Demon Slayer Characters: Ages, Birthdays, And Heights

Even though Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba shonen manga ended in 2020 after 23 volumes, the series has remained firmly in the spotlight thanks to ufotable’s anime. While hardly unusual for an adaptation to eclipse the source material’s popularity, Demon Slayer is a fairly unique case since the anime turned an internationally unknown property into a household name. Gotouge’s story was not some hidden gem known by only the most committed of Weekly Shonen Jump readers, but it arguably did not have the same level of exposure as My Hero Academia or Attack on Titan. The anime not only pushed the property into that ballpark but, in some ways, exceeded both of those juggernauts.

Funnily enough, even the anime had a slow rise in popularity. The first season did not draw extraordinary attention until episode 19, which saw ufotable elevate the animation from “TV great” to “all-time great.” From this moment onwards, Demon Slayers broke into the mainstream, becoming one of the biggest shonen anime of all time. At this point, the series has produced four pretty great seasons, combining for an impressive 63 episodes. Now, admittedly, seasons 3 and 4 were slight stepbacks compared to their predecessors, with the former’s Swordsmith Village arc feeling too similar to season 2’s Entertainment District storyline. Season 4’s Hashira Training arc mostly served to set up the final battle, which will be adapted into a movie trilogy. Considering 2020’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train was one of the highest-grossing anime movies ever, this decision makes sense.

While ufotable’s animation and action tend to steal the spotlight, Demon Slayer‘s characters are iconic and beloved in their own right. Consequently, fans may wish to know general information like “How old is Tanjiro?” or “When are the Demon Slayers’ birthdays?”

Although they will be kept to a minimum,
spoilers
will not be completely avoidable.

Updated November 17, 2024, by Mark Sammut: Ufotable’s movie trilogy is in the works and will, hopefully, bring Demon Slayer’s existence to a close on a positive note. The manga ended its run quite a long time ago, with its conclusion receiving a mixed response (which is in fashion for modern battle shonen stories). While that might be a cause for concern, the anime has generally done a great job of building on the source material, and ufotable’s skills should be on full display in the upcoming features.

This article has been expanded with about Demon Slayer character, specifically Yushiro.

Demon Slayer Statistics Chart

Demon Slayer‘s anime still has a ways to go before it ends, and as Tanjiro’s journey continues, he will only meet more and more interesting figures. While not all are born equal, each Demon Slayer character brings something new to the plate. They all have something that allows them to shine, be it a fascinating power, an intimidating disposition, or a sense of humor.

As the anime’s roster expands, this article will do the same to reflect the series’ progress. Therefore, to make the information as readily available as possible, the following table covers the age, birthday, and height of the most important Demon Slayer characters.

Ages are based on each character’s first appearance. Also, click on a character’s name to go to their section containing more information.

¹Age when he died.

Interested in learning more about
Demon Slayer
‘s heroes and villains? Then, click below on a character’s name to jump directly to a section dedicated to them.

Tanjiro Kamado

Demon Slayer – A Never-Say-Die Protagonist Who Will Do Anything To Protect His Sister

• First Episode: 1
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Natsuki Hanae
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Zach Aguilar

Demon Slayer‘s main character, Tanjiro’s life turned into a walking nightmare when a demon slaughtered his family and turned his sister, Nezuko, to the dark side. Driven by anger and love for his sibling, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps to eradicate the demons and, hopefully, find a way to revert Nezuko back to a human.

While a warm and kind person, Tanjiro is more than willing to make tough decisions. He is under no illusion that demons should be sparred or that killing would make him no better than his enemies; Tanjiro gets the job done because he has someone who depends on him. The protagonist will not let his sister down.

Nezuko Kamado

Demon – Supported By Tanjiro, Nezuko Fights To Keep A Hold Of Her Remaining Humanity, All The While Surpassing A Few Limitations Associated With Demons

• First Episode: 1
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Akari Kito
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Abby Trott

One day while her brother was away, Nezuko watched the rest of her family be butchered by a demon. The young girl almost faced the same fate, but she ended up becoming a demon herself; however, Tanjiro made it his mission to reverse Nezuko’s condition and turn her back into a human.

