Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba 鬼滅の刃

  • Published on : 20/12/2022
  • by : bryan@japan-experience.com

A mutual and eternal hunt: Slayers against Demons!

A true phenomenon of the new manga/animated generation, Demon Slayer is a staple of Japanese pop culture. First published in 2015, Demon Slayer, or Kimetsu no Yaiba in Japanese, quickly made a name for itself on the Japanese scene before conquering the international scene. Today we introduce you to this manga whose popularity has exploded in recent years.

Dive into 20th century Japan: the story of Demon Slayer

The story of Demon Slayer begins around Tanjiro Kamado, a young coal merchant of the Taisho era (between 1912 and 1926 in Japan). As a rumor circulates about a man-eating demon, Tanjiro, who returns from a nearby village, finds his entire family brutally murdered. 

Although unconscious, Nezuko, one of his younger sisters, is the only survivor of the attack. While Tanjiro tries to save her by taking her to a doctor, Nezuko wakes up and attacks him: the young girl has turned into a demon. A family fight then follows, which ends when a slayer named Giyu Tomioka, intervenes to defend Tanjiro and fulfill his role as a demon slayer.

When this newcomer is about to kill the young Nezuko, Tanjiro intervenes, swearing that he can help her to come to her senses. The latter finally recognizes him and shows emotions and softening, characteristic of human traits.  

With both himself and his sister spared, Tanjiro embarks on a new quest: to find the killer demon so that his sister can become human again. To achieve this goal, he must become a slayer, a Demon Slayer!

Tanjiro Kamado, personnage principal

Tanjiro Kamado, main character

©Demon Slayer, flickr

Tanjiro, Zen'itsu et Inosuke

Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke

©Demon Slayer, flickr

Tanjiro et Nezuko

Tanjiro and Nezuko

©Lee Phan, flickr

Giyu Tomioka

Giyu Tomioka

©Demon Slayer, flickr

The representation of new codes of action-adventure in shonen

The work of mangaka Koyoharu Gotoge, symbol of the new generation of the action-adventure genre in shonen, relies on new codes that mark a break with some older manga. 

This type of story in shonen have long perpetuated this cliché with a male main character surrounded by a few weak female characters who often rely on him. Demon Slayer has reversed this trend! Although the main characters are all male, female secondary characters are present and have nothing to envy to their counterparts. 

To name a few, Shinobu Kocho, who plays a pillar role (the highest rank of slayer in the Demon Slayer universe) and her disciple Kanao Tsuyuri are characters whose power surpasses that of some of the male characters. In the enemy camp, fans recently discovered Daki in the Entertainment District arc. To summarize without spoiling, Daki quickly became known as a demoness whose power is both titanic...and deadly!

 

Shinobu Kocho

Shinobu Kocho

©Demon Slayer, flickr

Kanao Tsuyuri

Kanao Tsuyuri

©Demon Slayer, flickr

Shinobu Kocho

Shinobu Kocho

©Demon Slayer, flickr

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