Who is Tanjiro Kamado: Discover the journey of Demon Slayer's main protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado, as he fights demons and navigates the world of Koyoharu Gotouge's manga and anime series, Kimetsu no Yaiba. Explore his unique abilities, compassionate nature, and unwavering resolve in this article.
Tanjiro Kamado: The Hero's Journey in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
In the captivating world of Koyoharu Gotouge's manga, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, we find Tanjiro Kamado as the main protagonist, a demon slayer in the Demon Slayer Corps. Tanjiro's journey begins with tragedy when his entire family is brutally murdered by the ruthless Muzan Kibutsuji, the King of Demons. Miraculously, his younger sister Nezuko survives, albeit transformed into a demon.
Tanjiro Kamado, a gentle soul with a strong sense of compassion, resolves to find a cure for Nezuko's affliction and return her to her human form. With this goal in mind, he joins the Demon Slayer Corps, eventually becoming the series' most accomplished swordsman. Alongside fellow demon slayers Inosuke and Zenitsu Agatsuma, Tanjiro battles demons while seeking vengeance against Muzan Kibutsuji.
Before embarking on his demon-slaying mission, Tanjiro lived a humble life as a coal burner with his mother and siblings. His father, who had passed away earlier, left him with a valuable legacy - the Hinokami Kagura, a powerful dance technique that would become instrumental in Tanjiro's combat abilities.
As Tanjiro navigates through the perilous world of demons, his unwavering determination and heightened sense of smell make him a formidable opponent. His iconic green-and-black checkered haori, striking red Nichirin sword, and unique earrings make him easily recognizable as the main protagonist of the Demon Slayer series.
The story of Tanjiro Kamado, a fictional character in Koyoharu Gotouge's manga, has captured the hearts of fans worldwide. The anime adaptation of Demon Slayer, featuring the voice talents of Natsuki Hanae as Tanjiro and other skilled actors, has garnered further attention and praise. The tale of Tanjiro's journey, riddled with heartache and triumph, serves as a testament to the power of family, perseverance, and compassion in the face of adversity.
The Evolving Appearance of Tanjiro Kamado: Demon Slayer's Protagonist Unveiled
Tanjiro Kamado, the main protagonist of Koyoharu Gotouge's manga Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, is a young man of average height, athletic build, and tanned skin. His ruffled black hair with burgundy tips is combed back, revealing his forehead and wide, dark red eyes. A prominent scar adorns the top left of his forehead, its flame-like pattern serving as his Demon Slayer Mark. His rough hands, a testament to his rigorous training under Sakonji Urokodaki, set him apart from others his age.
Donning a checkered black-and-sea-foam-green haori over a white robe and black pants, Tanjiro's attire is distinctive. Circular white bands loop around his calves, and he occasionally sports a turquoise scarf. His hanafuda earrings, featuring the image of the rising sun over a mountain, and a small ponytail or bun are signature elements of his appearance.
Throughout his journey, Tanjiro's appearance evolves. During the Final Selection, he dons a blue, cloud-patterned samue-styled kimono and black pants, reminiscent of Sakonji's outfit. His hair is cut short, and he wears a hand-carved fox mask, crafted by his master, on the left side of his head. The mask features red accents and a sun-shaped design, symbolizing the scar on his forehead.
As a Demon Slayer, Tanjiro wears the standard uniform, including a dark-brown gakuran jacket, white belt, baggy chocho zubon pants, zōri with red straps, and white cloth bands around his calves. His signature checkered haori remains, and he carries a large wooden box on his back for Nezuko to rest in during the day.
Following his second encounter with Muzan Kibutsuji, Tanjiro suffers injuries to his right eye and left arm. After being turned into a demon by Muzan, he heals and regenerates, gaining slit pupils, fangs, and flame-shaped marks on his forehead and jaw. His bloodstained corps uniform remains, but he loses his checkered haori and Nichirin Sword.
Upon returning to his human form, Tanjiro loses sight in his right eye, and his left arm takes on an aged appearance, becoming wrinkled and skeletal. He can no longer feel or move it from the forearm down. Tanjiro's evolving appearance reflects the trials and tribulations he faces as the main protagonist and the most accomplished swordsman in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
Tanjiro Kamado's Compassionate Nature and Inner Fire
Tanjiro Kamado is known for his gentle eyes and compassionate demeanor. His determination and protective instincts are evident in his relentless quest to find a cure for his sister Nezuko, who was transformed into a demon. Tanjiro is not afraid to seek help from others when necessary and is fiercely protective of his friends.
