Tanjiro's Original Demon Slayer Design Would Have Made the Hero So Much Darker (2024)

Demon Slayer would definitely not be the same without its lovable and positive main character Tanjiro Kamado. In spite of his dark and difficult past riddled with loss and grief, he faces every challenge with optimism and persistent effort. He has lost family members, witnessed deaths before his eyes, and gone through physical and mental obstacles beyond belief, yet his spirit is never fully broken. However, fans may be shocked to discover that Tanjiro's early design is the polar opposite of how he appears in the series.

Koyoharu Gotouge, Demon Slayer's mangaka, went through multiple different iterations of the popular hero before they landed on the Tanjiro design fans know so well today. In a MANGA Plus interview with Demon Slayer's editor Katayama, more details of Tanjiro's original appearance were revealed.

Before Demon Slayer, Gotouge had created other manga series and one of their most popular was titled Ka Gari Gari. This manga would become the biggest inspiration for Tanjiro Kamado's character, featuring an early illustration that looks shockingly similar to the hero. Interestingly, the character's look was much darker and more serious looking in the initial drawings.

Gotouge's Original Demon Slayer Design for Tanjiro Kamado Was Unbelievably Dark

Demon Slayer's Editor Suggested a More Lighthearted Main Character Would Suit the Series Better

Demon Slayer can be quite dark at times, considering the fact that the series focuses on man-eating demons and heroes slaying them with Nichirin swords. The show is definitely no stranger to gory and dark moments, but its predecessor, Ka Gari Gari, was much more somber with even heavier and more tragic themes than Demon Slayer. Gotouge took inspiration from this manga and thus, the first concept for Demon Slayer was born, originally called Kisatsu no Nagare. However, editor Katayama felt this original manga idea was a bit too intense for audiences and suggested a lighter feel and more upbeat main character instead.

In Katayama's words, Demon Slayer could only excel with "a brighter, more normal character" who would resonate with audiences more. X user, @the16thhokagae posted these illustrations of how Tanjiro might have wound up looking, providing a stark contrast with his canon optimistic and peppy appearance. One of the images shows the young hero drawing a Nichirin blade out of its holder and staring ahead with a threatening facial expression. The second image shows the character grasping a sword at his side as a crow flies overhead, with a similar serious look on his face, showing the hero is not to be messed with.

Tanjiro Is Optimistic Almost to a Fault, Despite His tragic Circ*mstances

Tanjiro's Upbeat and Positive Nature Inspires Fans and Characters in the Series Alike

It is hard to imagine that the grave and almost terrifying character in these images could have been Demon Slayer's main character. The physical appearance of the boy does share some similarities with Tanjiro's, however. Elements, such as their hairstyles, look almost identical and clearly come from the same artist, but it is undeniable that Tanjiro is a far more lighthearted and bubbly version of this more serious character. It is interesting to imagine how different Demon Slayer's entire story and feel would have been had Gotouge stuck with this first main character concept, giving the series a much more dismal atmosphere.

Katayama's suggestion to create a more fun and lively main character was a wise choice because Tanjiro has become one of anime's most beloved heroes due to his positive and hopeful nature. Although he has definitely endured horrific events that would break anyone's spirit, his optimism is a constant factor no matter what awful circ*mstances he finds himself in. He does experience moments of dismay and devastation like anyone else would in such a gruesome world filled with death and despair, but he largely acts as a shining light of inspiration and hope to the other characters and is even merciful to villains.

Tanjiro's Resilience and Positivity Make Him Stand Out Among Anime Protagonists

His Truly Unique Outlook is Motivational and Adds a Layer of Happiness to the Sometimes Dark Series

Tanjiro's original dark design is undoubtedly cool, but the new design's infectiously friendly and kind nature feels right at home in Demon Slayer, adding an edge of happiness to the otherwise distressing subject matter of the series. There are a number of dark shonen series out there, so Demon Slayer stands out as truly unique by portraying a protagonist who is kind and positive almost to a fault. His demeanor is motivating to fans who can follow his example of cheerfulness even in tough times. There are few other anime protagonists who are comparable to Tanjiro in this way, making him distinctive.

Gotouge has shown that they are undoubtedly talented at creating both serious and upbeat characters, but heeding Katayama's advice to go a more lighthearted route when creating Tanjiro was definitely a wise decision for this specific manga series. Many people find Tanjiro's heroic nature and encouraging advice throughout the series to be very uplifting and applicable to their own lives as a source of hope and direction. Gotouge has definitely written one of anime's most positive and resilient characters. Sometimes, an overwhelmingly positive hero is necessary to brighten up a darker shonen series, and Tanjiro Kamado's character in Demon Slayer proves this.

Source: @the16thhokagae on X, MANGA Plus

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

TV-MA

Animation

Action

Adventure

Cast

Natsuki Hanae , Zach Aguilar , Abby Trott , Akari Kitō , Yosh*tsugu Matsuoka

Release Date

January 22, 2021

Seasons

4

Main Genre

Animation