11 Japanese Names of Characters From Demon Slayer

Looking for the Japanese names of characters from Demon Slayer. Check them out below the Demon Slayer character names in Japanese. 

Step into the realm of “Demon Slayer,” where names carry the weight of tradition and tales.

Our guide to the Japanese names of characters from this acclaimed series deciphers the meanings and cultural significance behind each one, offering fans a deeper connection to the rich tapestry of the story’s vibrant world.

Fun Fact – In the anime, the characters’ names written in Kanji follow a different order, unlike the English translation. Hence, we’ll be following the Japanese traditions of writing names throughout the blog.

Japanese Names of Characters From Demon Slayer

Kamado Tanjiro – 竈門 炭治郎 

   

Let’s begin with the protagonist of the anime Tanjiro who sold charcoal to make a living for his family. The Kanji letter Tan (炭) means charcoal due to his family’s occupation, the Kanji Ji (治) means a cure and Ro (郎) is the typical Kanji character for boys’ names in Japanese.

Tanjiro is the main protagonist of Demon Slayer. Tanjiro decides to become a Demon Slayer by joining the Demon Slayer Corps after witnessing what the demons have caused to his family. 

He longs to find a cure for his sister who turned into a half-demon after the brutal attack along with killing all the demons he finds. Tanjiro is one of the Japanese names of characters from Demon Slayer.

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Kamado Nezuko – 竈門 禰豆子

Nezuko is the younger sister of our protagonist Tanjiro Kamado. Nezuko’s second Kanji character (豆) translates to beans in the English Language. 

This is an important and interesting detail in her name because beans, particularly soy beans in the Japanese traditions are used to throw at demons. During the spring festival in Japan, kids throw soy beans at demons. Nezuko’s name indicates that she’s capable of killing the demons.

As we know, Nezuko turned into a half-demon after a demon attacked her, and Tanjiro, being a very caring brother, set out to become a Demon Slayer so that he could help his sister recover from her condition.

Hashibira Inosuke – 嘴平 伊之助 

From most of the names I’ve seen in Demon Slayer, Hashibira Inosuke’s name has the most difficult combination of Kanji characters. This is one of the Japanese names of characters from Demon Slayer that’s quite popular. 

The first Kanji character (嘴) Hashi means the beak of a bird and the second Kanji character (平) Bira means flat. Hence, the closest meaning for Hashibira is a flat beak. 

Meanwhile, the name Inosuke (伊之助) has the first Kanji (伊) I, the second Kanji (之) No means Of and the last Kanji (助) Suke means Help. Hence, the name Inosuke means helping someone. 

Inosuke is a Demon Slayer and one of the traveling companions of Kamado Tanjiro and Kamado Nezuko. He has a muscular figure and an attractive face but he mostly likes to cover his face with a boar mask. 

Kibutsuji Muzan – 鬼舞辻 無残

Kibutsuji Muzan is the main antagonist of the Demon Slayer anime. He’s known as the Demon King and the founder of all the demons. Muzan’s surname, Kibutsuji in Kanji (鬼舞辻) has a complex meaning which either means invisible beings or moving feet. 

Meanwhile, Muzan’s name in Kanji (無残) means ruthless, evil, merciless, and any word that can be used to describe a horrible person.

It’s Muzan’s name that suits his personality very well because he’s the antagonist of the anime who has a cold-blooded personality. His goal in life is to create more demons in order to have the utmost control over them and to be immortal.

Agatsuma Zenitsu – 我妻 善逸

 Agatsuma Zenitsu is also one of the protagonists of the Demon Slayer anime and also the best friend and traveling companion of Tanjiro and his sister. Zenitsu is also a Demon Slayer who’s a young boy and he’s very well known for being a coward. 

Zenitsu’s name begins with the first Kanji character (善) Zen which means good and the second Kanji character (逸) Itsu means unique person. Agatsuma Zenitsu is one of the Japanese names of characters from Demon Slayer.

Hence Zenitsu’s overall name meaning would be a good and unique person. This reflects his character very well because he’s very kind and what makes him unique is he was the only person to enter into the kisatsutai.

Kanao Tsuyuri – カナヲ 栗花落

 Kanao Tsuyuri is one of the supporting characters in Demon Slayer and a Demon Slayer as well. She’s a young girl who’s of short height with large lilac eyes. She has an attractive face and physique. 

Tsuyuri’s surname, Kanao (カナヲ) is written in Katakana which are characters with the shapes of Kanji letters. Unlike Kanji letters, katakana characters don’t have any meaning and they’re only used for expressing sounds. 