Despite his kindness, Tanjiro has a limit to his tolerance and becomes irritated by rudeness and cowardice. He is honest and sincere, taking others' words seriously. His rural upbringing leaves him naive about urban life, often marveling at the sights and experiences of large cities.
Beneath his kind exterior, Tanjiro harbors a growing fire of rage and vengeance. This side of him emerges when confronting the demon Muzan Kibutsuji, and it intensifies in the face of irrational evil. However, his empathy for others, even demons, often causes him to hesitate before delivering the final blow.
Tanjiro's unique perspective on demons allows him to differentiate between those who regret their actions and those who should be killed without mercy. As he gains experience as a demon slayer, he becomes more calculating and strict in his decisions, but maintains his courage to protect the weak and serve justice to evil by any means necessary.
When transformed into a demon, Tanjiro initially appears mindless and feral, attacking anyone in sight, except for his sister Nezuko. His hostility towards Demon Slayers may stem from Muzan's influence, but his refusal to harm Nezuko suggests that he is still fighting his transformation.
Tanjiro Kamado's Exceptional Abilities and Growth as a Demon Slayer
Natural Aptitude and Early Training
From the beginning, Tanjiro Kamado demonstrated exceptional combat abilities, particularly in swordsmanship. He possessed above-average human abilities such as honed senses, a sharp sense of smell, immense willpower, and great intellect. In his first encounter with a demon, Tanjiro showcased his natural combat abilities by defending himself with a regular hatchet and devising innovative solutions to subdue his opponent.
Training with Sakonji Urokodaki and Total Concentration Breathing
During his time on Mount Sagiri, Tanjiro impressed former Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki, with his ability to evade traps using his keen sense of smell. Under Urokodaki's tutelage, Tanjiro learned Total Concentration Breathing and refined his swordsmanship skills with the help of spirits Makomo and Sabito. Within six months of intensive training, Tanjiro surpassed Sabito and gained the ability to see the Opening Thread, which allowed him to slice a boulder larger and harder than any other student had before.
Final Selection and Early Missions
During the Final Selection, Tanjiro easily defeated numerous low-level demons using the Water Breathing Style. He faced the formidable Hand Demon, who had killed both Sabito and Makomo, and successfully decapitated him using his acrobatic skills, swordsmanship prowess, and sense of smell.
Challenges as a Demon Slayer Corps Member
As an official member of the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro faced increasingly powerful and skilled demons utilizing Blood Demon Arts. He and his sister Nezuko managed to subdue the Swamp Demon and save innocent lives. Tanjiro's tactical intellect and swordsmanship skills allowed him to hold his own against more fearsome demons such as Yahaba, Susamaru, and Kyogai, a former member of the Twelve Kizuki. Despite his low rank, Tanjiro was able to fight against powerful demons like the Mother and Father of the Spider Family and even Rui, a Lower Rank Five demon.
Recalling Hinokami Kagura
After recalling the Hinokami Kagura Breathing Style learned from his father, Tanjiro almost defeated Lower Rank demon Rui, a feat believed only possible for a Hashira, the strongest swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Rehabilitation Training and Battles with Lower Ranks
During Rehabilitation Training following his battles in Mount Natagumo, Tanjiro recovered from injuries and trained with Kanao Tsuyuri, an extremely talented Demon Slayer and the Tsuguko of the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho. He managed to match her at the end of the arc. After mastering Total Concentration: Constant, Tanjiro was capable of fighting and beheading Lower Rank One, Enmu, on his own. He even managed to come up with a countermeasure to the demon's spells in the midst of battle and possessed enough willpower to commit suicide in his dreams repeatedly to follow through with his plan. Later, with the help of Nezuko, Inosuke, Zenitsu, and Kyojuro Rengoku, Tanjiro decapitated the strongest Lower Rank, despite the demon fusing himself with an entire train and him being under a constant barrage of attacks.
Encounters with Upper Rank Demons
Tanjiro faced various Upper Rank demons throughout his journey, growing stronger with each battle. He could keep up and fend off attacks from Daki, an Upper Rank demon, even when she was toying with him. While injured, Tanjiro managed to assist a poisoned Tengen Uzui against Gyutaro, the true Upper Rank Six, and later outsmarted and decapitated him while awakening the Demon Slayer Mark momentarily. This made Tanjiro one of the first Demon Slayers to ever kill an Upper Rank, a feat that hadn't been accomplished for the last century.
