Summary
- Tanjiro maintains an uplifting personality despite past tragedies.
- His honesty and brotherly love are key defining qualities.
- Tanjiro's love and positivity are strengths that help motivate and protect him.
One of 's best qualities is its phenomenal character design, and no hero represents this aspect of the series better than the protagonist himself, Tanjiro Kamado. In a sea of shonen protagonists, Tanjiro's cheerful demeanor, motivating work ethic, and top-notch demon slaying powers allow him to stand out among the crowd. However, there are two special qualities that define Tanjiro's personality more than all the rest.
A recent Crunchyroll interview with Natsuki Hanae, Tanjiro's Japanese voice actor, revealed some intriguing information about the beloved Demon Slayer character. Hanae shared the two most important and integral elements that sum up Tanjiro’s character for him. These are the qualities that shaped Hanae's voice acting style for the hero, providing him with inspiration.
"I find that his profound honesty and unfailing brotherly love are the elements that guide me in the incarnation of this character." - Natsuki Hanae, Crunchyroll
In the quote, he lists "profound honesty" and "unfailing brotherly love" as Tanjiro's two most prominent characteristics. Not only do these two traits encapsulate Tanjiro's personality perfectly, they give Hanae the necessary information to properly represent him in his voice acting efforts for Demon Slayer.
In Spite of Past Tragedies, Tanjiro Never Lost His Positive Personality
He is Considered Shonen's Most Inspiring and Cheerful Hero, Embodying the Phrase "Never Give Up"
Any avid fan of Demon Slayer can clearly see that Tanjiro is molded around these two aforementioned traits. The hero has earned an enduring reputation for himself as shonen's most motivational and positive protagonist, in spite of the horrific tragedies he has endured over the course of his life. Before even hitting adulthood, he watched in horror as his beloved sister transformed into a demon before his eyes, he lost most of his family to demon cruelty, and he watched an Upper Rank demon slaughter his closest mentor. But none of these tragedies have hindered Tanjiro for long.
Tanjiro's penchant for uplifting himself and others, dedication to working hard, and overall bubbly, positive demeanor are some of his best qualities. However, curiously enough, these are not the attributes Hanae chose to highlight, even though they are some of the most respected parts of Tanjiro's disposition. Hanae instead drew fans' attention to some other, equally crucial sides of the hero's multifaceted nature. The first of these is his "profound honesty." Tanjiro is a very honest person at heart, whether he is dealing with a cherished friend or family member or an evil demon who has attempted to harm him.
Tanjiro is Honest in Every Situation, but His Truthfulness Stems From Love
He Never Shies Away From Saying What is Right, But Does it Kindly and Out of Genuine Care, Not Malice
Many times throughout the series, he has spoken words of truth to those who have desperately needed to hear it. His kindness knows no bounds, but he also refuses to sugarcoat or lie. He deals gently with demons, even those with high death tolls who are undeserving of any sympathy. When battling the Hand Demon, for example, went to speak with the Water Hashira, Giyu, who had been isolating himself alone due to past mistakes.
In his interactions with Giyu, Tanjiro showed understanding and attempted to relate to the Hashira by sharing similar difficult experiences in his own life. But, he also got to the point of the matter and honestly explained that if Giyu continued to hide by himself, he would be wasting the efforts of those who died bravely for his sake. In these and many other circumstances, Tanjiro never shies away from saying what is right and needs to be heard, but doing it in a loving manner. His gentle manner of honesty is a beautiful trait that makes him even more respectable.
"I Can't Decide if He's Interesting" - Demon Slayer's Creator Had Major Concerns About Tanjiro
Demon Slayer creator Gotouge has described Tanjiro as "too normal" and not "interesting," shocking fans who greatly ire the hero.
Tanjiro Love for His Younger Sister is Unceasing As He Fights to Turn Her Human Again
Even When She Became a Demon, He Refused to Give Up on Her
The second trait Hanae called attention to is Tanjiro's "unfailing brotherly love," which is a constant through line present in Demon Slayer from the very beginning. The story opened with Tanjiro rescuing Nezuko after the rest of their family was killed by demons, and he fearlessly defended her from the Water Hashira, Giyu, who attempted to kill her after he incorrectly assumed she was just another ordinary demon. Tanjiro never even considered giving up on Nezuko, carrying her in a box on his back everywhere he goes so she can stay safe and by his side at all times.
His optimism is never-ending, as he relentlessly searches for the elusive cure that can turn his sister human again. Inspiringly, his love for Nezuko seems to help keep her demon instincts somewhat at bay, as her care for her older brother outweighs the demon biology that urges her to hurt humans. There are countless moments during Demon Slayer where Tanjiro willingly throws himself into harm's way to prevent Nezuko from being injured or killed. Tanjiro and Nezuko's unbreakable bond goes both ways and the two always protect each other bravely against any enemies that head their way, human or demon.
Tanjiro's Love and Positivity Are Strengths, Not Weaknesses
These Unique Traits Help Him Survive and Stay Motivated in a World Swarming With Dangerous Demons
Hanae has chosen two perfect qualities to explain who Tanjiro is as a person, as honesty and brotherly love are two of his strongest characteristics. A lot of shonen protagonists appear relatively cold and stoic, hardening themselves emotionally to deal with the painful, gloomy, and terrifying worlds in which they live. However, Tanjiro's approach is markedly different, as he prioritizes kindness and love for others instead. His gentle, caring nature may seem to be a weakness in such a dark world as Demon Slayer's, but in the end, it proves to be one of Tanjiro Kamado's most significant strengths of all.
Source: Crunchyroll
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
- Release Date
- April 3, 2019
- Network
- Fuji TV, Tokyo MX, Gunma TV, BS11, Tochigi TV, Kansai TV, Tokai Television Broadcasting, Fukui TV, Hokkaido Cultural Broadcasting, Iwate Menkoi Television, Sendai Television, SAGA TV, TNC, OHK, Ishikawa TV, Kochi Sun Sun Broadcasting, TV Shizuoka, UMK TV Miyazaki, Television Shin Hiroshima System, NST, NBS, Sakuranbo TV, TSK, Ehime Broadcasting, KTS, NIB, Fukushima TV, TOS, AKT, Toyama Television, TV Kumamoto, Okinawa Television Broadcasting
- Directors
- Hideki Hosokawa, Shinya Shimomura, Akihiko Uda, Takuro Takahashi, Shuji Miyahara, Masaru Takeuchi, Toshiyuki Shirai, Takuya Nonaka, Yuki Ito, Ken Takahashi, Takahiro Majima, Yusuke Shibata
Cast
Natsuki HanaeTanjiro Kamado (voice)-
Akari KitoNezuko Kamado (voice)
WHERE TO WATCH
Set in Japan's Taisho Period, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Tanjiro, a young boy whose family is killed by demons. With his sister Nezuko transformed into a demon, Tanjiro embarks on a quest to become a demon slayer, seeking vengeance and a cure for his sister's condition.
- Seasons
- 5
- Main Genre
- Animation
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