Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 1

Befitting a hero, Tanjiro’s most consistent traits are his kindness and sympathy. As he begins his quest to become a demon slayer and find a cure for his transformed sister Nezuko, his sympathy is seen as weakness by other demon slayers. However, he never loses his gentle nature and even turns it into one of his many strengths. Tanjiro was kind and sympathetic well before tragedy befell his family. When he arrives in the nearby village to sell charcoal, people clamor for his attention. Someone says, “Thanks for fixing my shoji door the other day!” (13), while another person exclaims, “Aaah! Tanjiro! You’re just in time!” (13), and yet another person says, “Tanjiro! Will you help me carry some bundles?” (14). Tanjiro clearly has a history of helping people with their problems, to the extent that he is known in the village as someone who will always lend a helping hand.

When Nezuko transforms into a demon, Tanjiro instinctually protects her rather than fight her. In parallel illustrations, Tanjiro is pinned to the ground by a starving Nezuko (28). In a close-up frame, Tanjiro and Nezuko’s eyes are filled with tears and his brows are knit together in concern.