Demon Slayer Fans Need to Start Appreciating Muzan More as a Shonen Villain

Demon Slayer, perhaps, is the most talked-about anime series of today. It has vigorous, dazzling animation and memorable characters. When people do talk about the series, they usually compliment Tanjiro, Nezuko, or even the Hashira. Rarely do they mention the man who put everything in motion—Muzan Kibutsuji. Even if they do, words like "coward" and "spoiled brat" repeatedly emerge in discussions.

Muzan Kibutsuji in Demon Slayer is the first and most powerful demon in existence, a character cloaked in enigma and threat. Even though he stands at the core of the story, many overlook his significance. He is even framed as a “generic bad guy,” missing the layers beneath the surface. It's time to change that. He’s the backbone of the entire story. Remove him from the series, and the entire plot of Demon Slayer collapses—no demons, no battles, and no path for Tanjiro to walk.

In every good shonen anime, the villain isn’t just there to be evil. Villains often push the heroes to grow and reach their full potential. Think about some of the grandest villains: Pain from Naruto, Aizen from Bleach, Meruem from Hunter x Hunter. They’re all iconic, not just because they’re powerful, but because they challenge the hero ideologically and emotionally.

Muzan is the source of the very problem the Demon Slayer Corps is trying to solve. His quest for perfection and immortality forces everyone around him to change, adapt, or die. Yet, fans often overlook him because he doesn’t monologue his ideology like some villains do. He doesn’t crave sympathy, nor is he there to make you feel conflicted. He’s evil in his own way, and in fact, his very coldness and lack of empathy make him more terrifying.

Breaking Down Muzan’s Criticism From Demon Slayer

First, the claim that Muzan lacks depth. Indeed, he doesn’t have a tragic, redemptive backstory like other villains. No betrayal or heartbreak drove him—his choices stemmed purely from self-centered fear of death, and he acted out of that fear. But is that really shallow?

In reality, fear of death is one of the most powerful human motivators. Muzan’s actions—seeking immortality, eliminating threats, experimenting on others—are extreme versions of something we all understand. His obsession is relatable, even if it’s horrifying.

Second, the idea that he’s “just evil.” Yes, Muzan is unapologetically evil in Demon Slayer. But that doesn’t make him flat. Some antagonists are compelling precisely because they embrace pure evil without hesitation. Sometimes, pure evil is the most effective narrative tool—especially when it’s tied to psychological nuance, like Muzan’s phobia of mortality and imperfection.

Another common complaint is that Muzan doesn’t fight enough. But here’s the thing: not all villains need to be warriors. Muzan is a strategist and a manipulator who lets others do the fighting while he controls the board.

Plus, go and take a look at his final battle, which is one of the most intense in Demon Slayer. He transforms, adapts, and pushes the heroes to their very limits and dies only after a collective effort from nearly every major character.

Character Complexity of Muzan Kibutsuji

At first glance, he seems like just another evil overlord. But look closer, and you'll find layers. Muzan is not driven by revenge, justice, or even domination. His only motivator is fear, specifically, the fear of death. That’s not just simple self-preservation, it’s existential dread.

He obsesses over eliminating threats to his immortality without hesitation. He’s paranoid and isolates himself. Even his relationships with the Twelve Kizuki are toxic, built on fear, not loyalty. He doesn't trust anyone because deep down, he knows that his strength is built on lies and blood.

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Muzan fixates on total control over his tactics, his plans, and every demon that serves under him. Because anything out of order threatens the perfect system he believes he’s created. So when we say Muzan lacks depth, maybe we’re just uncomfortable with the kind of villain he represents.

In the end, Muzan Kibutsuji is more than just the final boss of Demon Slayer, He’s the heartbeat of the series’ conflict, the puppet master behind every tragedy, and the embodiment of fear and control. It’s time its fans start giving him the respect he deserves. Because without Muzan, there is no Demon Slayer.

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