Demon Slayer: Every Main Character's Age - CBR

Demon Slayer's Tanjiro and the other slayers seem pretty young to travel around Japan and slay the most powerful monsters. Despite their relative inexperience, however, these adolescent heroes put their lives at risk to help those who need it. It's extremely common for Shonen characters to go on dangerous adventures even at such young ages. In fact, the Shonen genre is specifically aimed at preteen and teen male viewers.

That said, viewers of any age wouldn't even dream of facing a bloodthirsty monster or fighting in an intense battle in real life. However, teenage audiences can relate to the similarly aged characters in Demon Slayer, allowing them to see themselves in at least one of the heroes. On the other hand, the villains in the story are all considerably older, with Muzan himself being the oldest character in Demon Slayer.

Updated on January 15, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: How old are the Hashiras? How old are Zenitsu and Inosuke? Anime fans love to ask about fun fluff characters like those when watching their favorite series since personal details help the characters feel more real. Led by 15-year-old Tanjiro Kamado, Demon Slayer remains one of the most popular anime of the 21st century. As such, we have updated this article with five more entries.

Nezuko Kamado Is Arguably the Baby of Team Tanjiro

Age: 14 Years Old, Birthday: December 28

Image via Ufotable

At 14, just a year younger than Tanjiro and Inosuke, Nezuko is very much the baby of the group. She's also the youngest character in the main cast. Moreover, Nezuko's short stature makes her look a lot younger than she appears — her wide eyes and diminutive features seem rather childlike. Furthermore, her shrinking and growing abilities also contribute to this aspect of hers.

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Interestingly, these powers only develop when Nezuko becomes a demon, allowing her to fit into the wooden box that Tanjiro carries around. Interestingly, both human Nezuko and demon Nezuko have shown to be empathetic and protective, proving that she could control her urges because she wanted to save everyone. Nezuko is also the first and only demon to be immune to sunlight, a feature that makes her one of the most important Demon Slayer characters.

Muichiro Tokito Is a Child Prodigy With Limitless Potential

Age: 14 Years Old, Birthday: August 8

Image via Ufotable

At a mere 14 years old, Muichiro makes a place for himself among the nine Hashira. Much to the fandom's surprise, he's the same age as Nezuko and two whole years younger than Zenitsu. Muichiro is quiet and seems somewhat airheaded, but no one should underestimate his abilities. Muichiro's age makes him a child prodigy who can hold his own as a Demon Slayer, reaching the Hashira position after just two months of training.

For now, he's the only Mist Breathing user and has excellent proficiency in this combat style, having managed to create an entirely new form on his own. Muichiro managed to awaken his Demon Slayer Mark during the Swordsmith Village arc, giving him enough power to defeat and destroy Upper Moon 5 Gyokko. He's only going to get stronger before the end.

Tanjiro Kamado Takes on a Caretaker Role for Everyone

Age: 15 Years Old, Birthday: July 14

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In the first episode of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro Kamado was only 13 years old. This also means that he went through a traumatic experience at such a young age. Although Tanjiro is the youngest of the Demon Slayer trio, he remains the most mature. Due to his position as the oldest child of his family, it's natural for Tanjiro to take on a caretaker role, even if his friends are older than him.

Zenitsu and Inosuke's antics and frequent bickering annoy him to no end, but Tanjiro wills himself to maintain an aura of peace and harmony in the group. Tanjiro does occasionally get mad, but his honest nature makes him impossible to dislike. As the protagonist of Demon Slayer, Tanjiro is going to be involved in the final war against Muzan. Watching such a young hero on the battlefield will doubtless inspire teenage viewers.

Inosuke Hashibira Is Always Looking for a New Opponent

Age: 15 Years Old, Birthday: April 22

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The boar-headed warrior is a reckless and short-tempered 15-year-old, always looking for his next opponent. Inosuke is Zenitsu's polar opposite, which frustrates them both to no end. He doesn't hesitate to attack anyone he deems a challenge, or those who simply anger him, even if the outcome seems potentially devastating. Inosuke channels Beast Breathing, a special ability based on his experiences growing up in the forest.

When Tanjiro isn't trying to make peace between them, Inosuke is usually looking for his newest battle with a mentally exhausted Zenitsu in tow. On the other hand, his exaggeratedly belligerent personality comes in handy whenever he has to fight an actual enemy. Inosuke will inevitably grow up, but fans have no idea if he's ever going to behave like a human.

Aoi Kanzaki Helped Shinobu Train Tanjiro's Team

Age: 16 Years Old, Birthday: N/A

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Near the end of Demon Slayer's first season, Tanjiro's trio of friends visited the Butterfly Estate, where they met some of Shinobu Kocho's allies and associates. One of them was a tsundere swordswoman named Aoi Kanzaki, who had cleared the Final Selection but never started demon slaying on an official level. Instead, she became a coach of sorts, forcing the trio through a training gauntlet that exhausted them as much as it trained their bodies.

