Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has been one of the most popular shonen series of its kind ever since its debut in 2019. The series' compelling manga helped initially draw audiences in, but the level of fandom that surrounds Demon Slayer has hit unprecedented heights after the release of its first feature film and the latest events of the anime's third season, the "Swordsmith Village Arc."
Demon Slayer receives endless praise for its action, but there are also some sweet relationships—both those that have come to fruition and others that remain in the imagination of audiences—that generate excitement in the fandom. Romance is tricky business and the Demon Slayer community has some distinct opinions when it comes to who is endgame and which couples are purely toxic.
Updated on April 13, 2023 by Daniel Kurland: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has a sentimental quality that's prompted a lot of shipping within the fandom. A healthy romance can prove to be more challenging than any Upper Rank Demon and plenty of characters in the series don't know how to get in touch with their emotions. Some of the anime's pairings and relationships leave a lot to be desired, especially when better options are sometimes right in front of them.
Worst Pairings
Rengoku & Akaza
Kyojuro Rengoku is a fan-favorite character who comes into his own on the Mugen Train. Alternatively, Akaza is one of the Upper Rank Demons who rises to relevance during the anime's third season. Rengoku and Akaza are both deadly individuals, but their opposing ideals mean that they'd never work in a relationship together.
Rengoku is committed to protecting those who are weaker than him, which is an act that eventually costs him his life. Alternatively, Akaza detests those who are lesser than himself and he's only interested in facing the strongest. Akaza gives Rengoku the chance to live a longer life, as a demon, which he refuses in favor of death.
Shinobu & Inosuke
Anyone who has only watched the Demon Slayer anime is likely to see Shinobu and Inosuke as a natural couple due to the awkward energy that they both generate. However, those who have finished Demon Slayer's manga are aware of why these two committed individuals are not destined to be together.
Shinobu is one of the strongest female characters in Demon Slayer and her accomplishments are genuinely impressive, yet all of this falls flat for Inosuke. The biggest hurdle here is that Inosuke doesn't really have romantic feelings for anyone. He views Shinobu as a close friend, but their relationship will never progress beyond that point.
Tamayo & Yushiro
Tamayo and Yushiro are a popular couple in the Demon Slayer fandom, but that doesn't mean that they're destined to be together. There are some major problems that keep these two apart, including the fact that Tamayo is considerably older than Yushiro and this age gap could lead to certain obstacles between the two of them.
Additionally, Yushiro's admiration towards Tamayo borders on obsession. While it's not wrong for Yushiro to admire and long for Tamayo, he's not straightforward when it comes to his intense devotion. Communication problems break up many healthy couples and Yushiro and Tamayo are no different.
Giyuu & Nezuko
Some unconventional couples can work against all odds, but there's really no hope when it comes to Demon Slayer's Giyuu and Nezuko. Nezuko becomes an early victim of circumstance in the series when she's turned into a demon, which is too much for many Demon Slayers to overlook. Giyuu is the first of many who attempts to execute Nezuko before she becomes a problem.
The initial meeting between Giyuu and Nezuko is tense, but he does eventually let her go when he witnesses that Tanjiro isn't in any real danger around his demon sister. This sliver of compassion has some fans curious about a union between Giyuu and Nezuko, but it's not a wise idea. These two characters barely know each other and there are decades of experience between them.
Muzan & Tamayo
A lot of dangerous monsters exist in Demon Slayer, but Muzan Kibutsuji holds dominion over them all. Muzan's powerful blood has sired endless demons into the world and he remains the series' ultimate evil. Moreover, Muzan isn't exactly romantic, and this prospect seems even more foolish considering Tamayo is a kind character who eventually becomes Muzan's victim.
There's a softness to Tamayo that might have given her the impression that she could get through to Muzan, especially since he's a demon who's presumed to have both a wife and child. However, Tamayo learns the hard way just how vicious Muzan can be.
