Demon Slayer has been widely praised for its ability to create sympathetic and compelling villains. While demons are often seen as monstrous and undeserving of compassion, Tanjiro recognizes the humanity beneath their demonic forms. However, one major exception stands out throughout the series. Muzan Kibutsuji, the primary antagonist, has clear goals: to freely walk in the sun and gain ultimate power as the Demon King.
Yet, despite his goals, Muzan’s drive lacks the emotional weight that made other characters in the series so compelling. With one key change, Demon Slayer could have elevated Muzan from a standard power-hungry villain into a truly unforgettable antagonist.
Demon Slayer Is Known for Its Ability To Create Sympathetic Villains
Fans Are Often Given a Glimpse Into the Demons’ Humanity
One of Demon Slayer’s greatest strengths is its ability to humanize its villains, turning them from monstrous figures to tragic reflections of past suffering. There are many perfectly suitable examples, however, one of the most notable is of Daki and Gyutaro during the Entertainment District arc. Before becoming demons, they were abandoned by society time and time again. Their transformation into demons didn’t come from pure malice but rather a desperate attempt to escape the cruelty they both endured from the world. Their fates as humans were tragic, making their final demise as demons all the more gut-wrenching.
Similarly, Akaza arguably has the most tragic backstory of all. After devastating losses, his grief and rage led him to cross paths with Muzan, who turned him into a demon and appointed him as a member of the Twelve Kizuki as an Upper Rank. Unlike Demons who kill for entertainment, Akaza didn’t take part in mindless slaughter and followed a moral compass that other demons did not share. In the end, Akaza becomes Demon Slayer’s most tragic antagonist as his past comes to light, proving the series’ ability to craft resonant backstories for otherwise villainous characters.
Muzan’s Goals Feel Shallow Compared to Other Villain’s
While Muzan Is Designed To Be Pure Evil, It Feels Out of Place Compared To Other Villains
While Muzan’s goals and motivations are clear, the story never fully explores what achieving them would mean beyond self-preservation. Unlike other antagonists in the series, Muzan’s ambitions lack deeper emotional depth. He wants to live forever and rule over demons, but for what purpose? The storyline hasn’t suggested that he has a greater vision beyond his own survival and fear of death. Without a more defined endgame, Muzan’s character lacks the complexity that could have made him a more compelling antagonist.
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In the final battle, the lack of a clear vision for Muzan weakens the stakes. Tanjiro and the Demon Slayers fight with personal motivations, whether it’s avenging loved ones, protecting humanity, or fulfilling the legacies of those who came before them to usher in an era of peace. However, Muzan remains purely self-interested and has no emotional weight behind his actions. Even when he’s on the brink of defeat, his desperation to survive feels hollow when compared to other antagonists like Akaza or Gyutaro and Daki.
Muzan’s Backstory Needs Further Exploration
Muzan’s Origin Was Explained but Never Fully Dived Into
Muzan’s backstory is somewhat explored in Demon Slayer, but given his role as the central antagonist, it comes across as underdeveloped. Fans learn that Muzan was once a sickly human who received experimental treatment for his terminal illness, sparking his transformation into a demon. However, this explanation merely scratches the surface of what could have become a far more intriguing origin. Instead, audiences are never given any insight into the emotional and psychological toll it had on him as a frail human.
The series could have given Muzan a more compelling motivation that goes beyond survival and domination by exploring his past in more depth. Although it’s clear that Muzan fears death, the psychological torment he must have experienced as a human remains unexplored. Muzan, compared to the other antagonists, lacks the same nuance and depth, making him feel one-dimensional and less memorable than other characters.
Had Muzan received a richer backstory and a stronger emotional core like other villains, the series could have made him an antagonist worthy of its otherwise exceptional storytelling. Demon Slayer‘s popularity is often explained by the emotional and psychological scars that shape its characters, yet Muzan doesn’t receive the same exploration for his transformation, his fears, or even his worldview. In the end, Demon Slayer missed out on an opportunity to make Muzan one of the greatest central villains in anime history.
Demon Slayer
- Created by
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Koyoharu Gotouge
Summary
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline, Demon Slayer is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.