Demon Slayer anime characters are some of the most interesting at present. This is one of the show’s biggest draws and the reason why people fell in love with it. Given their different backstories and the range of their abilities, figuring out the characters can get confusing for some.
Who is the strongest Demon Slayer character? Why does Inosuke wear a boar’s head? What are your favorite anime characters birthdays? Let us answer each of your questions and prepare you for when Demon Slayer 2: Yuukaku-hen finally gets a release date!
What is Demon Slayer About?
If you’re new to this anime series then you’re in for a treat. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Blade of Demon Destruction) is an anime adapted from the popular manga written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge. Its success led to a film sequel, Demon Slayer Movie – Mugen Train.
The anime follows Tanjiro Kamado and his journey after his family’s demise at the hands of the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji. His sister, Nezuko, survived but was also turned into a demon during the attack. As you might imagine, this complicated things for the teenager.
On top of wanting revenge, Tanjiro is also seeking a cure for the demon curse that infected his sister. He is later recruited into the Demon Slayer Corps and met new travel companions along the way. Nezuko and Tanjiro both undergo great physical and mental transformations as they get closer to their goals.
The siblings and their motley crew encounter plenty of danger throughout the series. However, it isn’t always difficult! The Demon Slayer characters show how the human spirit can thrive even in great adversity.
Why is Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba so Popular?
It is one of the best anime to watch in 2021. One reason would be the striking animation, which is most apparent during the action sequences.
Aside from its visuals, another major draw is its story. While it might seem like your typical good versus evil, things aren’t always black and white when it comes to Demon Slayer. You might find yourself doubting the intentions of characters shown to be on the good side.
If you have doubts about its popularity, then consider the fact that the Demon Slayer movie managed to gross $417 million worldwide. It is the first Japanese film to have surpassed the 400 million mark and outsold Studio Ghibli’s Spirited Away.
Demon Slayer Characters – Age, Abilities, and Backstory
They may not be cut from the same fabric as your favorite Studio Ghibli icons, but there are many special things about every Demon Slayer main character. They have unique abilities and interesting backstories as well. Many aspiring illustrators also reference them when learning how to draw anime.
Tanjiro Kamado
Tanjiro is the eldest son in his family. His father, Tanjuro Kamado, was a charcoal-seller, and his mother, Kie Kamado, took care of everyone. He has five other siblings, including Nezuko, Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru, and Rokuta. Despite the Tanjiro and Nezuko age difference, they are also very close. Tanjiro had been away when demons attacked, selling charcoal and hoping to bring back a feast for everyone.
Appearance: Tanjiro demon slayer has black hair and red eyes. He appears muscular, likely due to his family’s lifestyle up in the mountains. He has a prominent scar on the top left of his forehead, which he got after he shielded his younger brother from a falling brazier. This scar later turns into a Demon Slayer Mark.
Demon Slayer Tanjiro Age: He was 13 at the beginning of the anime. How old is Tanjiro by the end of season one? Adding up all the years, including his training at Sagiri Mountain, places his age at 15 to 16 years old.
Tanjiro Birthday: He was born on July 14.
Likes: Early on we are shown that he likes eating. Based on the Demon Slayer anime, he enjoys kelp rice balls and Udon. It is also hinted that he harbors a crush on Kanao Tsuyuri.
Dislikes: Aside from his sister, he isn’t very fond of demons. He’ll go through great lengths to avenge his family and return Nezuko to normal by killing the Demon King.
Tanjiro’s Special Skills
As a young boy, Tanjiro was taught the Hinokami Kagura technique by his late father. Before he was trained by the Demon Slayer Corp, he was already quite strong and capable at fighting.
At Sagiri Mountain, with the help of Sakonji Urodaki, he was able to further develop his speed and strength. He also has excellent reflexes, endurance, and stamina. In fact, he may even be considered to be one of the strongest among the main Demon Slayer characters.
Mental Skills: One of Tanjiro’s greatest strengths is his ability to discern a demon’s ability and then strategize the appropriate countermeasure. This is a great asset, allowing him to think on his feet.
