This list contains spoilers!
Summary
- Demon Slayer’s diverse characters, each with unique backgrounds, come together with a shared purpose.
- Characters like Muichiro, Shinobu, and Inosuke are fan favorites due to their unique traits and compelling stories.
- Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Rengoku stand out for their sympathetic, selfless, and heroic qualities, resonating with fans worldwide.
While being focused on Tanjiro and Nezuko, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is also the story of several other brave characters who have suffered immensely in their lives. While being different in every conceivable way imaginable, these individuals are brought together by a shared sense of purpose.
Their inspiring journey, filled with suffering and triumph, has carved a place in the hearts of countless fans all over the world. Although there are quite a few popular characters from the series, these are arguably the most loved.
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The Demon Slayer series is home to an array of detestable figures. Out of them all, however, these particular examples are among the most unlikable.
8
Muichiro Tokito
One of the Youngest Hashira Ever
- Manga Debut: Chapter 44
- Anime Debut: Episode 21
Tokito is a prodigy who became a Hashira in just two months after picking up a sword. Like most demon slayers, he has endured unimaginable loss, but has only used it as fuel to surpass his physical limits.
Remember that boiling anger. Even if I lose my memories, my body will remember that anger that will not leave me until I die. It’s why I trained so hard that I vomited blood to destroy demons. And more… to eradicate them!
Muichiro remains a mysterious character and barely talks until the Swordsmith Village arc. But his fight with Gyokko not only reveals his prodigious talent but also offers a glimpse into his past life. As Tokito’s struggle with his apathetic nature ends and he regains his identity, fans finally get to see what he is truly like. His strict but caring attitude leaves a lasting impression, revealing the person behind his stoic exterior.
7
Shinobu Kocho
Insect Hashira
- Manga Debut: Chapter 28
- Anime Debut: Episode 15
Shinobu Kocho‘s facade of calmness and cheerfulness hides painful secrets that she has carried in her heart for years. Despite struggling with grief, her commitment to the Demon Slayer Corps and the eradication of demons has only strengthened. It is this strength of character behind her soft-spoken demeanor that makes her a fan favorite.
6
Giyu Tomioka
The Underconfident Demon Slayer
- Manga Debut: Chapter 1
- Anime Debut: Episode 1
Struggling with self-doubt and low self-esteem, Tomioka looks down on himself despite being one of the best Hashira of his generation. While he initially comes off as a cold and distant individual, he proves himself to be a deeply compassionate person who is even willing to put his life on the line to give Nezuko and Tanjiro a chance. If it weren’t for his out-of-the-box thinking and fearless decision-making, the brother-sister duo would not have survived long.
Don’t cry. Don’t despair. Now’s not the time for that.
Giyu, unsurprisingly, became one of the most loved characters of the series from the start and only grew in popularity, especially after he killed Rui on Mount Natagumo.
5
Inosuke Hashibira
Inventor of Beast Breathing
- Manga Debut: Chapter 21
- Anime Debut: Episode 11
Shaped by the tragedies and misfortunes that he has endured throughout his life, Inosuke is a boorish but brave person. While he initially comes off as insensitive, Hashibira is revealed to be a compassionate and valiant human being who just expresses himself differently.
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It is the uniqueness of Inosuke’s personality, marked by wild instincts and unwavering loyalty, that makes him an appealing character. With him, one can never be sure what to expect, and perhaps that’s what makes him so entertaining.
4
Zenitsu Agatsuma
Jigoro Kuwajima’s Successor
- Manga Debut: Chapter 6
- Anime Debut: Episode 4
Agatsuma‘s timid nature and panic-stricken antics are comedy gold. In a series that is filled with death and loss, his exaggerated reactions and hilarious outbursts provide the much-needed comic relief.
I hate myself more than anyone. I always think I have to get my act together, but I end up cowering, running away, sniveling. I want to change. I want to be a competent person.
While Zenitsu is not the typical valiant demon slayer willing to put his life on the line for the success of a mission, his personality shifts in accordance with the threat around him. When he allows his instincts to take over, Agatsuma appears almost invincible. His split personality and moments of courage have helped him make a place in the hearts of Demon Slayer fans. Interestingly, he has been consistently ranked as one of the most popular characters from the franchise in different polls over the years.
3
Nezuko Kamado
Tanjiro’s Demon Sister Who Clung to Her Humanity
- Manga Debut: Chapter 1
- Anime Debut: Episode 1
Nezuko, as one of the main characters, is an indispensable part of the series. Her innocent and adorable antics provide a heartfelt contrast to the otherwise tragic and sombre tone of the story.
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While being her usual playful self, Nezuko is already loved by the fans, but she truly shines when she fights to protect the people around her. She often surprises other demons with her strength and can fight briefly on equal ground with members of the Twelve Kizuki.
2
Kyojuro Rengoku
The Flame Hashira
- Manga Debut: Chapter 44
- Anime Debut: Episode 21
Rengoku dies quite early in the series, despite being introduced as one of the best Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps. While most characters in his place would have been forgotten, Kyojuro leaves a lasting impression on the fans’ psyche because of his selfless sacrifice.
Life is a series of decisions. You never have unlimited options or unlimited time to think, but what you choose in that instant defines who you are.
Deciding to fight someone of Akaza’s stature alone was a brave decision, especially since he fought to protect the future generation of promising demon slayers. Rengoku’s sacrifice echoes the ideals of true heroism, inspiring Tanjiro and Inosuke to shoulder the responsibility of eradicating demons. Despite his death, his values live on through the people he touched with his indomitable spirit and unwavering resolve. It should not come as a surprise that he is one of the most loved characters, whose selfless nature resonates with the fans, too.
1
Tanjiro Kamado
The Sympathetic Hero
- Manga Debut: Chapter 1
- Anime Debut: Episode 1
Unlike protagonists in most shounen series, Tanjiro Kamado is barely the strongest character. Yoriichi and a few other demon slayers are far more experienced or well-rounded as fighters in comparison. What makes him truly stand out is his sympathetic attitude towards demons that allows him to see the dark forces that have played a part in shaping their actions and suffering.
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While Kamado is far from dispassionate when he is fighting, he also understands the deeper conflict better than any other character and has the courage to rise above hate to see the humanity buried deep in his demon rivals. Tanjiro’s kindness and selfless pursuit of the greater good make him a rare hero who finds strength not just in power but in moral clarity and empathy.