Demon Slayer only provides a snippet of Nezuko’s time as a human, showing her to be rather sweet and altruistic. Following her transformation, Nezuko became very different as she developed traits synonymous with demons, including overwhelming strength and a thirst for blood. She also largely lost the ability to speak and spent a long time in isolation due to a weakness to sunlight, only showing up sporadically. As such, her personality can be harder to pin down than some of the anime’s other characters, although her love for her brother is obvious.

Zenitsu Agatsuma

Demon Slayer – Scared And Loud, Zenitsu Is An Acquired Taste Who Becomes More Palpable When He Is Asleep

• First Episode: 4
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Hiro Shimono
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Aleks Le

Despite being a bit older than Tanjiro, Zenitsu Agatsuma doesn’t generally come across that way since his natural reaction to dangerous situations is to flee. Although he doesn’t always show it, Zenitsu is far from incompetent with a weapon, a familiarity stemming from his training-fueled upbringing as Jigoro Kuwajima’s pupil.

In terms of looks, Zenitsu has fair skin and golden eyes. His hair is bright yellow (thanks to being struck by lightning) and shaped in a bowl cut. This design gives the character a somewhat childish aesthetic, which fits his personality. Although he is a polarizing figure, particularly the humor he brings to Demon Slayer, Zenitsu is nevertheless at the heart of some of the anime’s more memorable moments.

Inosuke Hashibira

Demon Slayer – Aggressive And Capable, Inosuke Barges Head First Into Most Fights, At Least In The Early Arcs

• First Episode: 11
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Bryce Papenbrook

Inosuke Hashibira tends to jump into battle without much thought. Although he is very capable of taking care of himself, Inosuke’s habit of overestimating his abilities tends to drop him in boiling water, particularly since he constantly wants to challenge anyone who could match him in combat.

Inosuke was raised by boars as a child, something reflected by his selection of headwear. Inosuke’s background means he often struggles with human traditions, emotions, and customs, although he slowly changes thanks to his affiliation with the Demon Slayer Corps.

Kanao Tsuyuri

Demon Slayer – This Practioner Of Flower Breathing Should Not Be Underestimated

• First Episode: 4
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Reina Ueda
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Brianna Knickerbocker

Kanao has large, gentle-looking pink eyes and thin black hair worn in a ponytail. A rough upbringing taught Kanao to completely close herself off as a way of self-preservation. For the longest time, Kanao showed little to no emotion and refused to make any decisions for herself, opting to leave such matters to others or chance.

As with most heroic Demon Slayer characters, Kanao matures quite a bit as the series progresses, although only hints of that have been provided by the anime. She has also taken a backseat in recent arcs, only appearing for a few minutes in seasons 2 and 3.

Genya Shinazugawa

Demon Slayer – Chasing The Wind Hashira’s Shadow, Genya Struggles With Feelings Of Inadequacy, Even If He Tries To Mask It

• First Episode: 4
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Nobuhiko Okamoto
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Zeno Robinson

Another character with a tragic backstory, Genya witnessed his siblings be murdered by his demonized mother. He also saw his only surviving brother, Sanemi, kill his mother. Although he cannot use Breathing Techniques, Genya is a strong fighter who has a talent for absorbing demon abilities.

Genya’s hot-headed nature doesn’t make him the easiest Demon Slayer to work with, at least during the early stages of the anime. However, Genya becomes slightly more sociable as the story goes on, even if he still reacts aggressively to Tanjiro’s presence during the Swordsmith Village arc.

Sanemi Shinazugawa

Demon Slayer, Wind Hashira – Unapproachable But Vicious, Sanemi’s Hatred For Demons Knows No Limits

• First Episode: 22
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Tomokazu Seki
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Kaiji Tang

Genya’s brother, Sanemi is the Wind Hashira and a force to be reckoned with. As a child, Sanemi went through a personal tragedy that forced him to shut down emotionally and eventually cut off people like his brother from his life. This same experience installed an unflinching hatred for demonkind in the Wind Hashira, and this fire has shown no signs of weakening.

Sanemi is one of the older human characters in Demon Slayer, although it would be an exaggeration to describe him as one of the most mature. That’s not to say the Wind Hashira is juvenile, but his stubbornness tends to shine through whenever something comes along that challenges his worldview.

