Demon Slayer Dub Ruined One Key Moment & It Took 5 Years to Resolve It

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Koyoharu Gotouge’s popular manga, *Demon Slayer*, was adapted into an anime in 2019 and quickly became a huge success thanks to the stunning animation by Ufotable. The first episode introduces the story’s setup, focusing on the tragic events that befell the Kamado family and the unfortunate situation of Nezuko. Just when Tanjiro was losing hope, he encountered Giyu Tomioka, who surprisingly chose to help him and his sister instead of harming Nezuko. Giyu played a crucial role in setting Tanjiro on the path to becoming a Demon Slayer, making him an incredibly important character in the series.

Later in the first season, it’s revealed that Giyu broke the rules of the Demon Slayer Corps, doing something no other slayer – and certainly not a Hashira – would ever do. This shows us more about his character. While he believed the siblings were unique, he also had another reason for his actions. The original Japanese version with subtitles showed his intentions back in episode two, but the English dub altered this important scene. Because of this change, viewers who watched the dub didn’t learn Giyu’s true goal until the Hashira Training Arc, which came out in 2024 – five years after the anime first aired.

Giyu Wanted Tanjiro to Succeed Urokodaki Since the Second Episode

Giyu sent a letter to Tanjiro’s teacher, Sakonji Urokodaki, after sending Tanjiro to train with him. He explained he had a strong feeling Tanjiro and Nezuko were special, and he suspected Urokodaki sensed it too. The original Japanese version of the conversation shows Giyu believing Tanjiro has the potential to become Urokodaki’s successor. However, the English dub simplifies this, with Giyu only saying Tanjiro will be able to overcome challenges, which is much less specific.

Giyu likely recognized Tanjiro’s strength and bravery when he fearlessly confronted him, even without a weapon. He also noticed the unusually keen sense of smell shared by Tanjiro and his teacher, Urokodaki. Considering all of this, Giyu believed Tanjiro had the potential to become a Water Hashira. It’s important to remember that the title ‘Hashira’ wasn’t explained until later in the first season, and Giyu was already one of these powerful demon slayers.

Originally, it was mentioned that Tanjiro had the potential to become Urokodaki’s successor, but this detail was cut from the English dub. The story didn’t revisit this idea for a long time, until the Hashira Training Arc, when Giyu explained that Tanjiro was meant to become the Water Hashira. Interestingly, Giyu pointed out the current lack of a Water Hashira, even though he himself held the title. He had placed all his faith in Tanjiro taking over from Urokodaki, which is why he reacted with frustration and anger when Tanjiro didn’t immediately meet his expectations.

Giyu Was Already a Worthy Water Hashira, But He Realized It Much Later

Although Giyu appeared early in the series, he remained an enigma until the Hashira Training Arc. That’s when we finally learn his full story, including the tragic events of his past and the heavy guilt he’s carried for years. Becoming a Hashira was a struggle, but he persevered despite everything. Giyu always felt unworthy of being in the Demon Slayer Corps, believing he didn’t deserve his place because he failed the Final Selection and was rescued by Sabito.

Becoming a Hashira isn’t just about who trained you; you need to prove your strength. To reach the highest rank, a Demon Slayer must defeat one of the Twelve Kizuki or kill at least fifty demons. We see this with Giyu Tomioka, who easily handles lower-rank demons. However, he never fully accepted his position as a Hashira and constantly searched for someone to take his place. He felt like an outsider within the Corps, believing he didn’t deserve to be among the other Hashira.

Even though he felt responsible for past mistakes, he was an exceptionally talented swordsman who dedicated himself to improving his strength. The Water Breathing style, traditionally consisting of ten forms, was perfected by him to the point he developed an eleventh form in a remarkably short time. During his battle with Akaza, a powerful demon, he even unlocked a special mark signifying his immense power. While already incredibly skilled, he fully realized his potential later on, largely thanks to the influence of Tanjiro.

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2025-09-27 18:12