Known as the most powerful demon group in the Demon Slayer anime and manga series, The Twelve Demon Moons are the Demon Slayer Corps' biggest adversaries with each of the twelve demon moons possessing immense strength, speed and agility as well as unique abilities that make them extremely formidable opponents.
The twelve demon moons are under the direct command of the Demon King, Muzan Kibutusuji who is also the main antagonist character in the series. The twelve demon moons are gifted the blood of Muzan to acquire a supernatural power and technique known as blood demon arts, only powerful demons are able to acquire this power.
Upper And Lower Ranks
Divided into Upper Ranks and Lower Ranks, the twelve demon moons are numbered through one to six in both groups, the ranking system is based on their strength and power, with upper rank one being the strongest and lower rank six being the weakest. To represent their power, the demons have their numbers engraved on to only one eye, the upper ranks have the number in one eye and the Kanji for upper rank in the other.
The ongoing battle between the demon slayer corps and the twelve demon moons have been going on for years on end with the demons slayer corps killing many lower ranking demons and the upper ranks having also killed and eaten many demon slayers. Although it had been exceptionally tough to kill an upper moon demon, following the defeat of Gyutaro and Daki, the 97th leader of the Demon Slayer corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki stated that it has been a hundred years since an upper rank had been killed.
Reasons For Existence
Just like the demon slayer corps, the twelve demons moons also have important tasks given to them by Muzan, and they are forced to ensure all these tasks are completed. One of them being to find the Blue Spider Lily (an important ingredient which contributed to the experimental medicine that made Muzan a demon) However, Muzan was also fascinated by Nezuko's ability to be sunproof thus delegating the task of capturing her and bringing her to him a task for the upper moons. The second task was to ensure the demon moons should serve him until death, even through suicide if needed. Finally, but not the least, as part of their existence, Muzan commanded the demon moons to make sure to destroy the demon slayer corps starting with killing the Ubuyashiki family as they are the reason why the corps are still thriving no matter how many demon slayers were killed.
Muzan has also given the demon moons special privileges compared to other average demons, these privileges involve empowering the twelve with his blood in order for them to become stronger. The blood is given to them when their achievements are acknowledged by Muzan. This lust for Muzan's blood drives the demon moons to become stronger and ultimately driving them to kill more demon slayer corps members. Upper moons also have the ability to transform humans that they seem worthy to demons to be used to do their bidding.
Although Muzan may seem like an evil and powerful demon, he does have a soft spot and connection with his twelve demon moons, this is seen when he gives lower rank five demon, Rui special permission to form a large group of demons in order to be part of a family and finally giving him a place of belonging after a tragic backstory. Muzan's humanistic side is also seen when he gave special privilege to Gyutaro and Daki the ability to share the position of upper rank 6 even though Daki was weaker than her brother Gyutaro.
The Demon Moons
The twelve consists of various demons with a wide arsenal of unique powers and abilities. Kyogai was a former lower moon rank 6 demon who was able to use drumming to change the environment of his mansion to confuse enemies, Rui, a former lower moon 5 used thread manipulation that created thin strings strong enough to slice through opponents. Makugo held the position of lower rank 4, although little is known about her, it can be assumed that she was stronger than the average demon but was killed by Muzan in the Mugen train arc together with other lower moon demons, lower moon 3 demon Wakuraba and lower moon 2 Rokuro also suffered a similar fate when attempting to flee from Muzan. The iconic lower moon 1 Enmu was the only survivor when Muzan massacred the lower moon demons and made his debut during the Mugen Train arc. His abilities revolve around sleep manipulation and was tasked with killing Tanjiro, but was unable to do so.
Upper Moon 6, Daki and Gyutaro made their appearance during the Entertainment District Arc, their abilities included using her blood demon art to move her sashes around to attack and defend attacks while her brother Gyutaro used his blood and blood blades to land powerful attacks on his opponents along with powerful regeneration abilities. Upper Moon 5, Gyokko is a sadistic demon who has the ability to create monster-like aquatic creatures and teleport into different pots to avoid attacks. Hantengu ranks as an upper moon 4 with his ability to use his strong emotions as weapons and his ability to create younger clones. Upper moon 3, Akaza makes his appearance during the Mugen Train arc and is also known as one of the fastest demons, he is also able to create powerful shockwaves when he attacks. Upper Moon 2, Doma is also another sadistic and energetic demon who has the ability to use ice to attack on his opponents. Finally, but not the least, Kokushibo is upper rank 1, although recognized as the twin brother of the legendary sun breathing user Yoriichi Tsugikuni he is also one of the most powerful demons who is able to use moon breathing techniques along with his demonically modified nichirn sword.