[Demon Slayer] Kamado Tanjiro, who is infinitely warm, has a complete personality, and protects himself even in extreme situations.
(There may be heavy spoilers for Demon Slayer. I read this with the help of A.I., so I hope you read it carefully.)
1) Kamado Tanjiro, the protagonist of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Kamado Tanjiro is the central protagonist of the manga "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba." His appearance and personality leave a lasting impression throughout the story. Similar to his brother, he sports bangs that reveal his forehead and spiky red hair. His clear, deep red eyes clearly reflect his pure and upright nature. According to the author, Tanjiro's appearance has been described as plain or even somewhat ugly, rather than handsome. However, within the story, he has a profound inner beauty that greatly influences those around him.
One of Tanjiro's most distinctive features is the scar on the left side of his forehead and his playing card-shaped earrings. This scar is a burn scar from his childhood, incurred while protecting his younger brother Takeo from a falling stove. Around the time of the final selection test, this scar transforms from a simple burn mark to a crimson flame-like pattern, symbolizing the inner transformation that comes with his growth. His father, Tanjuro, was also born with a slight birthmark, suggesting that this scar may be related to the Kamado clan's unique lineage.
When Tanjiro first appeared, he had shoulder-length hair tied in a ponytail. However, after Nezuko transformed into a demon, his hair was cut short by Tomioka Giyuu's sword during a fight. During his two years of training under Urokodaki Sakonji, he was unable to maintain his hair, and it grew back. However, before the final selection exam, he cut his own hair, adopting his current, familiar hairstyle. This transformation visually illustrates Tanjiro's journey from a simple boy to a demon hunter.
Tanjiro is a rare example of a shonen manga protagonist who is fully developed not only in combat but also in character. He is warm-hearted and kind, even showing compassion for demons. This is enough to make Urokodaki initially dismiss him as unsuitable for a Demon Slayer. However, he gradually sheds his indecisiveness and solidifies his firm stance toward goblins. While he mercilessly punishes goblins who commit evil deeds, he also prays for their happiness after they reflect and pay for their sins. This is Tanjiro's unique way of simultaneously demonstrating his fundamental goodness and sense of justice.
2) Kamado Tanjiro, Acknowledged Even by Tomioka Giyu
Tomioka Giyu, a beast of burden, was deeply committed to exterminating demons. When he encountered Nezuko, now a demon, and Tanjiro desperately protecting her, his sense of duty was torn apart. Nezuko had already been transformed into a demon, and his principles dictated that she should be killed immediately. However, Tanjiro desperately pleaded with Giyu not to kill his sister, and even in this desperate situation, he stood firm, determined to protect her. His gaze and actions were not mere cries of despair, but rather a powerful will and unwavering love.
Along with Tanjiro's determined demeanor, Giyu witnessed the strange situation of Nezuko acting as if she were protecting her brother. While humans who become demons typically become cruel and merciless, Nezuko, far from harming her brother, appeared to be protecting him. This moment must have been a confusing one for Giyu. Having dedicated himself to battling demons for so long, it must have been a sight he found utterly incomprehensible. However, it seems he was moved more by the special aura he felt from the Tanjiro siblings and their earnest devotion than by his sense of duty as a demon hunter. He recognized Tanjiro's extraordinary talent and strong will, and he believed that even if Nezuko were completely consumed by her demon nature, Tanjiro would fulfill his duty as her older brother to the end. Therefore, instead of killing Tanjiro, Giyu let them go, telling them to seek out their former master, Urokodaki Sakonji. This was a pivotal moment in Tanjiro's life and his enlistment in the Demon Slayer Corps, and serves as powerful evidence of Giyu's profound impression of Tanjiro's potential and humanity. Their first meeting was more than just a lifesaver; it was a symbolic moment that paved the way for Tanjiro and set the stage for the story to unfold.
3) Urokodaki, Who posed an impassable test in the final selection
When Kamado Tanjiro visited Urokodaki Sakonji at the direction of Tomioka Giyu, he encountered training more rigorous than he could have imagined. Urokodaki taught Tanjiro the art of concentrated breathing and water breathing, but as his final test, he gave him the seemingly impossible task of "cutting that gigantic rock." This test went beyond mere technical proficiency; it tested Tanjiro's mental strength and endurance. It was a test of such difficulty that no ordinary trainee could possibly pass it.