Training in the Swordsmith Village and Hashira Training
Upon receiving intensive training in the Swordsmith Village, Tanjiro's swordsmanship skills were greatly polished and refined. He also awakened the ability to "smell the future," giving him movements and reflexes comparable to that of the Hashira. Later, Tanjiro faced Upper Rank Four, Hantengu, and his clones, proving his ability to adapt and grow in the midst of battle. During Hashira Training, Tanjiro underwent grueling training meant to bolster every member in the organization, targeting many fields such as stamina, flexibility, speed, and swordsmanship.
The Final Battle Against Demon-kind
When the final battle against demon-kind began, Tanjiro displayed skill comparable to that of a Hashira. He fought alongside the Water Hashira against dozens of demons and eventually faced Kyojuro's killer, Akaza, managing to surprise both Giyu and the Upper Rank by dodging his attacks and slicing off his arm. As the battle progressed, Tanjiro awakened the Transparent World and Selfless State, greatly amplifying his abilities. Later, he encountered the Demon King himself, Muzan Kibutsuji, and worked together with Giyu to fend off the strongest demon to have ever lived. Tanjiro ended up losing an eye and was severely poisoned as a result, but he continued to fight against Muzan, eventually putting an end to him and all of demon-kind once and for all.
The Pinnacle of Tanjiro Kamado's Abilities: A Comprehensive Overview
Tanjiro Kamado possesses a range of extraordinary abilities that make him a formidable demon slayer in the Demon Slayer Corps. Some of the most notable abilities include:
- Flame-Inspired Demon Slayer Mark: Tanjiro's unique mark takes the shape of a flame pattern, appearing on his forehead in place of his scar after completing Hashira Training. The mark, identical to those of Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Kokushibo, significantly boosts Tanjiro's natural capabilities, such as strength, speed, and reflexes. However, he can only activate it for short periods and on rare occasions, as it causes exhaustion.
- Bright Red Nichirin Sword: Initially ignited by his sister Nezuko's pyrokinetic Blood Demon Art, Tanjiro later learns to transform his Nichirin Sword into a bright red color independently. This ability significantly hampers the regenerative powers of demons he slashes.
- Transparent World: While in his marked state, Tanjiro gains access to the Transparent World. This ability allows him to predict his opponents' attacks by observing their blood flow and muscle movements, increasing his evasion speed and movement intuition dramatically.
- Enhanced Accuracy: Even before joining the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro exhibited remarkable aim and precision, which only improved as he honed his skills against powerful adversaries like Akaza and Muzan Kibutsuji.
- Superior Sense of Smell: Tanjiro's keen sense of smell enables him to detect the Opening Thread, perceive his surroundings, and track scents with incredible accuracy. His sense of smell further evolves during his training with Yoriichi Type Zero, allowing him to predict up to six moves into the future.
- Extrasensory Perception: Tanjiro's heightened sense of smell grants him the ability to perceive the intentions, feelings, and thoughts of other creatures, sense auras and presences of demons, and gauge their strength level.
- Enhanced Strength: After training at Mount Sagiri, Tanjiro develops remarkable physical strength, enabling him to perform feats like jumping over large demons, carrying heavy loads with ease, and slicing through massive objects with his katana.
- Astute Intellect: Tanjiro demonstrates exceptional analytical skills, natural aptitude, and innate intuition across various domains. He can quickly devise strategies to defeat opponents who outmatch him, even when facing potential death. Tanjiro's adaptability and explosive growth rate enable him to effectively use opponents' abilities against them and master new techniques quickly, such as creating new Breathing Styles.
- Combat Intuition: Tanjiro's innate combat instincts were evident even as a rookie, impressing veteran Demon Slayer Giyu. He displays proficiency in hand-to-hand combat and can instantly adapt to unconventional fighting styles, like Inosuke's animalistic approach.
- Hardened Skull: Tanjiro's skull is incredibly resilient, allowing him to headbutt opponents with enough force to stun or even knock them out. He has used this ability effectively against formidable adversaries, such as Upper Rank demons Gyutaro and Akaza.
- Incredible Speed and Reflexes: Tanjiro's remarkable speed allows him to keep up with some of the fastest demons and even outpace experienced swordsmen like Sabito. His reflexes sharpen further after awakening his Demon Slayer Mark, enabling him to dodge and react to attacks from powerful opponents like Akaza and Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji.