Although a presence in earlier arcs, Sanemi received more of a spotlight during the Hashira Training Arc, and that statement extends to most of the strongest Hashira. With a “difficult” personality and a tendency to pick violence, Sanemi is not the easiest person to be around, and he treats his brother, Genya, with indifference or disdain. He also has a rocky relationship with Tanjiro, with neither person being fond of the other.

Giyu Tomioka

Demon Slayer, Water Hashira – Overcoming Impostor Syndrome With The Help Of A Few Allies

• First Episode: 1
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Takahiro Sakurai
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Johnny Yong Bosch

Not one to waste words, Giyu keeps things close to the chest and believes others should follow suit. As a child, Giyu was saved from a demon by his sister at the cost of her own life; frustratingly for the kid, Giyu’s attempts to inform people of what happened only resulted in him being ostracized.

As a rather senior member of the Demon Slayer Corps, Giyu presents a strong and aloof figure, although he isn’t quite as confident as he appears to be. After spending roughly three seasons on the back burner, the Water Hashira was finally spotlighted in Spring 2024’s Hashira Training Arc, providing insight into his stand-off nature and the guilt he has been carrying with him for years. After his sister’s death, the desolate Giyu found a second lease on life through Sabito, and the two children strike an endearing friendship. As both were training to become Demon Slayers, they entered the Final Selection exam together, the same one that resulted in Sabito’s death. Filled with self-hatred over his friend’s death and the fact he passed the exam despite failing to kill a single demon, Giyu believed himself to be unworthy of the Water Hashira position. It is a classic tale of impostor syndrome.

Shinobu Kocho

Demon Slayer, Insect Hashira – Just This Book By Her Cover At Your Own Peril

• First Episode: 15
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Saori Hayami
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Erika Harlacher

At first glance, Shinobu appears to be the friendliest and most likable member of the Demon Slayer Corps. She always has a smile on her face and seems up for a good joke. However, this is simply a coping mechanism to restrain her uncontrollable hatred for demons stemming from the death of her sister, Kanae Kocho.

Shinobu can be unbelievably vicious, both with a blade and words. This Demon Slayer character can reduce the strongest of warriors to insecure puddles of mush with a few choice sentences. She will also grin while doing it. Although perhaps not the most obviously powerful member of the Hashira, Shinobu is a definite threat to nearly any demon, largely thanks to her quick thinking and medical knowledge. The latter manifests in her usage of poison as a weapon.

Tengen Uzui

Ex-Demon Slayer, Sound Hashira – Stylish And Dedicated To His Wives, The Former Hashira Is An All-Around Force Of Nature

• First Episode: 21
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Katsuyuki Konishi
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Ray Chase

In a nice change of pace, Tengen’s backstory doesn’t have all that much to do with demons; that said, it is still tragic. Born into a ninja clan and trained by his cruel father, Tengen was thought to only ever seek self-fulfillment, regardless of the cost to anyone else. Tricked by his parent into killing a few of his siblings, Tengen eventually left the nest to try and carve out a path for himself.

Tengen’s personality is a bit all over the place, courtesy of his harsh childhood and attempts to escape his father’s teachings. That said, he does have generally good intentions, even if his methods tend to be rather aggressive. When he sets out to investigate the Entertainment District, Tengen tries to recruit Aoi Kanzaki despite her being terrified at the prospect of heading into the field, and he only changes his mind when Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke demand to take her place. However, his actions are driven by a genuine fear that his wives, who previously infiltrated the district, might be in danger. Once he realizes that an Upper Rank demon might be involved, Tengen asks Tanjiro and the rest to leave to ensure their survival.

Mitsuri Kanroji

Demon Slayer, Love Hashira – Uses A Unique Fighting Style That Is Far More Deadly Than It Sounds

• First Episode: 21
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Kana Hanazawa
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Kira Buckland

The Love Hashira is one of the more interesting figures in the show. Her appearances might have been brief in the anime’s first few seasons, but the impact this Demon Slayer will have going forward should be spectacular. Mitsuri plays a significant role in the Swordsmith Village arc, which has essentially served as her proper debut as a prominent character.

Mitsuri’s Love Hashira moniker is a byproduct of her Love Breathing techniques and a reflection of the girl’s approachable and kind personality. Even though she can come across as naive and innocent at times, this behavior does not extend to her demon-slaying duties; in fact, she can be just as vicious as any other member of the Corps.

