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Explore what makes the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, one of the most entertaining and well-written characters in Demon Slayer.
When the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, was first introduced in Demon Slayer‘s Entertainment District arc, fans weren’t entirely sure what to expect from his character. Initially, he came across as an unusually flashy, eccentric, and self-centered character who claimed to be the “God of Festivals” and looked down upon Tanjiro and his friends.
While he did make an impactful first impression, Tengen didn’t exactly seem like someone fans would instantly like and admire. He certainly was unlike any other Hashira we saw before in the show – which he made crystal clear in his first appearance itself.
However, as the Entertainment District arc progressed further, fans’ opinion on Tengen changed drastically, as he quickly became one of the most entertaining and beloved characters in Demon Slayer.
Tengen Uzui undeniably brought an unmatched energy to the show, and his going full throttle against one of the series’ best villains in the Entertainment District arc is a fight that is still burned in people’s minds to this day.
That being said, let us further explore what exactly made Tengen Uzui’s character in Demon Slayer so entertaining, and why his presence in the series was a complete game-changer.
Who Is Tengen Uzui in Demon Slayer?
As mentioned earlier, Tengen Uzui was a major character in Demon Slayer‘s Entertainment District arc. As the Sound Hashira, Tengen was one of the strongest combatants of the Demon Slayer Corps. However, what made him particularly stand out from the rest was his eccentricity and overwhelming flashiness. He has a flair for the dramatic and an unrelenting desire to be flamboyant at all times.
Apart from his flamboyant and flashy personality, Tengen is abnormally boastful and often tends to look down upon those weaker than him. This was made evident when he called Tanjiro and his friends trash and ordered them to flatter him. These traits initially made him come across as somewhat unlikeable, especially since the last Hashira that fans were introduced to was Kyojuro Rengoku – who was the complete opposite of Tengen Uzui.
However, as the series went on, we learned that beneath all the extravagant fashion, Tengen is a deadly and capable warrior. Apart from being one of the most physically imposing fighters in the series, Tengen had mastered the art of shinobi combat since childhood, making him extremely proficient in ranged and close quarters combat. He is also surprisingly modest and humble, as seen when he claimed that he could never measure up to someone as great as Rengoku.
What Sets Tengen Apart From Other Hashira
If there’s one thing the Demon Slayer fanbase can collectively agree upon, it’s that the character of Tengen Uzui is unlike anything they had ever seen. In fact, the difference between Tengen and the other Hashira is like night and day.
He’s not antisocial like Giyu Tomioka, a loose cannon like Sanemi Shinazugawa, or an inspiring figure like Kyojuro Rengoku. Instead, he’s actually pretty fun. While he is arrogant and has a massive ego, he possesses the skill to back up every word with action.
Another aspect of his character that sets him apart from the rest, is how human he is. For all his bravado, Tengen is actually one of the few Hashiras who openly acknowledges his weakness. He wasn’t hesitant or even ashamed to admit that he was inferior to Rengoku, nor did he ever pretend to be invincible.
If you look closely at the character arcs of all the Hashira, you will notice that they all seemed like they were doomed from the very beginning. In fact, majority of the Hashira ended up perishing in battle against Muzan and the Upper Moon Demons.
Tengen however, manages to walk away from it all – albeit at the cost of losing an eye and an arm. After his climactic battle against Gyutaro, Tengen retired from active duty and goes on to live a happy life with his three wives – a fate not many could dream of, especially in the unforgiving world of Demon Slayer.
The Chaotic Dynamic Between Tengen and His Three Wives
If his character wasn’t already ridiculous enough, Tengen also has three wives – who are every bit as chaotic as him. Their overall dynamic was one of the best parts of the Entertainment District arc.
Moreover, it exposed his caring nature that usually remains masked beneath his flamboyant façade. This is because it is something he shows only to his three wives – Makio, Suma, and Hinatsuru. Weirdly enough, the personality of his three wives mirrors that of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke.
Makio is the aggressive one, who is always ready to throw hands. Suma is dramatic and is almost always panicking, whereas Hinatsuru is the calm and level-headed one who balances out the madness of their dynamic (much like Tanjiro). All three of them are equally precious to Tengen, who adores them and truly cares for them. It shows that despite all his flashiness, Tengen deeply values his family and is willing to do anything to protect them.
Tengen’s Showdown Against Gyutaro Is Demon Slayer at Its Peak
The one event that truly immortalized Tengen Uzui and the Entertainment District arc in general, is his monumental showdown against the Upper Rank Six Demon, Gyutaro. While Demon Slayer was already quite famous for its stunning animation quality, Tengen vs. Gyutaro took things on a whole other level.
Every single aspect of the battle is a masterpiece – the choreography, the animation quality, the voice acting, the stakes, and the tension, which was especially off the charts. It was a visual spectacle unlike anything anyone has ever seen – cementing Demon Slayer as one of the best shonen anime of the modern generation.
There’s no denying that Studio Ufotable went absolutely overboard with the animation. Every move and every strike felt like it carried real weight. The moment when Tengen – who was poisoned, had one arm cut off, and was literally on the verge of death – rose up and continued fighting like a madman against Gyutaro, will forever remain burned in the minds of every Demon Slayer fan.
The entire fight was hype personified, and it left a lasting impact on not only the Demon Slayer fanbase, but also the entire anime industry in general.
What Made Entertainment District Arc One of the Series’ Greatest
All in all, it’s safe to say that Demon Slayer‘s Entertainment District arc wouldn’t be half as memorable without Tengen Uzui. While it may not have seemed like it at first, Tengen was the perfect follow-up to Rengoku, and no one would have it any other way. This arc certainly had all the elements to be one of the series’ greatest – a top-tier villain, stunning animation, memorable characters, and an unforgettable climax that left us all with goosebumps.
It also saw Tengen actually surviving a battle against an Upper Moon Demon – thereby giving us hope that the seemingly invincible Upper Moon Demons could actually be defeated, which seemed practically impossible after Rengoku’s death. Moreover, the fact that Tengen actually got to retire and live a happy life with his beloved wives, filled us all with joy and relief.
Conclusion
It’s easy to see why Demon Slayer fans hold Tengen Uzui’s character in such high regard. He’s not just one of the most entertaining characters of the series – he’s one of the most fun anime characters in general. He may not the strongest Hashira, but at least he got a happy ending – which is more than we can say about the others.
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