Meet The Cast: An Introduction to the Characters in the Demon Slayer Anime

By: Prince Lammy

Major Characters

Tanjiro Kamado

Tanjiro Kamado is the protagonist of the Demon Slayer series. He is a determined and skilled Demon Slayer who sets out on a perilous journey to avenge his family's murder and find a cure for his sister Nezuko, who has been turned into a demon. 

Tanjiro's kind-hearted nature, exceptional swordsmanship skills, and unwavering determination make him a captivating and relatable protagonist as he battles demons and strives to revert his sister back to a human. 

Nezuko Kamado

Nezuko Kamado is a prominent character in the anime series Demon Slayer. She is the younger sister of Tanjiro Kamado and plays a crucial role in the story. Nezuko is unique as she has been turned into a demon, but she retains her human emotions and a strong bond with her brother. Despite her transformation, Nezuko showcases resilience, loyalty, and a fierce determination to protect her loved ones. 

She possesses powerful demon abilities, including regenerative powers and fierce combat skills, making her a formidable force in battles against demons. Nezuko's unwavering support for her brother and her struggles with her demon nature create a compelling and intriguing character that adds depth and complexity to the Demon Slayer series.

Zenitsu Agatsuma

Zenitsu Agatsuma is one of the main characters in the Demon Slayer anime. He is portrayed as a cowardly and anxious character, often displaying fear and reluctance in facing demons. However, Zenitsu possesses an incredible talent for lightning-based breathing techniques, making him a formidable fighter when he is able to overcome his fears. 

Despite his shortcomings, Zenitsu's loyalty and dedication to his friends, particularly his admiration for Tanjiro Kamado, shines through. He provides comic relief with his humorous and exaggerated reactions, often leading to comedic moments in the series. Zenitsu's growth and development as a character, from his initial cowardice to his moments of bravery, make him an exciting and dynamic character in the Demon Slayer anime.

Inosuke Hashibira

Inosuke Hashibira is the wild boar in the Demon Slayer series. He is known for his wild and feral personality, often behaving like a savage beast. Inosuke is a skilled swordsman with a unique fighting style, utilizing dual-wielded swords and relying on his brute strength and agility. He has a boar's head as a mask, which serves as his signature appearance, and he is often seen shirtless, showing off his toned physique. 

Inosuke's reckless and impulsive nature often leads to humorous and action-packed moments in the series. Despite his rough exterior, Inosuke shows glimpses of vulnerability and camaraderie with his fellow Demon Slayers, especially Tanjiro and his friends. 

Kanao Tsuyuri

Genya Shinazugawa

Hashiras

Kyojuro Rengoku

Kyojuro Rengoku is a prominent character in the anime series Demon Slayer. He is a powerful swordsman and a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Rengoku is known for his unwavering sense of justice and his fiery personality, often displaying a burning passion for protecting humanity from demons. He is recognized for his exceptional swordsmanship skills, particularly his use of the Flame Breathing technique, which allows him to wield flames as a weapon against demons. 

Rengoku is also known for his striking appearance, with fiery red hair, intense eyes, and a charismatic presence. He is often seen wearing his distinctive Demon Slayer uniform adorned with flames, which further reflects his fiery nature. Despite his tough exterior, Rengoku has a compassionate and kind-hearted side, as seen in his interactions with his fellow Demon Slayers and his unwavering dedication to protecting innocent lives.

Tengen Uzui

Tengen Uzui is a captivating character in the popular anime series Demon Slayer. He is a skilled swordsman and a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Uzui is known for his flamboyant personality, unique appearance, and exceptional combat skills. He is recognized for his mastery of the Sound Hashira techniques, which allows him to utilize sound waves as weapons against demons. 

Uzui is often seen wearing his iconic flashy outfit adorned with various musical instruments, reflecting his love for music and his distinct sense of style. Despite his flamboyant demeanor, Uzui possesses a keen intellect and a sharp intuition, making him a valuable asset in battles against demons. 