Aoi was just a little older than Tanjiro, but she still had plenty to teach him about combat, which helped Tanjiro get himself ready for the Mugen Train battle against Enmu, the Lower Moon 1. Aoi also has an amusing relationship with Inosuke Hashibira, who shares her hot temper and often annoys her, but they still understand that they're on the same team. Fans are going to love how Aoi's story ends in Demon Slayer.

Zenitsu Agatsuma Doesn't Allow His Cowardice to Get in the Way

Age: 16 Years Old, Birthday: September 3

Image via Ufotable

Despite his ridiculously timid attitude, Zenitsu is older than Tanjiro, Nezuko, as well as Inosuke. In other words, this 16-year-old's cowardly nature makes him seem like the youngest and most fickle of the four main cast members. Unlike Tanjiro, who serves as a quasi-paternal figure, Zenitsu is an easily scared crybaby who can't seem to keep it together.

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His horrendously low self-esteem contrasts with his excellent fighting skills, but no one seems capable of boosting his confidence. There are instances when Zenitsu steps up to protect those he cares about, unleashing a barrage of magnificent Thunder Breathing attacks that make short work of his opponents. Some fans even argue that Zenitsu is the bravest of the lot, as courage doesn't exist if there's no fear involved.

Kanao Tsuyuri Eventually Learns to Make Her Own Decisions

Age: 16 Years Old, Birthday: May 19

Image via Ufotable

Kanao Tsuyuri is initially portrayed as a timid, shy, and irresolute individual, in stark contrast with her adopted sister Shinobu Kocho. However, it seems that her childhood trauma is the governing reason behind her emotional stoicism. After being taken in by the Kocho household, Kanao learns how to make her decisions without relying on anyone else.

She partakes in the Final Selection and becomes a Demon Slayer, eventually learning the art of Flower Breathing. More importantly, Kanao's mental fortitude is possibly her greatest asset, as seen when she takes on one of the strongest demons in Demon Slayer. There are few other characters capable of matching her in a battle of the wills. Kanao's relationship with Tanjiro blossoms further over time, ultimately leading to their marriage.

Genya Shinazugawa Portrays Himself as a Classic Delinquent

Age: 16 Years Old, January 7

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The younger brother of Sanemi, Genya Shinazugawa portrays himself as a classic delinquent. He despises the idea of seeking assistance, even if the alternative is disastrous for him. Thankfully, however, he learns how to cooperate after teaming up with Tanjiro. As such, Genya's nonconformist behavior takes a turn for the better during the Swordsmith Village Arc, where he helps Mitsuri, Nezuko, and Tanjiro fight off the Upper Moon 4 Hantengu.

Like many other characters in the story, Genya doesn't come from a very pleasant background. His father's abuse, siblings' death, and mother's demonic transformation take a massive toll on his emotional development. Many fans have also wondered if Genya is a demon, but that's not the case. He just has a special ability that makes him access certain demon powers.

Kanae Kocho Died Fighting Doma in Her Late Teens

Age: 17 Years Old, Birthday: N/A

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A former Hashira and notable member of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kanae Kocho made a brief appearance in a flashback sequence where she was established as the benevolent and kind Flower Hashira. She was also the older sister of Shinobu Kocho, and at the time, the two of them had rather different personalities. Kanae was goofy and easygoing, while Shinobu was rather uptight in comparison.

Kanae was in her late teens by the time she met Kanao Tsuyuri and rescued the latter from bondage, eventually teaching her the ways of Flower Breathing. Tragically, Kanae died fighting the Upper Moon 2, Doma, which consequently fueled Shinobu's fierce hatred for all demons. Ever since then, there has not been a Flower Hashira to replace Kanae, and Flower Breathing is rather rare overall, too.

Shinobu Kocho's Apparently Cheerful Demeanor Is Highly Volatile

Age: 18 Years Old, Birthday: February 24

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At just 18, Shinobu is the second-youngest Hashira. Her demeanor may come off as childlike and even eerily cheerful, but she does what she can to hold herself together. Like Sanemi Shinazugawa, Shinobu displays a fiery hatred for demons after losing her sister Kanae and both their parents. As a result, she consistently camouflages her rage behind a range of bubbly expressions.

However, there are occasions when her cheerfulness mixes with overtly cruel teasing. And yet, Shinobu Kocho still cares deeply for her fellow Hashira and inexperienced Demon Slayers like Tanjiro and the others. This may be to carry on Kanae's legacy, which she eventually fulfills in the manga's concluding arc. Shinobu is also an exceptional combatant, as seen during her battle against a major series villain.