Muzan Kibutsuji, the main villain in Demon Slayer, is the ultimate enemy. Having existed for a thousand years, he is the creator of all demons and his reign of fear started during the Heian Era. His primary aim throughout this period was to achieve immortality and escape the fear of death. To achieve his goal, he dedicated himself to locating the elusive Blue Spider Lily and transforming more beings into demons, in the hope that one day they would overcome their vulnerability to sunlight.
Interestingly, Muzan wasn't born a demon. He was turned into one thousand years ago, leading to his journey of trying to live forever.
Demon Slayer: The way Muzan became the first demon
Muzan, as portrayed in the manga series Demon Slayer (Image via Shueisha), had the misfortune of carrying the burden of delicate health during the Heian era in Japan. This challenging affliction plagued him from before his birth as his heart halted several times while he was still in his mother's womb. When he finally entered the world, he was declared lifeless due to his lack of breath and pulse.
Deemed as a stillborn, he miraculously eluded death by crying for the first time. Nevertheless, he faced ongoing health challenges during his early years, eventually receiving the devastating diagnosis of a terminal illness that would claim his life before reaching the age of 20.
Muzan killed his doctor in Demon Slayer (Image via Ufotable)
Desperate to cling onto life, Muzan consented to receiving an experimental medicine administered by a benevolent doctor. This medicine, derived from the rare Blue Spider Lily flower, was intended to prolong his life. Despite the doctor's earnest efforts, Muzan's condition deteriorated, leading him to believe the experiment had been a failure.
Consumed by fury due to his worsening state, Muzan mercilessly murdered the doctor. It was only in the aftermath of the doctor's demise that Muzan discovered the medicine had indeed succeeded, granting him extraordinary abilities such as inhuman strength and immortality. Realizing the only way to sustain himself was by consuming human flesh, Muzan felt no remorse in slaying humans to satisfy his insatiable hunger.
Muzan's vulnerability to sunlight became a hindrance for him, as he discovered that he would instantly suffer burns upon exposure. Consequently, he found himself facing another major predicament that restricted his movements and confined him to a perpetual existence in darkness. This realization filled him with remorse for his hasty decision to murder the doctor, preventing him from receiving the complete treatment involving the Blue Spider Lily.
In his relentless pursuit of eternal life, Muzan embarked on a relentless search for the elusive flower but encountered disappointment as it remained unseen in every corner of Japan. Consequently, he resorted to the production of additional demons, with the expectation that among them, one would overcome their vulnerability to sunlight or, at the very least, aid him in his relentless quest for the Blue Spider Lily.
The world of Demon Slayer turned into a nightmare when Muzan bestowed his blood upon humans, turning them into formidable demons. Consuming a large amount of his blood at once can result in deadly mutations, but in smaller doses, it can enhance a demon's strength.
During the Heian Era, the Demon Slayer Corp was established to protect humanity from demons. The organization received a significant boost during the Sengoku Era when the skilled swordsman, Yoriichi Tsugikuni, joined their ranks. His mastery of the Sun Breathing Style not only strengthened the corps but also paved the way for the development of other breathing styles.
Yoriichi came close to defeating Muzan, prompting the demon to hide for a century.
Tanjiro, with the support of Yoriichi's legacy and the united efforts of the Demon Slayer Corps, ultimately triumphed over Muzan and put an end to his long-standing reign of terror that had lasted for a thousand years. Muzan Kibutsuji, a merciless and callous villain, served as the central driving force behind the entire Demon Slayer narrative. Driven by his desperate pursuit of eternal life and haunted by the fear of his own mortality, Muzan inflicted immeasurable suffering upon countless innocent lives, living a wretched existence consumed by misery and unrelenting bitterness.
Editor's P/S
Muzan Kibutsuji, the main antagonist in the popular manga and anime series Demon Slayer, is a complex and fascinating character. Initially human, Muzan was transformed into a demon over a thousand years ago and has since become the progenitor of all other demons. Driven by a desire for immortality and a fear of death, Muzan has wreaked havoc and misery throughout history.
Muzan's transformation from human to demon is a pivotal moment in the story of Demon Slayer. It sets the stage for the conflict between the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons and establishes Muzan as a formidable and ruthless opponent. Muzan's motivations are understandable, as the fear of death is a universal human experience. However, his methods are cruel and inhumane, as he sacrifices countless lives in his quest for immortality.