Demon Slayer’s Tanjiro May Not Be My Favorite Guy, But I Know the Real Reason He’s So Popular
Demon Slayer’s Tanjiro Kamado is an oft-criticized anime protagonist, because he is a lot less dynamic and complex than other shonen anime heroes. Tanjiro is kind, optimistic, and hard-working, which are all positive qualities, but his character does somewhat lack the depth needed to stand out in a more meaningful way.
Regardless of the relative simplicity with which he is written, Tanjiro is still a likable, relatable character worthy of respect, for one important reason: his core motivation for fighting as hard as he does. Tanjiro’s goal is straightforward, but fully understandable and honorable, adding an element to his story that viewers can admire.
Tanjiro’s Goal of Saving Nezuko is Understandable and Noble
Restoring His Sister’s Humanity Motivates Tanjiro, Inspiring His Decision to Join the Demon Slayer Corps
Tanjiro lost almost everything in one brief, horrifying scene during the very first episode of Demon Slayer. The Demon King Lord Muzan attacked his family and killed every last member while Tanjiro was away for work, leaving their mangled bodies for him to discover upon his return. Only Nezuko, his younger sister, escaped unscathed, but she was still affected, because Muzan transformed her into a demon. Even after discovering Nezuko’s condition, Tanjiro remained hopeful that his sister could be restored to her previous human state, and vowed to undo the demon curse Muzan placed on her, at any cost.
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For the rest of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro’s ambition is solely to save his sister. His goal is a relatively simple, uncomplicated one, but it is deeply meaningful to him and gives him the motivation and persistence to push through even the most painful, physically and mentally grueling challenges and demon battles. Tanjiro even joins the Demon Slayer Corps, undergoing harsh tests of his strength and mental resilience and placing himself in deadly situations, just so he can chase after the slim possibility of restoring Nezuko’s humanity. Even though a demon has never been turned human again before, this reality does not deter Tanjiro.
Other Shonen Protagonists Have Loftier Goals Than Tanjiro Does
These Other Heroes Chase Goals Like Power, Increased Physical Strength, and Becoming a Protector of Others
Across shonen anime series, one aspect that many main characters have in common is the fact that they are all pursuing ambitious dreams. A great number of these heroes are looking for fame, recognition, or extreme levels of power. Others simply enjoy the thrill of the fights themselves, the feeling of satisfaction after defeating a formidable enemy, and the act of protecting those they love from harm. For example, Naruto from Naruto is intent on becoming the Hokage and leading his village. Every action he takes is in an attempt to obtain this position of power and leadership for himself.
In a similar vein, One Piece’s Monkey D. Luffy’s most overpowering desire is to become the Pirate King and to locate the One Piece, making him the most famous, influential pirate in the world. Both of these characters are inspired by the pursuit of recognized positions in society, eager to prove themselves to their peers and the world as a whole. Power is not the only motivator for shonen heroes though, others, like Dragon Ball’s Goku and Bleach’s Ichigo Kurosaki are primarily focused on keeping others safe and fighting off villains themselves, rather than potentially risking innocent people getting hurt.
Tanjiro’s Goal of Fighting for a Loved One Is Easy to Relate to
The Idea of Doing Anything for Those You Care About Is Universally Relatable
Finally, heroes like Jujutsu Kaisen’s Gojo Satoru are spurred on by improving their own strength, evidenced in Gojo’s journey to become the strongest sorcerer. For Tanjiro though, a high-ranking position in the world, acting as a protector over society, and physical might are not his core driving factors for becoming a demon slayer. All Tanjiro takes into account is his sister Nezuko’s life, and once he realizes that the only way to even try to save her is fighting demons, he agrees to enroll in the Demon Slayer Corps on the spot, because turning Nezuko human again is all Tanjiro really wants.
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As a demon slayer, Tanjiro is incredibly effective, balancing compassion for the demons he kills with enacting righteous justice by preventing them from continuing to cause pain. He advances rapidly, honing his Breathing Technique and developing hefty muscles rather quickly, but the reason he is able to move forward so fast is because Nezuko’s future is always at the forefront of his mind. Tanjiro does care about saving other people and has an unwavering sense of justice, but his primary objective is saving Nezuko from an unsavory fate: living the rest of her life as a demon.
Tanjiro’s Clear Goal Makes It Easy to Track His Gradual Progress on His Journey
His Experience as a Demon Slayer Is Not Just Thrilling to Watch, It Brings Him Closer to Saving Nezuko
Fighting for one’s family is a common theme in media that many fans can connect with, or at least, comprehend. Tanjiro’s steady love for his sister and willingness to risk everything to see her happy makes him extremely relatable, since it allows viewers to picture themselves in Tanjiro’s shoes, imagining what they would do in his position if they were faced with the monumental challenge of saving someone they care about. Anyone in Tanjiro’s place would also fight relentlessly for their loved one, making Tanjiro understandable and giving his journey a clear trajectory with an end goal in sight.
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Finally, Tanjiro’s concrete, simple aim makes it easy for viewers to track his progress and cheer for him as he gradually inches closer to encountering Lord Muzan, getting well-deserved revenge, and taking back Nezuko’s humanity once and for all. As he slays demons, he grows stronger and stronger, bringing him closer to saving his sister’s life. Although Tanjiro’s goal may not be as lofty or complicated as the goals of other shonen protagonists, his objective is simple but genius and makes the Demon Slayer protagonist a hero worthy of rooting for, even if he is not the most complex hero.
- Created by
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Koyoharu Gotouge
Summary
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline, Demon Slayer is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.
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