Last reviewed on 2026-05-02
Tanjiro Kamado
ProtagonistKind-hearted demon slayer searching for a cure for his demon sister Nezuko. Master of Water and Hinokami Kagura breathing. Known for his strong sense of smell and compassion even for demons.
Nezuko Kamado
Demon SisterTanjiro's younger sister turned demon who retains her humanity. Fights alongside her brother while resisting her demonic urges. Can shrink and grow in size, uses explosive blood demon art.
Zenitsu Agatsuma
Thunder BreatherCowardly but incredibly skilled demon slayer. Master of Thunder Breathing, especially the first form. Fights at his best when unconscious. Has enhanced hearing abilities.
Inosuke Hashibira
Beast BreatherWild and aggressive demon slayer raised by boars. Wears a boar's head mask and dual-wields serrated Nichirin swords. Creator of Beast Breathing. Extremely flexible and has heightened senses.
Giyu Tomioka
Water HashiraStoic and reserved Water Hashira. First demon slayer Tanjiro encounters. Master of Water Breathing with his own unique technique, Dead Calm. Initially distrustful but deeply caring.
Shinobu Kocho
Insect HashiraThe Insect Hashira who uses poison instead of beheading. Maintains a cheerful demeanor while harboring deep hatred for demons. Master of Insect Breathing and pharmaceutical knowledge.
Kyojuro Rengoku
Flame HashiraPassionate and noble Flame Hashira with unwavering spirit. Known for his loud enthusiasm and strong sense of duty. Master of Flame Breathing. A true hero who inspires all around him.
Tengen Uzui
Sound HashiraFlashy and flamboyant Sound Hashira. Former ninja with three wives. Uses Sound Breathing and dual Nichirin cleavers. Eccentric personality but cares deeply for his subordinates.
Mitsuri Kanroji
Love HashiraThe Love Hashira with incredible strength and flexibility. Uses a unique whip-like Nichirin sword. Emotional and passionate, seeks love while protecting others. Master of Love Breathing.
Muichiro Tokito
Mist HashiraYoungest Hashira with amnesia. Descendant of Upper Rank One. Master of Mist Breathing with incredible talent. Initially aloof but regains his memories and compassionate nature.
Obanai Iguro
Serpent HashiraThe Serpent Hashira with partial heterochromia. Accompanied by his snake Kaburamaru. Master of Serpent Breathing with twisted blade techniques. Reserved but deeply devoted to Mitsuri.
Sanemi Shinazugawa
Wind HashiraAggressive Wind Hashira with rare Marechi blood. Scarred from numerous battles. Harsh exterior but protective of his brother Genya. Master of Wind Breathing with fierce combat style.
Gyomei Himejima
Stone HashiraStrongest Hashira and master of Stone Breathing. Blind but has heightened senses. Uses spiked flail and axe. Emotional and deeply religious. Former temple caretaker turned demon slayer.
Muzan Kibutsuji
Demon KingThe first demon and progenitor of all demons. Can change appearance at will. Possesses multiple hearts and brains. Ruthless and seeks the blue spider lily to overcome sunlight weakness.
Akaza
Upper Rank 3Upper Rank Three demon obsessed with strength. Uses Destructive Death martial arts. Refuses to eat women. Complex tragic backstory as a human. Intense rivalry with strong opponents.
Kokushibo
Upper Rank 1Strongest Upper Rank demon and Yoriichi's twin brother. Former demon slayer who uses Moon Breathing. Six eyes and exceptional swordsmanship. Jealousy drove him to become a demon.
Doma
Upper Rank 2Upper Rank Two with ice-based Blood Demon Arts. Leader of the Eternal Paradise Faith cult. Lacks human emotions. Killed Shinobu's sister Kanae and Inosuke's mother.
Gyutaro & Daki
Upper Rank 6Sibling demons sharing Upper Rank Six position. Gyutaro uses poison sickles while Daki manipulates sashes. Must be killed simultaneously. Tragic past in the Entertainment District.
Rui
Lower Rank 5Spider demon obsessed with family bonds. Uses thread manipulation. Young appearance but ruthless nature. First major demon antagonist Tanjiro faces on Mount Natagumo.
Enmu
Lower Rank 1Dream demon who merges with the Mugen Train. Can manipulate dreams and put victims into eternal sleep. Sadistic personality who enjoys others' suffering. Main antagonist of Mugen Train arc.
Kanao Tsuyuri
TsugukoShinobu's adopted sister and Tsuguko. Master of Flower Breathing. Initially emotionless due to trauma. Exceptional eyesight allows her to see in slow motion. Falls in love with Tanjiro.
Genya Shinazugawa
Demon EaterSanemi's younger brother who cannot use breathing techniques. Gains demon abilities by eating demon flesh. Uses Nichirin gun and bullets. Seeks his brother's acknowledgment.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni
Sun Breathing CreatorLegendary demon slayer who created Sun Breathing. Strongest swordsman in history. Nearly killed Muzan. Kokushibo's twin brother. Born with the Demon Slayer Mark.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki
Demon Slayer Leader97th leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. Suffers from a curse that slowly kills him. Possesses foresight abilities. Father figure to the Hashira. Sacrifices himself to trap Muzan.