Mitsuri is a bit of a weird character at times. Obviously, she is very strong, but her love for Tanjiro tends to take center stage in many of her scenes. As such, she can come across as one-note at times. Still, Mitsuri is a capable Hashira who uses a striking weapon and creative techniques. If nothing else, her fighting style is captivating.

Obanai Iguro

Demon Slayer, Serpent Hashira – Holds Himself And His Allies To The Highest Standard, And He Is Not The Most Inviting Of People

• First Episode: 22
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Kenichi Suzumura
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Erik Scott Kimerer

Obanai Iguro is the Serpent Hashira, which is already indicative of just how powerful he is. Not much is known about this character, with his design conveying that he’s pretty mysterious. His powers are yet to be properly showcased in the anime, although manga readers will know that Serpent Breathing is nothing to trifle with.

Personality-wise, Obanai is certainly not the most agreeable member of the Demon Slayer Corps. The Serpent Hashira does not treat his companions with all that much respect, particularly if he deems them to be weak. At times, Obanai can come across as a bully, something emphasized by his unique educational style displayed during the Hashira Training Arc. Now, admittedly, Obanai’s training regime was primarily inspired by his burning hatred for Tanjiro, a situation born out of petty jealousy as the Serpent Hashira has a thing for Mitsuri.

While perhaps making him somewhat unlikable, Obanai’s behavior emphasizes one important fact: the Hashira are human. More importantly, they are generally young and immature, traits that do not disappear just because they have to carry the weight of humanity’s survival on their shoulders.

Muichiro Tokito

Demon Slayer, Mist Hashira – A Drifting Personality That Takes A While To Solidify

• First Episode: 21
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Kengo Kawanishi
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Griffin Burns

The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, doesn’t show much outward emotion and can appear uncaring or disinterested. More often than not, Muichiro goes off on his own, often seeming to be stuck in his head. While this attitude might not make him the most approachable character, Muichiro’s backstory sheds light on the development of his personality. It all stems from a personal tragedy that left him lacking the memories and context to shape and harness his anger. Influenced by this psychological and subconscious trauma, Muichiro is among the most complex characters in Demon Slayer, even if that might not always seem apparent.

Skill-wise, the Mist Hashira is a genuine prodigy and arguably the most gifted Demon Slayer, even more so than Tanjiro. A master of the Mist Breathing, Muichiro blends this style’s techniques and forms with expert swordsmanship and incredible physical abilities born out of his role as a Hashira and his relentless commitment to training. Out of all the Hashira, Muichiro has arguably developed the closest friendship with Tanjiro, and they tend to bring the best out of each other.

Gyomei Himejima

Demon Slayer, Stone Hashira – Strong But Quiet, Gyomei Often Comes Across Like The Hashira’s Unofficial Leader

• First Episode: 21
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Tomokazu Sugita
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Crispin Freeman

The Demon Slayer anime has yet to dive into Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, too deeply, as he has mostly served as a minor background player. While the character didn’t play a role in Demon Slayer‘s previous sagas, Gyomei will be taking on a more central role during the anime’s final arcs, and his small handful of appearances paint him as the Hashira’s combat leader and strongest member.

Gyomei is huge, quiet, strong, and cautious. He is dedicated to the Demon Slayer Corps, but that doesn’t mean he fully trusts his companions. Even though he has not done much throughout the anime, particularly before the Hashira Training Arc, Gyomei has always had an intense presence, and he is comfortably the most intimidating Demon Slayer. He demands full commitment from not only himself but everyone around him.

Kyojuro Rengoku

Ex-Demon Slayer, Flame Hashira – A Hero, A Legend, And An Inspiration

• First Episode: 21
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Satoshi Hino
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Mark Whitten

Taking center stage in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, Kyojuro Rengoku burst onto the scene like a ball of fire. Energetic, charming, and good-natured, Kyojuro has a sincerity to him that most other characters in the anime lack, outside of perhaps Tanjiro.

Kyojuro’s optimism is not a facade to mask his inner turmoil or a way to lure people into a false sense of security. He is the type of person who looks for the positives even in the worst of situations, an attitude that made him a beloved figure not only among the rest of the Hashira but also with audiences. Kyojuro dominates the screen whenever he is present, and while his time on the show is relatively short, he casts a big shadow over the rest of the story.

