Demon Slayer: Tanjiro’s Most OP Moments, Ranked

Tanjiro Kamado’s development in Demon Slayer stands out in modern anime because it feels genuinely earned. Unlike many shōnen protagonists, he doesn’t suddenly gain power or feel like a chosen one. Every victory, improvement, and powerful moment stems from clear effort, repeated failures, and consistent training. Tanjiro’s growth always feels like a natural result of his hardships and the sacrifices he makes. Because the series takes the time to show the cost of his progress, his increasing strength feels believable and even inevitable.

Even though Tanjiro often appears to be struggling, the anime makes it clear he doesn’t fight alone. Victory comes through cooperation, self-sacrifice, or simply holding on until reinforcements arrive. His battles are incredibly difficult, pushing him past his limits, which makes his triumphs especially impactful. Below is a ranking of Tanjiro’s most challenging moments from the anime, focusing on instances where he faced overwhelming odds but never gave up.

Meeting with Giyu Tomioka For The First Time

Season	1
Episode	1

I still remember the first time Tanjiro met Giyu – it instantly showed me everything the series would be about! It’s amazing because Tanjiro hadn’t even started training, he didn’t know anything about Demon Slayers, but he almost surprised Giyu with just his natural instincts, how fast he moved, and how desperately he was trying to protect his sister. It was so shocking to see, because Giyu had already been established as this incredibly powerful fighter, but Tanjiro was able to briefly meet him on that level with his sheer willpower and agility.

The truly powerful part of this moment isn’t the fight itself, but Tanjiro’s unwavering determination to save his sister, Nezuko. This ambition is what captures Giyu’s attention and ultimately drives the entire story forward. It’s why Giyu steps in to protect Nezuko, secretly watches over her, and even offers to sacrifice himself if she ever does wrong. This single event dramatically changes the course of the Demon Slayer story, and Tanjiro achieves this impact even before he’s a skilled fighter.

Headbutting Sanemi For Hurting Nezuko

Season	1
Episode	22

This moment perfectly shows how much Tanjiro struggles to stay calm when it comes to his sister, Nezuko. While fans understand Sanemi’s anger – all the Hashira have suffered losses to demons – Nezuko isn’t the same. Sanemi is simply letting his hatred guide his actions without giving her a chance, and Tanjiro has finally reached his breaking point.

Honestly, what makes that scene so shocking is seeing Tanjiro completely lose it and actually attack a Hashira – he just headbutts Sanemi without even thinking! It’s wild because we’ve always known the Hashira are the absolute strongest Demon Slayers, so attacking one feels like a guaranteed death sentence. But Tanjiro doesn’t even seem to register the danger. All logic, fear, and self-preservation just vanish in that moment. It really shows that when Nezuko’s hurt, his instincts take over completely, and he’ll do anything, no matter how reckless, even if it means going up against one of the strongest warriors or demons out there.

Boulder Training With Sabito and Makomo

Season	1
Episode	3

The scene where Tanjiro splits the boulder is one of the most emotionally powerful training moments in the series. It’s designed as a grueling test that pushes him to his physical and mental limits. At first, the task seems completely impossible, highlighting how much training he still needs before he’s ready to become a Demon Slayer.

The scene gains its emotional weight from the revelation of Sabito and Makomo’s true identities. Tanjiro isn’t simply fighting with a sword at this point; he’s carrying the weight of all the trainees who came before him, along with their guidance and hopes. The boulder he breaks represents a significant transformation – he’s no longer just a charcoal seller, but a true swordsman who has earned his place as a Demon Slayer. While this achievement isn’t showy, it’s a pivotal moment, making it incredibly impactful.

Tanjiro vs. Rui and the Spider Family

Season	1
Episode	19

Watching Tanjiro fight Rui was incredible – it was the moment we really saw what he was capable of! He just reacted, purely on instinct, and unleashed the Hinokami Kagura for the first time. It was like he tapped into something ancient – Sun Breathing! – and nearly turned the whole fight around. The best part? He hadn’t even trained for any of it; it was just raw, natural power bursting out, and honestly, it made the scene so much more impactful.

Even though Tanjiro ultimately falls in battle, he briefly demonstrates incredible strength, becoming one of the most powerful Demon Slayers seen so far. Considering he’s still new to demon slaying, he impressively fights a Lower Moon-ranked demon head-on. More importantly, he manages to hold out long enough for Giyu to arrive and help. This fight proves Tanjiro has far more potential than anyone realized, even if his body isn’t ready to fully unlock it yet.

Tanjiro vs Upper Moon 4, Hantengu

Season	3
Episode	5

The fight with Hantengu clearly shows how much Tanjiro has improved. He went from barely surviving battles against weaker demons to confidently fighting and defeating an Upper Moon. This is a huge leap forward and a remarkable achievement.

What makes this moment so powerful is how close Tanjiro comes to defeating Hantengu. His Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance nearly kills the demon, but Hantengu survives only because he’s hiding his real body – it’s a clever trick, not actual strength. Unlike other demons we’ve seen, like Gyutaro or Daki, that attack would have finished them off completely. This fight shows that Tanjiro is now capable of winning battles, not just holding on.

Sun Breathing Against Daki

Season	2
Episode	6

A standout moment in the anime is Tanjiro’s intense fight with Daki. When Daki harms innocent people in the Entertainment District, Tanjiro’s usual kindness gives way to a fierce, dangerous side. He fights with powerful, non-stop attacks, mastering Sun Breathing to defeat her.

I noticed something really powerful about Tanjiro in this scene. He has a strong sense of right and wrong, and it’s clear he understands that many demons didn’t choose their fate – he even feels bad for them. But that doesn’t mean he excuses what they do. He absolutely won’t stand for them hurting innocent people, and he refuses to forgive them for it. What struck me most was how he showed kindness without being weak. Even when he was angry and tired, he stayed calm and collected, proving that compassion and strength aren’t mutually exclusive.

Tanjiro’s Final Attack on Gyutaro

Season	2
Episode	10

The climax of Tanjiro’s fight against Gyutaro is arguably the most thrilling and memorable moment in the anime. Even after what felt like an endless, hopeless battle that left him gravely wounded, bleeding, and poisoned, Tanjiro refuses to yield. Despite a fatal wound to his throat, he pushes forward, determined to fight until his last breath.

With the last of his energy, Tanjiro delivers a final, powerful strike. This fight scene is celebrated for its stunning animation, but more importantly, it marks the awakening of Tanjiro’s Demon Slayer Mark. This event is crucial to the story, as it suggests other elite Demon Slayers, the Hashira, will soon awaken their own marks as well.

2026-01-15 20:42