Warning: This article contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga! Written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge, the beloved Weekly Shonen Jump series Demon Slayer is one of the most popular anime and manga, known for its stellar animation, emotional storytelling, and captivating characters. The story takes place in early 1900s Japan, an era when the country is plagued by demons who attack humans in the dead of the night. The Demon Slayer Corps works from the shadows to deal with such monsters. The story begins with the tragic massacre of the Kamado family, leaving Tanjiro Kamado and his sister, Nezuko, who has just been turned into a demon. After an unexpected encounter with a Demon Slayer named Giyu Tomioka, Tanjiro takes his sister with him and sets out on a path to find a cure for her and defeat the demon responsible for killing his family.
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As the story continues, it explores the broken world and the people living in it. Beneath the flash animation and thrilling battles, it’s a story about resilience, perseverance, compassion, and most of all, the will to move despite how much someone has lost in their lives. Each quote, regardless of how simple or deep it sounds, reflects the struggles of those characters.
5) I Know It Hurts (Season 1 Episode 1)
Giyu is one of the most beloved characters in modern anime for a reason. His appearance in the first episode of the series sort of serves as a catalyst as he leads Tanjiro to the path of the Demon Slayer. His first meeting with him was less than pleasant, and he used harsh words on Tanjiro, who was already drowning in despair. However, deep down, Giyu knew better than anyone that what Tanjiro needed the most at the moment wasn’t words of consolation, but a drive strong enough to push him forward.
“Don’t cry. Don’t succumb to sorrow. This isn’t the time to despair. I know you’re devastated right now. Your family massacred. Your sister a demon. I know it hurts. I know you want to scream. I understand.”
– Giyu Tomioka
After seeing the first part of the Infinity Castle trilogy, it’s clear that during that moment, Tanjiro’s despair reminded Giyu of what he lost when he was younger. When we said, “I understand,” he meant the sister and friends who died because of demons. He knew Tanjiro’s pain better than anyone, and that may be what compelled him to go against the rules of the Corps and help those kids.
4) Why Were You Even Born? (Chapter 157)
Kanao Tsuyuri has always been a calm and collected person before she eventually learned how to express her emotions thanks to Tanjiro. As a child, she was rescued by Kanae Kocho from slave traders after her parents sold her off. Instead of the life her parents condemned her to, Kanao found two loving sisters and a warm home. Even so, the trauma from her childhood continued to haunt her, so much so that she seemed like an empty shell.
“You can only pretend to be happy or have fun or be sad, so you won’t reveal your empty heart. You’re actually an empty shell. A ridiculous joke. Why were you even born?”
– Kanao Tsuyuri
And that is exactly why, when she met Doma, the Upper Rank Two, she knew immediately that the demon was an empty shell like her childhood self. He didn’t feel any emotions, so all he could do was lie and make it seem like he had a heart. However, Kanao felt no sympathy for the demon who killed the two people she loved the most in her life. Her powerful words questioned the very existence of that demon whose only purpose in life was to harm innocent girls. The anime hasn’t adapted this part yet, but it will be featured in the second Infinity Castle film.
3) That Is The Law of Nature (Infinity Castle Part 1)
The fight between Akaza and Tanjiro wasn’t simply about humans and demons killing each other, but it was also a clash of ideals. Akaza relished fighting powerful opponents, and he despised the weak, believing they had no right to live. His extreme hatred for the weak led him to believe it was the law of nature for the strong to crush them, but Tanjiro vehemently shut him down.
“You don’t remember it, but when you were a baby… someone protected and helped you, too. The strong protect the weak. Then the weak get stronger and help those weaker than themselves. That is the law of nature!”
– Tanjiro Kamado
Unlike Akaza, Tanjiro fought relentlessly to protect the lives of others. He knew better than anyone that he was too weak to save Rengoku, and he lived with that guilt all his life. However, Kyojuro protected Tanjiro against Akaza, and in exchange, Tanjiro yearned to become stronger so he could protect everyone just like the Flame Hashira. When he met Akaza again, Tanjiro was far more powerful, even on the same level as a Hashira. He used that strength to help create a better future for the world.
2) Eternity Is a Human Feeling (Season 4 Episode 8)
Unlike most Shonen antagonists, Muzan didn’t seek world destruction or domination. What he wanted was eternity, to become a perfect, unchanging creature with no weakness whatsoever. However, even after searching for over a thousand years, he never reached his goal, causing him immense frustration. He finally took matters into his own hands when Nezuko conquered the sun, leading to an all-out battle against the Demon Slayer Corps. Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, was prepared to meet his end when Muzan showed up at his door.
“I know what eternity is. Eternity is a human feeling. Only human feelings last forever, and are undying.”
– Kagaya Ubuyashiki
Kagaya is often considered the most underrated character in the series, but he was far more influential and genius than fans give him credit for. In his final moments, he declared that Muzan’s idea of eternity is wrong to its core. Eternity is simply a human feeling that lasts forever and is undying, something a demon like him can’t understand. Even though Kagaya has seen the deaths of countless Corps member, their will carries on. What Muzan seeks is personal, which is nothing compared to the deep bonds and connections shared by humans that can never fade out.
1) Set Your Heart Ablaze (Mugen Train Movie)
Kyojuro Rengoku is another beloved character in modern anime who died with a smile on his face, entrusting the future of the Demon Slayer Corps to the young Slayers who looked up to him. After receiving a fatal injury from Akaza was barely holding on after controlling his breathing, but he only had a few minutes to live. After seeing their potential, he wanted to share his final words with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke. Kyojuro encouraged them to live with pride and not be overwhelmed by sorrow.
“So hold your head high. If you are feeling disheartened, that you are somehow not enough, set your heart ablaze. Dry your eyes and look ahead.”
– Kyojuro Rengoku
“Setting your heart ablaze” means having a strong desire to work towards one’s goal even in the face of adversity. As the Fire Hashira, his dying words sparked a new flame in the three up-and-rising Demon Slayers, who swore to continue moving forward, even if they’re sad or filled with regret.
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