Tanjiro Kamado (竈門 炭治郎, Kamado Tanjirō)is the main protagonist of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He is a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, having joined to find a cure for his sister, Nezuko Kamado, who was transformed into a demon, and to hunt down other demons.[5] Tanjiro later vows to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji,[6] the King of Demons, to prevent others from enduring the same suffering as he did.[7] Prior to becoming a Demon Slayer, Tanjiro worked as a coal burner until his family was slaughtered by Muzan, and his sister Nezuko was turned into a demon.

Tanjiro Kamado was born on a mountain as the eldest son of Kie and Tanjuro Kamado, a family of charcoal sellers. With five younger siblings, Tanjiro adopted the belief that, as the eldest, he needed to be strong and endure hardships for their sake. Despite not living a luxurious life, the family shared a strong bond filled with love and care. On one occasion, when Takeo accidentally knocked over a hot kettle, Tanjiro jumped in to protect him, resulting in a burn scar on his forehead. As he grew up, Tanjiro learned coal-burning techniques and took on the responsibility of selling charcoal in the nearest town, where he was well-known and frequently sought for help.

Tanjiro’s father, Tanjuro, greatly influenced him, teaching the basics of the Hinokami Kagura, a ritual dance passed down through the family, along with a pair of hanafuda earrings. Tanjiro often watched his father perform this dance and learned that specific breathing techniques allowed continuous movement, even in harsh conditions. When Tanjuro became too weak to continue, Tanjiro took on the dance, mastering techniques that enabled him to clear his mind and access the “see-through world. Before his passing, Tanjuro demonstrated his abilities by confronting a bear threatening their home. Entering a state of heightened awareness, he quickly killed the bear with his axe, leaving a lasting impression on Tanjiro. After Tanjuro’s death, Tanjiro’s younger siblings began to view him as a father figure.

Tanjiro is inherently kind, known for his gentle eyes and compassionate demeanor. He displays remarkable determination, never giving up on his goals, as seen in his relentless quest to find a cure for his sister, Nezuko. Although he is strong, Tanjiro is not hesitant to seek help when necessary. He is very protective of his friends, and even more so of Nezuko. Despite his kindness, Tanjiro has a low tolerance for rudeness and cowardice, becoming easily annoyed by Zenitsu Agatsuma’s constant whining and angered by Inosuke Hashibira’s crude behavior. Tanjiro is direct and honest, taking others’ words seriously. When Tengen Uzui claimed to be a god, Tanjiro earnestly asked which domain he ruled. He struggles with lying, as it visibly contorts his face, reflecting his discomfort with dishonesty. Growing up in rural Japan, he has little experience with urban life, showing awe when encountering the cities of Asakusa and Yoshiwara and naively mistaking the Mugen train for a guardian spirit.

Beneath his kind exterior, Tanjiro harbors a deep-seated rage and desire for justice. This side of him emerges when confronting Muzan, expressing his anger and frustration. On Mount Natagumo, he showed notable anger when Demon Slayers were killed, and when Daki callously slaughtered innocents, Tanjiro confronted her alone in a fury. He openly opposes irrational evil, responding coldly and violently towards his adversaries when pushed to his limits. Tanjiro’s most defining trait is his empathy, even towards demons, which sometimes causes him to hesitate before delivering a final blow. He believes that demons who commit evil should be killed without mercy, but those who regret their actions should not be belittled in death. Over time, he becomes more calculating and strict in his decisions, committing himself to serve justice. He confronts demons about their crimes, ready to take drastic measures if necessary.

As a demon, Tanjiro initially acted like a feral beast, attacking indiscriminately, except for Nezuko, whom he refused to harm even after tasting her blood, hinting at his internal struggle against the transformation. His hostility towards the Demon Slayers may have been influenced by Muzan’s desire to eradicate them.