Supernatural Abilities: His Demon Slayer Mark gives him enhanced physical abilities, but he also has the Transparent World skill. This allows him to foresee his opponent’s attacks and increase his evasion speed. Tanjiro’s Nichirin blade also reduces a demon’s regeneration ability when they are injured by it.
Swordsmanship: Tanjiro is able to harness the ten forms of Water Breathing. He is also capable of performing the Hinokami Kagura.
Nezuko Kamado
Much like Tanjiro, Nezuko demon slayer is introduced as a caring elder sister toward her younger siblings. She maintained this same nature even after she was turned. Due to Sakonji Urodaki’s influence, Nezuko developed a strong empathy towards humans. She is also incredibly protective of them, including total strangers. Even when in demon form, she is less malicious and doesn’t see them as mere food.
Appearance: When she was still human, Nezuko had black hair and dark red eyes. Tanjiro has often said that she was considered a great beauty in their hometown. The Nezuko demon form has long black hair, which changes into a vibrant orange below her elbows.
She has large fangs and long, sharp nails. Her eyes also change into a lighter pink and her pupils turn into slits whenever she transforms. Giyu Tomioka had given her a bamboo gag, which she almost never removes, to keep her from biting others.
Demon Slayer Nezuko Age: Nezuko was only 12 years old when she was turned into a demon. How old is Nezuko by the end of season one? Following the timeline, she should be 14 years old.
Nezuko Birthday: She was born on December 28.
Nezuko’s Special Skills
Among the Kimetsu no Yaiba characters, Nezuko is one of the strongest. Even without formal training, she can hold her own against upper rank demons. Unlike Tanjiro who can strategize well, Nezuko relies on her brute strength. For a demon who has never eaten a human, the extent of her power is astonishing.
Size Manipulation: Nezuko developed the ability to alter her body’s size after she was turned. This comes in handy when Nezuko and Tanjiro travel during daylight. She can shrink to the size of a small child and fit inside the box he carries her in. During battle, she can also grow her form to better match with her opponent.
Power Restoration and Beserk Form: Nezuko doesn’t need to eat humans to gain strength. Instead, she needs to sleep for long hours. Her regeneration and overall power also seems to be growing exponentially as time passes. She once regenerated her severed limbs in the middle of a fight at the same speed as an Upper Rank Demon!
Nezuko demon form can also go “beserk,” which further enhances her abilities. When she transforms into this state, she becomes much less human. In this form, the only way she can return to normal is through Tanjiro’s lullaby.
Blood Demon Art: One of her supernatural abilities is creating demonic flames out of her own blood. This can deal significant injuries to demons, but is harmless to humans. She can also combine this skill with her brother’s Nichirin blade, making it even deadlier against demons.
Zenitsu Agatsuma
Among the Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba characters, Zenitsu Agatsuma is one of the most endearing. He starts off as cowardly, often exclaiming that he doesn’t have long to live because of his job. Unlike the others, he is shown to have very low self-esteem despite his abilities.
Zenitsu constantly tries to run away and wishes to live a more normal life. This is also why he constantly flirts with girls, asking them to marry him. He is a rather shameless womanizer, even shown to have attempted to woo Shinobu Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Appearance: He is a petite boy who may appear frail at first glance. In the beginning, his hair was shown to be black, but changed to its dark orange color after he was struck by lightning.
Demon Slayer Zenitsu Age: When we first meet him in the anime, Zenitsu was 16 years old.
Zenitsu Birthday: He was born on September 3.
Zenitsu’s Special Skills
Don’t be fooled into believing that Zenitsu is a weak Demon Slayer main character! He is one of the fastest in the series, easily evading attacks from the Spider and Tongue Demons. His swordsmanship is also excellent and he is capable of swinging his weapon at great speed, faster than human eyes can see.
Endurance and Stamina: Despite having sustained serious injuries, Zenitsu can still hold his own in a battle. His endurance and stamina complements his speed.