Similarly, the name Tsuyuri  (栗花落) is in Kanji but it’s quite tough to read because the letters used are different from the final pronunciation. However, the name Tsuyuri is derived from the Japanese word Tsuyu which means rainy season. 

 Uzui Tengen – 宇髄 天元

 Uzui Tengen is one of the major supporting characters in the second season of Demon Slayer and is also an ex-member of the Demon Slayer Corps. He’s a tall, muscular man with white hair and tanned skin. 

He’s also a sound Hashira as well. The first Kanji letter (宇) U means planet or universe and the second Kanji character (髄) Zui means center. Uzi Tengen is one of the Japanese names of characters from Demon Slayer.

Meanwhile his surname Tengen has the first Kanji (天) Ten which means heaven and the second Kanji (元) Gen means origin. 

Hence, his overall name can mean the origin of the heavens or universe. This makes sense because Uzui Tengen’s name is inspired by a Japanese mythology god.

 Shinazugawa Sanemi –  不死川 実弥

 Shinazugawa Sanemi is one of the major supporting characters of Demon Slayer and a member of the Demon Slayer Corps. He’s also the Wind Hashira currently and he’s known to have a rare blood type that most demons are fond of.

 Sanemi’s last name Shinazugawa’s (不死川) first two Kanji characters (不死) Shinazu means immortal. 

This suits his nature and appearance because Sanemi has been severely wounded during battles and he has managed to come out alive. Meanwhile, the name Sanemi means kindness.

Iguro Obanai – 伊黒 小芭内

Iguro Obanai is another supporting character in Demon Slayer who’s the present Serpent Hashira. Iguro Obanai is also a Demon Slayer in the Demon Slayer Corps. 

Obanai is a short man with a muscular physique. He has a light skin color and black hair that’s up to his neck. This is one of the Japanese names of characters from Demon Slayer.

The Kanji letters in Iguro Obanai’s name are quite hard to read and understand. The closest meaning for the second Kanji letter of Iguro’s surname Obanai (芭) is a type of plant, specifically the Basho plant. 

In Japanese traditions, the Basho plant symbolizes beautiful memories. This may indicate his memories of Mitsuri Kanroji whom he deeply loves.

 Himejima Gyomei – 悲鳴嶼 行冥

 Himejima Gyomei is also one of the major supporting characters in the Demon Slayer anime. He’s currently the Stone Hashira and also one of the Demon Slayers in the Demon Slayer Corps. 

Gyomei is one of the characters with a tall and strong physique and you can literally see his nerves popping out. 

Gyomei’s surname Himejima (悲鳴嶼) partially means a tough or agonizing scream and his actual name Gyomei’s first Kanji letter (行) means going forward and the second Kanji character (冥) means darkness. 

Hence, his overall name means moving forward even during times of darkness.

Tokitou Muichiro – 時透 無一郎 

Tokitou Muichiro is one of the main supporting characters in the Demon Slayer anime who’s also a Demon Slayer and the Mist Hashira. He’s an important character because he and his brother, Yuichiro Tokito are some of the descendants of the Upper Rank One. 

Muichiro is a young man with short height and a muscular physique and has straight hair that changes color from black to mint green. Tokitou Muichiro is one of the Japanese names of characters from Demon Slayer.

Muichiro’s surname Tokitou (時透) means “everything becomes clear in time”. The first Kanji letter of Muichiro’s actual name (無) Mu means nothing and Ichiro (郎) means “first boy” and it’s a very common Japanese name for boys. 

The reason for Muichiro’s name to mean “nothing” could be due to his empty memory and the lack of emotions and reactions on his face.

And these are the meanings of the names of our beloved Demon Slayer characters. As mentioned above we have followed the Japanese order of how names should be written (Surname comes before the actual name).

In addition, we’ve done our best to find the closest possible meanings of the Japanese names in English. Hope you found out the Japanese names of characters from Demon Slayer.

Japanese Names of Characters From Demon Slayer: FAQs

Is Zenitsu a real Japanese name?

Zenitsu is a real Japanese name that’s usually named for boys. Zenitsu Agatsuma is one of the key characters of Demon Slayer who’s a demon slayer and also the best friend of Tanjiro Kamado.

The meaning of Zenitsu’s first Kanji character is (善) good and the second Kanji character (逸) is a unique person. Zenitsu is portrayed as a humble and unique person in the Demon Slayer anime, which adds justice to his name.

What are demon slayers called in Japanese?

The anime Demon Slayer in the Japanese language is called Kimetsu no Yaiba. However, when Kimetsu no Yaiba is translated to the English Language it means blade of the Demon destruction which refers to the blades used by demon slayers in the anime to kill the demons. Demon slayers in Japanese are called  (鬼滅の刃) Oni metsu no ha.