Summary

Tanjiro's empathetic nature challenges the norm of demon slayers, shaped by his painful past.
Akaza's depth as a demon reveals internal struggles, showcasing a unique perspective.
Muzan's fear of death drives his complex character, setting the stage for the final saga.

While Solo Leveling and Jujutsu Kaisen have become phenoms of shonen anime, the real pound-for-pound king of the genre is still Demon Slayer. During this action-packed anime, a clan of swordsmen operates in 20th-century Japan to dispatch legions of demons that threaten the harmony of society. Fronted by Tanjiro Komado, a talented demon slayer, and his demon sister, Nezuko Komado, the pair ascend the hierarchy of the Demon Slayer Corps, determined to rid the world of Muzan Kibutsuji, the Demon King.

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Demon Slayer not only produces pulsating fight sequences, but the world-renowned anime has become famed for its complex characters who add to the narrative. These multi-layered characters, who have dealt with rough upbringings or terrifying experiences that have shaped them, have come to the forefront of Demon Slayer, only adding to the anime's excellence.

6 Tanjiro Kamado

This Generous Protagonist Picks Up The Pieces Of A Fractured Adolescence

First Appearance: Episode 1

Demon Slayer's leading man, the sweet and kind-hearted Tanjiro, while an inspiration to many, deals with many setbacks and challenges that shape his path as the swordsman who would lead the charge against Muzan. Often in the way of killing demons is Tanjiro's reluctance to consider demons as outright evil, and he is constantly referencing that each demon was a human at one point or another.

Frequently found to be empathetic towards the enemy, Tanjiro is different from the rest of the Demon Slayer Corps, who kill for revenge. Tanjiro's painful upbringing and his close-knit relationship with his demon sister, Nezuko, instead gives the protagonist a different outlook than most. Tanjiro's balance of factors, including bereavement, undeniable resolve, and thoughtfulness, makes the ever-growing swordsman a fascinating character at the heart of this exciting anime.

5 Akaza

An Upper Rank Demon Caught In A Bind

First Appearance: Demon Slayer: The Movie - Mugen Train

The third-highest-ranked member of the demon hierarchy, Akaza is undoubtedly a well-developed character capable of much more than the pure evil that many other demons evoke. Coming into the story during the Mugen Train saga, Akaza's villainous intentions pose an instant threat to Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku. However, while fighting against the Demon Slayers, Akaza pleads his case to Rengoku to become a demon. Seemingly concerned that his talents will be wasted, the potent antagonist opted not to show pure hatred towards humans.

Tanjiro and Nezuko fight together - Demon Slayer

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In Akaza's limited appearances, he is shown struggling with his identity. Tanjiro's accusations of being afraid, and Akaza's behavior when in the presence of Muzan and the other upper-rank demons, show the conflict within him. His presence and backstory are set to be further revealed in Demon Slayer's final stages in the Infinity Castle.

4 Kokushibo

The Upper Moon One Demon Is Brimming With Mysticism

First Appearance: Episode 45

Besides Muzan, Kokushibo is the second-strongest demon in existence, known as Upper Moon One. The multi-eyed demon has become a significant force within the Infinity Castle Arc. Kokushibo's first appearance sees the demon commanding the utmost respect from his peers through his stoic and calming presence, illustrating his grand power and sophistication despite being a demon. Sporting the image of a samurai, Kokushibo has the demeanor of a living and breathing human, a far cry from his contemporaries, who sought the blood and brutality of humans.

Up to the end of the Hashira Training Arc, Kokushibo's involvement has been sparse. However, the complex demon who bears a striking resemblance to Yoriichi Tsugikuni is sure to be at the forefront of the coming arc, with the marks on his skin, similar to Tanjiro's, only adding more questions to the narrative.

3 Kagaya Ubuyashiki

The Head Of The Demon Slayer Order Carries Himself With Much Mystery And Grace

First Appearance: Episode 15

The infamous and mysterious leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, is a sickly man who commands total respect from the Hashira. Even from a young age, he possessed a mystical quality. Descending from the cursed lineage of Muzan, Ubuyashiki does not pout over the havoc his ancestor inflicted on Japan. Instead, he takes ownership of Muzan's actions, choosing to dedicate his life to eradicating his existence with the help of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Briefly appearing throughout Demon Slayer until his explosive death, Ubuyashiki's actions always place peace as their center, adopting a tranquil approach that goes against many of the norms often seen in the genre when facing off against the forces of tyranny.

2 Sanemi Shinazugawa

An Aggressive Hashira Whose Challenging Upbringing Influences His Behavior As An Adult

First Appearance: Episode 22

Sanemi Shinazugawa, one of the strongest warriors in the the Demon Slayer Corps, often comes off as a brash and vicious Hashira, but there is more to Sanemi than meets the eye. Revealed in his younger brother Genya Shinazugawa's flashback, Sanemi and Genya lived in poverty, where mass death struck their family, seeing their father, mother, and siblings perish. Genya blamed Sanemi for their mother's death, a heartbreaking moment in the series.

Tanjiro in the very first opening - Demon Slayer

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1 Muzan Kibutsuji

A Demon King Who Is Terrified Of Death

First Appearance: Episode 6

Muzan, the terrifying king of demons and the number one enemy of the Demon Slayer Corps, is perhaps Demon Slayer's most complex individual. Reigning as the Demon King for a thousand years, Muzan has ruled from the shadows, fueled by his fear of perishing. This fear has left Muzan deeply insecure, and he attempts to mask his displeasure and trepidation while portraying himself as a confident and powerful being on the surface.

Throughout much of Demon Slayer, many fans wondered what Muzan sought in his goal of gaining immortality, but the antagonist finally revealed that he is keen on acquiring the rare Blue Spider Lily, or the spawn of a demon able to withstand sunlight, like Nezuko. The reveal of the Blue Spider Lily and Nezuko's development has set the stage for Demon Slayer's final saga, with Muzan and his complexity being at the center of proceedings in the Infinity Castle arc.

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