Muzan Kibutsuji: Unraveling the Depths of Demon Slayer's Malevolent Villain

Muzan, the king of all demons in Demon Slayer, is the original demon and the progenitor of all others. Centuries old, he has little regard for humans as anything more than sustenance and potential slaves, and is undeniably, inhumanly evil. This may leave many fans wondering, why?

In truth, Muzan's immortality has twisted him, and his origin only made matters worse. Born with a weak heart and constitution, he was diagnosed with a disease that would have killed him by the age of twenty. However, he was saved by a medicine that transformed him into the first demon, setting him down a path driven by the power he wielded and molding him into the monster we know.

Demon Slayer: Muzan sees humans as infra dig

Muzan is consumed by the immense power that comes with being a demon. (Image via Ufotable)

Muzan embodies pure evil, much like many demons in Demon Slayer. His evil nature seems to stem from his belief in his own superiority and his disdain for human beings. He sees humans as nothing more than food to be consumed, and he treats them as expendable, as shown by his brutal treatment of a man and his family who insulted him.

Muzan, once a frail and weak human, sought an experimental treatment that ultimately turned him into a powerful demon. He fatally attacked the doctor when he believed the treatment had failed, leaving it incomplete. This transformation granted Muzan a newfound strength and power, eradicating his former weakness for good.

He is completely self-absorbed, as only someone who has lived for over a millennium can be. During his early years as a demon, he had five wives, all of whom he drove to suicide due to his complete lack of empathy.

He manipulated individuals like Doctor Tamayo and Michikatsu Tsugikuni into becoming the first demons, exploiting their emotions to build his army. However, after years of confidence, one man finally made Muzan feel fear.

Muzan fears the Sun-Breathers

Muzan can't stand up to the Sun-Breathing technique. (Image via Koyoharu Gotouge)

The Sun-Breathing technique was famously wielded by the renowned Demon Slayer Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and proved to be the great weakness of Muzan. Yoriichi came very close to defeating Muzan, leaving him deeply scarred by the power of sunlight manipulation. In a desperate move, Muzan managed to escape by breaking himself into small fragments and fleeing.

In a cowardly retaliation, Muzan made it his mission to eliminate anyone who used the Sun-Breathing technique, particularly targeting the Kamado clan. However, the Kamados only used it as a part of their traditional dance, not as a means of demon-slaying. Nevertheless, Muzan mercilessly slaughtered them all, but his fatal error was sparing one member: Tanjiro Kamado.

Muzan would ultimately face the consequences of his actions as the boy sought vengeance for his family and demon-cursed sister by using the sun-breathing technique perfected by his ancestors, as well as the water breathing technique, against Muzan. With the combined force of Tanjiro and other brave Demon Slayers, Muzan would ultimately fall - something that would not have occurred had he left the Kamados alone.

Muzan's villainy in Demon Slayer stemmed from his disdain for his former weak human form and his contempt for the humans he now saw as inferior. Despite his immortality, he became vain and considered himself superior to humans, but he still grappled with basic emotions like fear. He dreaded the possibility of his immortality coming to an end, which he believed would ultimately lead to his downfall.

Editor's P/S

Muzan Kibutsuji, the central antagonist of the popular anime and manga series Demon Slayer, is a truly despicable and malevolent villain. As the progenitor of all demons, he is responsible for countless deaths and untold suffering. His motivations are purely selfish, and he takes pleasure in inflicting pain and misery on others.

Muzan's villainy is rooted in his own insecurities and weaknesses. He was born with a weak heart and constitution, and he was diagnosed with a disease that would have killed him by the age of twenty. This made him feel inferior to others, and he longed for power and immortality. When he was transformed into a demon, he finally gained the strength and power he had always craved. However, this power came at a price. Muzan lost his humanity and became a monster, both physically and emotionally.