Murata

Demon Slayer – An Ordinary Human Who Is Just Trying His Best

• First Episode: 15
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Kōki Miyata
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Khoi Dao

Murata is a fairly minor player in Demon Slayer, to the point that some viewers might completely forget he is in the series at all; however, despite his lack of importance, he does expand the scope of this conflict. As highlighted in the Hashira Training Arc, the Demon Slayer Corps amounts to far more than just the core leaders and a few characters with potential. There are also plenty of soldiers who, in truth, are not particularly special and are likely to meet gruesome ends if they go up against demons. Murata is ordinary, and that makes him unique.

Despite not being remotely on the same level as any of the Hashira or Team Tanjiro, Murata is by no means a complete weakling. He is probably stronger than most humans, and he shows a slight affinity for water breathing. In a battle filled with demons, an above-average human is simply not strong enough to play an aggressive role, although he could support his comrades.

Sakonji Urokodaki

(Former) Water Hashira – A Teacher Who Rediscovers Hope

• First Episode: 2
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Hochu Otsuka
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Brook Chalmers

As a retired Demon Slayer who has transitioned to training students, Sakonji Urokodaki is past his prime during Demon Slayer‘s core story, and he plays a fairly minor role in terms of screentime. However, the former Water Hashira helped shape Tanjiro into the Demon Slayer he would become, reluctantly setting him down a path that would eventually change the war between humans and demons.

Even though he no longer fights on the frontlines, Sakonji is still very capable, which he shows throughout his training with Tanjiro. That said, he is tortured by all the kids who have failed the Final Selection, knowing full well he played a significant role in their deaths. By the time Demon Slayer starts, Sakonji is fairly broken and feels hopeless, to the point of assuming Tanjiro and Nezuko are lost causes. However, his belief in humanity’s future is reignited.

Jigoro Kuwajima

(Former) Thunder Hashira – Guiding Zenitsu To A Thunderous Future

• First Episode: 17
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Shigeru Chiba
• Anime Voice Actor (English): John DeMita

Similar to Sakonji, Jigoro’s presence and legacy are defined by his students rather than his actions on screen. While not all his pupils worked out, Jigoro helped turn Zenitsu into a respected Demon Slayer, which was certainly not an easy task (and some viewers might argue was not fully successful). The former Thunder Hashira shows a lot of patience when it comes to his main student, permitting Zenitsu to make mistakes while continuously encouraging him.

Jigoro does not get much of a spotlight throughout the anime as he has already passed away, something that should be explored further in Demon Slayer‘s upcoming adaptation of the Infinity Castle Arc.

Aoi Kanzaki

Demon Slayer – Wars Are Not Just Won On The Battlefield, And Aoi Plays An Important Supporting Role

• First Episode: 23
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Yuri Ehara
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Reba Buhr

Everyone has a part to play, even if they stay away from the front lines. Following her family’s demise at the hands of demons, Aoi Kanzaki found her way to the Demon Slayer Corps, and she managed to pass the Final Selection test. Although qualified to head into the field, Aoi is simply not a fighter and wishes to stay away from combat; consequently, she has taken up residence at the Butterfly Mansion where she takes care of injured fighters.

Aoi made her debut during the Rehabilitation Training arc, helping to heal Tanjiro and Zenitsu’s wounds. After that, she trained a few active members of the Demon Slayer Corps. Aoi is intriguing since there are very few Demon Slayer characters who have purely supportive roles. She actively chose to stay away from battle, a decision that seems to eat away at Aoi from time to time. Realistically, not everyone who joins the Demon Slayer Corps will be ready and able to jump into life-and-death situations at a moment’s notice, and Aoi still has a role to fulfill within the Butterfly Mansion.

Sabito

Spirit That Helps Tanjiro – A Fragment Of The Past Who Exists To Guide The Present Towards A Hopeful Future

• First Episode: 3
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Yuki Kaji
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Max Mittelman

As his Final Selection training under Sakonji hit a wall, Tanjiro inadvertently found himself an aggressive new teacher in the form of Sabito. While initially dismissing Tanjiro as being too weak to make the most of Sakonji’s training, Sabito eventually pushes the hopeful Demon Slayer beyond his limits.