- Immense Stamina and Endurance: Tanjiro's extraordinary stamina and endurance are evident from his rigorous training regimen and his ability to sustain Total Concentration Breathing constantly. His resilience enables him to fight and defeat formidable demons, even after extended periods of combat and sustaining severe injuries.
- Indomitable Will: Driven by his determination to protect his sister and avenge his family's death, Tanjiro possesses an unwavering spirit and willpower. This resilience allows him to persevere even in the face of overwhelming odds and imminent defeat.
- Repetitive Action Technique: Tanjiro can use both Repetitive Action and Total Concentration Breathing simultaneously, granting him immense strength to rival Upper Rank demons. By recalling the faces of his loved ones and Kyojuro's motivational phrase, Tanjiro can achieve maximum concentration.
- Selfless State: Tanjiro's mastery of the Transparent World enables him to erase his presence and Fighting Spirit, making him undetectable to enemies who rely on sensing their opponents' intentions. This ability allowed him to bypass Akaza's Compass Needle technique and ultimately defeat him.
Tanjiro Kamado: A Master Swordsman and Breathing Style Prodigy
Unparalleled Swordsmanship
Tanjiro Kamado has always been a prodigious swordsman. From the very beginning, he displayed exceptional skill, even rivaling that of Sabito, one of Sakonji Urokodaki's strongest students. Within half a year, Tanjiro surpassed Sabito and avenged his death by defeating the Hand Demon. Despite his Mizunoto rank, he was more skillful than many senior members of the Demon Slayer Corps, even defeating two Lower Ranked members of the Twelve Kizuki.
His rapid growth in swordsmanship was extraordinary, as he later faced off against Upper Rank demons, such as Daki and Gyutaro, after a short period of recovery from injuries. Mitsuri Kanroji, a fellow Demon Slayer, commented that Tanjiro's progress was equivalent to 5 to 10 years of intense training. Eventually, Tanjiro's skill with the blade reached a level comparable to the Hashira, the most powerful sword wielders in the Demon Slayer Corps. He even surpassed Akaza, the third strongest member of the Twelve Kizuki and a martial arts prodigy.
Mastery of Breathing Styles
Tanjiro was initially taught Water Breathing by Sakonji Urokodaki, a former Water Hashira and Water Breathing cultivator. He became highly proficient in this style, allowing him to defeat two members of the Twelve Kizuki, Rui and Enmu. However, as his body was not ideally suited to Water Breathing, Tanjiro eventually switched to Hinokami Kagura as his primary Breathing Style. Despite the change, he continued to incorporate Water Breathing techniques into his combat strategy to maximize his abilities.
Hinokami Kagura, a Breathing Style more suited to Tanjiro's body, was awakened during a near-death experience in his battle with Rui. Though initially powerful, the strain it placed on his body required him to reserve its use for desperate situations. Following the Mugen Train Arc, Tanjiro trained relentlessly to build his endurance for Hinokami Kagura. Through intense training in the Swordsmith Village Arc and the Hashira Training Arc, he eventually mastered all the forms of Hinokami Kagura, using them to their full potential against Akaza.
Upon witnessing the techniques performed by Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Tanjiro realized that his own Hinokami Kagura could be refined by eliminating unnecessary movements and adjusting wrist angles, footwork, and breathing rhythm. These modifications allowed him to awaken the legendary Sun Breathing, which he used to battle the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji, on equal ground.
Tanjiro Kamado Techniques in Demon Slayer
Here are the most famous techniques of Tanjiro Kamado:
- Water Surface Slash - The swordsman generates enough momentum to create a powerful, concentrated slash.
- Water Wheel - The swordsman leaps and spins forward in the air, releasing a flowing attack in a circular motion.
- Lateral Water Wheel (Improved) - An alternate version of Water Wheel, with a horizontal spin instead of a vertical one, created by Tanjiro Kamado.
- Flowing Dance - The swordsman swings and bends their blade in a winding motion, dancing in a flowing pattern and slicing through anything in its path.
- Striking Tide - The swordsman makes multiple consecutive slashes, twisting their body and sword in a flowing fashion to deliver simultaneous blows.
- Striking Tide: Turbulent - An improved version of Striking Tide with increased quantity and accuracy of consecutive strikes, ideal for chaotic situations.
- Blessed Rain After the Drought - A "sword strike of kindness" used when the enemy willingly surrenders, decapitating the opponent with minimal pain.
