Highlights
- Demon Slayer showcases deep bonds of friendship that surpass blood ties, highlighting trust, loyalty, and love among demon slayers.
- Unique friendships like Kanao and Shinobu's sisterly bond, and Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke's comical yet reliable trio, are central in the series.
- The series also explores friendships like Giyu and Sabito's strong connection even after death, and Tanjiro and Nezuko's unbreakable sibling bond.
In a world where demon slayers and demons duke it out, there is hardly any solace for a small subsection of humans who continually get slaughtered trying to protect humanity and eradicate the demons, except that which is provided by their friends. In combating Kibutsuji Muzan and his minions in Demon Slayer, many demon slayers have developed friendships that go beyond blood bonds.
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These friendships have been tempered on the battlefield, and can either be fierce and courageous or smooth and steadfast, depending on the situation. Most times, the friendships portrayed in the Demon Slayer series don’t always include mutual benefits, but a steady and consistent level of trust, loyalty, and love.
7 Kanao And Shinobu
From Strangers To Adopted Sisters
Kanao and Shinobu's friendship is defined by the sisterly bond they share. Initially, Kanao lived with slave drivers. However, after coming across the sisters Shinobu and Kanae Kocho, Shinobu impulsively bought Kanao to free her from that life, and the sisters took Kanao in as their adopted sister.
Due to her past trauma, Kanao was initially unable to make decisions, and to help her, Kanae gave Kanao a coin to flip whenever she was confused. Over time, after Kanae’s death, Kanao was able to open up to Shinobu, who expressed joy at this change. Eventually, Shinobu and Kanao’s sisterly bond becomes strong enough that she (Shinobu) willingly leaves the avenging of her sister in Kanao’s hands.
6 Zenitsu, Inosuke, And Tanjiro
This Trio Are A Major Force When They’re Together
The friendship between these three demon slayers has been tested over and over again, with many battles forging their friendship. In victory and loss, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke have been together despite their differing personalities. Tanjiro and Inosuke’s friendship is more of a competitive one, where they (particularly Inosuke) always seek to outdo each other.
Meanwhile, Tanjiro’s relationship with Zenitsu doesn’t have such a competitive edge, but they push each other to be better in other ways. Their distinct personalities make their friendship comical but dependable. They always have each other’s backs and cover up for their weaknesses, even in situations where it seems like there’s no hope.
5 Giyu And Sabito
Even In Death, This Friendship Propels Giyu Forward, One Step At A Time
Right from his introduction, the Water Hashira has never been the most talkative person. However, the reason for this is revealed in his backstory during the Hashira Training Arc. In the past, Giyu was a spineless child trying to become a demon slayer. He fit the description of most average demon slayers. However, his friend Saobito was entirely different.
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Saobito was a talented young man capable of taking down numerous demons even before he became a demon slayer. Unfortunately, he died during the demon slayer's final selection, saving others by doing so, and Giyu always wished he died in his place. To show the incredible friendship they had back then, Giyu always wears a part of Saobito’s kimono as a memento.
4 Kanao And Tanjiro
Tanjiro Helps Kanao Express Her Emotions
“The best friendships aren’t always with people we’ve known the longest, but with the ones who bring out our best selves.”
Kanao’sfriendship with Tanjiro embodies this quote. Despite never being one to portray emotions or make decisions, Kanao’s relationship with Tanjiro changes her. Before meeting Tanjiro, Kanao would flip a coin to make a decision when indecisive.
Perhaps because of her childhood, Kanao was unable to properly portray emotions, as she couldn’t bring herself to cry during the burial of the former Flower Hashira, who took care of her. But after meeting Tanjiro, she became able to express some emotions, something Shinobu displayed deep joy at.
3 Nezuko And Zenitsu
Having Limited Interactions Doesn’t Make Them Trust Each Other Any Less
Due to being in a box for most of the first part of the series, Nezuko and Zenitsu had limited interactions. Their conversations often occurred sparsely, whether it be through Nezuko’s box on regular nights, or when they needed to battle demons.
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Apart from Nezuko being Tanjiro’s sister, Zenitsu developed a kindred feeling immediately after he laid eyes on her. When their friendship was tested, Zenitsu took a beating from Inosuke for Nezuko when Inosuke wanted to kill her. Very few would do that for a demon they sparingly interact with. Moreover, after Nezuko conquers the sun, she goes to welcome Zenitsu, even if she gets the name wrong in a comical scene.
2 Tanjiro And Giyu
Great Trust Is The Hallmark Of This Friendship
Great friendships are often relentless and trusting, as both parties push each other toward greatness. Tanjiro and Giyu’s bond didn’t always have the element of pushing each other, but it did have the element of trust. Shortly after Tanjiro’s family was destroyed and Nezuko turned into a demon, they ran into the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka.
Most Hashiras would’ve subdued Tanjiro and killed Nezuko, but Giyu stretched out a helping hand without a word. He put his life on the line, stating that, should Nezuko kill a human, he would perform the seppuku ritual after killing her. Later on, Tanjiro proved his kindred spirit to Giyu by helping him come out of the depressive phase he was stuck in after Saobito’s death.
1 Tanjiro And Nezuko
Even As Siblings, Tanjiro And Nezuko’s Bond Is Something Few Can Replicate
The siblings' deep bond is one of the core tenets of the Demon Slayer series. After Kibutsuji Muzan murdered most of Tanjiro’s family and turned Nezuko into a demon, Tanjiro swore to end the demon and return his sister to being human. From then on, Tanjiro and Nezuko have been through many trials, and any time their bond is tested, it always comes out on top.
Particularly because of their great bond, Nezuko would always follow Tanjiro’s duty as a demon slayer to help other people rather than herself. She proved this towards the end of the Swordsmith Village Arc, when she was ready to sacrifice herself so her brother could function as a demon slayer and protect others.
Demon Slayer
- Studio
- ufotable
- Creator
- Koyoharu Gotoge
- Number of Episodes
- 56+
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll , Hulu , Netflix