Sabito’s time in the anime concludes quite quickly, coming to an end after just a handful of early episodes. However, he plays a significant role in Tanjiro’s development, perhaps even more so than Sakonji. His backstory also hits pretty hard, which is hardly a surprise for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki

Demon Slayer Corps Leader – The Brains And Heart Behind The Hashira

• First Episode: 5
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Toshiyuki Morikawa
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Matthew Mercer

Despite not featuring that prominently in the anime, Kagaya is an important figure in Demon Slayer‘s world. As the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya shoulders the responsibility of guiding the organization, and his words hold weight. Due to a family curse that manifests as a disease, Kagaya has to take something of a backseat in most situations; however, he serves as a voice of reason when the situation calls for one, and he is highly respected by the Hashira.

Physically, Kagaya is unsurprisingly weak due to his family curse, and he will die at a young age. While he cannot be relied upon in fights, the Demon Slayer Corps leader has incredible foresight, allowing him to make informed predictions regarding Muzan and the Twelve Kizuki’s actions. Without him, the Demon Slayers would be dead in the water, even if his condition does not allow him to play a more direct role in the conflict. Kagaya does not get to interact with many other characters throughout the story, but whenever mentioned by one of the Hashira, their tone is usually defined by reverence and love.

Tamayo

Demon And Doctor – A Crucial And Knowledgable Ally Who Gives The Hashira An Edge

• First Episode: 8
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Maaya Sakamoto
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Laura Post

Introduced during the Asakusa arc, Tamayo is a minor but important character. A demon who also happens to be a doctor, Tamayo walks in between both worlds, using her powers for protection and also to help others. Her existence beyond Muzan’s influence shows that demons can lead positive lives, and Tamayo does not shut down Tanjiro’s hope that he might be able to find a way to turn Nezuko back into a human.

In the anime so far, Tamayo debuts during the Asakusa Arc but disappears after that point, only to reemerge during the Swordsmith Village Arc. While only a bit-part player in that saga, she should be a key figure during Demon Slayer‘s endgame, a role offered to her by Kagaya. Quite kind overall, Tayamyo can be intimidating if the moment requires it, and she is far from a pushover.

Yushiro

Demon – Tamayo’s Assistant

• First Episode: 8
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Daiki Yamashita
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Kyle McCarley

Nearly always by Tamayo’s side, Yushiro is not exactly the warmest demon ever, and he can be a bit frustrating at first. His early interactions with Tanjiro are mostly driven by irritation and disgust, although he does eventually provide the Demon Slayer with some useful instructions and aid. He does warm up a bit through the story, but he never quite ditches his antagonistic attitude.

Like so many Demon Slayer characters, Yushiro has an interesting background that is briefly referenced but not explored in great detail. On death’s door, Yushiro was granted an opportunity at a second life by Tamayo, and he decided to become a demon.

Hotaru Haganezuka

Swordsmith – Somebody Has To Ensure Tanjiro Is Well-Equipped

• First Episode: 5
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Daisuke Namikawa
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Robbie Daymond

Every good Hashira needs a talented swordsmith, and Tanjiro found his match in Hotaru Haganezuka. Before the Swordsmith Village Arc, this fiery blacksmith was largely used as a punchline, usually showing up to threaten to stab Tanjiro for breaking one of his blades. While not the funniest joke ever, Demon Slayer did not overuse it, so Hotaru remained a relatively positive presence.

The Swordsmith Village Arc added layers to Hotaru’s personality, providing some insight into his history, temperament, and outbursts. This storyline also shines light on the relationship between Demon Slayers and swordsmiths, demonstrating that the latter are also crucial players in the fight against Demons.

Yoriichi Tsugikuni

Legendary Demon Slayer

• First Episode: 8 (Referenced); 45 (Full Debut)
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Kazuhiko Inoue
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Mick Lauer

Only shown sporadically in the anime, Yoriichi is one of the lore’s most important characters, despite dying hundreds of years before the events of the story. He established the concept of breathing styles, setting the stage and granting modern Demon Slayers a fighting chance in their overwhelming quest for survival.

With a gripping backstory that ties into a prominent Demon, Yoriichi casts a looming shadow over the entire story, directly influencing Tanjiro in the process. He is generally regarded as history’s most powerful Demon Slayer too.

