By: Angela Yang
(SPOILER WARNING. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK.)
Demon Slayer, or Kimetsu no Yaiba, is a 23-book manga series that has captivated readers all over the world, and has gained immense popularity. The series stars Tanjiro Kamado and his sister Nezuko. On a trip to sell coal to a neighboring village, Tanjiro returns to find his family completely lifeless and lying on the ground. The only survivor of this demon based killer is Nezuko, who has been turned into a human-craving demon. Tanjiro sets out to find a cure to turn Nezuko back into a human, and to destroy the demon who ruined his and Nezuko’s life.
The first time that I had been exposed to content from demon slayer was in kindergarten, when I had a classmate named Fiona. At our Halloween party, she dressed up as Nezuko (Way too mature for her.) Of course, I didn’t know who Nezuko was, and all I thought was that she was a cute girl with a stick of bamboo in her mouth. The second time was around this summer, when I went to Japan. We visited a sushi restaurant named Kura, and it was currently sponsoring the recently released Infinity Castle movie. I ordered a Bikkurapon! (for explanation, that is a ball with two halves. Once you open it, it reveals the toy or item inside.) After opening the ball, I received a pin showing Genya Shinazugawa, a supporting character in the series. At the time, I still didn’t know the franchise, so I resolved to give it to my friend Angela Lin, who is a huge anime fan. After returning home, I went to another Kura shop in Edison, where the sponsorship was still up, and saw Inosuke, a secondary protagonist, who wears the head of a boar on his head. I remember thinking, Who wears a boar head on his head? Weird!
Then, I actually read it. Returning to school, this time in middle school, on September 4th, 2026, I had a wider and more mature range of books to choose from. I was wandering in the manga section, before finding the shelf that housed the Demon Slayer section. After plucking the first book off the shelf I was immediately hooked. The story kept me on my toes with its emotional drops, action, lies, and secrets.
Now, as a fan who has read all 23 books, a few of the books of the spinoff series, and the second fanbook, I can now give my personal opinion on first the plot, then the demons, then the humans.
Firstly, I think that the plot is AMAZING. It waves many different people’s perspectives, and each person has their own story to tell. Even the demons! Each demon has their own backstory that is usually revealed at the time of their death. Some demons have such compelling stories to tell that they go around the barrier of pure evil, each having a motive. My favorite arc is the Infinity Castle Arc, or books 16-23. This is the final fight, when the climax is reached. The author, Koyoharu Gotouge, seamlessly weaves many backstories and plot together, making the entire a tapestry of emotion, laughs, and tears. I would rant about the plot for a longer time, but typing a rant is not as fun as ranting it in person.
Secondly, the demons. Demons can only be turned into demons when receiving the blood of Muzan Kibutsuji, the King of Demons. All demons consume humans regularly. The Twelve Kizuki are the twelve demons that serve directly under Muzan, and are the twelve strongest demons in existence. They can only be killed by being poisoned with the wisteria flower, or by being beheaded with a Nichirin sword. When demons eat enough humans, they develop powers known as Blood Demon Arts, or BDA. Most BDAs have something to do with their backstory, and most demons have some kind of tragic backstory that makes fans sympathize for them, making them not just pure evil. My personal favorite is Doma, who holds the position of Upper Rank Two in Muzan’s army. (Most people hate him. I actually never knew he was hated until I searched it up on Google. To this day, I don’t understand it.)
Finally, the humans. Nearly all humans in the story belong to the Demon Slayer Corps, the unofficial organization led by the Ubuyashiki clan that slays demons. The nine strongest members of the Demon Slayers are the Hashira, and their names are Sanemi Shinazugawa, Shinobu Kocho, Kyojuro Rengoku, Tengen Uzui, Mitsuri Kanroji, Obanai Iguro, Giyu Tomioka, Gyomei Hinejima, and Muichiro Tokito. (My personal favorite is Shinobu.) Each slayer (except Genya) utilizes a type of Breathing style, which essentially boosts their strength and to that of a demon, allowing for an equal fight. Most demon slayers have tragic backstories, which allows them to avenge someone that was close to them. All demons were formerly human but now aren’t and eat people. I think that the characters have great variety, and overall the humans are great people!
There, now you have it. Enjoy the series!
