Five Reasons to Watch Demon Slayer

Spring certainly has a lot going for it in terms of anime. It’s packed with promising standalone shows, shows that began in winter but are continuing to maintain an impressively high standard, and long-awaited sequels, many of which are actually exceeding everybody’s expectations. But one of the strongest contenders for anime of the season would have to be Demon Slayer. Its story, one of an older brother who sets out on a quest to restore his sibling’s humanity after a brush with the forces of darkness, has been done before *cough* Fullmetal Alchemist *cough*, but perhaps never this stylishly! In addition to its peerless style, this show delivers in so many different ways. Below I list five of these in the hopes that it will convince you to give it a try, if you haven’t already!

Nezuko Is Uwu

Nezuko is positively precious. You can see why Tanjiro would want to protect her: she’s, like, 99.9% puppy dog eyes! It’s only natural that she would trigger your maternal instincts. I think a big part of the reason why I like her so much is that she reminds me of my family cat: sweet and innocent looking one minute, snarling, hate-filled, rage-monster the next! Her cute, butter-wouldn’t-melt appearance certainly doesn’t belie the demon within. This contrast is both endearing and hilarious! I dare you not to laugh when this tiny, helpless looking girl punts the head off of another demon during the first episode.

It Looks Stunning

This is pretty much a given, since any show that ufotable has a hand in producing looks absolutely amazing, but I’ll say it anyway: Demon Slayer looks stunning. It has the dynamic camera shots and beautifully choreographed fight scenes that you’ve come to expect of any ufotable anime, but also manages to achieve a unique and interesting look. Unlike many other ufotable anime, Demon Slayer has an unusually bright colour palette, making it a feast for the eyes. And, as I’ve said before, I also really like the jagged line work incorporated into its character designs. It’s such a small detail, but it goes a long way towards giving the show its unique look.

Tanjiro Is a Fantastic Protagonist

What I like the most about Tanjiro is that, unlike many other Shounen Jump (SJ) protagonists, he’s not out to prove himself. Neither is he driven by an all-consuming desire for revenge, as you might expect of a character with his backstory. Rather, he simply wants to find a way to restore Nezuko’s humanity. This speaks volumes to what’s most important to him: family. That’s a value that everybody can get behind! Another of his endearing qualities is his kindness. He extends mercy towards even his enemies: the demons. Don’t get the wrong idea, he’s no doormat. This actually demonstrates just how strong he is – to be able to extend kindness towards the creatures who destroyed his family. It also helps that he isn’t loud and in-your-face irritating, like some other SJ protagonists I could mention…

Its Demons Are Really Unsettling

I really like the demons of Demon Slayer. No, not because I enjoy the wholesale slaughter of innocents, but because they’re actually pretty creepy! They resemble humans, but, with their bloodshot eyes, bulging veins, and razor-sharp teeth, a pretty warped take on them! The fact that they can reason and express emotion, yet still revel in eating and inflicting pain on humans, is also pretty unsettling! I also appreciate the effort that’s gone into giving the plot-relevant demons their own distinct, creepy characteristics, like the hand demon, who was basically just a hulking mass of veiny, slime-green appendages, or the demon triplet who continuously and noisily ground its teeth, setting my own firmly on edge.

The Brilliant Brother/Sister Dynamic between Nezuko and Tanjiro

I’m enjoying watching a show driven by a brother/sister dynamic – and not a creepy one at that! There is no shortage of romance or friendship-led shows, but not nearly enough sibling-led ones, which is a crying shame given that many of the best, most touching relationships in anime are between siblings, e.g. Ed and Al and Sasuke and Itachi. The relationship between Nezuko and Tanjiro is shaping up to be just as touching. We’re only seven episodes into the show, but we’ve already seen just how far these two will go for each other. They’ve endured hellish training, fought tooth and nail to protect one another, and more. They’re a fantastic example of just how strong the bond between siblings can be!

So there you have it, five reasons to watch Demon Slayer! Before you go, let me know: have I persuaded you to give this show a try? Or, if you’re already watching it, what do you like about it? Looking forward to hearing from you!