What Rank Does Tanjiro End At in Demon Slayer?
Tanjiro Kamado’s journey in Demon Slayer is one of immense growth, unwavering determination, and remarkable feats. He starts as a novice, driven by the desire to avenge his family and cure his sister, Nezuko. Throughout the series, he faces countless trials, consistently improving his strength and skills. This leads to the question: where does his journey take him in terms of the Demon Slayer Corps ranking system?
The answer is complex. Tanjiro does not ultimately reach the highest formal rank of Kinoe, the prerequisite for becoming a Hashira. While his strength and abilities far surpass many Hashira, and he even reaches a level comparable to Demon King Muzan after a significant transformation, he does not formally ascend through the official rank system to Kinoe, as confirmed by material outside of the main manga such as Rengoku Gaiden. His true power and influence, however, extend far beyond the limitations of those ranks.
The Demon Slayer Corps Ranking System
The Demon Slayer Corps utilizes a straightforward ranking system to categorize its members based on their experience and combat prowess. The ranks, in ascending order, are:
- Mizunoto
- Mizunoe
- Kanoto
- Kanoe
- Tsuchinoto
- Tsuchinoe
- Hinoto
- Hinoe
- Kinoto
- Kinoe
Mizunoto is the lowest rank, reserved for new recruits, while Kinoe represents the highest attainable rank, with slayers at this level often considered for the Hashira position. These ranks dictate a slayer’s earnings, the difficulty of their assignments, and their potential partnerships.
Tanjiro’s Progression
Tanjiro, along with his companions Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira, begins at the lowest rank, Mizunoto. Through their experiences on Mount Nagumo and other encounters, they quickly demonstrate remarkable progress, eventually reaching the rank of Kanoe. This significant leap underscores their rapid development.
While Tanjiro never becomes a Hashira in the traditional sense, the text does state he becomes a Hashira-level demon slayer, meaning his power is at least equivalent to or surpassing that of a Hashira. This implies his skills surpass even the highest formal rank that’s available to him.
The Unconventional Path of Tanjiro
Tanjiro’s journey deviates from the standard path of the Demon Slayer Corps. He learns the lost art of Sun Breathing, unlocking immense power and potential. This unique path makes his progression less about rank and more about mastering his abilities and facing the most dangerous threats.
Towards the end of the manga, Tanjiro is mortally wounded during his final battle with Muzan Kibutsuji. In a last-ditch effort, Muzan transforms Tanjiro into a demon. At this point, Tanjiro achieves a state comparable to that of Muzan, meaning he achieves the peak of power. Ultimately, with the help of his friends, he overcomes the demonic influence and defeats Muzan. He transcends the limitations of the formal rank system by achieving a level that surpasses even the most powerful demons, and then returns to being a slayer after his demonic state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the highest rank in the Demon Slayer Corps?
The highest rank in the Demon Slayer Corps is Kinoe. This rank is reserved for the most skilled and experienced slayers, often those considered for the position of Hashira.
2. Did Tanjiro surpass the Hashira?
Yes, Tanjiro’s strength and abilities far surpassed many Hashira. Although he wasn’t officially promoted to the Hashira rank or Kinoe, he reached a level of power considered to be Hashira-level. His mastery of Sun Breathing and his confrontation with Muzan proved his strength.
3. Is Tanjiro the strongest Demon Slayer?
Yes. By the end of the manga, Tanjiro is considered the strongest Demon Slayer still alive. While he is not the only powerful character, he’s arguably the strongest based on his final battle, his mastery of Sun Breathing, and his time as a demon.
4. Can Tanjiro surpass Yoriichi?
No, there’s no indication that Tanjiro ever surpasses Yoriichi Tsugikuni in power. Yoriichi is considered the strongest Demon Slayer of all time, and his abilities are unmatched. Tanjiro’s feats and power are incredibly impressive, but do not reach the heights of Yoriichi’s.
5. Who is the second strongest Hashira?
The second strongest Hashira is Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira. The strongest is Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira.
6. How old is Tanjiro when he potentially dies?
There are hints that Tanjiro might have died around 25 years of age, due to the potential long-term effects of his time as a demon. However, it’s also possible that he lived longer. The manga does not directly confirm his death at 25.
7. Is Tanjiro tone-deaf?
Yes, Tanjiro is considered tone-deaf. He struggles with singing and identifying tones. While it’s not a hinderance to his demon-slaying ability, it is an interesting character quirk.
8. Does Tanjiro become a demon?
Yes, Tanjiro becomes a demon towards the end of the manga, during his battle with Muzan. However, he overcomes the demonic influence and returns to being a slayer. His demon form also briefly makes him as powerful as Muzan, before he returns to being human.
9. Is Tanjiro’s dad Upper Rank 1?
No, Tanjiro’s father, Tanjuro Kamado, is not Upper Rank 1. He was a regular human and did not become a demon. Upper Rank 1 is Kokushibo, who was a former Demon Slayer.
10. Can Tanjiro beat Upper Rank 1?
At the time that he achieves Kanoe rank, Tanjiro would not have stood a chance against Upper Rank 1. As his skills improve throughout the rest of the manga, his power becomes more comparable to Kokushibo.
11. Will Tanjiro become a Hashira?
Tanjiro does not become a Hashira. Although he is clearly capable, the requirements for becoming a Hashira are a combination of power and official rank, with the rank of Kinoe being a necessary prerequisite.
12. Is Genya a demon?
No, Genya Shinazugawa is not a demon, but he possesses a unique ability to temporarily gain demonic traits by consuming parts of a demon. He gains increased power, and his body is transformed during this process.
13. Who is Upper Rank 1 in Demon Slayer?
Upper Rank 1 is Kokushibo, a powerful demon who was once a Demon Slayer and brother of Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
14. Why did Tanjiro go blind in one eye?
Tanjiro’s right eye is injured by Muzan during their second encounter in the Infinity Castle. The wound becomes infected with a poison that causes his sight to worsen and he is temporarily blind.
15. Who did Tanjiro marry?
Tanjiro married his fellow slayer Kanao Tsuyuri. They also have descendants.
Conclusion
While Tanjiro Kamado’s formal rank ends at Kanoe, his journey and power go beyond this limited framework. He becomes a Hashira-level demon slayer, learns Sun Breathing, and confronts the ultimate evil, Muzan. His actions solidify him as the strongest Demon Slayer by the end of the story, a testament to his unwavering spirit and incredible growth throughout the series. The formal ranking system ultimately becomes insufficient for categorizing his achievements, as he transcends its limitations.