Nezuko & Inosuke
Nezuko and Inosuke are two of Tanjiro's closest allies in Demon Slayer, but they barely even speak to each other over the course of the series. In fact, the first meeting between Nezuko and Inosuke almost ends in murder once he identifies her as a demon. Inosuke has learned about the humanity that lies inside Nezuko, but that's still not the strongest foundation to build a relationship.
Inosuke doesn't even remember his attempt to kill Nezuko, which in itself feels like a major hurdle that the two will never overcome. An honest and equal relationship can never exist if the circumstances behind their first meeting lie in doubt.
Better Alternatives
Sabito & Giyuu
Sabito is a valuable warrior who has already met a tragic end when Demon Slayer begins, but his presence hangs heavy over both Tanjiro and Giyuu, while flashbacks help fill in many of the specifics of Sabito's life before it was tragically cut short. Sabito and Giyuu were close friends who thought they'd spend their futures together as the next generation of Hashira.
Sabito's killer instinct hides itself when it matters most and he becomes a casualty that Giyuu struggles to overcome. It's easy to imagine more than a friendship existing between these two and this adds more emotional weight to the loss of Sabito.
Tanjiro & Kanao
Some fans believe that Tanjiro and Kanao would make for a poor romantic pairing because their relationship lacks development, but a lot is accomplished between the two of them in a very short period of time. Kanao helps rehabilitate Tanjiro, but he also helps her come out of her shell when it comes to her indecisive and mute nature.
Kanao and Tanjiro clearly care for each other and there's a genuine sadness that arises when they have to part ways. Demon Slayer's manga further elaborates on Kanao's crush on Tanjiro. Fans of the anime hope that a reunion between these two is in the cards before the series ends.
Shinobu & Giyuu
Shinobu and Giyuu are not implied to be a couple, but there's a healthy portion of the fandom who read a little more into their combative interactions. Some even believe that Giyuu and Shinobu embody a bickering couple who are beyond comfortable with each other. Giyuu looks like a serious Hashira, but there's an aloofness to him that only individuals like Shinobu can bring forward.
Much to Giyuu's chagrin, Shinobu often teases him with brutal truths that cut a little too close to the bone. Shinobu might bring out a lot of melancholy behavior in Giyuu, but it seems to come from a true place of love and they'd both be able to loosen up in a relationship together.
Inosuke & Aoi
Aoi is a character whose tenure in Demon Slayer is short, but sweet, and she's still someone who's created a lot of buzz when it comes to shipping. Aoi is a friendly face for Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke during an extended period of rehabilitation, but she seems to connect most with the latter of this trio.
There's some entertaining tension that grows out of Inosuke's obliviousness toward Aoi's feelings and his own commitment to his craft. Inosuke's desire to get stronger is trumped by Aoi's need for him to properly rest and heal. Inosuke listens to Aoi's instructions, even if he doesn't fully understand why. Aoi's ability to break through Inosuke's wild nature is why they're a perfect match.
Mitsuru & Obanai
Fans of the Demon Slayer anime have gotten entertaining teases of both Mitsuru and Obanai—especially during the Swordsmith Village Arc—but their strongest material has yet to come. These two Hashira will do whatever it takes to protect their people and ward off evil, but their courage ends up costing half of this pair their life.
Obanai's passing is a bitter pill to swallow, particularly since there are real sparks between him and Mitsuru before his untimely passing. Demon Slayer could have crafted a rich, romantic future between these two, and yet the Love Hashira is forced to live in sorrow.
Nezuko & Zenitsu
Despite Zenitsu being a cowardly crybaby who loves chasing after women, he protects Nezuko from being murdered by Inosuke. Zenitsu's actions are not only commendable but chivalrous, especially since at the time he doesn't even know that Nezuko is in the box when he decides to protect it.
At the time, Zenitsu is only aware that he's protecting something precious that belongs to Tanjiro, but not that it's an actual person. Zenitsu's infatuation towards Nezuko blossoms into genuine love as Demon Slayer continues. Granted, Nezuko isn't one for many words, but she still finds ways to display her appreciation toward Zenitsu.