Muzan Kibutsuji

Demon King – The Big Bad Who Is Feared By Humans And Demons Alike

• First Episode: 6
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Toshihiko Seki
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Greg Chun

Demon Slayer‘s big bad, Muzan casts a wide shadow over the entire story. Although he has predominantly remained a background figure, the Demon King’s overwhelming might and dominion over the Twelve Kizuki is well-established. Muzan’s strength is so indisputable that he barely needs to do anything to intimidate and terrify powerful demons like Akaza.

Despite being the Demon King, Muzan does not seem to care all that much about his kind. He sees his soldiers as nothing more than pawns to serve his quest for immortality, and he thinks even less of humans. In his eyes, everyone else is expendable, and Muzan does not take failure lightly.

Kokushibo

Demon, Upper Rank One – An Incredibly Dangerous And Mysterious Demon

• First Episode: 45
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Ryotaro Okiayu
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Jonah Scott

So far in the Demon Slayer anime, Kokushibo has been primarily a background figure; however, he does not need ample screen time to leave an impression thanks to his fantastically creepy design and intense presence. As Muzan’s Upper Rank One, this demon is undoubtedly powerful, something the Hashira (and audience) will learn in due time.

Kokushibo’s origin is arguably the most fascinating of any member of the Twelve Kizuki, at least in terms of its historical significance within the story’s universe. As the anime has yet to reveal the villain’s backstory, this information will not be spread here.

Doma

Demon, Upper Rank Two – An Unpredictable & Blood-Thirsty Force Of Evil

• First Episode: 44
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Mamoru Miyano
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Stephen Fu

Demon Slayer concluded the stellar anime adaptation of the Entertainment District arc by introducing Doma, the Twelve Kizuki’s Upper Rank Two demon. A powerful and twisted figure, Doma’s agreeable and charming exterior is little more than a mask that can come off at a moment’s notice. Completely unfeeling, the Demon generally maintains a calm demeanor throughout most situations, and he regards humans to be pathetic lesser beings worthy of pity and the villain’s idea of salvation (death, basically).

Anime-only fans have yet to really experience the terror that is Doma, and they can look forward to a future filled with cults, charismatic psychopaths, and vicious fights.

Akaza

Demon, Upper Rank Three – The First Showcase Of Upper Rank Power

• First Episode: 32
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Akira Ishida
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Lucien Dodge

The Upper Rank Three Demon was introduced in Demon Slayer: Mugen Train, and his brutal fight against Rengoku was a visual spectacle and marked an emotional high point for the anime so far. Akaza is also used as a tool to highlight Muzan’s power, as the latter only needs to raise his voice to reduce the former to a terrified mess. This demon is not someone to be ignored, and he’s bound to play a major role in the events to come.

Introduced as a demon obsessed with fighting, Akaza does not seem like a complex figure at a glance, but his backstory paints a wildly different picture. Unlike most other members of the Twelve Kizuki, Akaza was by no means a bad person when he was a human.

Hantengu

Demon, Upper Rank Four – More Than Meets The Eye…Literally

• First Episode: 45
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Toshio Furukawa, Yuichiro Umehara, Kaito Ishikawa, Soma Saito, Shunsuke Takeuchi, Koichi Yamadera
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Christopher Corey Smith, YongYea, Caleb Yen, Brian Timothy Anderson, Chris Hackney, Ben Balmaceda

Spring 2023’s Swordsmith Village arc finds Tanjiro and a few other Hashira trying to survive an onslaught by two of Muzan’s most powerful soldiers: Hantengu and Gyokko. As the Upper Rank Four, the former presents a significant threat that is partly masked by his fragile physique and mentality. Wearing his emotions on his sleeves, Hantengu’s Blood Demon Art allows him to split into four alternate characters, each of whom represents a different side of the demon’s nature. These four can also combine to create a more powerful personality.

