Kibutsuji Muzan embodies cowardice through his manipulation of others for personal gain. He goes to great lengths to achieve his goals, frequently sacrificing the lives of those around him. His difficult childhood experiences have heightened his survival instincts and his yearning for immortality.
Although Tamayo has successfully created a cure for demonization, Muzan had never been interested in humanity, rather choosing to achieve godhood and become the perfect being. However, there is more to Muzan’s refusal to become human in Demon Slayer.
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How Muzan’s Childhood Shaped His Future
As He Struggled To Survive, It Nurtured A Deep Desire For Life And Becoming The Perfect Being
Kibutsuji Muzan has consistently demonstrated a profound desire for life; this inclination originates from his early childhood when he was declared deceased at birth due to the absence of breath and pulse. Despite his frailty and physical weakness, Muzan, even as an infant, exhibited a steadfast determination to survive, showing an unwillingness to succumb to cremation, even while the shadow of death loomed over him.
Although Muzan had survived, death was still clinging to him. Muzan had undoubtedly beaten the odds at birth, determined in his resolve to live and fight against death itself. However, as Muzan aged, he was diagnosed with a disease that would kill him before he reached the age of twenty. In Chapter 127, Muzan confessed that he “suffered so much just to live a little longer,” indicating his strong desire to live and escape death.
It is highly probable that the experiences of his childhood have significantly shaped Muzan’s character, as well as his unwavering resolve to endure. Having adeptly managed the challenges of mortality during infancy—a phase in which children are particularly vulnerable to infections and diseases due to their underdeveloped immune systems—Muzan’s desire for longevity appears to stem from a profound fear of death.
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Kibutsuji Muzan undoubtedly possesses an intense will to survive; however, the physical limitations imposed upon him foster a continual fear of mortality, as he has confronted death on numerous occasions. Despite his fervent desire to exist, Muzan exemplifies perfectionism, as he is reluctant to accept imperfection and remains zealous in his pursuit of a flawless state akin to divinity.
Muzan’s Refusal Stems From His Desire to Live
Always Afraid Of Death, Muzan Searches For Eternity
|
Saga |
Final Battle arc |
|---|---|
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Chapters |
140 – 205 |
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Sub-Arcs |
Infinity Castle and Sunrise Countdown arc |
In the confrontation at the Ubuyashiki Estate, where Muzan and Ubuyashiki Kagaya meet for the first time, we learn of Muzan’s goals and aspirations. Though Muzan’s goals had been foreshadowed since the Asakusa arc in which Muzan was first introduced, we learn more about Muzan’s feelings during the confrontation. This is the first time Muzan’s core views on eternity and immortality have been challenged.
The one thing I hate is “change.” Changes in circumstances. Changes in body. Changes in emotion. In most cases, every change is “degradation.” It is decline. The one thing I like is permanence.” If something doesn’t change for an eternity, it’s in a perfect state.
From Muzan’s first appearance, he has shown narcissistic tendencies and an apparent fixation with perfection. Muzan’s primary priority is to be seen as the perfect being, and any comments on his appearance, such as being sickly or strange, would be a direct insult to his quest to gain an immortal body. By living as a demon for over a thousand years, Muzan experienced no change in his appearance or personality, remaining apathetic towards others in his search for eternity. Muzan wanted to become a perfect yet unchanging being; with this, Muzan would no longer fear death or mortality.
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Even after living for over a thousand years, Muzan shows no inclination to accept humanity or engage in human activities. His substantial time spent among humans is driven solely by his quest for knowledge about the Blue Spider Lily and hiding amongst them. Other than this objective, Muzan seldom participates in actions that bring him joy.
When Tamayo pierced Muzan’s abdomen with the Anti-Kibutsuji Drug and made him aware of the contents of said drug, Muzan’s initial task was to completely decompose the drug, as it would force him to accept the inevitable death that is sure to follow all living creatures. At the brink of his apparent death, Muzan reflects on the words he and Ubuyashiki exchange.
- Even as an infant, Muzan sought to escape the inevitable of death.
- Upon turning into a demon, Muzan believed himself to be untouchable.
- Muzan’s obsession with becoming the perfect being leads him to continue the search for the Blue Spider Lily, which will rid his chances of dying and elevate him as the supreme being.
Ubuyashiki believed that it is the feelings and thoughts of people and humans that make them eternal, and this is what he believed eternity is, as feelings are thus eternal and indestructible. It’s probable that Ubuyashiki believes that these thoughts are passed on to others, as he compares it to the Demon Slayer Corp’s long history. As these thoughts and feelings continue to remain and be passed on to others, this is how “true” eternity can be achieved.
Muzan initially rejected this statement. He believes that it should be that body that is eternal. Muzan has cut off his feelings, as he has no apathy, empathy, or sympathy; he is devoid of emotion as he cut others out of his life and continued to use them to gain the upper hand. However, when faced with the brink of death and his long existence resulting in nothing, Muzan once again fears death, no longer wanting his existence to be in vain as he transfers his emotions and powers unto Tanjiro, which resulted in the strongest king amongst demons.
I am a perfect creature that is infinitely close to perfection.
This action once again demonstrates the lengths Muzan will go to to prevent his death. Muzan never had any intentions of returning to humanity. While death scared him, and he had an aversion to all things that could harm him, thus the need to surround himself with others weaker than himself and those willing to conform to his every need. Upon being turned into a demon, Muzan believed himself to be akin to that of a god or supreme being, although flawed by the weakness of sunlight.
Muzan’s idealistic and narcissistic disposition rejects any notion of humanity, as death is the inevitable outcome. However, upon acquiring an understanding of genuine immortality from Ubuyashiki, Muzan begins to falter as his physical form approaches its conclusion. In a final, desperate endeavor, Muzan conveys his emotions and sentiments onto Tanjiro in his quest for immortality, yet this effort ultimately proves futile.
Demon Slayer is now available to stream on Crunchyroll.