Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) is one of the most popular anime and manga series of recent times. It features intense action sequences, compelling character development, and a host of powerful demons and demon slayers. While many of the characters in the series are incredibly strong, there are some whose abilities and roles place them lower in the hierarchy. These characters, while not necessarily weak in the traditional sense, are considered less powerful when compared to others in the world of Demon Slayer. In this article, we will explore 10 characters from the Demon Slayer universe who are considered the weakest.
1. Nezuko Kamado (Pre-Transformation)
Nezuko Kamado, the younger sister of the protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, is one of the most beloved characters in the series. However, when Nezuko first transforms into a demon, she is not as powerful as the other demons or demon slayers. Her human form was far from weak, but it was her demonic transformation that added another layer of strength. Initially, Nezuko had limited demon abilities, and her strength was not as developed as other demons like Upper Moons or even Tanjiro’s allies.
Nezuko’s combat prowess was initially limited to her agility and the use of basic physical strength, with little skill in demon arts. While she displayed great potential, she was still far from being one of the strongest characters at the beginning of the series. Her progress throughout the story showcases her ability to grow, but in her initial form, she was relatively weak compared to some of the main characters.
2. Zenitsu Agatsuma (Without Thunder Breathing)
Zenitsu Agatsuma is one of Tanjiro’s companions and a fellow demon slayer. Zenitsu is portrayed as cowardly and often displays a lack of confidence in his abilities. When compared to other demon slayers, his physical strength and combat skills are not as refined, especially at the beginning of the series.
Zenitsu’s true potential only emerges when he is pushed to the brink of despair, but even then, his abilities are largely reliant on his Thunder Breathing techniques. In his normal state, Zenitsu is not particularly strong, and his reliance on his fear-induced strength makes him appear weak compared to others.
3. Kanao Tsuyuri (Before Mastery of Insect Breathing)
Kanao Tsuyuri is a skilled demon slayer and one of the highest-ranking members of the Demon Slayer Corps. However, her status as one of the weakest characters in the series comes from her backstory and her struggle with mastering her breathing techniques. Initially, Kanao is not as proficient in her breathing style as other higher-ranked slayers, which made her appear weaker at the beginning of her journey.
Her journey of self-discovery and emotional growth throughout the series allows her to become far stronger, and she proves herself to be a key ally in the fight against demons. But during the early parts of the series, she was far from the most powerful character.
4. Tamayo (Pre-Recovery from Blood Demon Art)
Tamayo is a demon who was once an esteemed doctor before being turned into a demon by Muzan Kibutsuji. Unlike many demons, she is not violent by nature and does not seek to harm others. However, her initial lack of combat abilities and strength made her appear relatively weak when compared to other demons.
Tamayo, though skilled in medical techniques and research, was initially unable to directly confront higher-ranking demons or demon slayers. Her weaknesses became apparent as she had limited offensive capabilities. Over time, as she conducted experiments and developed a way to reverse demon transformations, she became stronger, but her early appearances painted her as one of the weaker characters in the series.
5. Muichiro Tokito (Before Reaching Full Potential)
Muichiro Tokito is one of the Hashira (Pillars) in the Demon Slayer Corps, specifically the Mist Hashira. However, his strength wasn’t always evident. Muichiro had a difficult time finding his footing when he first joined the Corps. He was an extremely young Hashira and lacked experience, which meant he was weaker when compared to other, more seasoned demon slayers.
His emotional struggles and amnesia early on in the series made him seem less confident and weaker than his peers. However, as he overcame his trauma and learned to embrace his abilities, Muichiro displayed great power and grew to be one of the most powerful Hashira.
6. Inosuke Hashibira (Without Beast Breathing Mastery)
Inosuke Hashibira is another of Tanjiro’s companions. Known for his wild nature and his ability to fight using Beast Breathing techniques, Inosuke is one of the more aggressive demon slayers in the series. However, when compared to other demon slayers, Inosuke’s abilities were not initially as refined. He was raised by boars and lacked formal training in swordsmanship and breathing techniques, which made his skills less effective compared to others.
While Inosuke’s animalistic fighting style was powerful, his lack of control and mastery over his abilities meant that he often struggled against stronger opponents, particularly early in the series. Despite his growth as a fighter, he was initially one of the weaker demon slayers in terms of technique and control.
7. Rui (Lower Rank Demon)
Rui is one of the lower-rank demons in the series, and despite his initial presentation as a formidable opponent, he is one of the weakest demons in terms of pure power when compared to the Upper Moon demons. While Rui has a powerful Blood Demon Art that allows him to manipulate threads, his overall abilities pale in comparison to the higher-tier demons such as Akaza or Daki.
His personality and obsession with family ties contribute to his downfall, and his overconfidence in his abilities ultimately lead to his defeat by the combined efforts of the main demon slayers. Rui’s ranking as a Lower Rank demon is indicative of his relative weakness within the demon hierarchy.
8. Nezuko Kamado (Early Demon Slayer Form)
Before Nezuko developed her combat abilities, she was relatively weak compared to other demon slayers. As a newly transformed demon, she had to rely on her innate demon abilities and her bond with her brother Tanjiro to survive. In her early demon form, she lacked the refined combat techniques that others like Tanjiro or Zenitsu possessed, making her appear weaker.
Despite this, Nezuko’s resilience and her bond with her brother allowed her to develop her skills quickly. However, it’s clear that in her early demonized state, she was far from the strongest character in the series.
9. Kyogai (Former Lower Rank Demon)
Kyogai is another character who started as a Lower Rank demon. His Blood Demon Art allows him to manipulate drums, creating rooms that alter gravity and surroundings, but he was not as strong as many other demons. Kyogai’s lack of raw power and his obsession with perfection made him an easy target for more powerful demon slayers.
While his unique abilities and trickery posed a challenge for Tanjiro and others, his lack of physical strength and limited combat abilities made him one of the weaker demons. Ultimately, Kyogai’s defeat is a testament to his place within the lower echelons of the demon hierarchy.
10. Muzan Kibutsuji (Pre-Power Surge)
Muzan Kibutsuji is the main antagonist of the series and the original demon. However, like many of the other characters on this list, Muzan’s initial state was not as strong as he would later become. Early in the series, Muzan was still building his power, and his abilities were not fully refined.
While his status as the leader of the demons made him an extremely dangerous character, his first appearance in the series showed him to be far less formidable than his later form. After consuming more humans and gaining strength, Muzan eventually becomes the all-powerful demon he is known for, but his early appearances show that he too had weaknesses and vulnerabilities.
Conclusion
The Demon Slayer universe is filled with characters who exhibit incredible strength and power. However, not every character is a powerhouse from the start, and many have weaknesses or obstacles they must overcome to achieve their full potential. From Nezuko’s initial struggle as a demon to Zenitsu’s cowardice, these characters demonstrate that even the weakest can grow to become strong in the face of adversity. Their journeys highlight the themes of perseverance, growth, and the idea that strength can come in many forms.
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