Tanjiro Kamado

Overview

Tanjiro Kamado (竈門炭治郎, Kamado Tanjirō) is a principal protagonist of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He serves in the Demon Slayer Corps, driven by a steadfast goal: to find a cure for his younger sister, Nezuko Kamado, restoring her to humanity, and to eliminate the demons responsible for his family’s tragedy. Ultimately, he vows to defeat the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji, so that no one else has to endure the same grief he carries.

Ideology About Demons

Tanjiro’s creed balances unwavering resolve with deep compassion. He will cut down demons without hesitation to protect the living and honor the dead. At the same time, he refuses to mock or dismiss demons who show genuine remorse, recognizing that demons were once human and that their suffering and regrets are real. This duality—mercy for the penitent and steel for the ruthless—defines his moral compass.

Background

Before joining the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro lived a humble life as a coal burner. His world was shattered when Muzan Kibutsuji slaughtered his family, leaving Nezuko transformed into a demon. From that moment, Tanjiro’s path became one of disciplined training, protective love for his sister, and an unyielding determination to end Muzan’s reign of terror.

Though grief fuels his resolve, Tanjiro chooses empathy over bitterness. He channels his anger into purpose, turning personal loss into a mission to protect others and seek a cure that can restore what demons have taken.

Physical Traits

Tanjiro is a young man of average height with a well-toned, athletic build and fairly tanned skin. His hair is ruffled black with red tips (depicted as fully burgundy in the anime), usually combed back to expose his forehead. He has wide, dark red eyes with white pupils that lighten toward the lower section of his irises. A defining feature is the scar on the top left of his forehead, first seen when his mother brought him to watch his father perform the Hinokami Kagura dance. Initially a pink, patch-like burn scar from saving a sibling from boiling water, it later transformed into a jagged, flame-shaped mark during his battle with the Hand Demon in the Final Selection. This scar eventually evolved into his Demon Slayer Mark. His hands are also notably rough, a testament to his rigorous training under Sakonji Urokodaki. Tanjiro strongly resembles his ancestor Sumiyoshi Kamado, sharing similar facial features, eyes, and hairstyle, though Sumiyoshi’s hair was longer and tied into a ponytail.

Early Clothing

Tanjiro’s initial appearance features a black-and-biscay-green checkered haori worn over a white robe and black pants. At times, he adds a turquoise scarf and white circular bands around his calves. He also wears a distinct pair of hanafuda earrings, bearing the image of the rising sun over a mountain. His hair is tied back in a small ponytail or bun; during his training with Sabito and Makomo, it grows to shoulder length.

During the Final Selection, he dons a blue cloud-patterned samue-style kimono with black pants, mirroring Sakonji Urokodaki’s attire. Alongside his earrings, he also wears a hand-carved fox mask crafted by Sakonji, featuring red accents on the eyes, ears, and mouth corners. The mask bears a sun-shaped design in the upper right corner, symbolizing the scar on his forehead.

Demon Slayer Uniform

After joining the Demon Slayer Corps, Tanjiro adopts the standard uniform reminiscent of Taishō-era Japanese military wear. In the manga, the uniform is black, while in the anime it has a reddish-black tint. The outfit includes a button-up jacket with a stand-up collar, silver buttons, and a pocket on the left breast. The kanji for “Destroy” (滅, Metsu) is engraved on the back of the collar. Beneath the jacket, he wears a white long-sleeved undershirt. His pants are tattsuke-hakama, fastened with a white belt and strapped at the calves with white kyahan, paired with dark tabi socks and zōri sandals with red straps. Over this, he continues wearing his signature checkered haori. A large wooden box, gifted by Urokodaki, rests on his back, carrying Nezuko during the daytime.

Throughout his battles, Tanjiro accumulates numerous scars, including a long one across his left shoulder from Upper Rank Six Daki’s obi and smaller injuries from Urogi, a manifestation of Upper Rank Four Hantengu’s joy.

Battle Injuries and Demon Transformation

During his second confrontation with Muzan Kibutsuji in the Infinity Castle, Tanjiro sustains a serious injury to his right eye, which becomes deformed by Muzan’s poison. Later in the same battle, his left arm is severed. After being forcibly transformed into a demon by Muzan, Tanjiro regenerates his lost arm and other injuries, and the growth over his eye heals. His appearance shifts dramatically: slit pupils, fangs, and flame-shaped markings spread across his forehead, jaw, and temple, resembling those of Kokushibo. His original scar evolves into a flame-patterned Demon Slayer Mark, larger and more prominent. He continues to wear his bloodstained Corps uniform, though one sleeve is missing, and he no longer carries his checkered haori or Nichirin Sword.

Return to Humanity

Once restored to human form, Tanjiro is left with permanent disabilities. His right eye loses its sight, turning dull pink-gray with a black pupil. His regenerated left arm deteriorates into a skeletal, wrinkled state resembling that of an elderly person’s limb. Below the elbow, he loses all sensation, retaining only limited mobility in the forearm and hand.