Gyomei Himejima

Sanemi Shinazugawa

Sanemi Shinazugawa is a complex character in the popular anime series Demon Slayer. As the Wind Hashira, he is known for his brash demeanor and no-nonsense attitude. Despite his tough exterior, Sanemi is deeply committed to his role as a Demon Slayer and has a strong sense of duty to protect humanity from demons. 

He possesses exceptional combat skills and a Wind Breathing technique that he uses to deliver swift and decisive attacks. However, he also harbors a personal vendetta against demons due to his tragic past. 

Obanai Iguro

Obanai Iguro is a character in the popular anime series Demon Slayer, known for his stoic demeanor and exceptional swordsmanship as the Snake Hashira. He utilizes a unique Snake Breathing technique and is deeply committed to his duty as a Demon Slayer. Despite his aloof exterior, Obanai cares deeply for those he trusts and is known for his unwavering determination and resilience.

 
His past is mysterious, and he has a complex relationship with his fellow Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji. Obanai adds depth to the story as he grapples with his own demons while remaining steadfast in his commitment to protect humanity. His reserved nature and remarkable combat skills make him a formidable ally and respected member of the Demon Slayer Corps.

Giyu Tomioka

Giyu Tomioka is a prominent character in the popular anime series Demon Slayer, recognized as the Water Hashira and known for his cold and stoic demeanor. He is skilled in the Water Breathing technique and wields a powerful Nichirin Blade in his fight against demons. Giyu is initially reserved and distant, but his stoic facade hides a deep sense of responsibility and loyalty towards his comrades. He has a tragic past that fuels his determination to eliminate demons and protect humanity. 

Despite his tough exterior, Giyu is shown to have a compassionate side, particularly towards Tanjiro Kamado and his sister Nezuko. Giyu's unwavering dedication to his duty, his exceptional swordsmanship, and his complex personality make him a compelling character in the Demon Slayer series, adding depth and intrigue to the overall narrative.

Shinobu Kocho

Shinobu Kocho is a prominent character in the popular anime series Demon Slayer, known as the Insect Hashira, and is recognized for her exceptional skills in using poisons to combat demons. She is known for her calm and cheerful demeanor, which contrasts with her deadly abilities in battle. Shinobu is a skilled strategist and uses her intellect to outwit her opponents. 

She is also known for her strong sense of justice and compassion, seeking to find a way to defeat demons without causing unnecessary harm. Shinobu is also profoundly empathetic towards the struggles and traumas faced by others, and she displays a caring and nurturing side towards those in need. 

Muichiro Tokito

Muichiro Tokito is a character in the popular anime series Demon Slayer, known as the Mist Hashira, recognized for his exceptional swordsmanship skills and unique fighting style. He is portrayed as a laid-back and carefree character, often seen with a playful and cheerful demeanor. However, he possesses incredible speed and agility in battle, making him a formidable opponent against demons.

 
Muichiro is also known for his exceptional sense of smell, which allows him to detect and track down demons with great accuracy. Despite his carefree exterior, Muichiro has a tragic past that drives his motivation to eradicate demons and protect humanity. He is a character with a tragic backstory, and his journey in the Demon Slayer Corps is filled with challenges and growth. 

Mitsuri Kanroji

Mitsuri Kanroji is a character in the popular anime series Demon Slayer, known as the Love Hashira, recognized for her unique fighting style and passionate personality. She is portrayed as a cheerful and optimistic character, always seeing the best in people and situations. Mitsuri is known for her incredible physical strength and agility, making her a formidable warrior against demons. She wields a unique pink-colored Nichirin sword, which reflects her love-themed fighting style. 

Mitsuri is also known for her unwavering loyalty and dedication to her friends and comrades, always willing to go the extra mile to protect them. Despite her cheerful exterior, Mitsuri has her own struggles and vulnerabilities, making her a complex and multi-dimensional character. Her unwavering love and dedication, both in battle and in her personal relationships, make her a beloved character in the Demon Slayer series.

