Demon Slayer: Tanjiro is not a typical Shonen protagonist, and that's why fans love him

Understanding what makes Tanjiro a brilliant protagonist (Image credits: Ufotable)
Understanding what makes Tanjiro a brilliant protagonist (Image credits: Ufotable)

Demon Slayer is one of the hottest Shonen titles today, and there are various reasons for it. The animation quality has been incredible, to say the least. It set the standards for the other animation studios to follow suit. However, the cast in the anime has been splendid. Furthermore, the protagonist played an excellent role in the anime and manga series.

There are several tropes that one can find in most Shonen anime series. One of the common ones is the sheer difference in the combat abilities of the protagonist in comparison to other characters. Most series have an extremely overpowered hero who miraculously takes down the villain towards the end. Furthermore, how they defeat said character often defies logic and hampers the build-up done since the very first episode.

In that regard, Tanjiro Kamado is an excellent protagonist. Tanjiro is excellent at delivering the core values that the author intends to instill in the younger generation. His temperament and restraint make him one of the strongest characters. However, it has been established that some of the Hashira are leagues above him. The likes of Sanemi Shinazugawa and Gyomei Himejima are undoubtedly far superior to him.

Tanjiro doesn’t miraculously take down Kibutsuji Muzan all on his own. He is the protagonist of the series and, therefore, plays an important role in Muzan’s death. However, the Demon Slayer Corps would not have achieved this purely because of Tanjiro’s efforts. One might argue that Tamayo and Shinobu’s contribution would have exceeded or at least been on par with Tanjiro’s.

Tanjiro is a good protagonist because he doesn’t single-handedly kill the prime antagonist and save the day. Instead, he is a tool to convey some of the most important themes in the animanga series. Themes such as hard work, team effort, love, and forgiveness were driven home through Tanjiro.

He played his role and sought help from his peers during moments of distress. These are some of the reasons why Tanjiro was an exceptional protagonist, who veered from the trope of single-handedly saving the day heroically.


Demon Slayer: What makes Tanjiro a strong character?

Tanjiro as seen in the anime series (Image credits: Ufotable)
Tanjiro as seen in the anime series (Image credits: Ufotable)

Tanjiro’s physical abilities are exceptional, and nobody can deny that. However, his mentality makes him a cut above the rest. There are several characters who are often swayed by emotions. There have been very few instances that showcased Tanjiro’s emotional volatility. However, he is emotionally well-regulated for the most part. In Demon Slayer, life and death are decided in an instant.

Therefore, one must master their emotions to take on powerful demons without making many mistakes. When someone has control over their emotions, it allows them to be fully present in the moment instead of pondering on their past mistakes or the future. This is why Tanjiro Kamado was one of the few people who survived the battle against Kibutsuji Muzan in the manga series.

Furthermore, Nezuko is his only remaining family. Therefore, his resolve is unparalleled in this series. These are some of the reasons why Tanjiro is a powerful character in the Demon Slayer series.


In summation, Tanjiro is an excellent protagonist in Demon Slayer. This is because he does not fall victim to the popular tropes explored in Shonen titles. Instead of saving the day all by himself, he continues to convey the themes that the author wishes to convey. This is why Tanjiro is a protagonist who is beloved by the entire fanbase.

Edited by Rohan Jagannath