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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Characters

The Ultimate Guide to Every Character in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

The immense emotional depth and global success of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba are rooted in its incredible cast of characters. While the spectacular battles and tragic story are the main draw, it is the heroes, villains, and supporters—each with their own unique history, motivations, and fighting spirit—that make the series a true masterpiece. From the unwavering kindness of its protagonist to the profound sorrow of its most terrifying demons, the story is a rich tapestry woven from unforgettable personalities.

This is your definitive encyclopedia to the world of Demon Slayer characters. We will provide in-depth profiles on every significant figure from Koyoharu Gotouge’s completed manga. We will explore the core group of heroes, the nine elite Hashira, the full roster of the Twelve Kizuki, and the dedicated members of the Demon Slayer Corps. This guide is designed to be the most comprehensive resource for any fan looking to understand the people who make this series an unforgettable journey. Use the clickable table of contents below to navigate directly to any character.

Character Encyclopedia: Table of Contents

Main Characters

Tanjiro Kamado

Tanjiro is the heart and soul of Demon Slayer. He begins as a kind-hearted boy selling charcoal to support his family, but his life is shattered when the demon king, Muzan Kibutsuji, slaughters his family and turns his sister, Nezuko, into a demon. This tragedy ignites an unwavering resolve in him. He is defined by his profound empathy, feeling sorrow even for the demons he must slay, and his incredible sense of smell, which allows him to detect demons and their weaknesses. His journey to join the Demon Slayer Corps is fueled by a single, pure goal: to turn Nezuko back into a human. He masters the Water Breathing style but later discovers his true legacy lies in the Hinokami Kagura, the legendary Sun Breathing style passed down through his family. His kindness is his greatest weapon, allowing him to connect with others and maintain his humanity in a brutal world.

Nezuko Kamado

Tanjiro’s younger sister, Nezuko, is a tragic figure and the emotional core of his quest. After surviving the attack that killed her family, she is transformed into a demon. However, she is unique among her kind. Through sheer willpower and her deep love for her brother, she refuses to consume human blood, instead regaining her energy through sleep. She is a symbol of hope, a demon who retains her human heart. Her primary role is to protect Tanjiro and other humans, using her powerful Blood Demon Art, which allows her to conjure special flames that only harm other demons. Her journey is a silent one, as she is muzzled by a bamboo gag, but her actions speak volumes. The quest to cure her is the driving force of the entire series, and her eventual conquest of the sun becomes a pivotal turning point in the war against Muzan.

Zenitsu Agatsuma

A fellow Demon Slayer who joins Tanjiro, Zenitsu is a bundle of hilarious contradictions. He is an abject coward, constantly screaming, crying, and running from any sign of danger. He has incredibly low self-esteem and believes he is going to die on every mission. However, this terrified exterior hides a prodigy of immense talent. When his fear becomes so overwhelming that he passes out, a different persona takes over—a calm, swift, and devastatingly effective swordsman. As a master of Thunder Breathing, he was only ever able to learn the first form, but he honed it to a level of perfection that surpasses all others. Despite his cowardice, he is a deeply kind and loyal friend, and his devotion to Nezuko is both a source of comedy and a testament to his good heart. His journey is about learning to find courage while he is awake.

Inosuke Hashibira

The wild, unpredictable fourth member of the main group, Inosuke was raised by boars in the mountains after his mother was forced to abandon him. As a result, he is arrogant, aggressive, and has a “might makes right” philosophy, constantly challenging anyone he meets to a fight to prove he is the strongest. He is instantly recognizable by the hollowed-out boar mask he wears in honor of his adoptive boar mother. Unable to learn a traditional Breathing Style, he created his own: Beast Breathing, a primal and unpredictable fighting style that relies on his superhuman flexibility and a heightened sense of touch. Beneath his brash exterior is a boy who is slowly learning the meaning of friendship and human emotion through his travels with Tanjiro, whose unwavering kindness gradually breaks down his aggressive shell.

Kanao Tsuyuri

Kanao is the quiet and gifted Tsuguko (successor) of the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho. A deeply traumatic and abusive childhood left her emotionally detached and unable to make her own decisions, instead relying on the flip of a coin to decide her actions. She is a prodigy of Flower Breathing and possesses eyesight so incredible it can perceive the world in slow motion. Her turning point comes through her interactions with Tanjiro, who encourages her to start listening to the voice in her own heart. Her journey is a subtle but powerful one, moving from an empty vessel to a young woman who reclaims her own will and emotions, becoming a vital and powerful ally in the final battle.