Demons

Muzan Kibutsuji

Muzan Kibutsuji is not only Kimetsu no Yaiba's main antagonist but also the first-ever demon to be created (according to the story). He is depicted as a powerful and cunning demon who possesses immense strength and regenerative abilities. 

Muzan is known for his ruthless and sadistic nature, often showing no mercy to those who stand in his way. He is also known for his shapeshifting abilities, allowing him to blend into society and avoid detection. His voice acting was portrayed by Toshihiko Seki.

Twelve Kizuki Demons

Upper One – Kokushibo

He is Muzan's most potent servant and also the Upper-Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki. He was a Demon Slayer named Michikatsu Tsugikuni and Yoriichi's older twin brother. Envious of his brother's ability, he joined Muzan's side as a demon to perpetually hone his swordsmanship without fear of disease or old age. 

Kokushibo's "Moon Breathing" is Yoriichi's Sun Breathing in Demon Slayer form. He dies battling Muichiro, Sanemi, and Gyomei. His character is voiced by Ryotaro Okiayu.

Upper Two – Doma

Doma, the Upper-Rank Two, is a nihilistic demon. His parents created a religious cult around him since he was a perfect child. After his parents' deaths, he took control of the cult and, after Muzan turned him into a demon, began devouring his followers, believing they would live eternally inside him. His cult included Inosuke's mother, Kotoha, whom he ate afterward. 

He also murdered Kanae, Shinobu's older sister. Shinobu takes a considerable amount of Wisteria and lets him devour her to vanquish him. Kanao and Inosuke murder Doma. He was later murdered by Inosuke and Kanao after being weakened by the Wisteria in Shinobu's body after he devoured her. His character was voiced by Mamoru Miyano.

Upper Three – Akaza

Akaza is the Upper Three amongst Muzan's Twelve Kizuki demons. He despises those who are weak and offer strong demon slayers the chance to become demons so as to reach their full potential (as he did with Kyojuro Rengoku). 

As a human, his real name was Hakuji, and as a child, he took care of his sick father. His last fight was against Giyu Tomioka and Tanjiro, but he committed suicide after sustaining some grave injuries. His character was voiced by Akira Ishida.

Upper Four – Hantengu

While Hantengu occupies the rank of Upper-Rank Four, he gives the impression of being a weak demon. Nevertheless, when he divides himself into several clones, each of which represents a distinct emotion, he reveals his actual might. Every one of the clones has a unique look, personality, and set of skills. 

Before Muzan transformed him into a demon, he was a violent and prolific criminal who maintained his innocence despite being convicted of his crimes. He is eventually put to death by Tanjiro. His character was voiced by Toshio Furukawa.

Upper Five – Gyokko

Gyokko is the clownish deformed demon who lives in a jar amongst the twelve kizuki. He was transformed into a demon after Muzan found him half-dead after he was stabbed by some humans for kidnapping a child. 

As the enigmatic artist he thinks himself to be, he often twists the body of victims into hideous-looking sculptures. His head was finally severed by Muichiro. His character was voiced by Kohsuke Toriumi.

Upper Six – Gyutaro and Daki

Gyutaro and Daki are siblings who also happen to both be the Twelve Kizuki's Upper Six Demons. Apparently, Gyutaro lives inside Daki and only ever comes out whenever Daki meets a rather formidable opponent and has to save her. 

Even as humans, Gyutaro has always had a sickly, ugly, and disgusting appearance, while Daki always is the prettiest lady wherever she goes, making her the cynosure of all eyes. Both were later killed by the combined efforts of Tengen Uzui, Tanjiro, Inosuke, Zenitsu, and Nezuko. Gyutaro was voiced by Ryota Osaka, while Daki was voiced by Miyuki Sawashiro.

Kaigaku

Kaigaku became the Upper Six Demon after the death of Daki and Gyutaro. He is one of Gyomei Himejima's children and used to be a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and a user of the Thunder Breathing Technique. 

