Demon Slayer has cemented its place as a modern shonen classic, a hugely popular manga/anime franchise brought to life by author Koyoharu Gotouge's vibrant imagination. Even if Demon Slayer is relatively short and straightforward compared to its shonen forebears like One Piece and Dragon Ball Z, it still boasts a compelling, colorful world with a neat combat system and a great plot.
New Demon Slayer fans are encouraged to learn the basics of what makes this shonen anime world function, and they are sure to get a good impression of this series before starting Chapter 1 or Episode 1. This series makes the most of the familiar shonen action formula and creates an unforgettable world of monsters, swords, and rich human emotions that won over countless fans around the globe.
10 Demons Hunt Humans For Food
Demon Slayer, as the name suggests, is a "monster hunter" anime in the same vein as Fire Force and Chainsaw Man. In this world, supernatural demons stalk human prey and devour them to survive, and ordinary people are helpless against them. Demons are far stronger than any human and can regenerate their flesh in moments.
Demons were once human beings who lost their humanity, using their fangs, claws, and sometimes blood demon arts to capture prey and fight off the demon slayers who hunt them for a living. Many of these demons resemble fanged humans, but some of them take on truly bizarre forms, such as growing extra arms or having spider-like features.
9 The Demon Slayer Corps Defends Humanity
Ordinary humans stand no chance against their demon predators, so it falls to the official demon slayer corps to defend innocent people from these monsters. The Demon Slayer Corps has been fighting the good fight for centuries, and despite repeated losses, they won't stop until demonkind is eradicated.
Demon Slayers use swords to fight and slay demons, though the odds are stacked against them even with these weapons. So, Demon Slayer candidates like protagonist Tanjiro Kamado must train hard and pass a tough final exam to prove their worthiness in joining this corps.
8 Only Nichirin Swords, Sunlight, & Wisteria Can Kill Demons
Demons cannot be killed with ordinary weapons such as swords or even firearms, but the Demon Slayer Corps has the right tools for the job. Slayers like Tanjiro and his friends carry special weapons called Nichirin swords, forged from sun-soaked ores and forged with practiced hands. These weapons can take a demon's head right off and kill it.
Nichirin swords are the main tools for killing demons, though two other methods exist. Direct sunlight is fatal for demons, and if a demon is caught in the sun's rays, they'll burn away, clothes and all. Finally, wisteria flowers are deadly to demonkind and can be used to either ward them away or poison them.
7 Demon Slayers Die Often & Early
Being a Demon Slayer is just as dangerous as it sounds, and Tanjiro Kamado saw that for himself when he started going on missions for the corps. He and his two friends have superior skills, teamwork, and sheer plot armor to see them through every fight, but other Demon Slayers are far more vulnerable.
For all their training and special swords, Demon Slayers are always the underdogs and often die young in the line of duty. Even the most elite Slayers are only in their late teens through 20s, which is telling. During the Spider Forest arc, for example, Tanjiro saw a handful of generic Demon Slayers swiftly die at the Spider Mother's hands.
6 Demon Slayers Are Popular & Get Generous Support
While the Demon Slayers often suffer at the hands of their demonic foes, mainstream human society treats them much more kindly, which is essential for their survival. Demon Slayers protect humanity and ask for little in return, so plenty of grateful people do all they can to support those brave Slayers.
Across Japan are countless inns and other shelters that will admit demon slayers free of charge and provide them with meals, bedding, and anything else they might require, as Tanjiro's squad soon learned to their great pleasure. The Demon Slayer Corps also has the benefit of the clean-up brigade aiding it, with members like Goto evacuating injured Slayers and recovering dead bodies.
5 The Nine Hashira Are The Most Elite Demon Slayers
Organizations like the Demon Slayer Corps tend to have a small, elite team at the very top, akin to the Soul Reaper Captains in Bleach and the three Admirals in One Piece. The Demon Slayer anime has its own version with the nine Hashira, the most powerful and respected demon hunters of all.
The nine Hashira have survived many brushes with death and can easily take down all but the very strongest demons. Unlike regular Slayers, the Hashira have distinct outfits and fighting styles, such as Mitsuri Kanroji's whip-like sword and Kyokuro Rengoku's signature Flame Breathing.
4 Demon Slayer Is Set in the 1910s
Many shonen action series take place in the present day or in alternate worlds, such as Jujutsu Kaisen and Naruto, but Demon Slayer is a historical anime series. It's set in Japan's Taisho era, which spanned from 1912 to 1926. The first few episodes took place in 1913, and the main events occur in 1915, partway through the carnage of World War I.
This also means Demon Slayer takes place during an exciting era of rapid modernization in Japan, with that nation embracing new politics, new technology, and even new cultures. Tanjiro, a country boy, was delighted to see lightbulbs and cable cars in Tokyo, and Inosuke was blown away when he beheld a steam train.
3 Muzan Kibutsuji is the Demon King
Plenty of isekai anime have an obligatory demon king character, but Demon Slayer handles the concept better. Early on, Tanjiro actually met the king of demons, Muzan Kibutsuji, by sheer chance in Tokyo's crowded nighttime streets. Muzan was trying to blend in, but Tanjiro knew the scent of demons.
Muzan served as the primary antagonist of Demon Slayer ever since his dramatic introduction, and for centuries, it's been the Demon Slayer Corps' goal to destroy him. Meanwhile, it's not as clear at first what Muzan is trying to accomplish with his demonic hordes, but Tanjiro's too busy fighting Muzan's minions to give it much thought.
2 Empathy is a Major Theme
Demon Slayer quickly establishes itself as a shonen action anime with a big heart, and not just with the usual "power of friendship," either. Tanjiro Kamado is a highly empathetic person who will see the good side in almost anyone, and he recognizes the sympathetic humanity of most demons whom he slaughters.
Tanjiro knows his duty, but he will still cry for his fallen foes, even the likes of Daki and Gyutaro, not to mention the Hand Demon. This helps remind everyone that no matter who wins, violence is a tragedy and someone always gets hurt. However, Tanjiro will make an exception for Muzan, who cannot be forgiven for slaughtering the Kamado family.
1 Demon Slayer Draws Inspiration From Naruto, Bleach, & JoJo's Bizarre Adventure
Plenty of today's best shonen action series draw heavy inspiration from classic titles in the 1990s and 2000s, Demon Slayer among them. Author Koyoharu Gotouge stated that three particular series inspired the story and style of Demon Slayer, and it's clear how those series influenced it.
Demon Slayer has a main trio of three wacky characters, just like Team 7 in Naruto, and the demons' sunlight weakness was based on the vampires in JoJo's Bizarre Adventure, such as Dio Brando and Vanilla Ice. Meanwhile, Bleach appears to have had the biggest impact on Demon Slayer since they're both supernatural action stories where sword-wielding professionals hunt demons, complete with a small, elite corps to lead them. The Hashira are clearly Demon Slayer's take on the Captains of the Gotei 13.
