Ever since Demon Slayer episode 19, the popular shounen has won over a legion of passionate fans worldwide. There are many factors that have contributed to the shounen series' success. Of course, one obvious factor would be the jaw-dropping gorgeous animation by Ufotable, who has become widely acclaimed for their work on Fate/Zero, Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works and The Garden of Sinners. However, what really won fans over is the strong bond between the two protagonists: Tanjiro & Nezuko.
The two have grown to become the most beloved siblings in anime since Edward & Alphonse Elric and Gohan & Goten. They both possess their own strengths and weaknesses. But they work in tandem to compensate for their shortcomings.
10 Tanjiro: Walkout in the Sunlight
If there's one obvious thing Tanjiro can do but Nezuko can't, it's walking out in the sun. As a demon, if Nezuko were to take one step out under the sun, she would get burnt to a crisp. Tanjiro now carries his little sister in a wooden box, made by his master, while they travel during the day.
It's quite inconvenient for Nezuko now that she can't see the sun without the fear of burning to death. After 14 years of living as a human, she'll need to become accustomed to her new situation.
9 Nezuko: Regenerate
While Nezuko, unfortunately, can't go on a daytime walk with her brother, she compensates for it with her ability to regenerate. Her powerful demon physiology will repair any injury she sustains. Depending on the severity of the wound, the effects can be either instantaneous or require additional time, effort, or even medication.
This ability has proven very useful whenever Nezuko needs to recover from a grueling battle. Furthermore, Tanjiro won't have to worry about bringing Nezuko to Lady Tamayo or a hospital. As long as the wound isn't too deep, Nezuko can literally sleep it off then continue to fight another day.
8 Tanjiro: Enhanced Smelling
The three main male characters all have their own enhanced senses. For Zenitus it's his hearing, for Inosuke it's touch, and for Tanjiro it's smelling. Seriously, why need a bloodhound when you've got Tanjiro? Ever since he was born, Tanjiro has been gifted with a sense of smell that surpasses any other human.
Tanjiro utilizes this special ability to his advantage by tracking down demons and reading their movement patterns, giving him an edge against his inhuman opponents. Tanjiro's sense of smell was improved even further after pushing himself in his demon slayer training.
7 Nezuko: Kick a demon's head off
Ok, to be frank, this part was epic and hilarious at the same time. In all seriousness though, this part actually has more significance than you'd think. Sometime after their encounter with water Hashira, Giyu, Tanjiro & Nezuko find a demon enjoying a meal in a temple. The demon attacks Tanjiro, eager to sink its fangs into its next victim.
Luckily Nezuko comes to her brother's rescue and kicks the demon's head clean off. This one kick is a great example of how strong Nezuko has become since her demonization. If Nezuko can kick a demon's head like a soccer ball, then it's interesting to know what other physical feats she can perform.
6 Tanjiro: Swordfighting
When Nezuko isn't kicking demon's heads off, Tanjiro is slicing them off with his sick sword skills! To protect himself and his sister, Tanjiro underwent rigorous sword training under the tutelage of retired Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki.
The training was intense, yet Tanjiro pushed forward and emerged stronger than ever. This 15-year-old was strong enough to slice a gigantic boulder in half! In hindsight, if Tanjiro is going to be decapitating flesh-eating demons, he'll need to develop his arm strength as much as possible. Tanjiro has shown to be a true prodigy at the art of swordsmanship.
5 Nezuko: Change Size
Nezuko's size manipulation ability isn't just used to inspire a myriad of hilarious memes. In order to carry Nezuko around, Tanjiro suggests his sister shrink down so that she can fit inside the wooden box. Of course, let's all remember the time Nezuko cleverly shrank herself to evade Kanao's sword slashes. It was undoubtedly one of the funniest moments in the entire show.
Apart from shrinking, Nezuko can also grow herself larger than a human. This enlarged state, in turn, increases her physical strength, giving Nezuko an advantage in combat scenarios.
4 Tanjiro: Water Breathing
Swordfighting wasn't the only combat technique Urokodaki taught Tanjiro. The former Hashira passed on his knowledge of the Water Breathing style to the young man. The Water Breathing style's arsenal includes over ten forms each with its own unique attack characteristic. Providing Tanjiro a myriad of options to slay his demonic foes.
Not only is this style efficient in demon-slaying, but it's also just beautiful to gaze upon. This was made possible thanks to the amazing artists at Ufotable. Now fans of the series can finally know what it feels like to slay demons in the upcoming video game.
3 Nezuko: Blood Demon Art- Exploding Blood
Sure, having a sister as a demon has it's (many) downsides. But there is (actually) an upside. For example, having the ability to convert her own blood into flames! During the Natagumo Mountain Arc Nezuko and Tanjiro face their most dangerous foe yet, the Lower Moon Five Rui. Not wanting to lose her brother, Nezuko activates her Blood Demon Art: Exploding Blood.
The technique enables Nezuko to transform her blood into flames, and then she can empower weapons with said flames. Imagine if Nezuko merged her Exploding Art with Tanjiro's Hinokami Kagura? It would be epic.
2 Tanjiro: Hinokami Kagura
Here it is, the one scene that propelled Demon Slayer to worldwide recognition. Hinokami Kagura, a.k.a Dance of the Fire God is a special breathing style exclusive to Tanjiro's family. One that's been passed down generation to generation. Tanjiro's father taught it to him before passing away. Now, to save his sister from Rui, Tanjiro calls upon the strength of his family before him to stop this foe.
Hinokami Kagura transforms Tanjiro's water-breathing style into a raging fiery attack. So far, the anime has only shown one attack. There are over several other attacks Tanjiro knows in the manga. So it'll be exciting to see the other attacks in action once season 2 arrives.
1 Nezuko: Hulk-out (Demon style)
Don't make Nezuko angry. You wouldn't like her when she's angry. Later on in the series, Nezuko unlocks a new form. One that enhances her physical attributes. When she's in this 'berserker form,' Nezuko becomes so angry that angry anime veins appear on her arms, legs, and head. Let's not forget that horn and vine tattoos.
This form does have it's drawbacks as the longer she stays in this form, the more Nezuko will crave human flesh. Tanjiro is the only one to snap Nezuko out of this state by singing a lullaby.