Summary
No anime during summer 2025 has generated more fanfare and hysteria thanDemon Slayer, the Tanjiro Komado-led anime, with its final arc kicking off in explosive action asDemon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle’s release has captured the hearts of fans not just in Japan but worldwide.
WhileInfinity Castleis set to dominate,Demon Slayerhas continued to flourish, particularly through the implementation of characters who, at first, appear as enemies or oppose protagonists such as Tanjiro. Throughout the exhilarating anime, many soon empathize with or learn to trust Tanjiro and his eclectic group of friends, transforming from enemies to valuable allies in the war against demons.
1Obanai Iguro
Malicious Hashira That Begins To See Tanjiro’s Potential
One of the few Hashira to distrust Tanjiro and his sister, Nezuko, was Obanai Iguro, the Serpent Hashira. Initially harsh and keen to inflict pain on a befuzzled Tanjiro, Obanai makes it hard for the protagonist to breathe while restraining him as Tanjiro fights to save his sister. After the Swordsmith Village Arc, Tanjiro and Obanai’s romantic interest, Mitsuri Kanroji, develops a friendship, prompting Obanai to show subtle jealousy toward the ever-positive Tanjiro.
It’s onlyafter Obanai’s challenging Hashira trainingand Tanjiro’s development as a swordsman that Obanai slowly comes to accept the protagonist, despite his connection to Kanroji. When Muzan is caught in an explosion that kills the head of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, both Obanai and Tanjiro jump in together alongside the other Hashira, willing to throw down to take out the mighty Muzan.
2Tamayo
Demon Under The Control Of Muzan Breaks Free To Aid Tanjiro
Before becoming a kind and caring demon intent on helping Tanjiro and Nezuko’s cause, Tamayo was formerly a demon under the control of Muzan, the king of demons. After centuries of being a pawn of Muzan, Tamayo frees herself, regaining free will, a trait very few demons ever come close to grasping. In retribution for Muzan’s killing of her family, Tamayo devotes her life to trying to rid the world of Muzan, teaming up with Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the Demon Slayer Corps to take him down.
Accompanied by her assistant, Yushiro,Tamayo dedicates her life todestroying the villain, with Tamayo playing a key role in the fight against Muzan when the menacing antagonist emerges from the shadows to murder Ubuyashiki, planting drugs that stall Muzan’s ability to regenerate.
3Sanai Shinazugawa
Hashira Full Of Hatred Who Taunts Nezuko And Tanjiro
One of the eightHashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, first introducedtoward the end of Season 1, emerges as a cruel and vindictive swordsman, intent on pushing the buttons of Tanjiro as he pokes and prods around his demon sister, Nezuko. Sanemi’s taunting of Nezuko to bite him makes him an immediate enemy of Tanjiro, with his behavior slowly becoming more manageable over time.
After Tanjiro and Nezuko’s ascent through the ranks, Sanemi still harbors great hostility toward Tanjiro. The protagonist’s involvement in the problematic relationship between Sanemi and his younger brother, Genya Shinazugawa, leads Tanjiro to stand up against the Hashira, resulting in a confrontation between Tanjiro and Sanemi. However, despite the tension between the pair in the Hashira Training Arc, Sanemi puts aside his differences with Tanjiro when Muzan reveals himself, joining forces to fight their common enemy.
4Genya Shinazugawa
Hardened Brother Of Hashira Learns To Trust Tanjiro
Genya, the younger brother of Wind Hashira Sanemi, arrives in the anime as a hostile demon slayer during the Final Selection, where he attempts to assault one of Ubuyashiki’s daughters, causing Tanjiro to step in, grabbing Genya’s arm in the process. From then on, Genya has shown considerable disdain for Tanjiro and his friends, acting moody and isolated, with his traumatic backstory contributing to his nasty streak.
As brother to Sanemi, the Hashira’s vicious attitude influences his younger brother, not until Tanjiro, during the Swordsmith Village Arc, manages to break through to Genya, joining forces against the Upper Rank demons in their midst.Tanjiro’s encouragement and Nezuko’s supportin battle soon allow Genya to grow, becoming more cordial and friendly with Tanjiro, with Genya returning the favor by advising the protagonist when Tanjiro attempts to move a boulder in the Hashira Training Arc.
5Nezuko
Demon Sister Of Tanjiro Soon Becomes A Source Of Hope For The Demon Slayers
InDemon Slayer’s very first episode, Nezuko, the younger sibling of Tanjiro, is the victim of a bloody attack that kills the majority of her family. As a result, the assault renders her a demon, with the once sweet and innocent girl leaping to devour her stunned brother on his return to their family home. Nezuko’s assault soon comes to a halt, eager to protect her brother against Hashira Giyu Tomioka, marking a turning point that would set the stage forDemon Slayer.
From that point on, Nezuko fights side by side alongside her brother as Tanjiro climbs the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps, opting not to attack any humans in her demonic state. Nezuko’s restraint and total commitment to her brother, despite the criticism surrounding her existence in the Demon Slayer Corps, only serve to illustrate the unbreakable familial bond the duo shares,with the powerful siblings beingat the heart of Muzan’s plans. Even some of the Hashira, initially suspicious of her, come to see Nezuko as an ally.
6Inosuke
Mountain Boy Whose Brutish Attitude Soon Wanes After Spending More Time With Tanjiro
Demon Slayerfan favorite Inosuke, a boy born and bred in the wilderness, first comes into contact with Tanjiro and Zenitsuin the Tsuzumi Mansion Arc, emerging as a significant nuisance and headache. Intent on accessing the box containing Nezuko, keen on ridding the demon, Tanjiro engages in a brawl with the boar-head-wearing demon slayer, where the pair duke it out. After Inosuke gets knocked out, Inosuke soon starts to become acquainted with Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Zenitsu, with his brash demeanor soon becoming more friendly as he journeys with his newfound friends, engaging in emotional and grueling battles, where Tanjiro’s warm nature impacts Inosuke positively.
While Inosuke always maintains his unrelenting behavior, Inosuke joins Tanjiro and Zenitsu as an integral trio, bound by experiences, comedic outbursts, and hardships that only endear Inosuke more to audiences as he fights alongside the protagonist.
