The story of Demon Slayer: a journey to save a sister and avenge her family
- Published on : 20/04/2024
- by : bryan@japan-experience.com
©Febrero Veinticuatro, flickr
Demon Slayer plunges us into the heart of a captivating initiation quest, combining family drama, breathless adventure and Japanese folklore revisited. The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy whose destiny is shattered by the massacre of his family by a demon. Only his sister Nezuko survived, but she herself was transformed into a demonic creature. Determined to save her and avenge his family, Tanjiro sets out on the path of the demon slayers, in the fascinating Japan of the early 20th century. An epic by Koyoharu Gotoge, one of today's hottest mangaka.
Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy with a broken destiny
Tanjiro led a peaceful life in the mountains, selling coal to support his family after the death of his father. But everything changed when one day he discovered his mother and siblings brutally murdered by a demon. Only his youngest sister Nezuko survived, but transformed into a bloodthirsty demon. Distraught but determined, the young boy crosses paths with Giyu, a demon-slayer. Giyu, seeing that Nezuko seems to have retained some of his humanity, recommends Tanjiro to an old master so that he too can become a demon hunter.
A demon hunter's journey of initiation
Tanjiro goes to Sakonji Urokodaki and undergoes intensive, grueling training to master the fighting techniques of demon slayers. He is guided in his training by the enigmatic Makomo and Sabito, former pupils of his master. But they hide a dark secret that Tanjiro will only discover at the end of his training, when he finally obtains the legendary "Saber of the Sun", the only weapon capable of killing demons once and for all. Armed with these lessons, the young boy sets off on the road, Nezuko concealed in a wooden box on his back, to track down the demons and seek a cure that will restore his sister's humanity.
Tanjiro Kamado, main character
©Demon Slayer, flickr
Tanjiro, Zen'itsu and Inosuke
©Demon Slayer, flickr
Tanjiro and Nezuko
©Lee Phan, flickr
Giyu Tomioka
©Demon Slayer, flickr
Nezuko, a demon with a pure heart
While Nezuko's transformation into a demon has deprived her of part of her humanity, the young girl has retained her memories and her brotherly love. While her new nature drives her to feast on human flesh, she fights against her impulses with all her might, choosing to fight alongside her brother. Concealed in a wooden box by day, she emerges at night to lend Tanjiro a hand against the demons. Her ultimate goal: to become human again, even if it seems impossible. A hope to which Tanjiro clings in order to move forward despite the trials.
A fascinating universe in Taisho-era Japan
Demon Slayer transports us to early 20th-century Japan, at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. Cities are expanding, but the countryside remains rooted in its ancestral way of life. An ideal breeding ground for demons, evil creatures from Japanese folklore (the "oni"), who blend into the darkness to spread terror. Facing them, the fighters combine sword fighting, traditional costumes and ancestral breathing techniques handed down from master to pupil. A typically Japanese aesthetic that appeals to a wide audience thanks to its refinement and graphic inventiveness.
The dazzling success of a complete work
With its 23 volumes, the Demon Slayer manga has established itself as a social phenomenon in Japan, driven by an addictive plot, engaging characters and a unique graphic style. A true bestseller, with over 150 million copies sold, it has spawned an animated series and successful films that have won over an international audience. Fans can also extend the adventure through manga and lore, video games and numerous derivative products. A craze that hasn't waned since the manga's conclusion in 2020.
Koyoharu Gotoge, the mangaka behind Demon Slayer
Behind this successful saga lies Koyoharu Gotoge, a young artist as gifted as she is mysterious. Spotted right from the start for her elegant line and boundless imagination, she worked tirelessly to bring her manga project to life, mixing swordfights and demons. Despite media pressure and fan expectations, she remained true to her vision, delivering a work that is as coherent as it is gripping. Now celebrated the world over, Koyoharu Gotoge has succeeded in seducing a very wide audience, while establishing herself as one of the most influential mangaka of her generation.
In short, Demon Slayer is much more than just a successful manga. It's an intense, epic fresco that takes us alongside Tanjiro and Nezuko in their desperate battle against the forces of evil. An emotionally rich initiation quest, bathed in the spellbinding atmosphere of traditional Japan, magnified by the talent of prodigy Koyoharu Gotoge. So, are you ready to draw your sword and strike down the demons?
