Demon Slayer: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Akaza - CBR

Akaza from Demon Slayer is perhaps the best-written villain in the series. Akaza's personality has numerous complexities and contradictions that define him. He is exceptionally polarizing in the fandom. Anime-only fans hate Akaza because he killed Rengoku during the Mugen Train arc. However, a single incident is not enough to entirely judge his character.

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Despite misconceptions from fans who haven't read the manga, his backstory explains what motivates him, even after becoming a demon. He is, perhaps, the most tragic villain in all of Demon Slayer. He's undeniably strong, which is why he's the third Upper Rank in Muzan's militia.

Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Gotouge! 

10 His Name Used To Be Hakuji Soyama & He Was Raised In The Slums

Before turning into a demon and changing his name to Akaza, he was named Hakuji Soyama. As a human, he was a martial arts prodigy who had a daughter named Koyuki. He trained in martial arts under the supervision of a man named Keizo. He was raised in an impoverished neighborhood.

Hakuji's father was ill, so Hakuji resorted to pickpocketing from people around town so his father could afford medicine. However, due to this behavior, the magistrate called him a "demon child" and marked him with tattoos to indicate that Hakuji was a criminal.

9 He Became A Demon When He Was 18

One day, a student at the same dojo Hakuji attended informed him that a rival dojo poisoned that water. As a result, Koyuki and Keizo were poisoned and died shortly after. This absolutely enraged Hakuji, who murdered all sixty-seven other dojo members with his fists alone in retaliation.

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Of course, this caught the attention of Muzan, and he initially believed it was a demon! Muzan turned Hakuji into a demon — one of his Twelve Kizuki, to the exact. Hakuji had nothing else to lose at this point, so he just accepted it.

8 Akaza's Relentless Pursuit Of Strength Has Much Deeper Implications

If one were to analyze Akaza's needs through the lens of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, his physiological needs would consist of one thing: the absolute need to become stronger. This extends beyond a simple goal or even a complex desire; Akaza's existence thrives on being strong.

Even after getting beheaded, Akaza held on to life, still vowing to become the strongest no matter what. He was able to overpower the Nichirin Sword through unshakable resolve. However, this need for strength stems from his pursuit to heal his father's ailments and protect those he cared about — especially Koyuki and Keizo.

7 Akaza Sincerely Despises That He Was Once A Human

Anything that reminds Akaza of his former humanity is an instant psychological trigger for him. He passionately declares that his humanity is worthless. He despises any reminders of it. For example, he was deeply stricken by Tanjiro's belief that the strong are obligated to aid the weak. Akaza was also enraged when he realized how similar Giyu was to Keizo.

Despite his utter disdain for his former humanity, it appears that he has retained many of the traits he had as a human. Most notably, he is still quite obstinate and determined.

6 Akaza Deeply Cared For His Loved Ones

It may be difficult to believe that Akaza once had a family for which he cared deeply. However, while he was a human, he was willing to take desperate measures to ensure his family's wellbeing. For example, he resorted to pickpocketing to afford his father's medicine, something he got scolded for, as his father said it's not worth it unless he honestly gets the medicine.

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He was also desperate to heal Koyuki of her ailments when she fell ill. As a result of the desperate measures Akaza took, he received countless beatings that would have paralyzed anybody else — however, his resolve allowed him to recover quickly.

5 Koyuki Inspired Akaza's Compass Needle Technique

Akaza's Compass Needle technique is a martial arts method that he uses. There are several inspirations from Koyuki that Akaza used to craft this technique. Firstly, the attacks are inspired by fireworks. Akaza once promised to take Koyuki to see a firework show after recovering from her illness. The design is also inspired by a hairpin she wore.

Another reference in the Compass Needle technique is that the style of martial arts Akaza uses while performing it is a style that Keizo taught him.

4 Akaza Heavily Regrets Not Respecting His Father's Wishes

Akaza only started to feel remorse for his past as his life flashed before his eyes. Most notably, he deeply regrets not respecting his father's wishes for him to lead an honest life. For example, he used the martial arts style that Keizo taught him and killed countless people.

Akaza even regrets turning to criminal activity while he was a human, even though his heart was in the right place. When it comes down to it, Akaza deeply regretted the monster he had become.

3 Akaza's Memories Of Humanity Impact His Decisions As A Demon

Though Akaza truly did hate his past life as a human, the parts of his memory he retained still impact his decisions. For example, Akaza believed it was wrong for him to consume a woman, even though he recognized that it would have made him a stronger demon.

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Additionally, his Darwinistic beliefs came from his human memories being corrupted by the ideals of a demon. All of his decisions as a demon result from him not fully letting go of the pain of his past life as a human.

2 Akaza Respects Those Who Are Strong

Though Akaza's actions are irredeemable, he has proven himself an honorable warrior. He will compliment Demon Slayers if their swordsmanship and breathing techniques impress him. He also demands to know the names of strong people. He won't rest until he learns their names, and when he does, Akaza is sure to remember them forever. He keeps their names in the back of his mind as a salute to their strength.

As seen during his fight with Rengoku, it seems like Akaza believes the utmost way to show how much he admires someone's strength is to invite them to become a demon. He believes that such tremendous strength should be preserved rather than thrown away and forgotten once that individual dies.

1 Beneath His Bloodlust Lies The Realization That The Person Akaza Wants To Kill The Most Is Himself

Akaza realized that his actions as a demon stemmed from the fact that he legitimately hated himself. Akaza subconsciously believed he was weak for never protecting the people he cared about. He couldn't properly process that he wasn't there to save the people he loved the most.

Therefore, he committed such unspeakable atrocities as a demon because he never quite acknowledged that the people he wanted to protect had already died. Akaza's most pivotal realization was that the person he wanted to kill the most was himself — and so he did.

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