AmongDemon Slayer’sheroes,Zenitsu Agatsumais one of the most controversial figures because of his fearfulness. Despite being exaggeratedly nervous, Zenitsu’s heroic deeds are many, which may come as a shock to those who findhim to be an annoying nuisance. He isone of the series' best heroes despite his terror.

Zenitsu is often mischaracterized as a coward, but he has killed enough demons and saved enough innocent people to prove that assertion false. His fright became a powerful motivator rather than a hindrance, enabling him to harness his powers and embody the hero title. AsDemon Slayer’smost complicated hero,Zenitsu has incredible moments that showcase his growth, strength, and quirky personality that some love and some hate.

Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba Tanjirou, Zenitsu, and an Unmasked Inosuke, Hanging Out

10His Panic When First Seeing Demons

Zenitsu’s Honest Reactions Are Refreshing and Hilarious, Portraying a Realistic Reaction To Monstrous Creatures

When Zenitsu first came across demons, his excessive reaction was equal parts hilarious and concerning. In the Tsuzumi Mansion and when he encountered the Spider Demon Family, Zenitsu erupted in a cacophony of terrified shrieks.His overexaggerated bouts of horror frustrate some viewers, but others find them humorous and relatable.

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Although Zenitsu annoys many Demon Slayer fans, his terrified reaction to demons is shockingly realistic and gives him a surprising strength.

Coming face-to-face with a murderous creature who has claimed hundreds of lives is bound to alarm anyone,Zenitsu just refuses to sugarcoat his genuine reactions.Although his initial panicked demon encounters horrified everyone, such as Tanjiro and the two children in the Tsuzumi mansion, Zenitsu deserves credit for his honesty. Any normal person thrust into Zenitsu’s petrifying situation would respond the same way, so these scenes make him an understandable, more human hero than his braver counterparts.

Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba Promotional Poster, Featuring Tanjirou, Nezuko, Zenitsu, & Inosuke in fighting stance

9His First Encounters With Tanjiro and Inosuke

Zenitsu’s Love for His Friends Is Evident in the Fact He Pushed Past His Fear To Stay a Demon Slayer With Them

Zenitsu’s first meetings with Tanjiro and Inosuke don’t paint him in the best light, admittedly. When he first met Tanjiro, he sobbed at his feet, explaining that he was frightened and did not want to be a demon slayer. Tanjiro momentarily snapped some sense into him, but when he met Inosuke, he fled in fear,caught off guard by Inosuke’s intimidatingly realistic boar maskthat obscures his face.

Zenitsu’s tendency to become scared was on display in these scenes, but when comparing Zenitsu’s behavior by the end of the manga with these moments, it is like witnessing two completely different people. These meetings are crucial because theyestablish the solid bond of love between Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Tanjiro, as they love each other despite flaws. Although Zenitsu was scared, he continued making an effort toget to know his new companionswho would become best friends, sticking by them regardless of his own terror.

Demon Slayer’s villains Doma, Muzan Kibutsuji, and Akaza

8Protecting Nezuko From Inosuke’s Violence

Zenitsu Kept the Box Containing Nezuko Safe, Even Before He Knew Who She Was

Zenitsu’s starry-eyed crush on Nezuko was there from the minute he laid eyes on her, but his affection for the demon originated even earlier than that. In the Tsuzumi Mansion arc, when Tanjiro left the box containing Nezuko outside, Zenitsu guarded it with his life. Although he was unaware someone living was inside,he shielded the receptacle from Inosuke’s attacks.

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Zenitsu sustained physical injuries from an overeager Inosuke,refusing to let any harm come to Tanjiro’s prized possession.All he knew was that the box was valuable to Tanjiro, so he showed respect for his friend by protecting it. This scene is also a touching nod to his later relationship with Nezuko, revealing how he always shields her from danger, even if he had not formally met her yet.

Zenitsu, Rengoku, and Tomioka’s Breathing Styles in Demon Slayer

7Teaming up with Tengen, Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Inosuke to Fight Daki and Gyutaro

Zenitsu Put His Life on the Line to Rescue a Young Girl Who Was in Danger From Daki’s Clutches

The fight against Daki and Gyutaro was one of themost hypeDemon Slayerteam ups. Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Tengen all pitched in to make quick work of defeating the evil sibling duo. Zenitsu played an important role in this battle, and one of his most honorable achievements wasdefending an innocent girl from Daki’s unabashed violence.

When he entered the Kyogoku House and witnessed Daki physically harming a girl, he reprimanded Daki and put himself at risk to save the girl, although Daki unfortunately knocked him out before he could. This setback did not last long though, asZenitsu and Inosuke shared one of their best scenes of teamworkand synced up their movements to behead Daki. The brother-sister fight is one of the series' best battles for Zenitsu, revealing his inability to stand idly by and watch others be harmed.

