Demons from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Twelve Kizuki, Upper and Lower Ranks)

The “Hashira Training Arc” TV anime is currently airing! Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba continues to captivate a global audience. The series features many beloved characters, including the demons, who are brought to life by an all-star voice cast. The Twelve Kizuki, consisting of Upper and Lower Ranks, are key antagonists in the series.

This article provides detailed information about the demons in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Learn about their Blood Demon Arts, unique traits, and abilities. Refresh your memory on the demons to enhance your enjoyment of the series and movies!

What are Demons?

Demons are beings that prey on innocent humans. However, they were once human themselves, transformed into demons by receiving blood from the powerful demon Muzan Kibutsuji. Demons possess extraordinary vitality and can regenerate from injuries, making them difficult to kill. Currently, there is no known method to revert a demon back to human, so they must be exterminated to prevent harm to humans.

Weaknesses of Demons

Demons have two main weaknesses. First, they can be killed by decapitation with a special blade. Members of the Demon Slayer Corps, like Tanjiro, wield these unique swords. Second, sunlight causes demons to disintegrate into dust, which is why they are only active at night.

Enhanced Demons

The more humans a demon consumes, the stronger they become. Muzan Kibutsuji, the progenitor of demons, can also bestow additional powers on demons who prove their loyalty and hunting prowess. These abilities, known as Blood Demon Arts, vary widely among demons and can make them formidable opponents for the Demon Slayer Corps.

Muzan Kibutsuji

Blood Demon Art: Black Blood, Thorn: Converts his blood into thorny whips to attack enemies.
Traits: Tall, well-dressed in high-quality Western clothing, can change his appearance and gender to blend into human society. He can transform humans into demons by injecting a small amount of his blood. Mentioning Muzan’s name can trigger a destructive reaction in demons under his control. He can also read the thoughts of demons within a certain range.

The Twelve Kizuki

The Twelve Kizuki are elite demons directly under Muzan’s command, divided into Upper and Lower Ranks, with six demons in each group. These demons occasionally gather at Muzan’s behest, often facing harsh demands and even death. Fans refer to these meetings as Muzan’s “power harassment conferences” due to their brutal nature. The Upper Ranks are significantly stronger than the Lower Ranks, with the Upper Ranks remaining unchanged for over a century. Muzan, frustrated with the weakness of the Lower Ranks, ultimately disbanded the group.

Upper Rank One: Kokushibo

Blood Demon Art: Unknown
Traits: Wears traditional samurai attire and has six eyes.

Upper Rank Two: Doma

Doma first appears in the “Entertainment District Arc” during Gyutaro’s backstory. At the time, he was Lower Rank Six and recruited Daki and Gyutaro into the demon ranks. In the “Swordsmith Village Arc,” it’s revealed that Doma has a contentious relationship with Akaza, another Upper Rank demon. Despite joining later, Doma quickly rose to a higher rank, inciting Akaza’s resentment.

Blood Demon Art: Lotus Ice: Freezes his blood into a mist and scatters it with a fan.
Traits: Dresses like a Chinese emperor and constantly smiles.

Upper Rank Three: Akaza

Akaza appears in the “Mugen Train Arc” and is a formidable opponent with immense regenerative abilities and a finely-tuned body, challenging Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku. Akaza despises weakness and seeks “eternal strength,” respecting powerful individuals regardless of their status as humans or demons. He even offers to turn strong humans like Rengoku into demons.

Blood Demon Art: Destructive Death – Compass Needle: A circular array that senses enemy intent. Destructive Death – Annihilation Type: A flurry of punches generating shockwaves. Destructive Death – Compulsory Type: A swift piercing attack.
Traits: Short hair, covered in geometric tattoos, capable of fighting bare-handed against even the strongest Demon Slayers.

Upper Rank Four: Hantengu

Hantengu appears in the “Swordsmith Village Arc.” He initially seems timid and cowardly, watching conflicts from a distance. However, when beheaded, he splits into younger, more powerful forms representing different emotions.

Blood Demon Art: Urogi: High-speed flight. Sekido: Controls lightning. Aizetsu: Skilled in martial arts. Karaku: Creates powerful gusts. Zohakuten: Absorbs other forms to create wooden dragons.
Traits: Appears as an elderly man with a Noh mask-like face, capable of transformation.

Hantengu’s Clones:
Urogi: Bird-like with wings and claws, attacks with sonic waves.

Sekido: Wields a staff, commands the other clones.

Aizetsu: Uses a spear, attacks with five-pronged strikes.

Karaku: Uses a large fan to generate wind attacks.

Zohakuten: Combines the powers of other clones and controls wooden dragons.

Upper Rank Five: Gyokko

Gyokko debuts in the “Swordsmith Village Arc,” emerging from a vase. He collaborates with Hantengu to locate the village. Gyokko hides within vases, devouring anyone who touches them.

Blood Demon Art: Water Prison Pot: Traps opponents in a water-filled vase. Thousand Needles Fish Kill: Summons poisoned fish. Octopus Pot Hell: Attacks with octopus tentacles. Ten Thousand Slippery Fish: Releases poisonous fish. Hand of the God: Transforms objects into fish. Fish Scale Formation: Covers himself in impenetrable scales.
Traits: Hides in vases, has multiple limbs resembling human arms.

Upper Rank Six: Daki and Gyutaro

Daki and Gyutaro appear in the “Entertainment District Arc,” residing in Yoshiwara. They share a deep sibling bond and must be beheaded simultaneously to be killed.