Tanjiro is a young boy of average height with a muscular build and tanned skin. He has ruffled black hair with red tips (burgundy in the anime) that is combed back to reveal his forehead. His eyes are wide and dark red, with lighter white pupils near the lower section of his irises. Tanjiro bears a scar on the top left of his forehead, initially resembling a graze, which later develops into a flame-like pattern as his Demon Slayer Mark. His hands are rough from rigorous training under Sakonji Urokodaki. Tanjiro closely resembles his ancestor, Sumiyoshi Kamado, sharing the same facial structure, eyes, and hairstyle, though Sumiyoshi’s hair was longer and tied in a ponytail. Tanjiro’s initial outfit consists of a checkered black-and-green haori over a white robe and black pants, sometimes accompanied by a turquoise scarf and circular white bands around his calves. He wears hanafuda earrings featuring a rising sun over a mountain and often ties his hair back in a small ponytail or bun. During his training, his hair grows longer, reaching his shoulders. For the Final Selection, Tanjiro dons a blue, cloud-patterned kimono with black pants, similar to Sakonji’s attire. His hair is cut short, and he wears a fox mask with red accents, crafted by his master, symbolizing his forehead scar. As a Demon Slayer, he wears the standard uniform of the Corps: a button-up jacket, tattsuke hakama pants, white kyahan around his calves, and tabi socks, paired with zōri sandals. Over this, he wears his signature checkered haori. He also carries a wooden box on his back, where his sister Nezuko sleeps during their travels. Following various battles, he gains multiple scars, notably on his left shoulder and arm, inflicted by Upper Rank demons. During his second encounter with Muzan Kibutsuji in the Infinity Castle, Tanjiro suffers severe injuries, including damage to his right eye, which becomes covered in a large mass due to Muzan’s poison. Later, his left arm is severed by Muzan. As a demon, Tanjiro regenerates these injuries, gaining slit pupils, fangs, and flame-shaped marks similar to those of Kokushibo. His scar morphs into a permanent Demon Slayer Mark, now larger and flame-like, pointing towards his nose. After reverting to human form, Tanjiro loses sight in his right eye, which becomes dull pink-gray with a black pupil. His left arm, regrown during his demon transformation, becomes wrinkled, skeletal, and immobile below the elbow.

From the outset, Tanjiro displayed a natural aptitude for combat, particularly in swordsmanship. He possessed above-average human abilities, including keen senses, a sharp sense of smell, immense willpower, and high intelligence. These abilities allowed him to outmaneuver and nearly land a fatal blow on Giyu Tomioka, one of the most powerful Demon Slayers, despite being overwhelmed with intense emotions at the time. In his first encounter with a demon, Tanjiro managed to slash the neck of the Temple Demon, impressing it. He subsequently defended himself using creative tactics, such as headbutting the demon with his durable skull and using his hatchet to pin it down, effectively preventing further movement.

• Prodigious Fighter:

  From the beginning, Tanjiro demonstrated a natural aptitude for combat, particularly in swordsmanship. He possessed above-average abilities, including honed senses, a sharp sense of smell, immense willpower, and great intellect. His quick thinking allowed him to outsmart even Giyu Tomioka, a powerful Demon Slayer, and nearly land a fatal blow on him. In his first encounter with a demon, Tanjiro successfully slashed the neck of the Temple Demon and employed unique tactics, like using his head to headbutt the demon and his hatchet to pin it down.

• Training and Growth:

  On Mount Sagiri, Tanjiro impressed former Water Hashira Sakonji Urokodaki with his sense of smell, eventually becoming his student. He honed his swordsmanship under the guidance of the spirits of Makomo and Sabito, learning Total Concentration Breathing and gaining the ability to see the Opening Thread. After half a year of training, Tanjiro successfully sliced through a massive boulder. During the Final Selection, he easily defeated numerous low-level demons using Water Breathing.

• Demon Slayer Corps:

  After becoming a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro faced increasingly powerful demons, including those using Blood Demon Arts. He showcased tactical intellect and swordsmanship, defeating demons such as Yahaba, Susamaru, and Kyogai, a former member of the Twelve Kizuki. Despite being the lowest rank in the Corps, Tanjiro held his own against Lower Rank demons, including Rui, Lower Rank Five. By recalling the Hinokami Kagura, he nearly defeated Rui, a feat believed achievable only by a Hashira.

