Demon Slayer Character Makio wasn’t alone who got sidelined. These eight characters deserved more spotlight in the manga.

Remember the fierce kunoichi Makio from Demon Slayer? While she showed immense potential as one of Tengen Uzui’s wives, she, like many other characters in the series, didn’t get the spotlight she deserved. Many fascinating characters could have added so much more to the story. From skilled shinobi to powerful Hashira, these characters share Makio’s fate of being pushed to the background.
Let’s dive into eight Demon Slayer characters like Makio, who deserved more screen time but were sadly sidelined as the manga progressed.
8. Hinatsuru

Like Makio, Hinatsuru stands as one of Tengen Uzui’s skilled kunoichi wives in Demon Slayer. Despite her impressive shinobi abilities and crucial role during the Entertainment District arc, she didn’t get the character development she deserved. Her poison resistance and tactical intelligence made her a perfect complement to the Sound Hashira’s fighting style. However, we barely scratched the surface of her capabilities.
Hinatsuru’s dedication to her mission, even while suffering from severe poison effects, showed her warrior spirit. Her relationship with Tengen could have explored interesting dynamics about love and duty in the world of Demon Slayer. Instead, after the Entertainment District arc, she largely faded into the background, making brief appearances that didn’t do justice to her potential as a character who could have added depth to the series’ exploration of loyalty and sacrifice.
7. Suma

Among the Demon Slayer characters like Makio who got sidelined, Suma’s case is particularly interesting. The most emotionally expressive of Uzui’s wives, she brought a different energy to the typically stoic world of shinobi. Her crying fits and apparent vulnerability masked a capable warrior who could hold her own in dangerous situations.
Suma’s character had the potential to explore the human side of being a shinobi in Demon Slayer. Her more open display of emotions contrasted beautifully with the composed nature of her fellow wives and could have led to fascinating character development. The manga could have used her perspective to show how different personalities adapt to the harsh realities of demon hunting. Unfortunately, like many supporting characters, her role diminished significantly after the Entertainment District arc.
6. Tamayo

In Demon Slayer, Tamayo stands out as a unique character whose potential wasn’t fully realized. As a demon who retained her humanity and dedicated herself to helping humans, her story offered a fascinating perspective on the demon-human conflict central to the series. Her medical knowledge and development of anti-demon medicines made her crucial to the plot. Yet, we never got to fully explore her centuries of experience and complex moral journey.
Like many Demon Slayer characters, like Makio, Tamayo’s backstory and character development took a backseat to the main plot. While her research proved vital in the fight against Muzan, we missed opportunities to delve deeper into her struggles. Her relationship with Yushiro and her experiences helping humans over the centuries. Her ultimate sacrifice was powerful, but imagine how much more impact it could have had with more character development.
5. Kaigaku

Kaigaku is one of the most intriguing missed opportunities in Demon Slayer. As Zenitsu’s fellow disciple who chose to become a demon, his character had the potential for a compelling exploration of betrayal and the corrupting influence of power. His decision to abandon his humanity offered a dark mirror to Zenitsu’s growth and dedication to the Thunder Breathing technique.
Like other Demon Slayer characters like Makio, Kaigaku’s story feels frustratingly abbreviated. His background as a thief-turned-demon slayer-turned-demon could have provided fascinating insights into the moral complexities of the series’ world. Instead, his appearance as the Sixth Upper Moon feels rushed. His conflict with Zenitsu, while dramatic, could have carried more emotional weight with an exploration of their shared past under Jigoro’s training.
4. Kanao Tsuyuri

Being one of the most skilled Demon Slayer characters, like Makio, Kanao’s character development took a backseat in the manga. Her unique fighting style, combining Flower Breathing with incredible physical abilities, made her stand out among the younger generation of demon slayers. Her backstory as an adopted member of the Kocho family and her journey to overcome emotional detachment offered rich material for character exploration.
While she played crucial roles in several battles, including the fight against Upper Moon Two Doma, many aspects of her character remained unexplored. Her relationship with Tanjiro showed promise in helping her develop beyond her tendency to rely on coin flips for decisions, but this development felt rushed. The manga could have delved deeper into her growth from an emotionally stunted child to a capable warrior who learned to trust her own judgment.
3. Urokodaki

Sakonji Urokodaki, master of Water Breathing and mentor to both Tanjiro and Giyu, stands as one of the most underutilized Demon Slayer characters, like Makio. As a former Hashira who trained multiple successful demon slayers, his wisdom and experience could have provided valuable insights into the history of the Demon Slayer Corps and the evolution of breathing techniques.
Despite his crucial role in developing Tanjiro’s skills and his deep connection to multiple important characters, Urokodaki’s appearances became increasingly limited as the story progressed. His knowledge of Water Breathing and experience fighting demons could have added depth to the series’ exploration of combat techniques. Instead, like many mentor figures in Demon Slayer, he remained largely in the background after his initial arc. It left many questions about his past achievements and personal journey unanswered.
2. Obanai Iguro

The Snake Hashira’s complex character deserved more exploration in Demon Slayer. Like Makio, Iguro’s potential for deeper character development was often overshadowed. His tragic backstory involving his family’s cruel traditions and his relationship with Mitsuri offered rich material for character exploration that wasn’t fully utilized.
His unique Snake Breathing technique and fighting style made him stand out among the Hashira. But we rarely got to see him in extended battle sequences until the final arc. The manga could have delved deeper into his struggles with his family’s dark legacy and how it affected his outlook on demons and humanity. His dedication to the Demon Slayer Corps and growing feelings for Mitsuri represented interesting character threads. Although present, it could have been woven more thoroughly into the story’s fabric.
1. Tengen Uzui

The Sound Hashira himself, despite being a major character during the Entertainment District arc, joins the ranks of Demon Slayer characters like Makio who didn’t get enough screen time. His flamboyant personality and unique approach to demon-slaying through Sound Breathing offered a fresh perspective on the series’ power system. His retirement after sustaining serious injuries meant we lost opportunities to see more of his extraordinary abilities and leadership style.
Uzui’s background as a shinobi and his complex relationship with his wives could have provided fascinating insights into the different warriors. His philosophy about maintaining flamboyance in the face of darkness could have been explored more deeply, especially in contrast to other Hashira’s approaches to their duties. Instead, like many compelling characters in Demon Slayer, his role diminished significantly after his major arc.
Conclusion
These Demon Slayer characters, like Makio, represent just a fraction of the series’ untapped potential. The manga successfully delivered an epic story focused on Tanjiro’s journey. However many fascinating side characters could have enriched the narrative further with their unique perspectives and abilities.
Their limited roles remind us that even in a well-crafted story, some compelling characters must remain in the shadows. With them, fans wonder about the stories that could have been told.
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