In some areas of theDemon Slayerfanbase,Zenitsu Agatsumais considered to be the most annoying character because of his impassioned outbursts and general state of anxiety and terror at all times. He is certainly never one to hide his emotions, and his reactions can indeed be over the top and dramatized for comedic effect. However, contrary to popular opinion,Zenitsu has always been my favorite character inDemon Slayer.
As the story progressed, I felt Zenitsu’s character arc was one of the most satisfying and exhibited the most positive growth. Out of all theDemon Slayercharacters, his change feels the most pronounced. He blossomed into almost an entirely new person by the Infinity Castle arc,improving not just his powers, but his mental and emotional resilience.
I love inspirational stories about self-improvement and working through life’s struggles, because these always feel relatable and motivating to me. Zenitsu’s journey is a perfect example of a hero who started out weak, butbecame one of the story’s greatest heroes through hard work.
Zenitsu Is ConsideredDemon Slayer’sMost Annoying Character, but I Disagree
Zenitsu Started Demon Slaying Out of Necessity and Braved the Challenge as Best as He Could
Zenitsu receives a lot of flak and negative commentaryfor his behavior early on inDemon Slayer.WhileI do sympathize with some of this criticism, I can also see Zenitsu’s side. He was seriously in debt, with nowhere to turn other than the demon slaying profession. Because he was deceived by a girl he thought loved him, he was not only out of money, but also heartbroken and abandoned by the person he believed he could trust. Demon slaying was not a career he wanted to pursue at all. He was pushed into this way of life out of necessity.
Demon Slayer’s Most Controversial Character Is Actually Its Most Realistic Hero
Although Zenitsu annoys many Demon Slayer fans, his terrified reaction to demons is shockingly realistic and gives him a surprising strength.
Zenitsu rose to the challenge and braved his job with all the courage he could muster up, but killing monstrous beings still frightened him. His reactions may be more pronounced than some of the other aspiring young demon slayers participating in the Demon Slayer Corps, but in many ways,his responses express what everyone else around him is thinkingand feeling too. If I was placed in Zenitsu’s position, I would be terrified and reluctant to perform such a difficult, violent job, so I do feel sorry for Zenitsu and the tough circumstances in life that led him to demon slaying.
Zenitsu’s Self-Improvement Is on Another Level Compared to His Peers
He Always Musters up the Courage To Save Others When Necessary, and That Makes Him Heroic
Zenitsu is often called a coward, and he does undoubtedly have his cowardly moments. During the Tsuzumi Mansion Arc, right after he was first introduced to the story, he was tasked with protecting two children while Tanjiro, Inosuke, and himself attempted to hunt down and kill the demon going after the children’s lost brother. In these scenes, he was so openly fearful that the children themselves and his demon slayer comrades questioned why he was so petrified. His early appearances certainly are not his proudest or most powerful moments, and they accuratelydisplay how afraid he was at the beginning of his career.
The only time Zenitsu did not yell, cry, or call out in fear was when he fell fast asleep, and he was miraculously able to still carry out attacks while unconscious.His Thunder Breathingwas on another level while he slumberedaway, allowing him to kill the Tongue Demon and the Spider Demon Son, to name a few. I found it so remarkable that, although at surface level, Zenitsu seems like a character who is unable to take action, when the situation necessitated his help, he always unleashed the power within himself to save those who needed saving, every time.
Zenitsu’s Infinity Castle Arc Appearances Proved His Dramatic Change
He Even Fought Lord Muzan, the Strongest Demon, Which Is a Clear Sign He Has Grown Tremendously
Bythe Infinity Castle arc, Zenitsu is transformed entirely. Those who doubt his positive progress need look no further thanhis battle with Lord Muzan, the Demon King,who is widely considered the strongest demon of all. Their fight raged on for a half hour, with Zenitsu pulling out all the stops to keep his comrades safe and make the evildoer pay for the way he harmed innocent humans. Compared to the version of Zenitsu that is introduced in the first few episodes ofDemon Slayer,this change in his demeanor could not possibly be any more drastic.
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Zenitsu shifted, in just a few short seasons, from a petrified coward to someone able to overcome that terror and protect himself and others. When he started as a demon slayer, he never could have fathomed fighting Muzan head-on, but he did not back down from the challenge later on. This is precisely why I like Zenitsu the best out of every character inDemon Slayer.Although he is flawed, he never attempts to hide those parts of himself and instead works towards improving and becoming better,which helped me root for him and cheer for his successes.
Zenitsu’s Character Arc SummarizesDemon Slayer’sMost Important Themes
He Embodies the Phrase “Never Give Up,” Powering Through His Fear To Become a Hero
I also admire how willing Zenitsu is to risk his own life to protect others. He especially has a soft spot for Tanjiro’s sister, Nezuko Kamado. In various past battles, such as the fight with Enmu, heensured no harm would come to Nezuko, despite his own fears. Zenitsu may be terror-stricken and unsure of himself a majority of the time, buthe is also entirely unwilling to give up.Regardless of how horrific the enemy before him is or how hopeless the fight seems, he never quits and throws down his Nichirin sword. Zenitsu could have quit demon slaying, but he did not.
I can see why Zenitsu’s, at times, abrasive personality and palpable fear could cause viewers to dislike him as a character. But personally, I will always see him asone ofDemon Slayer’sbest written heroes who perfectly represents the key themesof the series. He accomplishes some of the greatest feats in the story, and by his final scenes, he is battling mighty demons his season one self never could have dreamed of facing. Zenitsu’s journey summarizesDemon Slayer’smost crucial values: never giving up, pushing past fear, and saving others, and that is why I love him.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Cast
Set in Japan’s Taisho Period, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Tanjiro, a young boy whose family is killed by demons. With his sister Nezuko transformed into a demon, Tanjiro embarks on a quest to become a demon slayer, seeking vengeance and a cure for his sister’s condition.