• Sekido – Anger personified, Sekido is the most dominant personality out of the four, and he is also among the most powerful. He controls electricity by using a Khakkhara.
• Karaku – The most juvenile of Hantengu’s alter egos, Karaku just wants to have fun, which generally means he likes to play with his food. His element of choice is wind, which is generated via a fan.
• Aizetsu – Getting no enjoyment out of life, Aizetsu is a somber and pessimistic figure. This personality fights with a spear-like blade.
• Urogi – Similar to Karaku, Urogi is an energetic demon who tries to live in the moment. Unlike Karaku, this ego is not particularly sadistic. Urogi’s main method of attack is an ear-shattering scream.
• Zohakuten – Embodying pure hatred, Zohakuten seeks to punish people for perceived injustices, while obviously being entirely blind to his own cruelty.

Gyokko

Demon, Upper Rank Five – A Twisted Demon Who Revels In The Artistry Of Death

• First Episode: 45
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Kohsuke Toriumi
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Brent Mukai

Ranked as the Twelve Kizuki’s fifth-strongest demon, Gyokko has arguably the most unsettling design out of all the members of the group. While most of the other demons are at least human-esque, the Upper Rank Five comes across as a nightmarish genie who specializes in body horror. Now, to be fair, Gyokko is a connoisseur of the fine arts and even considers himself to be a daring artist capable of crafting some truly visceral masterpieces.

Matching his aesthetic, Gyokko has a vile personality that reeks of arrogance and hatred. Unfortunately for the Hashira, this demon not only talks a good game but also backs it up.

Daki

Demon, Upper Rank Six – Strong But Still Quite Fragile

• First Episode: 34
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Miyuki Sawashiro
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Erica Lindbeck

Introduced as one of the main villains of Demon Slayer‘s Entertainment District arc, Daki is vicious and cruel, a personality stemming from insecurity and a desire to get Muzan’s approval. The Upper Rank Six demon has a tragic backstory as she was a courtesan who was burned alive, only to be “saved” by her brother, Gyutaro, on her deathbed. The siblings have always been joined at the hip, even if they tend to argue frequently.

Not much is known about Daki, outside the fact that she was turned into a demon as a teenager and has been around for more than a hundred years. Although her exact height has not been revealed, Daki is quite tall, towering over the likes of Tanjiro and Nezuko. However, she is shorter than her brother or Muzan.

Gyutaro

Demon, Upper Rank Six – The Real Upper Rank Six Demon

• First Episode: 40
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Ryota Osaka
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Brandon McInnis

Daki’s sibling, Gyutaro is the Twelve Kizuki’s true Upper Rank Six powerhouse. With a rather unique physique and a penchant for brutality, Gyutaro has an intimidating presence due to both his appearance and personality. Although he does care for his sister, Gyutaro shows little regard for nearly anyone else and especially likes to target people he believes are more fortunate than him.

Similar to Daki, Gyutaro’s height and birthday have not been revealed by Demon Slayer. Also like his sister, Gyutaro is over a hundred years old. He is also considerably taller than Daki, so he is most likely around 5’10”.

Enmu

Demon, Lower Rank One – A Sadistic Force

• First Episode: 26
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Daisuke Hirakawa
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Landon McDonald

While somewhat overshadowed by Akaza, Enmu plays a central role in the Mugen Train Arc, serving as Tanjiro and Inosuke’s opponent. Except for Rui, Enmu is the only Lower Rank Demon properly highlighted throughout the anime’s run, with the rest of his “companions” falling at the hands of an enraged Muzan.

While most Demons are presented as unapologetically evil, some of them have sympathetic backstories from when they were humans, turning them into somewhat tragic figures. Enmu is not one of these characters. Even as a human, he was already a fraudster who took joy in manipulating and hurting people, and this sadistic tendency was amplified by his Demon transformation.

Rui

Demon, Lower Rank Five – The First Major Test

• First Episode: 15
• Anime Voice Actor (Japanese): Koki Uchiyama
• Anime Voice Actor (English): Billy Kametz

Tanjiro’s most terrifying opponent in Demon Slayer‘s first season, Rui is unsettling in more ways than one. Although he generally keeps a civilized tone, the Lower Rank demon is incredibly dangerous and unforgiving, an attitude stemming from his transformation as a demon that led to him being rejected by his human parents. Ever since then, the villain has tried to create a new “loving” family to replace the one he lost.

Although not one of the highest-ranking members of the Twelve Kizuki, Rui should not be underestimated. The villain backs his strong physique with abilities that allow him to enhance other demons or even change their appearances.