- Whirlpool - The swordsman fiercely twists their body, creating a whirlpool of air that cuts anything caught in it. Enhanced underwater for more powerful slashes.
- Whirlpool, Flow - A combination of Flowing Dance and Whirlpool, allowing the swordsman to redirect projectiles from multiple angles.
- Drop Ripple Thrust - The swordsman performs a precise, fast, and accurate thrust with their blade.
- Drop Ripple Thrust, Curve - A modified strike that nearly nullifies the impact and momentum of a moving object.
- Waterfall Basin - The swordsman cuts the target vertically in a flowing motion, most effective when falling downward.
- Splashing Water Flow, Turbulent - The swordsman minimizes landing time and surface needed when landing, allowing for limitless movement in areas with no solid foothold.
- Constant Flux - The swordsman performs a continuous flowing attack, taking the form of a water dragon that increases in strength and power with each rotation due to momentum.
- Dance - The swordsman delivers a single high-powered vertical slash.
- Dancing Flash - A modified version of Dance, infusing the Thunderclap and Flash technique for a high-speed slash.
- Clear Blue Sky - The swordsman spins their body horizontally to deliver a 360° slash.
- Raging Sun - The swordsman unleashes two horizontal slashes to hit or defend from incoming attacks.
- Burning Bones, Summer Sun - A large circular slash that defends from frontal attacks.
- Setting Sun Transformation - A powerful upended sword slash aiming to decapitate the target.
- Solar Heat Haze - A horizontal slash seemingly covered in haze that hits the target.
- Beneficent Radiance - A powerful slash that surrounds the enemy.
- Sunflower Thrust - A single thrust attack with the point of the blade.
- Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance - A continuous fast and powerful sword attack taking the form of a solar flame dragon.
- Fire Wheel - A downward circular sword attack while leaping behind the opponent.
- Fake Rainbow - High-speed twists and rotations creating afterimages for evasion.
- Flame Dance - A two-combo strike with a vertical slash followed by a horizontal one.
- Thirteenth Form - Continuously performs all twelve forms of Sun Breathing in repetitive succession to increase accuracy and agility while reducing fatigue.
Tanjiro Kamado's Nichirin Katanas: Evolution and Significance
Tanjiro Kamado, the main protagonist of Koyoharu Gotouge's manga Demon Slayer, is a skilled swordsman and dedicated member of the Demon Slayer Corps. Throughout the series, he utilizes various Nichirin katanas, which are essential for slaying demons.
His initial Nichirin katana, crafted by Hotaru Haganezuka, was a standard metallic color that turned deep black upon his touch. The katana could transform to a bright red hue either through Nezuko Kamado's Blood Demon Art or by activating his Demon Slayer Mark. The hilt resembled a wagon wheel, and the accompanying sheath was deep black. This katana suffered damages three times – against Rui, Akaza, and Daki.
Later, in the Swordsmith Village arc, Tanjiro adopts a new katana, found within Yoriichi Type Zero and refined by Haganezuka. He also switches to Kyojuro Rengoku's flame-shaped hilt with a red core and orange border. This deep black blade has an intricate pattern and the word "Slay" (滅めつ Metsu?) engraved on it. The superior quality steel makes this katana more robust than a standard Nichirin katana.
Despite Tanjiro's tendency to damage his swords during battles, this new katana only broke during the climactic showdown with Muzan Kibutsuji. It was eventually repaired and became a decorative heirloom in the Kamado family home, symbolizing Tanjiro's unwavering courage and dedication to eradicating demons.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Tanjiro Kamado in Demon Slayer?
At the beginning of the Demon Slayer series, Tanjiro Kamado is 13 years old. As the main protagonist and a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, he embarks on a journey to save his sister Nezuko, who has been transformed into a demon, and avenge the deaths of his family. Throughout the series, time progresses, and Tanjiro ages accordingly.
Tanjiro Kamado Quotes
Here are some of Tanjiro Kamado most famous quotes.
If you can't tell the difference between good demons and bad ones, then you don't deserve to be a Hashira!
Use your head, not just spirit.
All of your emotions, I’ll carry them into the battlefield.
To see more Tanjiro Kamado quotes, we recommend visiting the Tanjiro Kamado Quote section in Quotes Analysis.
We hope we have been helpful to you in this "Who is Tanjiro Kamado" article, and we hope you have a better understanding of who this amazing character of the Anime world is!