Genya Shinazugawa

The hot-tempered younger brother of the Wind Hashira, Sanemi, Genya is a unique member of the Demon Slayer Corps. He is unable to use Breathing Styles, a fact that fills him with a deep sense of inferiority. To compensate, he has a unique and shocking ability: he can temporarily gain demonic attributes by consuming the flesh of demons. He also wields a double-barreled Nichirin shotgun, making him a brutish and unconventional fighter. His entire motivation for joining the corps is to reconcile with his estranged older brother, who cruelly rejects him in a misguided attempt to protect him. His journey is about finding his own form of strength and learning the value of teamwork through his friendship with Tanjiro.

The Hashira (The Pillars)

The nine most powerful and respected warriors in the Demon Slayer Corps. They are the heart of humanity’s defense against Muzan.

Giyu Tomioka (Water Hashira)

The stoic and reserved Water Hashira who first encounters Tanjiro and Nezuko. His decision to spare them sets the entire story in motion. He is a master of Water Breathing, having even created his own eleventh form, “Dead Calm.” His aloof personality masks a deep-seated survivor’s guilt and a quiet, protective nature.

Shinobu Kocho (Insect Hashira)

A calm and smiling woman who hides a burning rage against demons. Lacking the physical strength to decapitate a demon, she is a master pharmacologist who uses a deadly, wisteria-based poison on the tip of her unique rapier-like blade. She is the head of the Butterfly Mansion, a recovery center for injured slayers.

Kyojuro Rengoku (Flame Hashira)

A charismatic, bombastic, and inspirational hero whose spirit burns as brightly as his flames. He is the central figure of the Mugen Train arc. His unwavering sense of duty to protect the weak, a promise he made to his late mother, makes him a pillar of strength. His heroic battle against the Upper Rank demon Akaza has a profound and lasting impact on Tanjiro and his friends.

Tengen Uzui (Sound Hashira)

A flamboyant and flashy former shinobi who believes in living life with flair. He is a towering figure who fights with two massive Nichirin cleavers connected by a chain. His Sound Breathing allows him to analyze his opponent’s movements as a musical score, predicting their attacks. He is accompanied by his three equally skilled kunoichi wives: Suma, Makio, and Hinatsuru.

Mitsuri Kanroji (Love Hashira)

A cheerful, emotional, and incredibly strong woman. Mitsuri possesses a unique muscle density that makes her superhumanly strong. She joined the Corps to find a husband stronger than her. She wields a long, thin, and flexible whip-like sword, and her Love Breathing style is based on her incredible flexibility. She is a kind and loving presence among the often-serious Hashira.

Muichiro Tokito (Mist Hashira)

A quiet and detached prodigy who became a Hashira after only two months of training. He is often lost in his own thoughts and struggles with memory loss from a past trauma. His Mist Breathing style is based on disorienting his opponents with erratic movements. His journey is one of reclaiming his memories and emotions, unlocking a fierce rage and a deep sense of loyalty to his comrades.

Gyomei Himejima (Stone Hashira)

A gentle, weeping giant of a monk who is widely considered to be the strongest of the current generation of Hashira. Despite being blind, he is a formidable warrior who wields a devastating Nichirin flail and axe. He is a deeply spiritual and compassionate man, constantly praying for the souls of both humans and demons. His immense strength is born from a tragic past of betrayal.

Sanemi Shinazugawa (Wind Hashira)

Hot-blooded, aggressive, and covered in scars, Sanemi bears a deep, personal, and violent hatred for all demons. His Wind Breathing style is a storm of relentless and chaotic slashes. He also possesses a rare type of blood (Marechi) that is intoxicating to demons. His abrasive personality is the result of a horrific childhood trauma and a twisted, protective love for his younger brother, Genya.

Obanai Iguro (Serpent Hashira)

A strict and mysterious man who fights with a winding, serpentine blade alongside his pet snake, Kaburamaru. He is a harsh enforcer of the Corps’ rules and is deeply devoted to Mitsuri Kanroji. His bandaged face hides scars from a horrific past where he was raised in a cult that worshipped a snake demon. He is a master of the coiling and unpredictable Serpent Breathing style.

The Demon Slayer Corps & Associates

The many other members who support the fight against demons.

Murata

A friendly and reliable mid-ranking Demon Slayer. He serves as an “everyman” character, representing the perspective of a normal slayer who is often terrified but always does his duty. He survives the Natagumo Mountain arc and becomes a trusted comrade of Tanjiro.

