Muzan Kibutsuji, the central antagonist of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, is a powerful and tragic character whose actions shape the entire narrative. Known as the Lord of Demons, Muzan’s quest for immortality, his manipulative nature, and his insatiable hunger for power lead him to create the terrifying demon race that terrorizes humanity. This article explores Muzan’s history, personality, and pivotal role in the series.
Background
Muzan was born during the Heian Era in Japan, in a noble family. As a child, he was incredibly fragile, constantly on the verge of death. His health was so poor that he was declared stillborn but miraculously survived. This vulnerability haunted him throughout his life, and doctors diagnosed him with a rare disease, predicting his early death at 20. However, a mysterious doctor found a cure in the form of the Blue Spider Lily, though it did not completely heal him. Muzan, believing the doctor had failed, killed him in a fit of anger.
Soon after, Muzan realized he had been transformed. He no longer aged and gained superhuman strength, but at the cost of a terrifying vulnerability: sunlight. Muzan could no longer walk in the sun and began to crave human flesh. In his quest for a permanent solution, he sought the Blue Spider Lily, but it remained elusive. To overcome his weakness, he decided to create demons powerful enough to withstand the sun, and thus began his dark reign.
Muzan’s Role in Demon Slayer
Muzan’s transformation into a demon and his desire for immortality set the stage for the entire conflict of Demon Slayer. He created the Twelve Kizuki, a group of powerful demons, to help him find a way to defeat the sun and perfect his immortality. Muzan’s actions caused untold destruction, including the fall of the Kamado family, which would later set the path for Tanjiro Kamado’s quest for revenge.
The Kamado family, once a peaceful family living in the mountains, was slaughtered by Muzan. Nezuko Kamado, the youngest daughter, was transformed into a demon by Muzan’s blood. Only her brother, Tanjiro, survived. Tanjiro’s mission to return Nezuko to human form and seek revenge on Muzan for the destruction of his family became the central theme of Demon Slayer.
The Conflict with the Kamado Family
Muzan’s role in the Kamado family’s tragic fate was a pivotal moment in the series. He injected his blood into several members of the Kamado family, intending to turn them into demons. While most of them died, Nezuko survived, becoming a demon with a unique resistance to Muzan’s influence. Muzan’s actions directly influenced Tanjiro’s journey, as he sought to avenge his family and find a way to cure Nezuko.
In a chance encounter, Tanjiro crossed paths with Muzan, who initially did not recognize him. When Muzan saw Tanjiro’s earrings—symbols of the Breath of the Sun—he recognized him as a potential threat. Muzan, ever manipulative, put on a friendly face, trying to avoid conflict. However, Tanjiro was determined to confront him, leading to a deadly chase. Muzan’s ability to evade direct confrontation and manipulate others proved to be a significant challenge for the Demon Slayer Corps.
Muzan’s Struggle with His Weakness
Muzan’s greatest fear was his vulnerability to sunlight. He believed that if he could create a demon strong enough to overcome this weakness, he could achieve true perfection. His obsessive quest to conquer the sun led him to create demons like the Twelve Kizuki, each of whom was tasked with assisting him in his goal. Muzan’s arrogance and desire for power drove him to eliminate any demon that failed to meet his expectations, including his own subordinates.
As Muzan’s power grew, so did his ruthlessness. He became increasingly impatient with the failures of his Lower Ranks and disposed of them without hesitation. The Lower Ranks, who had once been powerful demons in their own right, were now seen as dispensable by Muzan, who only valued those who could help him achieve his ultimate goal.
The Final Confrontation
Muzan’s final battle with the Demon Slayer Corps was a climactic moment in the series. As Tanjiro and the other demon slayers fought to destroy him, Muzan’s ability to regenerate and grow stronger with each attack made him a nearly insurmountable foe. However, despite his immense power, Muzan was ultimately defeated by the combined efforts of the demon slayers.
In the end, Muzan’s arrogance and unwillingness to accept his own limitations led to his downfall. As he was engulfed by the rising sun, Muzan’s body disintegrated, and his reign of terror came to an end. However, his death was not without consequences, as his essence briefly lived on in Tanjiro’s body. Muzan attempted to convince Tanjiro to embrace immortality and demonhood, but Tanjiro rejected his influence with the help of his friends and the spirits of his family.
Beyond the Sanzu River
In this bonus spin-off chapter dealing with the immediate aftermath of the final battle against Muzan’s return and Tanjiro’s humanity, it is revealed that Muzan’s soul is indeed sentenced to Avici; the worst and most torturous region of all hells. Here Muzan is seen in his true demonic form. Regarding his experience with the Sun’s Breath, he simply expressed: “Awful.”
Personality
Muzan Kibutsuji is a deeply complex character. On the surface, he presents himself as a polite and refined individual, but beneath this facade lies a cruel, egocentric, and narcissistic personality. Muzan is driven by a deep sense of superiority and perfectionism, believing that he is destined to become the ultimate being. His inability to accept failure or weakness leads to his ruthless treatment of both demons and humans alike.
Muzan’s narcissism is evident in his treatment of his subordinates, whom he sees as nothing more than tools to be used for his own gain. He is manipulative, cunning, and often uses others to further his goals. Despite his intelligence and ability to blend into human society, Muzan is also deeply cowardly, avoiding direct confrontation whenever possible. This cowardice is especially evident in his interactions with the Sun Breathers, whose power he fears and despises.
Appearance
Muzan is often depicted as a striking figure with pale skin, bright red eyes, and curly black hair. He wears a white fedora and a black suit, which adds to his imposing and elegant appearance.
Muzan’s ability to change his form is one of his most dangerous traits, allowing him to hide among humans and evade detection for long periods. During his meeting with the Lower Ranks, he was disguised as an elegant woman wearing a long black yukata, causing the Lower Ranks not to recognize him immediately. Later, he transformed into his final cover identity, as the sickly adopted son of an old couple, taking the form of a child with pale white skin and silky black hair slicked back. His main outfit in this disguise is a simple white shirt and black cargo shorts with long socks and loafers.
Trivia
- It is revealed that Muzan came from the Ubuyashiki family. Therefore, he and Kagaya Ubuyashiki bear a striking resemblance. Despite this, Muzan does not use the Ubuyashiki surname.
- His design with the white fedora and curly hair reminded many viewers of Michael Jackson, generating memes on the internet.
- While the doctor who tried to cure Muzan ended up turning him into a demon and may be blamed for all the tragedies that happen in the Demon Slayer series, the manga portrays the doctor as a good and virtuous man. Muzan’s demonization was purely unintentional and accidental, as Muzan murdered his doctor during treatment.
- He is the only character who can bend gender, and that is why Mukago and Lower 3 were surprised when they realized Muzan was posing as a woman.
- Muzan is the only main character in the series to come into contact with a real car.
