The character growth of Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer is an unparalleled situation in recent anime, as it is never forced upon the viewer. All the fights, all the breakthroughs, and all the strong moments are created on the basis of visible struggle, unsuccessful attempts, and constant training. In contrast to most of the protagonists in Shōnen, Tanjiro never feels like he is a chosen one, being given sudden power-ups, or being gifted with overwhelming power without prior notice. Tanjiro always feels like he is evolving as a direct consequence of the pain and the punishment he has gone through. It becomes believable, even near inevitable, when he gets stronger, because the series takes time to show the price.
Although it seems that Tanjiro is overwhelmed, the anime lets it be known that he is hardly a one-man show. Winning can be either by teamwork, sacrifice or just by just surviving till help comes. He is finding it hard, fainting and pushing himself well beyond his own physical capabilities, which makes his most powerful moments all the more devastating. Tanjiro’s most overwhelming moments as depicted in the anime alone are ranked below, with an emphasis solely on sequences where the odds were stacked against him, but he refused to give up.
Demon Slayer: Every Member Of The Hashira, Ranked In Terms Of Strength
The Hashira are humanity’s last line of defense against demons. Here’s how every single one of them ranks based on their strength.
Meeting with Giyu Tomioka For The First Time
The first meeting of Tanjiro with Giyu gives an instant preview of the whole series. Although he has no idea of what a Demon Slayer is and how they fight, even before any formal training, Tanjiro is able to almost catch Giyu off guard with his instincts, speed, and desperation. This scene is startling as Giyu is already set out as a person on a completely new plane, but Tanjiro is agile enough to bridge that divide temporarily.
What is really overwhelming about this moment is not the actual confrontation, but the determination of the confrontation. It is the ambition of Tanjiro to save Nezuko that wins the heart of Giyu and eventually forms the whole story. It is why Giyu saves Nezuko and proceeds to keep a watch on her even in the shadows, and later, eventually, even offers to commit seppuku in case she ever commits a sin. The same experience alters the future of Demon Slayer’s story, and Tanjiro succeeds in doing it when he is not even a fighter yet.
Headbutting Sanemi For Hurting Nezuko
This scene will forever be the best illustration of Tanjiro being emotionally unstable whenever it comes to his sister. Fans can understand, and they all know where Sanemi is coming from—as all the Hashiras have lost something dear to the demons—but Nezuko is not like that. Sanemi is just acting out of hatred without giving her an opportunity and Tanjiro is fed up at last.
What renders this scene absurdly overpowering is Tanjiro losing his composure entirely and assaulting one of the Hashiras physically, headbutting Sanemi without a second thought. This is where the series plays heavily with the idea that the Hashira are the most powerful of the powerful Demon Slayers, and at this moment, this is practically suicide. Yet Tanjiro does not care. Reason, fear, and order are all gone at that moment, demonstrating that, when Nezuko is hurt, Tanjiro instincts take over whatever it takes, even if the opponent is one of the strongest Hashira or demons.
Boulder Training With Sabito and Makomo
One of the most emotionally weighted training sequences in the series is the boulder-splitting moment. The whole arc is built in the form of an ordeal, and Tanjiro is brought to the brink of death and sanity. Initially, the task appears to be impossible, which makes the situation even stronger, which underscores the fact that he is still unprepared to venture into the world of Demon Slayers.
What makes this scene more emotional is the emotional payoff as Sabito and Makomo are found not to be who they said they were. Tanjiro is not swinging a sword anymore — he is bearing the burden of fallen trainees, their advice and their expectations. The boulder is a symbolic idea, as he breaks it to signify that he no longer remains a mere charcoal seller, but a real swordsman, someone who has finally made it over the border into being a Demon Slayer. It is not glamorous, however, it is groundbreaking, which makes it incredibly powerful.
Demon Slayer: Best Episode In Each Arc, Ranked
Demon Slayer is made up of iconic and memorable story arcs, and for each one, there is a single episode that stands above the rest.
Tanjiro vs. Rui and the Spider Family
The fight between Tanjiro and Rui is the first instance where the anime actually reveals his untapped potential. Acting on the spur of a pure instinct as he executes Hinokami Kagura for the first time, inadvertently dipping into Sun Breathing and almost turning the tide of the battle. This wasn’t something he trained for but rather pure instinct, which makes it all the more interesting.
Though Tanjiro does lose eventually, for a moment he becomes one of the strongest Demon Slayers ever. Fans do realize that at this point in the series, he is relatively new as a Demon Slayer, but he holds his own as he fights a Lower Moon-ranked demon straight up. And not only that, but he lives long enough to buy critical time so Giyu can come. The battle confirms that Tanjiro has a much higher ceiling than anybody ever believed, even though his body is not yet capable of reaching his potential.
Tanjiro vs Upper Moon 4, Hantengu
Tanjiro’s growth is evident in the battle with Hantengu. From barely surviving fights with Lower Moons to actively holding his own against an Upper Moon, he goes from struggling against slightly stronger demons to being able to swiftly behead Upper Moons. It is impossible to overestimate the magnitude of this accomplishment.
Tanjiro’s near victory is what makes this moment genuinely overwhelming. Hantengu is almost killed by his Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance. The demon’s survival is solely due to his ability to conceal his actual body, which is a trick rather than physical prowess. Nearly every other demon that has been introduced thus far, such as Gyutaro or Daki, would have been totally destroyed if that attack had hit them. This battle demonstrates that Tanjiro is now winning fights rather than just surviving.
7 Demon Slayer Characters Who Win The Most Fights, Ranked
Demon Slayer is packed with explosive battles, and characters must put it all on the line to come out on top — some more often than others.
Sun Breathing Against Daki
One of the most memorable moments in the anime is Tanjiro’s furious battle with Daki. Tanjiro’s typical empathy turns into something darker and much more dangerous when Daki kills innocent people in the Entertainment District. His movements become brutal, oppressive, and unrelenting as he learns to use Sun Breathing on command.
Tanjiro’s moral compass is demonstrated in this scene, which makes it potent. He understands that many demons were imprisoned by fate and frequently feels sympathy for them, but he won’t justify their behavior. He will not tolerate their continued slaughter of innocent people, nor will he ever forgive them. Tanjiro demonstrates that kindness does not mean weakness by remaining completely composed in the face of anger and exhaustion.
Tanjiro’s Final Attack on Gyutaro
Tanjiro’s finishing attack on Gyutaro is without a doubt the anime’s most intense and beloved scene. Tanjiro refuses to give up after a battle that felt like it lasted for an eternity and with no hope of winning, the battle left him with severe wounds, blood loss, and poison coursing through his body. He continues to move despite Gyutaro piercing his throat, knowing full well that it is either die or die trying.
Tanjiro uses all of his remaining strength in his arms to make one last slash. In addition to being regarded as one of the most beautifully animated fight scenes in recent years, the awakening of his Demon Slayer Mark during this battle sets off a series of events that will completely alter the plot because the appearance of a Sun Breathing user’s mark indicates that other Hashira will awaken theirs.
- Release Date
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April 6, 2019
- Network
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Adult Swim