This post contains SPOILERS for the Demon Slayer Infinity Castle arc.
Summary
- Tanjiro doesn't officially become a Hashira due to not meeting the requirements set by the Demon Slayer Corps.
- Tanjiro reaches the level of a Hashira by the end of the series, showcasing impressive growth and skills.
- Tanjiro's ability to enter the Transparent World helps defeat the formidable Upper Moon Three, Akaza.
Demon Slayer is all set to return with the much-awaited Infinity Castle film, which will commence the fierce battle between Hashiras and the Upper Moons. Ufotable will divide the entire arc into three parts, and each film of the trilogy will feature intense battles between the most powerful characters in the series.
However, if there's one fight that fans are eager to see the most, it's the fight between Tanjiro and Akaza. Tanjiro went through extensive training in the previous story arc, so fans wish to see if the boy is now capable enough to go against an Upper Moon. More importantly, fans want to see if Tanjiro has finally reached the level of a Hashira, and if not, how exactly he will survive against the most fearsome demons during the Infinity Castle arc.
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Arc Trailer Reveals The Biggest Fights In The Series
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle arc will feature some of the best fights in the series.
Tanjiro Doesn't Officially Become A Hashira In Demon Slayer
The Boy Reaches The Rank Of Hinoe Before The Infinity Castle Arc
One must think that after going through the training in the Hashira Training arc, Tanjiro must have become a Hashira. Unfortunately, that isn't the case. Apparently, almost every lower-ranking Demon Slayer went through rigorous training under the current Hashiras, but that doesn't mean they became a Hashira after the training was over. In order to become a Hashira in Demon Slayer, a warrior must either bring their total demon kill count to fifty or kill a member of the Twelve Kizuki. That's the only legit way to gain the Hashira rank within the Demon Slayer Corps. Unfortunately, though, Tanjiro's kill count couldn't reach fifty by the start of the Infinity Castle arc or by the end of the series.
"Killing a member of the Twelve Kizuki" isn't that straightforward either, as a demon slayer must execute this kill single-handedly. Of course, Tanjiro has technically killed more than one member of the Twelve Kizuki, but in honesty, he has killed every high-ranking demon with the help of a higher-ranking Demon Slayer. Take Gyutaro, for example; Tanjiro was able to kill the Upper Moon only with the help of Tengen, who, honestly, did most of the heavy lifting. In fact, Genya himself stated in the anime and the manga that Tanjiro didn't become a Hashira for killing Gyutaro for this very reason. Similarly, Enmu, the demon that appeared in the Mugen Train arc, held the rank of Lower Rank One within the Twelve Kizuki. However, Tanjiro was only able to cut off this demon's head because of Rengoku's assistance.
It's no joke to say your power matches the level of a Pillar - Giyu to Tanjiro in the Demon Slayer Infinity Castle arc.
Of course, Tanjiro becomes incredibly strong by the end of the Hashira Training arc, but unfortunately, he didn't fulfill the minimum requirement to officially become a Hashira. The official rank that Tanjiro held during the Infinity Castle arc was Hinoe, as revealed in Demon Slayer's fanbook. In fact, Tanjiro couldn't officially become a Hashira by the end of the series. Why? Well, that's because he fought every Upper Moon and Muzan with the help of other Hashiras, and after the death of Muzan, all demons, including the Twelve Kizuki, were wiped out from the face of Earth. So, there were no Twelve Kizuki members left for Tanjiro to kill and meet the minimum requirement for becoming a Hashira.
All being said, "becoming a Hashira" is a goal that Tanjiro never aimed for. Instead, the boy only trained for a single purpose — to kill Muzan and finish the entire demon race. So, even though every other Demon Slayer strived to become a Hashira one day, Tanjiro never aimed to become one. And that is precisely why Tanjiro's official ranking in Demon Slayer is irrelevant.
Tanjiro Does Reach The Level Of A Hashira In Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle
Giyu Confirms This During His Battle Against Akaza
Tanjiro may not have achieved the title in Demon Slayer, but he certainly reached the level of Hashira by the end of the series. In fact, Tanjiro was already as strong or skilled as a Hashira at the start of the Infinity Castle arc. When Tanjiro starts fighting Akaza after entering Muzan's castle, t he boy surprises even the Upper Moon Three with his incredible growth. In fact, Giyu, the Water Hashira, is astonished to see how Tanjiro was easily dodging each attack from Akaza. Giyu appreciates Tanjiro for causing this much damage against Akaza, and the Water Hashira accepts the fact that Tanjiro's techniques make him equal to a Pillar.
Both Rengoku and Giyu fought against Akaza, but it was Tanjiro who unlocked the secret to defeating the Upper Moon Three. Of course, Flame Hashira and Water Hashira gave enough trouble to Akaza, but none of their efforts were enough to actually kill the Demon. Tanjiro, on the other hand, not only understood how Akaza's "compass" worked, but he also unlocked a new skill to counter the demon's ability.
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Tanjiro, while on his feet on the battlefield, understood that Akaza is able to feel the presence of his opponents by sensing their killing or fighting instinct. So, the boy learned how to enter the Transparent World by only focusing on dodging the attacks and suppressing his killing instinct. That way, Tanjiro was able to land hits on Akaza while being undetected. Yes, Tanjiro did all that when Akaza was right in front of him, launching all his lethal attacks at the boy. Of course, Giyu also played a crucial role in defeating Akaza, but ultimately, it was Tanjiro's ability to enter the Transparent World that helped defeat the Upper Moon Three.
- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Network
- Adult Swim
Based on Koyoharu Gotouge's shonen manga, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is an action anime set in Japan during the early 20th century. Seeking revenge for the murder of his family while also looking to save his sister, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps as they try to eradicate Demons led by Muzan.
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 4
- Studio
- ufotable
- Japanese Title
- Kimetsu no Yaiba
- Based On
- Manga
- Creator
- Koyoharu Gotoge
- Number of Episodes
- 63
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.26 (Hashira Training Arc)