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6Showing Great Care and Love For Nezuko

Their Romantic Relationship Blossomed Thanks to Zenitsu’s Noble Protection of Her

Zenitsu and Nezuko became one ofDemon Slayer’smost loving couples after the conclusion of the Muzan battle. They got married and had a family, but it took them a while to reach this level of connection. The first sparks of love bloomed between themall thanks toZenitsu’s dedicated protection of Nezukofrom any threatsthat come her way.

Whether it was Enmu on the Mugen Train, the Spider Family in the forest, or a confused Inosuke, Zenitsu did not allow anyone to get close enough to harm Nezuko. His efforts to woo her might have been annoying and overeager at first, but she really appreciated the way he always looked out for her. It is a major feat for a perpetually alarmed person likeZenitsu to continually risk his life for someone else, which reveals the depths of his love.

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5Battling the Spider Demon

The Spider Demon Family was filled with powerful members, and Zenitsu was tasked with defeating the Son. When the spider approached Zenitsu, his first instinct was to flee. Since he was poisoned he had no choice but to engage,unleashing the First Form of Thunder Breathing to amazing effect.

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This clash was short-lived because Zenitsu’s Thunder Breathing is so unstoppable that few enemies can dodge it.Zenitsu beheaded the Spider Demon Son, even while poison coursed through his veins and slowed him. As one of Zenitsu’s first major solo fights, this altercation highlighted just how effective Zenitsu’s Breathing Style is, as well as his willingness to push past nearly insurmountable fear.

4Fighting the Tongue Demon

Zenitsu Miraculously Took Down a Demon While He Was Slumbering Away

Zenitsu’s first solo battle in the Tsuzumi Mansion wasan incredible sight, because he fought asleep. The threat of demons lurking in the building stressed Zenitsu out so much that he fell unconscious, seemingly doomed to die. Before the demon could kill Zenitsu and the children with him, Zenitsu was revived.

While fast asleep and completely unaware, Zenitsu cut off the Tongue Demon’s head. Once he awoke, he was deeply confused and fearful again. Hilariously,some of Zenitsu’s best work occurred while he was fast asleep, proof that his state of terror comes in handy.

3His Help in the Fight With Muzan

Zenitsu Overcame Previous Fears, Motivated by His Master’s Words To Fight Until the End

Zenitsu’s contributions in the final battle againstthe demon Muzanwere vital to defeat him. This battle includes some of Zenitsu’s best teamwork with others, like Inosuke and Tanjiro, his best friends.The trio joined together one last time, melding their Breathing Styles to create the highest powered attacks possible to weaken Muzan.

The Muzan fightforced Zenitsu to surpass his physical and mental limitslike never before, and he was near giving up. His master’s spirit encouraged him when he felt he could go no further, enabling him to deal more blows to the Demon King. Zenitsu’s persistence was inspirational, as he showed a respectable level of bravery that was not present in earlierDemon Slayerscenes.

2His Response to the Letter About His Mentor, Jigoro Kuwajima’s, Death

Zenitsu Was Shockingly Calm, Determined To Avenge Jigoro’s Unnecessary Death

Before Zenitsu’s battle with the demon Kaigaku, he received a note containing the worst news of his life. His mentor,Jigoro Kuwajima, who taught him Thunder Breathing, was dead.Kaigaku was a former student of Jigoro too, and when he turned to evil, Jigoro committed seppeku, dying feeling as if he had failed.

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Zenitsu’s reaction seemed out of character at first, as he accepted the news with solemn resignation. When Tanjiro attempted to comfort him, he stated simply,“I have just come to terms with what I should do.“Zenitsu’s simple, eerily calm reaction is a far cry from previous impassioned outbursts, making his maturity and steadfast resolve to avenge Jigoro evident.

1Beating the Demon Kaigaku

Zenitsu Beheaded the Upper Rank Six Demon To Avenge His Mentor, Jigoro

Zenitsu’s ultimate fight inDemon Slayeroccurred towards the end, revealing just how much he grew in both physical strength and brave mindset. Kaigaku was an Upper Rank Six, yet Zenitsu took him on alone,in an effort to avenge the death of Jigoro Kuwajima,his cherished mentor. Armed with righteous rage over the loss, Zenitsuraged against Kaigaku.

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Since Zenitsu used nearly every form of Thunder Breathing, Kaigaku could not keep up. This fight is not justa meaningful display of Zenitsu’s greatly improved Thunder Breathingthat he used to behead Kaigaku, it also further showcased the love between Jigoro and Zenitsu. Zenitsu felt Jigoro encouraging him in his mind, stating “Zenitsu, you are my pride and joy.” FewDemon Slayerbattles are as emotionally weighty as this one, since Zenitsu fought to prevent Kaigaku from besmirching Jigoro’s name.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Cast

Set in Japan’s Taisho Period, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Tanjiro, a young boy whose family is killed by demons. With his sister Nezuko transformed into a demon, Tanjiro embarks on a quest to become a demon slayer, seeking vengeance and a cure for his sister’s condition.