The story of Demon Slayer may be formulaic, and a bit shot by shonen anime standards, but it still had a profound impact on the anime community thanks to its legendary animation by studio UFOtable, its strong emotional core, and of course, its wonderful characters. The Demon Slayer anime features some of the most lovable and recognizable characters in current anime, and many of them left a lasting impression on fans.
Anime characters tend to leave a strong impression when they have a unique and insightful worldview, cool dialogue, or have fascinating quirks in their design, and plenty of Demon Slayer's characters deliver. Some of the most memorable Demon Slayer characters will leave a lasting impression for years to come and may become iconic of the early 2020s, too. That includes lovable heroes whom fans root for and terrifying villains who dominate any scene in which they appear.
10 Tanjiro Kamado is a Shonen Hero Who Cries For His Enemies
Shonen protagonists tend to have the same basic design as proactive, brave young men who fight to save the day against the forces of evil, so heroes like Tanjiro Kamado need memorable quirks or philosophies to leave a lasting impact. Tanjiro did just that when he established himself as a highly sympathetic swordsman who will actually cry for his enemies.
Tanjiro knows his duty as a member of the demon slayer corps and will slay demons under orders, but he also understands that demons still have a human heart buried in them. Tanjiro will weep for the vulnerable humanity that remains in creatures like the Hand Demon and Kyogai, allowing them to die in peace. Tanjiro is also memorable for using his sharp sense of smell, of all things, to find his enemies' weaknesses in battle.
9 Zenitsu Agatsuma is a Loud Coward Who Loves Nezuko
A few episodes into the Demon Slayer anime, Tanjiro met a fellow corps member, a blond boy named Zenitsu Agatsuma. Right away, Zenitsu made a strong and largely negative impression as a loudmouth coward who didn't even want to do his duty of slaying demons, but despite that, Tanjiro accepted him as a friend. He soon became an essential part of Tanjiro's protagonist trio alongside Inosuke.
Zenitsu wasn't just a whiner, though. Despite his fears, he really could deliver in battle with his Thunder Breathing technique, which took everyone by surprise when he was first seen using it, including himself. Zenitsu is unusual and memorable since he uses his best moves while unconscious, such as after passing out from fear.
8 Tengen Uzui is the Flashiest Ninja Anime Fans Have Ever Seen
Typical ninjas are stealthy agents who can perform espionage, sabotage, or assassination like a shadow in the wind, but Tengen Uzui the Sound Hashira sure doesn't look or act the part. He may be a trained shinobi, but he also has a flashy, colorful appearance and personality that made him stand out even in the lively entertainment district. Few anime fans have seen a stealthy character who announces his presence like that.
Tengen also left a lasting impression as a caring ninja and Hashira who treated his wives as more than tools. His reclusive ninja clan viewed kunoichi as mere assistants, but Tengen had a big heart, and he valued his three wives as beloved friends and allies, and they loved him for that. Tengen's generous spirit and flashy persona made him anime's weirdest, best, and most memorable ninja of all.
7 Giyu Tomioka is Hilariously Relatable as a Lonely Kuudere
At a glance, the kuudere Giyu Tomioka didn't say or do a whole lot to leave a lasting impression, since he was presented as a quiet swordsman who didn't want to draw attention to himself. Paradoxically, being such a quiet and aloof person made Giyu far more likable and memorable as a soft-spoken fellow who just needed some real friends.
Giyu was introduced as the grouchy Water Hashira who seemed to roll his eyes at everyone, but he had a good heart, and he nurtured a strong friendship with Shinobu Kocho, a charming way to make him more likable. Demon Slayer fans almost seem to pity the lonely Giyu and want him to have a robust social life and love life, and that's what makes him stick in fans' minds.
6 Muzan Kibutsuji is the Stylish Villain No Anime Fan Will Ever Forgive
Muzan Kibutsuji made a lasting impression for a variety of reasons, the most amusing of which was his getup. Muzan, despite being a completely serious villain, inexplicably resembles the late Michael Jackson, from his hair to his outfit, leading to all kinds of memes and jokes online.
