Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Makes Tanjiro a Uniquely Ideal Shonen Jump Hero (The Way It Should Be)

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The first film in the *Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle* trilogy is now available globally, kicking off the full-scale war between demon slayers and demons. Titled “Part 1: Akaza,” the movie shows the hero, Kamado Tanjiro, growing stronger as he prepares for a final battle with the ultimate villain, Kibutsuji Muzan. This film builds excitement by having Tanjiro face his toughest opponent yet, but their conflict actually began five years prior when Tanjiro met Akaza, the demon who killed Rengoku in a 2020 *Demon Slayer* movie. Driven by a desire for revenge, the fight hints that Tanjiro will defeat Akaza, motivated by his anger.

When Akaza confronts Tanjiro and Giyu Tomioka, their fight begins because they both intensely dislike him for the destruction he’s caused. During the battle, Tanjiro fights with surprising strength, showing a level comparable to the Hashira thanks to his intense training. However, even that training isn’t enough to defeat the powerful Akaza. As Tanjiro struggles, he starts to understand *why* Akaza can predict his attacks. This leads to him unlocking a special state called the “Selfless State,” allowing him to anticipate Akaza’s moves. The development of this ability is shown incredibly well, and what’s truly interesting is how it sets Tanjiro apart from typical heroes in action stories and avoids common clichés.

Demon Slayer‘s Main Hero Isn’t Crafted on Cliché Shonen Hero Tropes

The shonen genre is incredibly popular in anime and manga, and while many stories follow a similar pattern, they’re still very enjoyable. A common storyline focuses on a main character working towards a big dream. A frequent plot twist is revealing that the hero was always meant to succeed – that their journey was predetermined. While not necessarily a bad thing, this idea suggests that achieving your goals relies on fate rather than effort. A well-known example is Monkey D. Luffy from *One Piece*, whose story also uses this trope.

Initially, Luffy was designed as a funny and unique character with a strange power and an uncertain future. However, he eventually became a typical ‘chosen hero.’ Getting a powerful, selective fruit signaled that Luffy was destined for greatness – a common path in many action-adventure stories. But the first *Demon Slayer* movie takes a different approach with Tanjiro. Unlike Luffy, Tanjiro doesn’t have a natural gift; he becomes strong through skills learned from his ancestors and perfected over time.

Tanjiro, while figuring out how to defeat Akaza, remembers a conversation with Inosuke. This helps him understand that Akaza fights by sensing an opponent’s fighting spirit and aggression. This realization reminds Tanjiro of his father, who once killed a bear without feeling any anger. Inspired by this, Tanjiro learns to enter a calm, focused state – a ‘Selfless State’ – allowing him to fight without revealing hostile intentions.

I was absolutely blown away to learn the history behind the Transparent World! Apparently, it wasn’t just a random ability the Kamado family was born with. It’s a technique passed down through generations, all the way back to Tanjiro’s ancestor, Sumiyoshi, and that mysterious guy with the Hanafuda earrings we met in Season 3! So, it’s something that’s been *taught* and perfected over time. And the coolest part? This means other Hashira could potentially learn it too, which is amazing news because we’re going to need everyone at their best to take down Muzan and those remaining Upper Rank demons!

Tanjiro’s Latest Power Upgrade Isn’t Exclusive to Him

Tanjiro was the first to show a unique mark on his head, but the other Hashira soon began developing similar ones. Seeing Tanjiro’s power inspired them, and they realized they might be able to achieve the same heightened state he did. Even Akaza, a powerful demon, admitted he desired this ability, implying it could be learned. Just as Tanjiro’s mark triggered their own awakenings, his recent progress will now help them further develop their powers.

Tanjiro stands out from typical action heroes by lifting others up instead of being a lone star. He’s a beacon of hope and a support system for those around him, which makes him a different kind of hero. His story isn’t about being destined for greatness, but about how hard work and never giving up are what really make someone heroic.

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2025-09-22 15:41