From the very start of Kamado Tanjiro’s journey inDemon Slayer, his life was full of pain and loss. I can’t imagine what it’d be like to come home one day to see an entire family gone, but that’s the reality Tanjiro faced. A chilling way to begin a story.
Over time, through the trials and tribulations of learning the demon slayer code and wielding a sword, Tanjiro flourished. There was more to his familial history that we learn throughout the story, and one that saw him turninghis breathing techniqueinto an unstoppable force.
10 Most Tragic Backstories In Anime
The anime industry has given us several characters with dark or sad backstories, but these are surely some of the most tragic ones.
Given the fact that Tanjiro is the main protagonist ofDemon Slayer, there’s no shortage of memorable episodes full of great moments. This list will include the ten best in my opinion, and why they’re important to the story of Kamado Tanjiro.
10Mugen Train Arc, Episode 5
“Move Forward!”
The Mugen Train Arc may have been the shortest season ofDemon Slayer’s run thus far, but it can’t be stated enough how much of an impact it had on its fans. If you know, you know. One area that is deeply explored, through the brilliant idea of being caught up in one’s dreams, is a character’s deepest desire and need in life.
Upon confronting his need to move forward despite living with the pain of loss, Tanjiro awakens determined to take down Enmu after cutting his own neck to break the curse. In episode five, fittingly titled “Move Forward!”, Tanjiro does just that. He moves forward, focusing his sights on the enemy at hand.
What makes this episode so enjoyable to watch is Tanjiro’s teamwork with Inosuke Hashibara, and how their dynamics work together accordingly. I always get a good laugh out of their bickering, but when push came to shove at that moment,Inosuke and Tanjiro worked perfectlyin sync and turned the tables on Enmu.
9Demon Slayer Season 1, Episode 4
“Final Selection”
Early intoTanjiro’s journey as a demon slayer, obstacles faced him at every turn and made his rise to where he is now very difficult. It wasn’t just the work-outs and keeping one’s body in perfect shape and harmony, it was also the battles. The Final Selection test is a perfect example of that.
The Final Selection is a test that all demon slayers must take, and it puts their abilities to work against lower-form demons. Tanjiro and his class were not only up against the elements, but taking on demons so early on proved to be difficult. Then you have the morphed demon that appeared, almost out of nowhere.
Tanjiro may have had only two years of training at this point, but there was no time to hesitate. The morphed demon had already trapped several demon slayers in its body, forcing Tanjiro to act quickly. It was a great look into the future of Tanjiro’s character, as he fought for the lives of others while putting his own at risk.
8Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 3
“A Sword From Over 300 Years Ago”
The Swordsmith Village Arc started off rather peacefully, with Tanjiro reaching a small village full of skilled swordsmiths. On top of that, Tanjiro faced off against a sword-wielding puppet that held a 300-year-old sword within its body, serving as a prize for anyone who could cut off its head.
As quiet and calm as the first half of this episode was, fans faced major whiplash when the demon known as Hantengu showed up out of the blue. If you thought one upper-rank demon was bad, what happens whenthat one demon can split into multiple versionsof itself?
It’s tremendously fascinating to see each copy of Hantengu form and represent an emotion. One was Anger, another was Pleasure, and then you add Sorrow and Joy, and suddenly Tanjiro and the demon slayers were up against a major threat. It’s a moment that puts Tanjiro’s back up against the wall, and that’s when he’s at his best.
7Demon Slayer Season 1, Episode 9
“Temari Demon And Arrow Demon”
InTemari Demon and Arrow Demon, two significant events happen that really set up some driving points that are still having an impact today. One of which is Tanjiro learning from a pair of docile demons that a demon can be turned back. There’s still hope for Nezuko.
Demon Slayer: 15 Strongest Female Characters
From the confident Aoi Kanzaki to the formidable Shinobu Kocho, these are some of the strongest females in Demon Slayer.
Instead of acting on this information and making their way to the next part of the story, Tanjiro and Nezuko are attacked by Susamaru and Yahaba. One has the power to toss a ball at high speeds that can cut through skin and bone, while the other has a power that will give PTSD to anyone familiar with Pokemon’s Team Rocket hideouts.
The episode is jam-packed with fun action sequences and Tanjiro studying and adapting to the two demons' powers. Despite Nezuko’s nasty leg amputation at the hands of Susamaru, the duo find a wayto defeat Yahabaand turn the fight into a two-on-one fight, ending on a big cliffhanger.
6Demon Slayer Season 1, Episode 22
“Master Of The Mansion”
Meeting the Hashiras ofDemon Slayerfelt almost surreal, as you really begin to understand the power imbalance between Tanjiro and the masters of the sword. Where theMaster of the Mansionepisode hits hardest is with the introduction of the Master of the Hashira.
