Summary
Tanjiro is one of themost iconic shonen anime protagonistsof all time, despite being rather cliched in this department. Thankfully, the quality ofDemon Slayerensures that viewers will have a great time witnessing this character become stronger, naturally using Hinokami Kagura to overpower his enemies.
This demon slayer has encountered several powerful foes during his journey, many of whom have been a huge pain to deal with. Thankfully, Tanjiro’s doggedness ensures that he’s always able to pull a rabbit out of a hat and behead a tough demon following an epic altercation.
8Tanjiro & Nezuko Vs. Swamp Demon
Arc: Swordsmith Village
The Swamp Demon is one of the first enemies that Tanjiro must fight inDemon Slayer. This beast kidnaps women for his meals, prompting the heroes to try and stop him in his tracks by any means necessary.
This is achieved after a lengthy battle where Tanjiro shows offthe Water Breathing skills he’s learned. Nezuko also makes a surprising appearance and teams up with her brother to wipe this foe out and save innocent women from his meaningless slaughter.
7Tanjiro Vs. Hand Demon
Arc: Final Selection
After Tanjiro managed to cleave a boulder in half with some help from two strangers, it turned out that the protagonist was being guided by their spirits as they faded away. Both Sabito and Makomo were former students of Sakonji Urokodaki, and theylost their lives to the monstrous Hand Demonon Mount Fujikasane.
During the Final Selection, Tanjiro encounters the Hand Demon and decides to protect other aspiring demon slayers while avenging the spirits of Sabito and Makomo. After a fierce battle, he is eventually successful in this goal, beheading the powerful foe and passing the exam.
6Tanjiro, Nezuko, Tamayo, & Yushiro Vs. Susamaru & Yahaba
Arc: Asakusa
Susamaru and Yahaba were two tricky demons that forced Tanjiro to whip out all the tricks in his arsenal. Susamaru’s temari handballs hit like a truck, whileYahaba’s Blood Demon Artforced his target to move in a certain direction, which made for a tricky tag team battle.
However, Tanjiro eventually adapted to the fight and used the help of his allies to kill both foes after what was possibly the most interesting battle against demons who weren’t members of the Twelve Demon Moons. It was a massive achievement, but things got harder for Tanjiro from here on out.
5Tanjiro Vs. Kyogai
Arc: Tsuzumi Mansion
Once a member of the Lower Rank Demon Moon,Kyogai was stripped of this honorafter Muzan expressed disappointment at his inability to use his powers outside of his house. So, it’s only a given that Tanjiro and his friends were in for a tough fight when they stumbled upon his abode.
The protagonist fought a particular tough fight as he slowly got used to Kyogai’s supernatural drum-beating power. Thankfully, he eventually settled into a rhythm and exhibited some impressive movement skills, adjusting his footwork to the revolving room and eventually closing the distance to behead Kyogai.
4Tanjiro & The Demon Slayer Corps Vs. Daki & Gyutaro
Arc: Entertainment District
After being introduced tothe Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro and his friends go on a mission with the Sound Hashira to investigate the Entertainment District. Here, they uncover the influence of an Upper Rank Demon Moon who had kidnapped Tengen’s wife.
When the heroes uncover Daki’s presence and almost put a stop to her, the demon’s twin brother pops out and makes the battle more complicated than it had initially seemed. After teaming up with Tengen to fight Gyutaro, the clash that ensues proves to be a hellish one. Though things looked dire for Tanjiro at multiple points, the siblings are eventually beheaded with perfect timing, eliminating the threat that they posed once and for all.
3Tanjiro & The Demon Slayer Corps Vs. Hantengu
Hantengu is one of the most unique enemies inDemon Slayer, harboring multiple personalities that take on offensive forms of their own and are pretty effective. The Demon Slayer Corps faced these multiple personalities, with Tanjiro eventually zeroing in on the cowardly base form.
Even with the threat of sunlight looming on Nezuko,Tanjiro made a valiant sacrificeand beheaded Hantengu’s original form to defeat the demon for good. This victory was made even sweeter when Nezuko was able to withstand the sun, making for an important revelation that triggered a powerful reaction from Muzan.
2Tanjiro & The Demon Slayer Corps Vs. Enmu
Arc: Mugen Train
Mugen Train is possibly one of the best shonen anime arcsof all time, lettingDemon Slayerfans enjoy a bombastic fight where Tanjiro teams up with his friends and the Flame Hashira to take out the final Lower Rank Moon. Enmu threatened to take out the Demon Slayers in their sleep, only for the plan to fail.
To make things worse, he had become the very train that the demon slayers were riding, forcing Tanjiro and Inosuke to team up as they tried to “behead” Enmu by slicing apart the train’s engine. This led to Tanjiro whipping out another Hinokami Kagura technique as he succeeded in this goal, but this victory was marred by Akaza’s surprise appearance and the killing of Rengoku after a lengthy battle.
1Tanjiro & Nezuko Vs. Rui
Arc: Mount Natagumo
One of Tanjiro’s best accomplishments happened on Mount Nagatumo, where he faced off against an active Lower Rank Demon Moon who was psychotic to his very core. Rui’s spider threads backed a punch and could be infused with blood to make them even deadlier.
When Rui pulled out this ace card, Tanjiro recalled his father’s dance and summoned the power of Hinokami Kagura in one of the greatest battle shonen moments of all time. Episode 19 was a major turning point forDemon Slayer, as the series attained mainstream popularity courtesy of Tanjiro’s battle against Rui. While he failed to land the killing blow, the Water Hashira came to save the day as the conflict finally drew to a close.