• Rehabilitation and Advanced Combat:

  After recovering from his battles on Mount Natagumo, Tanjiro trained with Kanao Tsuyuri and mastered Total Concentration: Constant, enhancing his physical abilities. He later beheaded Lower Rank One, Enmu, using his enhanced concentration and willpower. During his battles against Upper Rank demons, such as Daki and Gyutaro, Tanjiro awakened his Demon Slayer Mark and developed his Bright Red Nichirin Sword, becoming one of the first Demon Slayers to kill an Upper Rank in over a century.

• Swordsmith Village Arc:

  In the Swordsmith Village, Tanjiro further polished his swordsmanship and awakened the ability to “smell the future,” refining his movements and reflexes to match those of the Hashira. He successfully battled Upper Rank Four, Hantengu, and his clones, showcasing explosive growth in critical moments. Alongside Mitsuri Kanroji, Genya, and Nezuko, he managed to chase down and defeat Hantengu’s main body.

• Hashira Training and Final Battle:

  During Hashira Training, Tanjiro underwent rigorous training to enhance his stamina, flexibility, speed, and swordsmanship. In the final battle, he displayed skills comparable to those of the Hashira. Tanjiro, alongside Giyu Tomioka, managed to fend off Muzan Kibutsuji, despite losing an eye and being severely poisoned. Through his ancestor’s memories, he adapted his techniques and learned the thirteenth form of Sun Breathing. In the climactic battle, Tanjiro exposed Muzan to sunlight, ending his reign.

• Enhanced Accuracy:

  Tanjiro possesses exceptional aim and precision, as shown when he threw his hatchet to strike Giyu and later hurled his katana to pierce Akaza over a long distance. His accuracy was also demonstrated against Muzan when he perfectly aimed a barrage of swords.

• Genius Intellect:

  Highly analytical and intuitive, Tanjiro can develop strategies even against overwhelmingly stronger opponents. He can adapt to his enemy’s abilities, often picking up on subtle cues to deduce their powers. He has created new techniques, including combining Water Breathing and Hinokami Kagura, showcasing his explosive growth and ability to innovate in combat.

• Combat Intuition:

  Noted by Giyu, Tanjiro displayed advanced combat intuition during their first encounter, laying out a surprise attack despite being a novice. He also adapted instantly to Inosuke’s unarmed fighting style, proving his proficiency in hand-to-hand combat without formal training.

Tanjiro’s Demon Slayer Mark appears as a flame-like pattern, replacing the scar on his forehead. After his Hashira Training, this scar transforms into a permanent flame mark that expands past his eyebrows when activated. Notably, Tanjiro’s mark is identical to those of Yoriichi Tsugikuni and Kokushibo. The mark significantly enhances his natural abilities, including strength, speed, and reflexes. Tanjiro first awakened his mark during his battle with Upper Rank Six, Gyutaro, which granted him the physical strength needed to behead the demon. He later reactivated it while using the Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance technique against Hantengu’s clones. The mark reappeared again during his rematch with Upper Rank Three, Akaza. However, the marked state has a limitation: Tanjiro can only enter it on rare occasions and for a brief period, as it causes extreme exhaustion to his body, a drawback evidenced in his battles with the Upper Ranks.

• Bright Red Nichirin Sword:

  Tanjiro first unlocked this ability when Nezuko Kamado used her pyrokinetic Blood Demon Art to ignite his sword, giving him an advantage over Hantengu’s clones by significantly slowing their regenerative abilities with each slash. During his second battle against Muzan, Tanjiro developed the ability to turn his Nichirin Sword bright red on his own after a near-death experience. He later activated this ability one final time with Giyu’s assistance when he pinned Muzan against a wall to prevent his escape.

• Transparent World:

  Like his father, Tanjiro can access the Transparent World while in the marked state, allowing him to foresee his opponent’s attacks by analyzing their blood flow and muscles. In this state, his movement, intuition, and evasion speed increase dramatically. It is suggested that he accidentally accessed this state during his fight against Daki, when he perceived her sashes as moving very slowly and was able to locate Hantengu’s main body within one of his clones.