Tactical Intellect: Among the main Demon Slayer characters, he also displays keen tactical intellect. This is apparent even when he’s fighting unconsciously. Like Tanjiro, he can outmaneuver opponents through his cleverness. Zenitsu is capable of thinking on his feet and developing countermeasures as needed.
Enhanced Senses: Zenitsu’s hearing is enhanced beyond ordinary human level. With it, he can learn if a demon is close by and where they are. When used in its full power, Zenitsu can also hear people’s thoughts, sense their emotions, and even discern their personality.
Unconscious Combat: Whenever he finds himself in dire situations, the fear knocks Zenitsu unconscious. The Kimetsu no Yaiba anime may have made a joke out of this, but sleep allows him to reach his full potential. This unconscious state allows him to tap into his superhuman skills.
Swordsmanship: To match his great speed, Zenitsu’s special skill is called Thunder Breathing. In the anime, it is shown that he had only been able to master the first form out of six.
Inosuke Hashibira
In contrast to Zenitsu Agatsuma’s character, Inosuke is an overwhelmingly confident fighter. Inosuke Demon Slayer believes that he is always the strongest, regardless of the situation. His aggressive nature also tends to lead him to unnecessary danger. Because while he may be skilled, Inosuke also often overestimates his abilities.
Because he was raised by boars, Inosuke has no concept of proper manners. He also has little understanding of how interactions should go. In the beginning, he immediately assumed that people had bad intentions toward him. Among the main Demon Slayer characters, he is the one who undergoes a great degree of personality development.
Appearance: In his first appearance, Inosuke donned a boar’s head mask. As the story progressed, this mask was revealed to have belonged to his adoptive mother boar. Beneath this intimidating exterior is an incredibly feminine face. He has large eyes and long lashes, which is quite a sharp contrast to his rugged physique.
Demon Slayer Inosuke Age: During the events in the anime, Inosuke was 15 years old.
Inosuke Birthday: He was born on April 22.
Inosuke’s Special Skills
Among the Demon Slayer cast, Inosuke is among those who display inherent combat skills. He is capable of wielding two katanas, showing great dexterity in battle. His arm strength is incomparable and in the Demon Slayer manga, he moved a boulder thrice his size with his bare hands.
Excellent Reflexes and Endurance: Like Zenitsu, he also possesses great speed. This allowed him to keep up with a weakened Muzan Kibutsuji. His endurance also is one of his greatest assets. Even after exerting himself to the limit of his physical and mental condition, he was able to last for another half hour in battle.
Tactical Intellect: Some often dismiss Inosuke as “dumb” because of his wild nature. However, over the course of the Demon Slayer anime, he developed better tactical skills when fighting. He can come up with new techniques on the spot, allowing him to surprise his opponent.
Poison Resistance and Flexibility: Inosuke’s flexibility extends to his internal organs. He was even able to “move” his heart to keep it from being pierced during a fight! Another is Inosuke’s resistance to poison, even the deadliest ones. However, this also means he is immune to remedies concocted by Shinobu demon slayer.
Swordsmanship: Inosuke’s Beast Breathing skill is quite unique. Unlike the other Demon Slayer characters, he created this technique by himself. He derived it from Wind Breathing, which he learned while living in the mountains. Like himself, the technique is unpredictable but powerful.
Demon Slayer Season 2: Yuukaku-Hen – Release Date and Storyline
No date has been set for season 2 of the Demon Slayer anime, but it will be released in the latter half of 2021. It will pick up after the events of Demon Slayer Movie: Mugen Train, while also introducing storylines from the Demon Slayer manga. Titled Yuukaku-hen, the name literally translates to Red-Light District Arc.
The plot will take our four main characters to Yoshiwara, a famous red-light district, to track down a demon that has been terrorizing the locality. Season 2 will also focus more on the world of the Hashira, including demon slayer Giyuu. International fans would have to wait for further information on the streaming sites it would be available in.
For now, catch up with your favorite Demon Slayer characters by watching Mugen Train! The movie would be available online on June 22 on platforms such as Google Play, Apple TV, and Amazon.