The episode also feels like a major shift in the laws of the world, as Nezuko and Tanjiro are taken into custody despite being good people and fighting demons. The major issue they face is that Nezuko is a demon herself, and as such, must be put to rest by the blade of a demon slayer.
Tanjiro shines in this episode during his moment of rebellion towards the Hashira code, refusing to allow Nezuko to be killed. Determined that his sister can be changed back, Tanjiro promises to seek this out and protect her while preventing her from hurting others with her demon powers.
5Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 5
“Bright Red Sword”
The fifth episode of the Swordsmith Village Arc is an insane ride from start to finish, full of satisfying action. If you wantedDemon Slayerto stray away from environment-building episodes at a slower pace, then this episode was the one for you.
As the battle heats up between Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the Hantengu clones, their backs are up against the wall until help comes in the form of Genya and Tokito. Even then, the battle proves to be a difficult one for all members, as the Hantengu clones are no joke.
Forced to come up with a new plan, Nezuko uses her demon blood to fuse with Tanjiro’s sword, creating a stunning visual. With his flaming sword, and the mirage of a former demon slayer thatshares a resemblance to Tanjiro, we get quite possibly one of the most moving moments in all ofDemon Slayer.
4Entertainment District Arc, Episode 6
“Layered Memories”
As perfect as the Mugen Train Arc was, the Entertainment District Arc is what fans still talk about today when season two ofDemon Slayeris brought up in conversation. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Insouke are all at their best during the 11-episode arc, and the duo of Daki and Gyutaro provide a threat that felt almost impossible to defeat.
One aspect of Tanjiro’s character that is often praised is his ability to recall his past, which has contributed significantly to his status as a demon slayer. Rather than run from it and escape the pain, the hardships are what make Tanjiro so strong, and he ultimately forces Daki to do the same.
Unlike Tanjiro, Daki’s past shaped her into the demon that she now is, alongside her brother, Gyutaro. The episode offers a fascinating glimpse into how tragedy can transform someone, and how the pendulum swings towards good or evil, depending on the circumstances.
3Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 11
“A Connected Bond: Daybreak And First Light”
This one may feel like it’s slightly higher on the list than some would expect, but I promise there are many reasons why it’s an important episode for Tanjiro. What it boils down to is Tanjiro undergoing a balancing act between protecting innocent lives from demons while ensuring Nezuko’s survival.
The sad thing at the time was that it appeared he couldn’t do both. Tanjiro chased down the Upper Rank Four Hantengu, aiming to fulfill his mission and take down one of the most powerful demons the crew has faced to this point. The bigger issue was the sun that was rising.
After taking down Hantengu, Tanjiro set his sights on Nezuko, who appeared to be burning from contact with the sun. Little did we know,Nezuko was not only fine, but had managed to overcome the effects of the sun. If you weren’t shedding as many tears as Tanjiro in this moment, were you really invested in the story?
2Entertainment District Arc, Episode 10
“Never Give Up”
Episode 10 of the Entertainment District Arc is ironically namedNever Give Up, as the servers that streamedDemon Slayerended up crashing upon its release. An anime episode doesn’t often break the internet, but in this case, it caused plenty of services to be inaccessible for a period of time.
When you finally got in, it was worth the wait. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Tengen were aware thatthey had to decapitate Daki and Gyutaroat the same time, but doing so was incredibly difficult. Yet, when it finally happened, it was euphoric.
At least, it was for a short while, before the episode ends with a bang (literally). As Tanjiro struggles to manage with the poison taking control, the decapitated body of Gyutaro explodes, sending shards of blood at the demon slayers. Just when you thought it was over, the cliffhanger managed to have us all falling off our couches.
1Demon SlayerSeason 1, Episode 19
“Hinokami”
It’s crazy to think that there’s one episode that exceeds the feelingsDemon Slayerfans had over one that brought down the internet, butHinokamiproves it’s possible. If you’re a Tanjiro fan, this one had you reaching for the tissue box faster than how Tanjiro moved in for the kill.
Taking on the elder brother of the spider family, Tanjiro was not only way in over his head, but Nezuko was bound up and captured too. To make matters worse, Tanjiro’s sword had been shattered, making this fight feel like a lost cause.
What followed next was beautiful artwork anda flashback to Tanjiro’s childhood, where he saw his father performing a ritual fire dance. Mimicking his movements, Tanjiro managed to avoid the sharp webs of the elder brother, and landed a kill shot. Throughout, we get a gorgeous fight scene complete with a musical conclusion.
Demon Slayer: 10 Best Swordsmen, Ranked
Discover the best swordsmen in Demon Slayer from Sanemi’s whirlwind slashes to Zenitsu’s electrifying moves.
