Tanjiro Kamado - Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer)
Tanjiro Kamado (竈門炭治郎 Kamado Tanjiro) Is a boy of kind nature with a strong sense of justice. He is the main protagonist of Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer).
Tanjiro is described as having gentle eyes by multiple characters. Sporting ruffled black hair with a tinge of burgundy at the end and a prominent scar on the left side of his forehead.
His father, Tanjuro Kamado passed away due to illness, leaving behind his wife and six children. As the eldest son of the Kamado family, and the older brother to Nezuko Tanjiro has responsibility caretaking his younger siblings and mother. The only memoir left by his father are a pair of distinct hanafuda earrings that he is always wearing. He is voiced by Zach Aguilar in the English dub, and Natsuki Hanae in original Japanese.
“The Bond between Nezuko and I cannot be severed by anyone!”
—Tanjiro to Rui, Demon Slayer Chapter 40
Profile
- Birthdate: July 14
- Birthplace: Mount Kumotori
- Hobbies: Cleaning
- Favorite Onigiri Flavour: Plum Seaweed
- Manga Debut: Chapter 1
- Japanese Voice Actor: Natsuki Hanae
- English Voice Actor: Zach Aguilar
Before Training
- Age: 13 years
- Height: 156cm
- Weight: 53kg
After Training
- Age: 15 years
- Height: 165cm
- Weight: 61kg
Overview
Set in a world not too different from the Edo period in Japan, Tanjiro is a cheerful boy in charge of the family business selling charcoal living a humble yet happy life. One day as usual Tanjiro departs into town by foot to sell charcoal however, is unable to make it back home by nightfall. He returns the next day to find his entire family recently murdered, apart from his younger sister.
Having transformed into a demon herself Nezuko is unable to recognize her brother. Tanjiro not entirely sure as to what has occurred, the two are soon confronted by a demon slayer named Giyu Tomioka.
After Tanjiro resolves the conflict with the demon slayer, Giyu instructs Tanjiro to seek out a former demon slayer named Urokodaki on Sagiri mountain. Searching for answers and overcoming obstacles, during his journey Tanjiro is met by a stern old man in a tengu mask. After the old man reveals himself to be the former demon slayer Urokodaki, Tanjiro tests his conviction. How far he is willing to go to protect his sister, to avenge his family. Intent on hunting the demon responsible for the murder of his family in hopes of finding a cure for his sister Nezuko; Tanjiro moves towards the path of the Demon Slayer.
Personality
Tanjiro shows traits such as virtue, generosity, honesty, and humbleness. He is gentle to a fault, preventing him from making decisive decisions but is later shown to be serious when he needs to be. In the face of danger, he is brave enough to fight a demon slayer unarmed. Honest sense of righteousness, his demeanor can be interpreted as stubbornness when dealing with others. He is never afraid to ask others for help, and just as willing to return the favor. Tanjiro shows a natural talent for observation, able to discern situations quickly, often using his heightened sense of smell.
He is caring and protective of his friends, especially when it comes to his sister Nezuko. Out of all his traits, the one that sets him apart from others is his capacity for empathy, even towards human eating demons. Often followed by retaliation during battle, he hesitates with indecision before finishing his foes. However, he exhibits unfaltering conviction to protect Nezuko at all costs and does not hesitate when it comes to his sister.
Skills and Abilities
- Heightened sense of Smell - Enough to be compared to a beast, Tanjiro has a very acute sense of smell. After further training, Tanjiro has developed his sense of smell to the point where he is able to sniff the “threads of interval” in battle.
- Hard Headed - His willingness to change his mind does not come easily. Not only is he stubborn, his head is literally said to be harder than normal other humans.
- Intelligence - Naturally able to read the flow of battle and adapt. Combined with his efforts he is able to overcome most obstacles. Pointed out by Giyu Tomioka, Tanjiro skillfully lays out a surprise attack to try to defeat the demon slayer even with no prior fighting experience.
- Swordsmanship - Taught by his teacher Sakonji Urokodaki, combined with total concentration breathing he is able to slice through a large boulder with his katana.
- Total Concentration Breathing: Water Breathing - (水の呼吸) Tanjiro spent two years training on Sagiri Mountain, where the air is extremely thin and difficult to breathe. One of the five main forms of total concentration breathing taught and developed by Sakonji Urokodaki. Giyu Tomioka and Tanjiro both utilize this style of swordsmanship. Increases speed, strength, reflexes, and allows the use of water breathing techniques.
- Ancient Dance of the Fire God - (ヒノカミ神楽) a traditional dance passed down by his father from his father. Relating to the hanafuda earrings that was also inherited. The ancient dance of the Fire God is a type of total concentration breathing, as the name implies, takes the form of a dance. Tanjiro utilises this form of total concentration breathing to release a set of attacks unique from his usual water style taught to him by Urokodaki.