Muzan is also memorable because of his unforgivably cruel and selfish ways, even compared to other shonen anime villains like Tomura Shigaraki in My Hero Academia or Admiral Akainu in One Piece. At least those other villains will fight for someone they care about, but Muzan the demon king is incredibly self-centered, fixated on his quest to become immune to sunlight. He will even massacre his own minions out of sheer frustration, something no League of Villains member or Akatsuki member would ever do.
5 Nezuko Kamado is the Demon Girl With an Adorable "Smol" Form
In the first episode of Demon Slayer, Nezuko made a powerful impression as a loving younger sister turned demon, and it was tragically clear that Nezuko was struggling against her own nature after Muzan turned her into a monster. Nezuko tried to tear her brother's throat out with her demonic instincts, but she also had heartbroken tears in her eyes.
After that, Nezuko's character was stabilized into something much more cuddly. She got her demon side under control and became a lovable companion for Tanjiro, from her muffled speech to her adorable "smol" for, which was an actual physical change on her part, not just the chibi trope. Nezuko is half cute and half deadly as a fanged demon dressed in pink, and anime fans won't ever forget a character like that.
4 Daki is a Wannabe Princess Who Hid in Plain Sight
Daki was introduced as the primary antagonist of the Entertainment District story arc, and even if she later shared the spotlight with her brother Gyutaro, Daki definitely left a more profound impression on Demon Slayer fans. Other demons may have enjoyed their powers as superhuman creatures, but Daki took it to an extreme as a haughty himedere, or a wannabe princess.
Daki was abusive, arrogant, and vain as an Upper Moon demon hiding in plain sight, drawing innocent customers and other victims into her web to devour them. Daki's appearance, attitude, and hunting method were unlike anything Demon Slayer fans had ever seen, so she left quite an impression. She also used an unusual weapon in battle, a magical cloth belt with sharp edges. Finally, Daki stood out among the anime's demons because she bawled her eyes out after surviving a decapitation, which utterly shocked her opponent, Tengen.
3 Kyojuro Rengoku Died as a Hero and Shared Heartfelt Final Words
In the Mugen Train story arc, the Flame Hashira Kyokuro Rengoku took center stage as the primary hero, outshining even Tanjiro's shonen trio as the arc's strongest protagonist. Tanjiro and his friends took care of the Lower Moon 1, Enmu, and then Kyojuro took over when the Upper Moon 3, Akaza, arrived for round 2.
Kyojuro amazed everyone as he fought Akaza with all his might, but in the end, he was overwhelmed, and he suffered a fatal blow. Fortunately, after Akaza fled, Kyojuro had time to leave behind a strong legacy thanks to his heartfelt parting words, allowing him to die in peace. It's rare for shonen heroes to die so soon after being introduced, but Kyojuro made the most of his time in Demon Slayer, and anime fans will always remember him for it.
2 Inosuke Hashibira is Tanjiro's Boar-Headed Ally With Jagged Swords
Inosuke Hashibira made a powerful first impression thanks to his aggressive fighting style, his boar helmet, and his antihero attitude. He clashed with Tanjiro and Zenitsu, then joined them as an off-beat yet effective teammate and ally. Inosuke became more likable from there as Tanjiro's rival and friend, and he put his Beast Breathing technique to good work.
Inosuke left a lasting impression as a feral, bull-headed fighter who always saw things differently than everyone else, but he still had the heart of a hero and just needed some friends to give his life some structure. That, combined with his comedic antics and his wacky contrast between his boar helmet and beautiful face, made an impression that will last for many years.
1 Muichiro Tokito is a Quiet Himbo With a Heartbreaking Backstory
At first, the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito mad no particular impression, since he said nothing of interest during Tanjiro's meeting with the Hashira. Muichiro didn't stand out until he took on the Upper Moon 5, Gyokko, on his own during the Swordsmith Village story arc. Muichiro activated his demon slayer mark to win that fight, but that's not why fans remember him.
Instead, Muichiro made a lasting impression because of the hilarious contrast between his himbo personality and his fierce, merciless moves in battle. Muichiro, like Mash Burnedead in Mashle, is a quiet version of the himbo archetype, a lovable airhead who often takes things at face value. Muichiro may be an odd kid, but he's got guts, and that's what won him his duel against Gyokko.