Aoi Kanzaki

A slayer who passed the Final Selection but was too afraid to fight on the front lines. She now works at the Butterfly Mansion, supervising the rehabilitation and training of injured slayers. She is stern but deeply caring.

Goto (Kakushi)

A member of the Kakushi, the Corps’ clean-up crew. He is often seen providing first aid and cleaning up after major battles. He is known for his loud and exasperated but ultimately caring personality, especially towards Tanjiro.

Ozaki

A fellow Demon Slayer who is briefly seen during the Natagumo Mountain arc. She is one of the many slayers who tragically perishes during the mission, highlighting the extreme danger of the Corps’ work.

Sumi Nakahara, Kiyo Terauchi, & Naho Takada

These three young girls are the nursing assistants at the Butterfly Mansion. They were taken in by Shinobu and are cheerful, dedicated helpers who assist with the recovery and training of the slayers.

Hotaru Haganezuka

An eccentric and obsessively passionate swordsmith responsible for forging Tanjiro’s blades. He is perpetually hidden behind a Hyottoko mask and flies into a comical, violent rage whenever Tanjiro breaks or loses one of his masterpieces.

Kozo Kanamori

A fellow swordsmith who is much calmer than Hotaru. He is responsible for forging Inosuke’s swords and shows great courage during the attack on the Swordsmith Village.

Tecchin Tecchikawahara

The chief of the Swordsmith Village. He is a very short but highly respected old man and a master craftsman who is responsible for Hotaru’s training.

Shinjuro Rengoku

The father of Kyojuro and Senjuro, and the former Flame Hashira. After his wife’s death, he fell into a deep, bitter depression and abandoned the Corps. He is a tragic figure whose journey is one of slowly finding redemption after his son’s heroic death.

Senjuro Rengoku

Kyojuro’s gentle and kind-hearted younger brother. Lacking the talent to become a slayer, he finds his own way to contribute to the fight by helping Tanjiro research the history of the Flame Hashira and Sun Breathing.

Former Hashira & Mentors

Sakonji Urokodaki

The former Water Hashira and the master who trains Tanjiro. He is a stern and demanding teacher who wears a tengu mask to hide his gentle face. He is a caring father figure to Tanjiro and Nezuko, haunted by the memory of the many students he has lost in the past.

Jigoro Kuwajima

The former Thunder Hashira and Zenitsu’s master. He was a strict but deeply believing teacher who saw the immense potential hidden beneath Zenitsu’s cowardice. His legacy is a tragic one, as he took his own life out of shame when his other student, Kaigaku, became a demon.

Kanae Kocho

The former Flower Hashira and the beloved older sister of Shinobu and Kanao. She was a kind and gentle woman who dreamed of a world where humans and demons could live in peace. She was killed by the Upper Rank Two demon, Doma, an event that fueled Shinobu’s deep-seated rage and desire for vengeance.

The Ubuyashiki Family

The leaders of the Demon Slayer Corps for a thousand years.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki

The 97th and current leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, known as “Oyakata-sama.” He is a calm, serene man suffering from a deadly curse that is slowly killing him. He is a master strategist and a beloved father figure to all the slayers, commanding their absolute loyalty and respect with his gentle voice and profound wisdom.

Amane Ubuyashiki

Kagaya’s wife. She is a dignified and steadfast woman who supports her husband through his illness and his duties with quiet strength and resolve. She chooses to die alongside him in a final, sacrificial gambit against Muzan.

Kiriya Ubuyashiki & The Daughters

Kagaya and Amane’s five children. Kiriya, the only son, is raised as a girl for protection and is his father’s successor. After his father’s death, the eight-year-old Kiriya takes command of the entire Demon Slayer Corps during the final battle. His sisters, Hinaki, Nichika, Kanata, and Kuina, serve their family with unwavering devotion. Hinaki and Nichika die alongside their parents, while Kanata and Kuina support Kiriya during his command.

Demons

Muzan Kibutsuji (Main Antagonist)

The first demon, the progenitor of his entire race, and the ultimate antagonist of the series. He is a cruel, narcissistic, and cowardly being whose only goals are to achieve true immortality and conquer his weakness to sunlight. He is responsible for the massacre of Tanjiro’s family and the creation of all other demons. He controls his subordinates through a curse that allows him to destroy them at will if they speak his name.

The Twelve Kizuki (Upper Ranks)

The six most powerful demons under Muzan’s command.