  Tanjiro fully accessed the Transparent World during his battle against Akaza, recalling his father’s teachings through visual training, where Tanjuro demonstrated this state while killing a bear. After awakening it alongside the Selfless State, Tanjiro surpassed Akaza’s speed and successfully decapitated him. During his encounter with Muzan Kibutsuji, Tanjiro initially struggled to access the Transparent World. However, after regaining consciousness, he used it to understand how to execute the thirteenth form of Sun Breathing by perceiving Muzan’s anatomy. Despite this, he was unable to maintain constant perception due to the accumulating fatigue from the fight.

• Extrasensory Perception:

  This technique, practiced by some members of the Demon Slayer Corps, allows an individual to achieve effects similar to Total Concentration Breathing by performing repeated pre-set movements or recalling intense emotions. This process opens the five senses and enhances concentration, drawing out the body’s physical abilities for extended periods. It can be used alongside Total Concentration Breathing, providing the user with immense strength to rival Upper Rank demons. Tanjiro learned this technique after consulting Genya Shinazugawa. He maximizes his concentration by remembering the faces of his loved ones and repeatedly recalling Kyojuro’s phrase, “Set your heart ablaze.”

• Selfless State:

  Upon unlocking the Transparent World, Tanjiro also gained the ability to completely erase his presence, similar to his father, including concealing his Fighting Spirit (Tōki). This technique masks intent to kill and malice, enabling the user to fight undetected against opponents who rely on sensing fighting intent. Tanjiro used this ability to bypass Akaza’s Compass Needle technique, allowing him to successfully decapitate the demon.

• Immense Strength:

  After his training at Mount Sagiri, Tanjiro gained remarkable arm and leg strength, allowing him to perform feats such as effortlessly jumping over the Hand Demon and leaping over buildings. He was able to casually break Genya’s arm, shatter Inosuke’s ribs, and send him flying with a single punch. With his katana, Tanjiro could slice through large boulders and trees. During training, he routinely performed hundreds of push-ups and various strength-related exercises. In everyday situations, he displayed his strength by easily carrying dozens of large boxes while posing as a courtesan. While training with Gyomei Himejima, he lifted three enormous logs on his back and pushed a boulder through town. His strength reached a peak when he managed to decapitate Akaza, a feat even Kyojuro could not achieve.

• Immense Speed & Reflexes

  Tanjiro possesses extraordinary speed and reflexes. Even before the Final Selection, he could move faster than the eye could see, outpacing Sabito, a highly skilled swordsman. He was able to react to the swift movements of demons before mastering Total Concentration Constant. After training at the Butterfly Mansion, his speed matched that of the strongest Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki. In battle, Tanjiro was able to move faster than Upper Rank demon Daki could react. He displayed the ability to blitz lower-level demons, and at his peak, he blitzed three of Hantengu’s clones simultaneously and kept up with Akaza, one of the fas demons. After awakening his Demon Slayer Mark, his speed and reflexes improved further, allowing him to dodge attacks from both Akaza and Muzan Kibutsuji, who was fast enough to blitz multiple Hashira and elite Demon Slayers at once.

• Immense Stamina & Endurance:

  Tanjiro has incredible stamina and endurance, even before becoming a Demon Slayer. He trained on a mountain with low oxygen levels, constantly running, dodging traps, and refining his swordsmanship over two years. His stamina further increased with his mastery of Total Concentration: Constant, which kept him in a heightened state 24/7. Mastering the Hinokami Kagura breathing technique, similar to his father’s, allowed him to continue fighting despite exhaustion. Using Recovery Breathing, Tanjiro could quickly recover from fatigue and subdue a berserk Nezuko even after pushing past his limits. He demonstrated immense pain tolerance when his jaw was impaled by Gyutaro’s kama and showed little reaction to the injury. While training with Kotetsu, Tanjiro endured a seven-day intensive training session without food, sleep, or adequate water, surviving only on rainwater. In the Infinity Castle, he fought for five hours, defeating multiple Lower Rank-level demons, including Upper Rank Three, Akaza. He then engaged in a grueling one-hour-and-thirty-minute battle with Muzan Kibutsuji until dawn, enduring fatal poison and physical attacks. Near the end, Tanjiro displayed incredible resilience, showing little reaction even when his arm was blown off.

