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Analysis of the Wind Hashira reveals why he is one of the best-written Hashira in the Demon Slayer manga series.
The Hashira in Demon Slayer are some of the most exciting characters to watch on screen. There are plenty of reasons that add to their entertainment value. Most readers or viewers often praise the Hashira for their combat abilities. However, these characters go further than their ability to slay demons. One of the most popular Hashira is Sanemi Shinazugawa. He is the Wind Hashira, and fans detested him when he was first introduced.
Sanemi Shinazugawa is one of the most powerful Hashira in the series. However, his character writing is quite underrated. Many fans fail to identify this because they haven’t read the manga completely.
In fact, Sanemi is one of the best-written Hashira in the animanga series. Koyoharu Gotouge has a knack for writing good characters. The beauty of Demon Slayer is that the characters drive the narrative. The plot is quite simple. Therefore, Demon Slayer relies on character interactions for the narrative to progress. Sanemi’s past highlighted his mental scars and how he evolved as a person.
Furthermore, his growth in the manga made readers fall in love with him. This is also why he is one of the most popular characters in the series. Let’s take a closer look at this character and understand why he is one of the best-written Hashira in the series.
Sanemi’s Initial Portrayal in Demon Slayer
Fans absolutely hated Sanemi Shinazugawa when he was first introduced in the series. The leader of the Demon Slayer Corps summoned Tanjiro Kamado and his sister to the mansion. Every Hashira was present for that meeting. They wanted to take a call on whether or not Nezuko should live since she had become a demon. Everyone was quite patient given the traumatizing events that they had been through in the past.
However, Sanemi wasn’t one of them. He desperately wanted to prove that Nezuko wasn’t any different. What fans didn’t realize is that demons found Sanemi’s Marechi blood quite intoxicating and appealing. Nezuko had to fight her instincts more than usual, and she refused to attack him.
Sanemi took it a step further and even stabbed her. This drove Tanjiro mad, and he attacked the Wind Hashira. This entire interaction made Sanemi look like a bloodthirsty, demon-slaying maniac who derived happiness from slaying demons. His evil smile and demeanor didn’t help his case. This is why fans hated Sanemi during the initial parts of the story.
Sanemi’s Backstory: A Peak Into His Struggles as a Child
Sanemi had one of the saddest backstories in the entire story. When fans learned about his backstory, they understood why he behaved the way he did during the first season. Sanemi and Genya had five siblings and an abusive father. One of the villagers killed their father out of frustration, and their mother had to take care of all her children.
One fateful night, their mother didn’t return home at the usual time. Suddenly, a violent being entered the house and started killing the children. Genya assumed that the being who entered the house was a wild animal. He was dazed and confused. Meanwhile, Sanemi took matters into his own hands and fended off the demon. It turned out that the demon that killed the children was none other than Sanemi and Genya’s mother.
When the demon finally died, Genya blamed his elder brother for her death. Little did he know that his mother had turned into a demon and killed his siblings. Sanemi was forced to kill his own mother because he didn’t want his only remaining family to die. When he saved his brother, Genya continued to blame him for his actions.
This hurt Sanemi, and he decided to part ways with his brother. Since then, he decided to go on a killing spree and kill every demon who came his way. These events shaped Sanemi’s character, and he went on to become one of the most powerful Hashira.
Sanemi’s Relationship with Nezuko in Demon Slayer
Sanemi’s relationship with Nezuko is one of the most prominent indicators of his character progression. His relationship with Nezuko was quite bad since he viewed her as a demon who needed to be killed. However, he found her more tolerable as the series progressed. His relationship with Nezuko is a good indicator of how he grew as a person.
Towards the end of the manga, he even smiles at Nezuko and pats her head. He sees his little brother in Nezuko and is genuinely happy to see Nezuko revert to her human version. This interaction is one of the reasons why fans absolutely adore the Wind Hashira in the Demon Slayer series.
The Juxtaposition of Ruthless Aggression and Love
Characters are interesting when they have opposing qualities in them. The constant shift between two polar opposite traits and their internal struggles makes them stand out. It’s quite rare to see Sanemi show affection. However, every single action is fueled by his willingness to provide a safe environment for his brother. He doesn’t want Genya in the Demon Slayer Corps because of his eagerness to see his only family live a normal life.
Sanemi wishes to be the person who can work in the shadows and ensure his brother’s safety. It aches his heart to see his younger brother put his life on the line with every mission he is assigned. This, paired with Sanemi’s ruthless aggression during fight sequences, makes him interesting to watch on screen. The juxtaposition of his love for Genya paired with his aggressive demeanor gives the character another dimension.
Conclusion
There are certain characters in the series who can seem a tad unidimensional. Tanjiro, for example, is almost always positive on screen. It’s quite rare to see him frustrated, and this can get tiring to watch. Sanemi, on the other hand, can seem like a ruthless murderer who derives pleasure from killing demons.
However, as the series progresses, we can see that he is more than just a demon hunter. There is pain and suffering, and despite all that, his actions stem from love and affection for his younger brother. Genya’s death caused Sanemi immeasurable amounts of pain. There is no doubt that Sanemi Shinazugawa is one of the best-written Hashira in the animanga series.
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