In a bid to have more power, he asks Kokushibo to turn him into a demon and begins devouring humans. He was later killed by Zenitsu when the latter created a seventh form of his Thunder Breathing Technique. His character was voiced by Yoshimasa Hosoya.

Nakime

Lower Rank One – Enmu

Enmu is the demon that stole the show in the Mugen Train Arc of the Demon Slayer anime series. Having the ability to make people subconscious and weave their dreams as he likes while he prepares to devour them, he also fused himself into a train in a bid to ingest everyone in it.

Tasked with eliminating Tanjiro and Kyojuro Rengoku, he was killed by the combined efforts of Tanjiro and Inosuke, while Kyojuro, Zenitsu, and Nezuko held him at bay from eating the passengers on the train. His character was voiced by Daisuke Hirakawa.

Lower Rank Five – Rui

Rui is the Lower Rank Five demon who seems to be a young man. Before Muzan changed him, he was a sickly child, and when his parents tried to kill him for showing demonic traits, he killed them. He created a family of demons who had spider-like abilities like himself, but even though he assigned different roles to them all, he still ruled them with brutality, especially whenever any of them failed in the task he dished out.

His entire demon family was wiped out when they were apprehended by the combined forces of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko, while Giyu Tomioka helped clear the floor when the young demon slayers got exhausted. His character was voiced by Koki Uchiyama.

Kyogai

Kyogai, also known as the "Tsuzumi Devil," was a Lower Six Demon. Muzan removed his number once he became too weak and was unable to consume humans. He constantly attacks and eats victims passing by the Tsuzumi Mansion in a bid to reclaim his place in the Twelve Kizuki. 

Kyogai was a rejected poet before he became a monster. He uses his body's tsuzumi drums to turn rooms, move around the home, and slice the air. He was later killed by Tanjiro. His character was voiced by Junichi Suwabe.

Kamanue

Mukago

Wakuraba

Rokuro

Hairo

Ubume

Other Demons

Yahaba

With unwavering loyalty to Muzan, this demon fancies himself as one of the Twelve Kizuki, but he is mistaken, lacking the telltale number mark on his eye. His unique ability allows him to manipulate objects with telekinetic arrows using the eyeballs on his palms. 

Teaming up with Susamaru, this demon meets his ultimate demise at the hands of Tanjiro, who puts an end to his deceptive belief and formidable powers. His character was voiced by Jun Fukuyama.

Susamaru

Swamp Demon

Hand Demon

Hand Demon is a malevolent demon who was taken prisoner by Urokodaki and imprisoned on a mountain that served as a training ground for potential members of the Demon Slayer Corps. Due to the fact that he was unable to get off the mountain, he resolved to exact his punishment on all of Urokodaki's students, including Makomo and Sabito, by hunting them down and eating them. 

He was successful in the majority of his endeavors, but he was unable to consume Giyu and, subsequently, Tanjiro. He was later slain by Tanjiro. His character was voiced by Aki Toyosaki.

Temple Demon

Horned Demon

Tongue Demon

Supporting Characters

Kasugai Crow

Kagaya Ubuyashiki

Tamayo

Yushiro

Yushiro is a demon and Tamayo's devoted servant who assists her in her research and experiments. He possesses the ability to change his appearance and can transform into a bat for reconnaissance purposes. He has a close bond with Tamayo and often provides comic relief with his flamboyant personality. His character was voiced by Daiki Yamashita.

Makio, Suma, and Hinatsuru

Yoriichi Tsugukuni

Jigoro Kuwajima

Jigoro Kuwajima is a former Thunder Hashira who trained Zenitsu in the art of swordsmanship. He is a strict and demanding mentor who pushes Zenitsu to overcome his fears and become a skilled swordsman. He is known for his exceptional speed and agility in battle. His character was voiced by Shigeru Chiba.

Makomo

Sabito

Hotaru Haganezuka

Sakonji Urokodaki

Conclusion