  • Kokushibo (Upper Rank One): A former Demon Slayer from the Sengoku Era and the twin brother of Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He is a master of Moon Breathing, a style derived from Sun Breathing, and is the most powerful of all the Kizuki.
  • Doma (Upper Rank Two): The nihilistic and charismatic leader of the Eternal Paradise Faith cult. He is a being completely devoid of human emotion who fights with deadly ice-based Blood Demon Arts.
  • Akaza (Upper Rank Three): A powerful martial artist who despises the weak and respects strong opponents. His tragic human past as Hakuji is the source of his obsession with strength.
  • Hantengu (Former Upper Rank Four): A cowardly demon whose power is to split into multiple clones, each representing a different emotion like anger, sorrow, and joy.
  • Nakime (Upper Rank Four): The biwa-playing demon who controls the Infinity Castle. Her ability allows her to reconfigure the fortress at will, making her a formidable strategic opponent.
  • Gyokko (Upper Rank Five): A grotesque, pot-dwelling demon who considers himself a supreme artist, using his victims’ bodies to create his “art.”
  • Kaigaku (Upper Rank Six): Zenitsu’s former senior apprentice who betrayed the Corps and willingly became a demon. He uses a corrupted form of Thunder Breathing.
  • Gyutaro & Daki (Former Upper Rank Six): A sibling duo who shared the position. Daki is a vain and cruel beauty who fights with her obi sashes, while her emaciated older brother Gyutaro is the true source of their power, fighting with poison-laced blood sickles.

The Twelve Kizuki (Lower Ranks & Former Members)

The lower half of Muzan’s elite, who are ultimately deemed too weak and are purged.

  • Enmu (Lower Rank One): The sadistic, dream-manipulating demon and the antagonist of the Mugen Train arc.
  • Rui (Lower Rank Five): The spider-like demon from Natagumo Mountain, obsessed with creating a fake family through fear.
  • Kyogai (Former Lower Rank Six): The “Drum Demon” who can rotate the rooms of his mansion with the drums on his body.
  • Kamanue, Rokuro, Wakuraba, Mukago: The other four Lower Ranks who are unceremoniously executed by Muzan for their weakness.

Other Notable Demons

  • Tamayo: A benevolent demon and a skilled doctor who broke free from Muzan’s curse. She dedicates her existence to developing a cure for demons and a way to defeat Muzan.
  • Yushiro: Tamayo’s loyal assistant and the only demon she ever created. He is fiercely protective of her and possesses a Blood Demon Art that can conceal or reveal objects.
  • Susamaru & Yahaba: A duo of powerful demons sent by Muzan to attack Tanjiro in Asakusa. Susamaru fights with deadly Temari balls, while Yahaba uses invisible vector arrows.
  • Hand Demon: The monstrous demon that had been trapped on the Final Selection mountain for years, having killed many of Urokodaki’s students.
  • The Spider Demon Family: A group of demons forced by Rui to play the roles of his family, held together by fear and abuse.

Other Key Characters

Yoriichi Tsugikuni

A legendary figure from the Sengoku Era, Yoriichi Tsugikuni was the first ever Demon Slayer and the creator of Sun Breathing, the original and most powerful of all Breathing Styles. He was a prodigy of unimaginable power, born with the Demon Slayer Mark and the ability to see the “Transparent World.” He is the only Demon Slayer in history who ever came close to killing Muzan Kibutsuji, and the memory of his overwhelming power has haunted Muzan for centuries. He is the twin brother of the demon Kokushibo, and his legacy is the key to the entire story.

Sabito & Makomo

Two of Sakonji Urokodaki’s former students, whose spirits reside on the mountain where Tanjiro trains. Sabito was a powerful and righteous boy who was killed by the Hand Demon during his Final Selection. Makomo was another of his students. Their ghosts help train Tanjiro, with Sabito’s spirit serving as his final sparring partner, allowing him to finally slice the boulder. They are a poignant reminder of the Corps’ many sacrifices.

Kotoha Hashibira

Inosuke’s mother. She was a beautiful and kind woman who escaped an abusive home and was taken in by the then-Upper Rank Two demon, Doma, who ran a cult. When she discovered he was a monster, she fled to protect her infant son, eventually throwing him from a cliff into a river to save him before she was caught and devoured. Inosuke’s memory of her singing is one of his few connections to his human past.

Suma, Makio, & Hinatsuru

The three kunoichi (female shinobi) wives of the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui. Suma is emotional and prone to crying, Makio is hot-headed and competitive, and Hinatsuru is calm and strategic. Together, they are a highly effective team of shinobi who support their husband in his missions. They play a crucial role as undercover agents during the Entertainment District arc and are a wonderful example of a loving and respectful polyamorous relationship built on teamwork.