Demon Slayeris widely considered one of the best shonen anime series of all time, and for very good reason. Between 2016 and 2020,Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’smanga sold over 15 million copies, cementing its status as one of the most popular manga franchises in the world.
The release ofDemon Slayer’sanime in 2019 was groundbreaking, with the anime accruing numerous awards over the years. Thehighest-grossing anime movie ever isDemon Slayer: Mugen Train,and that is only one of the franchise’s many achievements. Many factors contribute to the spotlight onDemon Slayer,butthe most influential is the series' main character: Tanjiro Kamado.
Demon Slayer’s Best Attribute is Its Protagonist
Tanjiro May Not Be the Most Complex Anime Hero, Yet He is Still One of the Best
Demon Slayeris sometimes criticized for having overly simplistic writing at times or suffering from plot holes. Every anime series has its issues, but any problemsDemon Slayerdoes face are redeemed by the genius of Tanjiro’s character as a protagonist and how he contributes to the overall story.
It may seem a bit surprising to defineTanjiro as an ideal shonen protagonist, since he is fairly straightforward and lacks the deep complexity of some other anime heroes. Tanjiro grows in physical strength and demon-slaying ability, but his mental and emotional changes are not as defined as those of other anime characters whose circumstances shape them more visibly.
Yet,Tanjiro makes every part ofDemon Slayer’sstory better, and that’s actually because of his relative lack of depth.Tanjiro embodies all the traits of an ideal hero: selflessness, drive, and courage. Because he is uncomplicated, these attributes shine through, and help him effectively represent the hero archetype.
Tanjiro’s Lack of Complexity Lets the Supporting Cast Shine
Side Characters Receive the Limelight Because Tanjiro’s Arc Does Not Demand All the Attention
Tanjiro’s simplicity as a protagonist alsoaffords the opportunity for otherDemon Slayercharacters to receive fleshed-out character arcs.Demon Slayer’ssupporting cast is exceptionally strong. Because heroes like Zenitsu and Obanai are more multifaceted than Tanjiro, they add the necessary emotional depth to the story in Tanjiro’s place and are able to stand out without his arc dominating theirs.
He is not completely a blank slate; Tanjiro has goals of his own that are expressed throughout the series. Since his entire family, except Nezuko, were murdered by demons, he has committed himself toturning Nezuko from demon to human againand retaliating against demons. These objectives not only garner sympathy, they give his arc a path to follow.
Tanjiro never loses sight of his goal and, from the beginning to the end of the story, that never changes. Although his focus on his plan causes him to be single-minded, that is actually a benefit. While watchingDemon Slayer,viewers can become invested in his hard-fought journey towards this long-term ambition, rather than watch Tanjiro going in different directions.
Tanjiro’s Positive Qualities Are Hard to Find in an Anime Hero
His Dedication and Selflessness Are His Most Prominent Attributes As He Fights Demons
Many other shonen anime heroes, like Goku, Naruto, or Gojo, for example, have dreams of becoming the strongest or the best at their craft. These plans, while still entertaining to watch unfold, are not as easy to measure tangibly as Tanjiro’s. Saving Nezuko is a concrete goal, and when Tanjiro has accomplished it, it will be abundantly clear.
Another characteristic that makes Tanjiro so effective as a main character is his selflessness when it comes to his intentions and actions. Shonen characters are mostly noble, but still sometimes fight for their own personal gain or self-improvement, whereasTanjiro is wholly focused on other people in everything he does.
Tanjiro’s reason for becoming a demon slayer in the first place was to protect Nezuko. As he meets others along the journey, he stops at nothing to ensure demons cannot easily take any more innocent lives, even risking his own safety in the process. Few anime heroes are as altruistic as Tanjiro, so viewers cannot help but root for him.
Tanjiro is One of Anime’s Most Relatable Characters
Because He is More Like an Average Person Than a Superhero, Viewers Can Connect With Tanjiro
Finally,Tanjiro’s simplicity leads to his relatability as a character.The literary term “everyman,” which describes a character who exemplifies an average person, could describe Tanjiro in many ways. He did not spend his whole life dreaming of demon-slaying, he simply rose to the challenge when a dangerous situation occurred.
Tanjiro’s palpable fear at the beginning of his journey, his willingness to cry and show emotion, and his love for those close to him are all traits viewers will both recognize in themselves and appreciate in him. It is easier to connect with a hero like Tanjiro, who feels more similar to an ordinary person than a superhero.
Because Tanjiro is so uncomplicated, fans can also more easily project themselves on to him, imagining how they would behave if they were suddenly thrust into Tanjiro’s life one day. Tanjiro may not be mysterious or ambiguous, but the fact that he is not makes him a lot easier for all fans to connect with him on some level.
Tanjiro’s Story Inspires Viewers With the Message That Anyone Can Be a Hero
Tanjiro Was Not Born a Hero, He Worked to Become One
What’s unique about Tanjiro is that he startsDemon Slayeras an average teenager and concludes the story as a true hero. It’s impossible not to cheer him on as he chases his honorable goal, andhis arc suggests that anyone can become a hero through hard work and a giving mindset, which is an inspirational message.
Tanjiro’s simplicity is what makes him such a fantastic, relatable hero.
Tanjiro is such a phenomenal character not just for one reason, but because of how all of these elements work together. His simplicity, motivation, selflessness, and relatability all contribute toTanjiro’s popularity among fans.Tanjiromay be a pretty simple character compared to others inDemon Slayer,but that is a very good thing.