Tamayo
Demon DoctorDemon who broke free from Muzan's control. Medical expert working on a cure for demons. Allied with Tanjiro. Modified her body to require minimal blood. Over 500 years old.
Yushiro
Tamayo's AssistantYoung demon created by Tamayo. Uses Blood Demon Art to create illusions and hide presences. Extremely devoted to Tamayo. Helps in the fight against Muzan.
Sakonji Urokodaki
Former Water HashiraRetired Water Hashira who trained Tanjiro and Giyu. Wears a tengu mask. Created Nezuko's bamboo muzzle. Cares deeply for his students despite many dying to the Hand Demon.
Sabito & Makomo
Spirit GuidesDeceased students of Urokodaki who help train Tanjiro as spirits. Sabito was killed by the Hand Demon. Makomo was particularly skilled in Water Breathing forms.
Kanae Kocho
Former Flower HashiraShinobu's deceased older sister and former Flower Hashira. Believed demons and humans could coexist. Killed by Doma. Her death changed Shinobu's personality permanently.
Jigoro Kuwajima
Former Thunder HashiraZenitsu's mentor and former Thunder Hashira. Lost his leg and retired. Committed seppuku after Kaigaku became a demon. Strict but caring teacher who believed in Zenitsu.
Kaigaku
Upper Rank 6Former Thunder Breathing user who became Upper Rank Six. Zenitsu's senior disciple. Betrayed the Demon Slayer Corps. Uses corrupted Thunder Breathing as a demon.
Nakime
Upper Rank 4Biwa demon who controls the Infinity Castle. Can teleport others and manipulate space. Became Upper Rank Four after deaths of other demons. Serves as Muzan's assistant.
Hantengu
Upper Rank 4Cowardly demon who splits into emotion clones when threatened. Each clone represents different emotions with unique abilities. Main body hides while clones fight.
Gyokko
Upper Rank 5Pot demon obsessed with art. Can teleport between pots and create fish demons. Transforms into a more powerful form. Killed by Muichiro during Swordsmith Village arc.
Hotaru Haganezuka
SwordsmithTanjiro's eccentric swordsmith. Extremely passionate about sword crafting. Wears a hyottoko mask. Gets violently angry when his swords are broken. Skilled at his craft.
Aoi Kanzaki
Butterfly Mansion HelperWorks at the Butterfly Mansion as a helper. Former demon slayer who stopped fighting. Helps with rehabilitation training. Has feelings for Inosuke. Skilled in medicine.
Sumi, Kiyo & Naho
Butterfly TripletsThree young girls who work at the Butterfly Mansion. Help with medical treatment and rehabilitation. Raised by the Kocho sisters. Cheerful and supportive of the demon slayers.
Susamaru & Yahaba
Muzan's AssassinsDemons sent to kill Tanjiro. Susamaru uses temari balls as weapons. Yahaba manipulates directional arrows. Work together but are ultimately defeated early in the series.
Kyogai
Former Lower Rank 6Drum demon who controls a shape-shifting house. Former Lower Rank Six stripped of his position. Uses drums embedded in his body to manipulate space and attack.
Spider Family
Mount Natagumo DemonsDemon family created by Rui on Mount Natagumo. Includes Father, Mother, Sister, and Brother. Each has spider-themed abilities. Forced to play family roles or face punishment.
Hand Demon
Final Selection DemonDemon trapped in Final Selection for 47 years. Killed many of Urokodaki's students including Sabito. Multiple arms grown from eating many humans. Defeated by Tanjiro.
Swamp Demon
Kidnapper DemonThree-personality demon who kidnaps young girls. Can create portals through swamp dimension. Tanjiro's first official mission target. Collects hairpins as trophies.
Amane Ubuyashiki
Kagaya's WifeWife of Kagaya and mother of five children. Supports her husband unfailingly. Dies alongside Kagaya in explosion to trap Muzan. Calm and dignified presence.
Kiriya Ubuyashiki
98th LeaderSon of Kagaya who becomes the 98th leader after his father's death. Only eight years old but shows remarkable composure. Coordinates the final battle against Muzan.
About Demon Slayer Characters
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba features an incredible cast of characters created by Koyoharu Gotouge. The story follows demon slayers who use specialized breathing techniques to combat demons that prey on humanity.
The Hashira represent the strongest demon slayers, each mastering a unique breathing style. From Tanjiro's journey to cure his sister Nezuko to the battles against the Twelve Kizuki, every character brings depth and emotion to this beloved anime and manga series.
Demon Slayer is one of the modern series whose anime is markedly different from the manga in feel — the music, animation, and pacing add weight that's hard to recover when reading the source. The trade-offs are explored in manga vs. anime. The franchise's voice performance, especially in pivotal Hashira fights, is a textbook case for the voice acting in anime & animation guide.