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Does Demon Slayer have a deuteragonist? Taking a look at the candidate for this role and their connection to the overall plot.
The Demon Slayer series has introduced fans to a plethora of characters. Koyoharu Gotouge’s mastery lies in character development. They all have unique personalities and skill sets, resulting in an entertaining read. Usually, the protagonist is one of the most popular characters in the series, and the concept of deuteragonists is quite common in many anime and manga series. However, whether a character is a typical deuteragonist can be debated.
Which brings us to the question: Does Demon Slayer have a deuteragonist? There is no dedicated deuteragonist in the series. However, if we were to consider one of the main characters a deuteragonist, it would be Nezuko Kamado.
She is Tanjiro Kamado’s younger sister in the series. She and Tanjiro were the only Kamado siblings who survived the demon attack. Nezuko is not only important to the overall plot but also has a massive influence on the protagonist of the series. Let’s take a closer look at the anime and manga series to understand why Nezuko can be considered a deuteragonist.
Why Nezuko is a Deuteragoinst in the Demon Slayer?
The term deuteragonist is described as a character who is second in importance to the protagonist of a series. Furthermore, deuteragonists act as companions of the protagonist, especially if they were to embark on an adventure or a quest.
Keeping these points in mind, one can agree that Nezuko checks all of the aforementioned boxes. Nezuko has a pivotal role in the progression of the series. Tanjiro’s quest is not limited to defeating all the demons but also finding a cure for his sister to change her back to a human being.
Nezuko Kamado is the only demon who retained a portion of her humanity. She fought alongside her brother against other demons. She accompanied her beloved brother on various missions, saving him from life-threatening attacks. Toward the end of the manga, Nezuko becomes human again.
She was an invaluable member of the Demon Slayer Corps despite not being an official one. It is also important to note that the entire story of Demon Slayer would not have taken place without Nezuko Kamado. Therefore, she is the only character in the series to be considered a deuteragonist in the anime and manga series.
Nezuko’s Role in Demon Slayer
Nezuko was introduced as the protagonist’s sister, who played a massive role in Tanjiro Kamado embarking on the biggest quest of his life—kill all demons. He decided to carve a new path because his sister became a demon. Tanjiro realized the responsibility he needed to shoulder being the older sibling. Nezuko was a strong companion who used her demonic abilities to aid Tanjiro.
Given the nature of his work, he constantly faced life-ending situations. However, Nezuko had his back and saved him from plenty of dangerous incidents. There are plenty of fighting sequences in the series. Nezuko Kamado always had something to pitch in during those fights to help her brother. She lost her speech abilities which meant that her interactions were limited.
There are plenty of wholesome interactions involving her, Mitsuri, Tanjiro, and Muichiro that fans thoroughly enjoyed. These scenes were not very important for storyline progression but gave fans some breathing room between epic battles. She took on the role of a deuteragonist who also gave fans a break from the constant fights in the series.
Nezuko’s Influence on the Protagonist and the Plot
Nezuko Kamado had a strong influence on the plot and Tanjiro’s life. He decided to live the life of a demon hunter while finding a cure for his sister. If Nezuko had also died during the attack, Tanjiro’s personality would not have been as depicted in the series. He could have become a rage-fuelled demon hunter seeking vengeance. This was Tanjiro’s personality in the original one-shot by Koyoharu Gotouge.
She was a source of strength for Tanjiro in some of the most troubling times. Whenever he is pushed to a corner, his love for Nezuko allows him to surpass any impediment he faces. His initial years of grueling training for Nezuko as well. She is the personification of persistence and strength—a theme deeply explored in the anime and manga series.
Why Inosuke or Zenitsu Cannot be Considered Deuteragonists in the Demon Slayer series
Inosuke Hashibira and Zenitsu Agatsuma were important characters in the series, but they cannot be considered deuteragonists. When compared to Nezuko, they do not have as much of an influence on the plot or the protagonist. Both characters often served as comedic relief in the series, while Nezuko heavily influenced the plot and the protagonist. Furthermore, these characters lack a strong connection to the plot, unlike Nezuko. Both Inosuke and Zenitsu were not present for the entirety of the Swordsmith Village arc. Hence, they cannot be considered deuteragonists of the series.
Conclusion
The Demon Slayer series doesn’t have a typical deuteragonist like typical shonens. However, Nezuko fits the description to a degree. No character in the series comes close to her in that regard. Therefore, Nezuko Kamado is the only person in the series who can be considered for this role in the anime and manga series.
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