Daki:
Daki masquerades as the Oiran Warabihime in Yoshiwara, known for her beauty but has a vicious temper. She manipulates her obi (sash) to attack and bind opponents.
Blood Demon Art: Eight-Layered Obi Slash: Attacks with eight sash-like blades. Rampage Leaping: Defends with blood attacks.

Gyutaro:
Gyutaro hides within Daki’s body, emerging when called. He fights with poisoned blood scythes.
Blood Demon Art: Flying Blood Scythes: Creates razor-sharp blood blades. Circular Slashes: Envelops his arms in blood blades.
Traits: Hides within Daki’s body.

Lower Rank One: Enmu

Enmu appears in the “Mugen Train Arc.” Although Muzan disbanded the Lower Ranks, Enmu received additional power for his loyalty. He plans to kill Tanjiro by taking over the Mugen Train.

Blood Demon Art: Dream Manipulation: Controls victims’ dreams. Compulsory Sleep Hypnosis: Puts targets to sleep with his voice. Sleep Hypnosis: Hypnotizes those who meet his gaze.
Traits: Youthful appearance with square patterns under his eyes, has a mouth on his left hand. He enjoys showing people happy dreams before turning them into nightmares.

Lower Rank Two: Rokuro

Rokuro was the fourth to be killed by Muzan for pleading for more blood during the Lower Rank disbandment.

Lower Rank Three: Wakuraba

Wakuraba tried to flee Muzan but was killed during the Lower Rank disbandment.

Lower Rank Four: Mukago

Mukago was killed by Muzan for showing fear and attempting to flee during the Lower Rank disbandment.

Lower Rank Five: Rui

Rui appears in the “Natagumo Mountain Arc.” He created a “family” by transforming other demons and assigning them roles. Despite his harsh methods, he longed for familial bonds.

Blood Demon Art: Cage of Murderous Eyes: Creates a cage of slicing threads. Prison of Threads: Traps and slices targets with thread. Spinning Thread Wheel: Unleashes multiple spinning threads.
Traits: Pale-skinned boy with hair resembling spider legs.

Lower Rank Six: Kamanue

Kamanue was the first to be killed by Muzan for questioning the Lower Ranks’ strength during the disbandment.

Demons Encountered by Tanjiro

The following are some of the lower-ranking demons Tanjiro faced during his journey to become a Demon Slayer.

Temple Demon

Appears in Episode 2 of the “Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc.” Tanjiro’s first encounter with a demon. Despite being beheaded, the demon survives until sunrise.

Hand Demon

Appears in Episodes 4-5 during the Final Selection. The Hand Demon,

with multiple extending hands, holds a grudge against Tanjiro’s mentor, Sakonji Urokodaki, and has killed many of his students. Tanjiro defeats it with the Water Surface Slash technique.

Swamp Demon

Appears in Episodes 6-7. This demon kidnaps girls and drags them into a swamp. Tanjiro and Nezuko team up to defeat it.

Yanaba and Susamaru

Appear in Episodes 9-10. Yahaba controls arrows with eyes on his palms, while Susamaru attacks with temari balls. They invade Tamayo’s home under Muzan’s orders. Tanjiro defeats Yahaba with his Water Breathing techniques, while Tamayo’s magic reveals Muzan’s name, causing Susamaru to die.

Yahaba’s Blood Demon Art: Crimson Arrow: Controls movements with invisible arrows.
Traits: Eyes on palms, temari-wielding girl.

Former Lower Rank Six: Gyogai

Appears in Episodes 11-13. Kyogai, a former Lower Rank Six, hides in a house in the mountains. He uses drums embedded in his body to manipulate the rooms and attack with claws.

Blood Demon Art: Drum Sound Speed: Spins the room and unleashes claw attacks.
Traits: Drums embedded in his body.

Demons that Helped Tanjiro

Not all demons are hostile. Some, like Tamayo and Yushiro, assist Tanjiro and research ways to revert demons to humans.

Tamayo and Yushiro

Appear in the “Asakusa Arc.” Tamayo and Yushiro assist Tanjiro and Nezuko in their quest. Tamayo, transformed into a demon centuries ago, conducts research on demons and developed a method to survive on minimal blood. Yushiro, once terminally ill, was saved by Tamayo and now serves as her assistant.

Blood Demon Art: Visual Illusion: Creates beautiful illusions to deceive enemies.
Traits: Beautiful, with a devoted assistant who always prioritizes her.

Conclusion

This concludes the detailed information on the demons from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The hierarchy within the demon ranks reveals their complex relationship with Muzan Kibutsuji, who they fear and strive to please. As more demons are introduced in future anime seasons, fans can look forward to seeing new characters and their unique abilities.

One of the most intriguing demons in “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” is Akaza, Upper Moon Three. Akaza’s character is complex and multifaceted, blending a ruthless nature with a deep sense of honor. He despises weakness and relentlessly pursues strength, respecting powerful individuals regardless of whether they are demons or humans. His backstory, abilities, and the intense battles he engages in make him a standout character in the series.

Akaza’s Blood Demon Art, Destructive Death, showcases his martial prowess and enhances his physical attacks with destructive force. This, combined with his regenerative abilities, makes him a formidable opponent. His fight with Kyojuro Rengoku in the “Mugen Train” arc is particularly memorable, highlighting his combat skills and deep-seated beliefs about strength and survival.

Moreover, Akaza’s voice actor, Akira Ishida, brings a unique depth to the character, making him even more compelling. Ishida’s performance captures the character’s intensity and complexity, contributing to Akaza’s popularity among fans.

Enjoy the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie, which has been a hit in 45 countries, including the United States, France, Taiwan, and Australia. Pay special attention to the demons featured in the movie and series. Watch the anime airing on TV at home and immerse yourself in the world of Demon Slayer!