Imagine being Tanjiro Kamado for a second—a young lad whose skills in demon-slaying go from wielding the Water Breathing Style to mastering the Sun Breathing Style, which happens to be the OG of all Breathing Styles. Yeah, he’s that talented. Yet, despite conquering incredible challenges, the zenith of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Hashira rank, seems just out of reach. It’s like being an A-lister who never wins an Oscar, but whose films are always blockbuster hits.”I was greatly taken into consideration by Muzan, who found a threat in Tanjiro,” says the nefarious King of Demons, Muzan Kibutsuji.
If you’re causing the villain to lose sleep, you’re obviously doing something right.
So, why doesn’t Tanjiro ever get the Hashira title? Sit tight; we’re diving into the nitty-gritty details.
The Glorious, Yet Brutal, World of Demon Slayer Corps
Firstly, let’s do a quick refresher on the power hierarchy of this organization that is the demon-slaying vanguard. We’re talking about the Demon Slayer Corps—an elite group committed to protecting humanity from all things demonic, including their public enemy number one, Muzan.
“Becoming a member of the Demon Slayer Corps is no easy task,” says a Corp official.
This is an understatement, to say the least. Just getting your foot in the door involves a Final Selection exam that sorts the slayers from the, well, slain. Once you survive that crucible, you’re given the beginner rank of “Mizunoto” and must claw your way through ten grueling ranks to reach “Kinoe,” the pinnacle.
Above these ranks is the revered Hashira status. The Hashira, also known as “Pillars,” are the equivalent of superstar athletes in the Demon Slayer universe. To put it in perspective, becoming a Hashira is like going from a solid actor to a Hollywood legend.
Tanjiro Kamado: The Rising Star Who Never Quite Peaked
So, where does our boy Tanjiro fit into all this? Starting off as a Mizunoto like any other newbie, he scales through missions, challenges, and ranks at breakneck speed. His journey is a cinematic rollercoaster, filled with close encounters of the demonic kind, all leading to his rise to the rank of “Kanoe.”
“During Tanjiro’s encounter with several demons and even one of Muzan’s Lower Moons, he advanced up three ranks landing in the rank of Kanoe,” states an in-the-know source from within the Demon Slayer Corps.
Despite his skill and undeniable potential—qualities that have even caught the attention of other Hashiras—Tanjiro never becomes a Hashira.
“But many characters, even other Hashiras, remarked on Tanjiro’s skills and potential, which can easily earn him the rank of Hashira,” says a Corps insider.
The kicker? The Demon Slayer Corps disbands after Muzan’s ultimate defeat, rendering the Hashira title practically obsolete.
The Hidden Qualifiers: Why Tanjiro Could’ve Been a Hashira
Ironically, Tanjiro satisfies almost all the qualifications for becoming a Hashira—slaying more than 50 demons and even laying waste to one of Muzan’s Twelve Demon Moons. The only checkbox left unticked was reaching the rank of Kinoe, but, come on, given his track record, that would’ve been a cakewalk.
“The requirements to become a Hashira are just as hard as becoming a member of the Demon Slayer Corps,” says the indomitable Kyojuro Rengoku.
And yet, Tanjiro fits the bill.
BREAKING NEWS: Tanjiro Kamado WILL appear in Demon Slayer Season 4 “Hashira Training Arc”!! pic.twitter.com/BRffZpdwoQ
— Hannah ハナ (@lookingnerdy) September 2, 2023
The Real Victory: Tanjiro’s Heart of Gold
In the end, Tanjiro finds peace in fulfilling his mission, restoring his sister Nezuko’s humanity, and living out his days with his dearest comrades, Inosuke and Zenitsu.
“Despite not having reached the rank of Hashira, Tanjiro was more than satisfied with the outcome of the battle and his story,” a close source tells us.
It turns out that sometimes the journey is more rewarding than the destination.
Final Cut: A Legend in His Own Right
So, does Tanjiro become a Hashira? No. But does that make him any less of a hero, a warrior, or a legend in the eyes of fans and even his fiercest critics? Absolutely not.
Sometimes, titles are just that—labels. And sometimes, the real story lies in the details, in the battles fought, in the lives saved, and in the hearts touched. Tanjiro may not have been officially branded a Hashira, but let’s be real: he’s Hashira-level in everything but name.
Call it a plot twist or call it poetic justice, but one thing’s for sure: Tanjiro Kamado is a star that shines as bright as the Sun Breathing Style he’s mastered, and his legend is one for the books.