Tanjiro has an exceptionally sharp sense of smell. Even before becoming a Demon Slayer, he was known in his village for this ability. He can detect even the most subtle scents and track their location with remarkable accuracy over long distances. His keen sense of smell allows him to identify the “Opening Thread,” a brief pause in an opponent’s movement, providing an opportunity to strike. Tanjiro’s sense of smell is so acute that he can perceive his surroundings purely through scent.

• Extrasensory Perception:Tanjiro’s heightened sense of smell grants him the ability to perceive things beyond normal human perception, such as the intentions, feelings, and thoughts of other creatures, including animals like insects and birds. He can also sense the aura and presence of demons, instantly gauging their strength based on how foul and rotten their scent is.

• Pseudo-Precognition:During his training with Yoriichi Type Zero, Tanjiro’s sense of smell evolved, allowing him to predict up to six moves into the future. He could foresee the actions and intentions of others purely through scent, even from non-living entities like Yoriichi Type Zero itself. Tanjiro noted that the “smell of the future” was different and much faster than the “Opening Thread,” granting him reflexes and movements comparable to a Hashira and enabling him to contend with Hantengu’s clones early on.

Master Swordsman:Tanjiro has always been a prodigy in swordsmanship, starting with skills rivaling Sabito, one of Sakonji Urokodaki’s strongest students. Within half a year, he surpassed Sabito and avenged his death by defeating the Hand Demon. Despite his initial rank as a Mizunoto, his swordsmanship exceeded that of many of his seniors, allowing him to defeat two Lower Ranked members of the Twelve Kizuki.

His rapid improvement was further demonstrated when he took on Upper Rank demons shortly after recovering from injuries, despite having no prior experience against such formidable opponents. He successfully defended against Daki’s sash attacks and Gyutaro’s skilled kama techniques, feats that Mitsuri Kanroji equated to 5 to 10 years of intense training.

Through intensive training in the Swordsmith Village, Tanjiro’s skills advanced to a level comparable to the Hashira, the Demon Slayer Corps’ most powerful swordsmen. He eventually matched and surpassed Akaza, the third strongest member of the Twelve Kizuki, a martial arts prodigy with over a century of experience. Although not as skilled as Yoriichi Tsugikuni, Tanjiro was able to hold his ground against Muzan, solidifying his status as one of the strongest swordsmen of his generation.

Standard Nichirin Katana:As a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro wields a standard-sized Nichirin katana. During his training with Sakonji Urokodaki, he used a katana featuring a dull blue blade and an oval-shaped tsuba with four indentations and a dull gray color, which he also carried during the Final Selection.

After passing the , Tanjiro selected an ore to be forged into his first Nichirin katana by swordsmith Hotaru Haganezuka. The resulting blade was obsidian black, with a tsuba resembling a wagon wheel—constructed as a black ring with lines connecting to its core and bordered in the same color. His saya (scabbard) was similarly obsidian black. Over time, Tanjiro’s katana was damaged or broken on three occasions: first, during his fight with Rui when his thread severed it; second, when Akaza shattered it with a punch; and third, during his clash with Daki, resulting in a chipped blade.

Following the events in the Swordsmith Village, Tanjiro began using a new katana found inside Yoriichi Type Zero, later sharpened and polished by Hotaru Haganezuka. The sword’s tsuba was replaced with the one used by Kyojuro Rengoku, designed in the shape of a flame with a red core and an orange border. This new blade, already black with an intricate pattern and the word “Slay” (滅, Metsu) engraved on its side, was said to be stronger than a standard Nichirin katana due to its high-quality steel. Despite Tanjiro’s reputation for damaging his swords, this one broke only during his final confrontation with Muzan Kibutsuji. It was eventually repaired and later displayed as a family heirloom in his descendants’ home.