinokami Kagura, awakening the power within him and unlocking Nezuko's blood demon art, Exploding Blood. He is eventually killed by Giyu Tomioka. He is also a spider demon and the leader of the Spider family, although he behaves like the youngest.
- Kamanue – Former Tier 6 player who took over after Kyohai's death.
- Kyohai – former lower rank 6
TL;DR
- The main character, Tanjiro Kamado, is undoubtedly the most notable of all the popular Demon Slayer characters.
- Of all the female characters, Nezuko Kamado comes in a close second.
- Coming in third is Tanjiro and Nezuko's traveling companion and future friend, Zenitsu Agatsuma.
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