There are several theories as to why Urokodaki gave Tanjiro such a difficult test. As his teacher, he likely knew Tanjiro's pure and upright nature. Furthermore, Tanjiro shouldered the immense responsibility of caring for his younger sister, Nezuko, who had been transformed into a demon. Urokodaki likely anticipated the arduous path ahead. Perhaps Urokodaki secretly hoped that through this test, Tanjiro would abandon his path as a Demon Slayer and return to a normal life. Or perhaps he was trying to convey the message that he must fully prepare himself by making him realize the harshness and ruthlessness of Demon Slayer life. Perhaps this test stemmed from his mentor's deep desire to protect Tanjiro.
Even after six months, Tanjiro was unable to cut the giant boulder. Despite his immense training, Tanjiro's lack of visible results likely led to deep frustration. But then, a mysterious boy named Sabito and a girl named Makomo appeared before him. They supervised Tanjiro's training for approximately six months, providing him with actual swordsmanship, detailed technical instruction, and spiritual guidance. Thanks to their support, Tanjiro achieved a level of training he had never imagined possible, ultimately achieving the feat of cutting the massive boulder in one fell swoop. So why did Sabito and Makomo appear before Tanjiro and help him? They were actually Urokodaki's former disciples, souls killed by the "Hand Demon" during the final selection. It's possible that Sabito, particularly due to his own experience of being sacrificed to the Hand Demon, saw in Tanjiro a hope for vengeance. Their souls exist under Urokodaki's care, and they appeared to open a path for the living. Urokodaki's transport of the Hand Demon to the final selection testing site even after his crushing defeat likely stemmed from a combination of past guilt for failing to prevent the other disciples' sacrifices, and the hope that one day one of his disciples would defeat the Hand Demon and demonstrate true strength and resolve. The fact that the Hand Demon was simply captured and left in the testing site, paradoxically, served as the backdrop for Urokodaki's disciples to pass the true test on their own.
4) Comprehensive Evaluation of Kamado Tanjiro
Kamado Tanjiro is a complex and compelling character, transcending the mere protagonist of the expansive story of "Demon Slayer." While his personality is portrayed as fully developed from the beginning of the story, his growth is constantly driven not only by his combat prowess but also by his inner depth and the process of overcoming conflict. Tanjiro's most notable trait is his kind and altruistic nature. He possesses a rare compassion even for demons, a sentiment evident in his prayers for their souls' peace even as he slays evil demons. This warmth has influenced many characters throughout the story. For example, in the "Infinity Train" arc, the young man who entered Tanjiro's subconscious was struck by the sheer clarity and purity of Tanjiro's heart, and even regained his original, kind personality simply by receiving a portion of his heart. Even the demons find comfort in Tanjiro's actions, demonstrating his warmth and depth of thought.
However, Tanjiro's kindness does not always translate into obedience or weakness. As the saying goes, "A good man is scary when he's angry," when he's truly enraged, his usual gentle demeanor vanishes, transforming into a completely different, fearsome being. His fury at the Swamp Goblin's outrageous remarks, his rage at risking his life in pursuit of Akaza, who drove Rengoku Kyojuro to his death, and his fury at Taki's remarks, all reveal his latent, intense sense of justice, his vengeful spirit, and his fierce will to protect those dear to him.
Tanjiro is extremely honest and incapable of lying. He experiences a physiological repulsion when forced to lie. Furthermore, he avoids surprise attacks, instead adhering to a unique fighting style that first communicates his intention to engage. These traits demonstrate Tanjiro's unwavering conviction and humanity, no matter the situation.
As the story unfolds, Tanjiro's greatest driving force is his deep hatred for Muzan Kibutsuji. Muzan is the one responsible for the massacre of his family and the transformation of his sister into a demon, and Tanjiro recognizes Muzan as someone who must be destroyed. Especially in the final chapter, upon hearing Muzan's absurd self-justification, Tanjiro becomes so enraged that he declares, "You are a creature that should not exist," and vows to kill Muzan. This becomes the ultimate goal of his journey and the most powerful motivation that permeates all his actions.
Overall, Kamado Tanjiro is not only a powerful Demon Slayer with exceptional combat prowess, but also a multifaceted character possessing deep humanity, compassion, and a fierce anger against injustice. His journey is not a simple revenge story, but a story of redemption through sacrifice, perseverance, and familial love. Readers deeply empathize with and are moved by Tanjiro's multifaceted nature and relentless efforts, rooting for his growth. Tanjiro overcomes his weaknesses, positively influences those around him, and ultimately establishes himself as a true hero, bringing light to the darkness of the world. His story is a prime example of the power that good will and resilience can have when combined.
That's all.
Thank you.