Demon Slayer Completely Wasted Its Most Interesting Gimmick

Upon the debut of “Demon Slayer” anime in 2019, viewers were swiftly captivated by Tanjiro’s mission to rescue his sister Nezuko and halt Muzan Kibutsuji’s demonic carnage. The initial season presented viewers with the realm shared by demons, Hashiras, and junior members of the Demon Slayer Corps such as Inosuke and Zenitsu. In the process of preparing for corps membership, Tanjiro not only honed formidable physical prowess and endurance but also mastered some mystical sword-fighting skills. However, there’s a hitch: these abilities turn out to be ineffective.

The animated film titled “Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle,” a continuation of Demon Slayer, is arriving in US cinemas this September. This installment promises some of the most intense battles fans have encountered thus far. The Hashiras have penetrated the Infinity Castle and engage Muzan head-on. To vanquish Muzan and the higher-ranking demons, they’ll rely heavily on their resources. However, it seems the breathing techniques might be best kept aside for now.

Demon Slayer’s Magic System Is Completely Unnecessary

In Season 1, Tanjiro honed his skills under the retired Water Hashira, Sakonji Urokodaki, in anticipation of the Final Selection. Not only did he master the technique to cleave a rock in two, but he also grasped the fundamental Water Breathing techniques. Regrettably, these skills seem as effective as a Magikarp using Splash.

As an observer, I’ve noticed that each member of the Demon Slayer Corps employs unique breathing techniques during combat. For instance, Inosuke relies on Beast Breathing, Zenitsu utilizes Thunder Breathing, while Genya opted out and instead wields a double-barreled shotgun. Now, I find myself curious about the distinction between Water Breathing Form 2 and Beast Breathing Form 5 for you, dear reader. The main difference seems to be a slight variation in the animation, but that’s essentially it.

In many fantasy tales, two main types of magical structures are commonly employed. The first, known as hard magic systems, have well-structured guidelines and limitations that authors or directors must adhere to creatively (as demonstrated in ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’). Conversely, soft magic systems feature less detailed explanations, allowing the magic to be more flexible and serve whatever narrative purposes the author/director requires (like in ‘The Lord of the Rings’). Demon Slayer incorporates elements that align with the soft-magic system, such as Total Concentration Breathing and Zenitsu’s First Form: Thunderclap. However, most of the breathing techniques in Demon Slayer don’t fit neatly into either category; they serve more for dramatic effect than adherence to strict rules.

In simpler terms, throughout the Demon Slayer series, Tanjiro has demonstrated various breathing styles and skills. However, even dedicated fans might struggle to explain the distinctions between them because these breathing styles aren’t integrated into the show’s world-building – they are primarily used to enhance the action sequences. Consequently, a potentially fascinating element of the storyline has not been fully utilized, which is unfortunate.

Fixing Demon Slayer’s Breathing Forms

What’s really annoying about the repeated breathing techniques in Demon Slayer is how simple it could be to improve them. These different breathing methods are designed after various natural elements, yet some of them seem less common than others. However, the specific breathing method doesn’t provide any distinct advantages or disadvantages when facing demons or even fellow Demon Slayers.

In simpler terms, introducing a magic system similar to Rock-Paper-Scissors, where Water Breathing overpowers Fire Breathing, could greatly enhance the world-building and create intriguing action sequences in Demon Slayer. This concept, in essence, is reminiscent of Pokémon’s complex magic system, which incorporates various types of creatures, including Ghosts. If Demon Slayer were to adopt this approach, it would have a solid foundation to follow. Furthermore, incorporating an adaptation of Fire Emblem’s weapon triangle could add another layer of strategy to the combat scenes.

Additionally, consider this variation: The breathing techniques exhibit a diverse range of methods. However, except for unusual maneuvers such as Zenitsu’s Thunderclap, it’s hard to distinguish one from another. A more engaging and intriguing depiction could be achieved by making the First Form a beginner-friendly weak technique and Fifth Form a high-level master technique, mirroring the magic system in Mashle.

Instead of relying on a well-defined magical system to enhance the suspense and intrigue, the series overly focuses on intense fight scenes featuring humans versus demons, leaving an unutilized potential for a more enriching narrative.

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2025-08-31 15:41