8 Most Hated Demon Salyer Characters, Ranked

The eight most hated Demon Slayer characters that can’t be ignored. Even in the world of demons, what choices they made define them.

Most Hated Demon Slayer Characters, Ranked
Most Hated Demon Slayer Characters, Ranked (Source: Studio Ufotable)

Demons are not born; they are made. In Demon Slayer, the line between victim and villain blurs with each drop of blood. The most hated Demon Slayer characters betray, torture, and mock our heroes’ suffering. Some were once human; others were monsters from the start. But they all leave us seething with rage.

These eight most hated Demon Slayer characters have made everyone clench their fists in frustration. They have slaughtered innocents, betrayed comrades, and taunted grieving families. This is a countdown of the truly despicable characters.

8. Sanemi Shinazugawa

Sanemi as seen in the series
Sanemi, as seen in the series (Source: Studio Ufotable)

The abrasive Wind Hashira earns his spot among the most hated Demon Slayer characters due to his initial treatment of Nezuko. When we first meet Sanemi, he deliberately cuts himself to provoke Nezuko. His harsh personality and quick temper make him immediately unlikable, especially compared to the more compassionate Hashira.

However, Sanemi’s position as the least hated on this list stems from his eventual redemption. As his backstory unfolds, we discover the trauma that explains his deep-seated hatred and distrust. By the conclusion of the series, many fans come to appreciate Sanemi’s growth and dedication to protecting humanity, even if his methods seem cruel.

7. Kaigaku

Kaigaku as seen in the Demon Slayer manga
Kaigaku, as seen in the Demon Slayer manga (Source: Shueisha)

The former Thunder Breathing student and Zenitsu’s senior, Kaigaku, ranks seventh among the most hated Demon Slayer characters for his ultimate betrayal. Unlike other antagonists with somewhat understandable motivations, Kaigaku abandons humanity simply to save his own skin—becoming a demon when faced with death.

Zenitsu tries to overcome his fears to become stronger, but Kaigaku takes the easy way out, spitting on their master’s teachings and everything the Demon Slayer Corps stands for. His transformation into Upper Moon Six represents the antithesis of the Demon Slayer ethos. He discards honor, loyalty, and courage—core values in the series—for self-preservation. The personal connection to Zenitsu makes his villainy more intimate and infuriating than some of the other antagonists in Demon Slayer.

6. Hand Demon

The heinous Hand Demon
The heinous Hand Demon (Source: Studio Ufotable)

The Hand Demon earns his place among the most hated Demon Slayer characters through his disturbing appearance, mainly due to the personal trauma he inflicted on Sabito and Makomo. This former prisoner-turned-demon has terrorized Final Selection candidates for years. He slaughtered countless potential Demon Slayers before they could even begin their journey.

The Hand Demon specifically targets the weakest and most vulnerable with gleeful malice. His prideful boasting about killing 50 children during Tanjiro’s Final Selection reveals his truly monstrous nature. He also becomes an emotional hurdle for Tanjiro as he learns the tragic fate of Sabito and Makomo at his hands. Though not the most powerful among the most hated Demon Slayer characters, his cruelty toward children and his role in destroying Urokodaki’s disciples make him genuinely detestable.

5. Hantengu

Hantengu as seen in Demon Slayer
Hantengu, as seen in Demon Slayer (Source: Studio Ufotable)

The cowardly Upper Moon Four stands out among the most hated Demon Slayer characters for his unique brand of hypocrisy. He’s a murderer as a demon but was also the same during his life as a human. Hantengu persistently claims innocence, constantly shifting blame to others while never taking responsibility for his actions.

His emotional manipulation reaches infuriating levels during his battle with Tanjiro, Mitsuri, and Genya. Hantengu alternates between tearful pleas for mercy and vicious attacks, embodying the worst kind of deceitful opponent. His ability to split into different emotional aspects makes him literally two-faced, or rather, many-faced. Even before becoming a demon, he was a serial killer who blamed his crimes on “another self.”

4. Shinjuro Rengoku

Kyojuro Rengoku's father Shinjuro Rengoku
Kyojuro Rengoku’s father, Shinjuro Rengoku (Source: Studio Ufotable)

Kyojuro Rengoku’s father deserves extreme hatred from Demon Slayer fans not for being a demon but for being an awful father. After losing his wife, Shinjuro dumped his responsibilities as both a father and Flame Hashira, plunging into alcoholism and bitterness while emotionally abusing his sons.

His cruelty reaches its peak after Kyojuro’s heroic death. Rather than honoring his son’s sacrifice, Shinjuro dismisses it as meaningless—a moment that infuriates viewers who have just witnessed Kyojuro’s incredible battle against Akaza. This callousness toward his own son’s memory makes him one of the most hated Demon Slayer characters, despite his limited screen time. While demons at least have the excuse of being corrupted by Muzan, Shinjuro’s cruelty is entirely human.

3. Daki

Daki one of the most hated Demon Slayer character
Daki’s malicious laughter (Source: Studio Ufotable)

The flamboyant half of Upper Moon Six ranks high among the most hated Demon Slayer characters for her sadistic narcissism and cruel treatment of humans. As an oiran-turned-demon, Daki views people as either food or toys for her amusement, even storing victims in her sashes for later consumption.

Despite having killed and eaten countless Hashira over centuries, she cannot handle being wounded or challenged. If she falls into those situations, she immediately calls for her brother Gyutaro to save her. This petulant behavior contrasts sharply with her claims of strength and beauty. Even her backstory, which explains her behavior, doesn’t excuse the sadistic pleasure she takes in tormenting others.

2. Doma

The Upper Moon Two Doma
The Upper Moon Two Doma (Source: Studio Ufotable)

The deceptively cheerful Upper Moon Two ranks as the second-most hated Demon Slayer character for his uniquely disturbing personality. Behind his serene smile lies perhaps the most psychologically terrifying villain in the series. He’s a demon completely incapable of human emotion who merely mimics feelings he doesn’t understand.

Doma’s history of creating a cult where he devoured his female followers is disturbing enough, but his treatment of Shinobu and Inosuke’s mother cements fans’ hatred. His casual admission to killing and eating Kotoha while describing her “flavor” to her son Inosuke is unforgivably cruel, even by demon standards. Doma is truly empty—making his superficial kindness all the more chilling.

1. Muzan Kibutsuji

Kibutsuji Muzan with dashing look
Kibutsuji Muzan with the dashing look (Source: Studio Ufotable)

The Demon King himself easily claims the title of the most hated Demon Slayer character. As the progenitor of all demons, Muzan bears responsibility for every demonic atrocity in the series. His selfishness stands unmatched. He created demons solely to help overcome his own weaknesses and freely discards them when they fail to meet his expectations.

Muzan’s cruelty extends beyond mere killing. He mentally and emotionally tortures his subordinates, implanting his cells to destroy them from within if they even think his name with negativity. His punishment of Lower Moon One after the Rui incident shows his complete disregard for loyalty or service. Despite centuries of life, he’s learned nothing, blaming others for his shortcomings while sacrificing countless lives for his personal goal of conquering the sun.

Conclusion

The most hated Demon Slayer characters are not just evil; they are necessary. Without Muzan’s cruelty, would Tanjiro’s kindness matter? Without Doma’s emptiness, would Shinobu’s passion hit so hard? These demons and men show us what happens when humanity breaks. Some chose darkness, whereas others were pushed into it.


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