Tanjiro Kamado has already joined an exclusive group of endearing anime protagonists. Like Luffy, Deku, and Goku, Tanjiro fights tirelessly for what they believe in and what they believe in is good. Tanjiro fights for his sister and his family. He fights to end the struggle between human and demon. He fights so often and so hard that he has developed skills and accomplished tasks that many would claim impossible. In fact, even after watching him fight, it is still difficult to believe some of the impossible things that he has done.
In a lot of ways, Tanjiro's character makes no sense. His innate strength and canine like sense of smell are just a few of the things viewers have struggled to make sense of from the first season of Demon Slayer. But there are a lot of things that surprisingly do make sense about him.
10 Doesn't Make Sense: His Physical Durability Does Not Match His Appearance
Demon Slayer makes it very clear that Tanjiro is a well trained protagonist. Whether it be by fighting demons, eating well, or training with the experts in his field, Tanjiro is always building up his strength as a warrior. Still, even if he were training all this time, it is unlikely that a normal human could withstand the punishment Tanjiro's body undergoes.
Tanjiro's durability may not be as impressive as Eren Yeager from Attack on Titan, but it certainly exceeds the expectations of his foes on a number of occasions. Throughout the first season, Tanjiro is tossed around with a force that could kill any normal human being. Still, the demon slayer keeps getting back up. Even when it seems impossible, he gets back up.
9 Does Make Sense: He Can Survive High-Level Demon Encounters Thanks To Nezuko
The first season makes sure to show the power scale that exists in the world of Demon Slayer. The average human is no match for a demon, and Tanjiro has only just began his journey as a demon slayer. His skills are certainly impressive, but he is still regularly outmatched by his opponents in terms of speed and strength.
Luckily, Tanjiro is able to survive multiple encounters with demons far above his skill level. With the help of Nezuko, Tanjiro proves to be more than just a competent new recruit, he is a weapon that can be used by the Demon Slayer Corp. to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji.
8 Doesn't Make Sense: His Skills Seem To Be Acquired Through Flashbacks Instead Of Through Training
It is nothing new for an anime character to learn new skills after experiencing a flashback, but the fact that it is a common anime trope doesn't mean it makes sense. What makes it even more difficult to understand is the way Demon Slayer focuses on Tanjiro's training sessions so closely throughout the first season. All the episodes that separate his battles classify as training arcs, yet when he first demonstrates a fire breathing technique it comes after a flashback of his father.
Though fans of anime may be ready to openly accept this type of plotting in their story, a memory is not enough to learn a new skill in battle. This is especially true when the character trying to learn the new skill is fatigued by an ongoing battle with one of Kibutsuji's twelve demon moons.
7 Does Make Sense: His Ability To Track Kibutsuji by Smell Is One Of His Main Skills
When Tanjiro is put on trial in front of the Hashira for sheltering a demon his sense of smell is one of the factors considered when deciding his fate. The fact that Tanjiro was able to track Muzan Kibutsuji with his sense of smell seemed to be a small thing until viewers found out that nobody has been able to find Kibutsuji in years.
It is not entirely clear why or how Tanjiro's sense of smell is so strong, but it is certainly impressive. Using this sense of smell, the Demon Slayer Corp. can mount an offensive strategy. No longer will they have to hide and wait for Kibutsuji to reveal himself.
6 Doesn't Make Sense: The Source of His Sense Of Smell Isn't Explained
The first special ability that Tanjiro demonstrates in Demon Slayer is his incredible sense of smell. Even before being recruited by Giyu Tomioka and training for the Demon Slayer Corp's final examination, Tanjiro demonstrates a sense of smell that rivals a canine. At certain points of the show Tanjiro is able to see scents as if they hang on the air like a mist. Using this sense of smell, Tanjrio tracks down Muzan Kibutsuji before any of the Hashira manage to.
Perhaps the manga sheds a bit more light on Tanjrio's powerful sense of smell, but as far as the anime canon goes, it makes very little sense.
5 Does Make Sense: His Water Breathing Techniques Improve His Flexibility in Battle
Tanjiro's water breathing technique offers his combat a visual flair. It also gives viewers an explanation for Tanjiro's fluidity in battle. Much like Zenitsu cuts through the battlefield with the speed and force of lightning when provoked, Tanjiro borrows from the element that encase his nichirin blade as well.
In the same way that water flows through a river, Tanjiro flows through the battlefield. Whether this flow begins by unleashing a flood on his enemy or adjusting his techniques to fit into the mold of his opponent's weakness, Tanjiro is sure to embrace it.
4 Doesn't Make Sense: The Show Does Not Fully Explain Why The Opening Thread Works Like It Does
The opening thread refers to the moment that Tanjiro Kamado sees an opening in his enemies' defenses that he can use to defeat them. Much like the water breathing techniques add a mystical nature to the art of swordsmanship, the opening thread makes Tanjiro appear to have a magical perception of combat. From this magical perspective, Tanjiro simplifies combat by seeing through the complex layers that make up his enemies' offensive and defensive strategies.
This simplification makes the combat in Demon Slayer both realistic and entertaining, but without some sort of explanation, Tanjiro's ability to see combat like this makes little to no sense.
3 Does Make Sense: How His Actions Were Influenced By Nezuko Teaching Him Empathy for Demons
Viewers were surely questioning Tanjiro's patience toward Yushiro after he insulted his sister. Nezuko gives Tanjiro a reason to push forward. The memory of her humanity is enough to open Tanjiro's heart to a species at war with humanity.
Even after Yushiro insluted Nezuko, Tanjiro continues to respect him because Nezuko has taught him how to empathize with a demon. From this point forward, it will surely be difficult for Tanjiro to kill any demon that doesn't attack him first.
2 Doesn't Make Sense: His Waterfall Basin Breathing Technique Should Lead To More Injuries
The Water Breathing techniques that Tanjiro uses in combat look as if they enhance his blade with a source of flowing water, but the magic behind these abilities never seems to extend past visually stunning viewers. At no time does the water created by Tanjiro's blade leave a lasting effect on the battlefield. Even when he appears to be throwing waves of water at his opponents, the only lasting marks are those created by the nichirin blade itself.
The only water breathing technique that actually seems to use the force of water that it visually creates is the Waterfall Basin Technique. Without the force created by a waterfall, Tanjiro surely would have broken many more bones. The inconsistent nature of the animated water makes this breathing technique difficult to make sense of.
1 Does Make Sense: His Love For His Family Transcends The Barrier Between Human And Demon
One of the only things viewers learn about Tanjiro before Muzan Kibutsuji attacks his family is the fact that he loves his family. The boy looks over his siblings like a father and relates to them like a brother. The love he shares for his family is real and unwavering.
Tanjiro's trust of Nezuko may not make sense to other members of the Demon Slayer Corp. but it makes sense to viewers. The boy's love for his family transcends the barrier between human and demon. In fact, this bond may prove strong enough to knock this barrier down.