The following contains spoilers from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga.
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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibais set in a world that is riddled with violence. Muzan Kibutsuji’s selfish pursuit of immortality leads to untold human suffering over the centuries. Yoriichi Tsugikuni is the only man in history who has gone toe-to-toe with the Demon King and almost managed to put an end to his reign of terror.
The mysterious demon slayer is regarded as the greatest swordsman to have ever lived, as he was so skillful that even the strongest demons struggled to land a single blow on him. One would assume that someone of his stature was probably invincible, especially after knowingwhat he did to Muzan. But despite being so gifted, Yoriichi was still not undefeatable. There was one special character who even Muzan believed had the capability to surpass him.
This article is speculative in nature and therefore makes a few assumptions. Tanjiro, the King of Demons, was barely alive for a few minutes, and even in those moments, his human soul was fighting to take control back. The comparison made below tries to address the comparison from Muzan’s perspective, who chose Tanjiro as his successor for a specific reason. So, it has been assumed that the King of Demons overcame his human soul and fully transformed into a demon.
What Makes Yoriichi So Special
The Mysterious Demon Slayer Who Almost Killed Muzan Alone
Yoriichi Tsugikuni was born in the Sengoku erawith a unique birthmark on the left side of his forehead. At the time, no one thought anything of it, but his unique talent couldn’t be hidden for long. Right from his birth, Yoriichi had the Demon Slayer Mark and an innate talent for swordsmanship. He was also physically stronger than people his age.
What is the value of a life to you? ~ Yoriichi Tsugikuni to Muzan Kibutsuji
Yoriichi was so gifted that he easily defeated adult swordsmanship instructors at a very young age, that too without any formal training. He only got stronger as he got older and eventually joinedthe Demon Slayer Corps. It was Yoriichi who also invented the Sun Breathing, which ended up becoming the blueprint for developing other swordsmanship styles.
Despite his godlike powers,Yoriichi was always generousand never looked down on anyone. He ushered in the Golden Age of Demon Slayers by helping other demon slayers get the mark. If it wasn’t for Yoriichi’s contributions, even the modern demon slayers would have stood no chance against Muzan and his underlings.
The Character Who Can Challenge Yoriichi
When Faced With Death, Muzan Turned Tanjiro Into a Demon
Muzan Kibutsuji always sought immortality and spent most of his life in pursuit of any means that would allow him to conquer the sun. Unfortunately for him, his dream never became a reality.In the Sunrise Countdown arc, the Demon Slayer Corps defeated the Demon King.
On the verge of death, Muzan rememberedKagaya’s prophetic words that all living creatures will meet death, without exception. He remembered how Ubuyashiki had also claimed that only feelings are eternal. With death fast approaching, Kibutsuji agreed that Kagaya had been right all this time. But Ubuyashiki’s words gave him a sinister idea.
Before he passed away, Muzan pumped all his powers and blood into Tanjiro, whose heart and breath had stopped, but some cells were still alive. Kibutsuji also passed his indestructible and eternal feelings onto Kamado, perhaps hoping that he would be the one to fulfill his dreams.
The Demon King firmly believedthat Tanjiro would be able to conquer the sun because he was Nezuko’s brother, becoming the King of Demons. He knew that Kamado used the same breathing style as Yoriichi Tsugikuni. This meant that no demon slayer would be able to match his powers. As Muzan’s body slowly disintegrated, Tanjiro started coming back to his senses, but Kibutsuji’s last trick had worked, and he was no longer a human being.
Demon King Tanjiro: The Invincible Evil Incarnate
Evil Tanjiro, With Muzan’s Powers, Would Have Been Unstoppable
King of Demons Tanjiro Kamado was unlike any other being. While he could use a breathing style like Kokushibo, he also had no fear of the sun. Muzan passed down his powers to him with the belief that Tanjiro would not only get used to them but also surpass him as a demon. There has never been a time in human history that a demon had conquered the sun,mastered the Sun Breathing, and had all the powers of Muzan as well. This meant that the King of Demons was almost an invincible entity. But could he have defeated Yoriichi?
Tanjiro Kamado… You will conquer the sunlight and become the strongest demon- the king of demons! That is because you are the elder brother of Nezuko Kamado and thus share her blood. You will not die. I believe that. Make my dream come true… Tanjiro. In my place… you must destroy… the Demon Slayer Corps! ~ Muzan Kibutsuji
Yoriichi as a swordsman was almost impossible to defeat. But when facing someone like the King of Demons Tanjiro Kamado, swordsmanship alone would not have been enough to guarantee victory. The almost instantaneous healing ability, combined with the talent to use Sun Breathing, means that Yoriichi would have either had to defeat him early in the battle or fight a battle of endurance in which he was guaranteed to lose.
Defeating Tanjiro’s demon form early in the battle is easier said than done. As talented as Yoriichi is, the odds of his victory would be slim to none. King of Demons Tanjiro Kamado would have undoubtedly been the strongest being in the Demon Slayer universe had his friends not brought him back to his senses andsaved him from his demonification.
