Demon Slayer: Every Villain Who Wasn’t Defeated by Tanjiro

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Tanjiro Kamado, the main character in Demon Slayer, is popular with fans partly because he’s defeated many powerful enemies. He’s won significant battles against opponents like Kyogai and Enmu, and even managed to overcome the incredibly strong Upper Moon demons, Gyutaro and Hantengu. However, Tanjiro can’t handle every fight himself, so he relies on his friends and allies to help him.

Characters like Zenitsu and Inosuke, as well as the powerful Hashira, deserve more opportunities to demonstrate their strength in battle, and they’ve proven themselves capable. They’ve defeated several significant enemies on their own, which is always exciting to watch. One particularly memorable defeat involved a villain who essentially defeated himself, revealing a lot about his own story.

Daki Met Her Fate at Zenitsu’s Hands in the Entertainment District

Rank: Upper Moon 6

Image via UFOtable.

Tanjiro was a key fighter during the battle against the Upper Moons in the Entertainment District, but he needed help to defeat them all. Although Tanjiro fought Daki, it was Zenitsu and Inosuke who ultimately defeated her. The fight ended up dividing into two separate battles, with Zenitsu and Inosuke successfully taking down Daki while Tanjiro fought elsewhere.

Tanjiro fought alongside Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira, giving everything he had against Gyutaro. The battle became deeply personal when Gyutaro taunted Tanjiro about having a little sister, which made him furious. Despite this, Tanjiro’s compassionate nature surfaced as he pleaded with the defeated Daki and Gyutaro to reunite as siblings just before they disappeared.

Gyokko Was Foolish to Challenge the Power of Muichiro’s Demon Slayer Mark

Rank: Upper Moon 5

Image via UFOtable.

Tanjiro fought bravely against Hantengu, an Upper Moon demon, and finally defeated him despite Hantengu’s seemingly endless ability to create clones. Hantengu fought using different bodies, each based on a specific emotion, making it hard to identify and destroy his true form, which was small and hidden. Tanjiro was even prepared to risk his sister Nezuko’s safety from the sun to ensure Hantengu was destroyed. This leaves one remaining question: what about Gyokko, who Tanjiro never even faced in battle?

Hantengu was such a difficult opponent that it took multiple Demon Slayers just to hold him off, leaving only Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, available to fight the watery Upper Moon 5. During this battle, Muichiro, who often seemed distant and unfeeling, revealed himself to be a truly gifted swordsman, completely dedicated to destroying evil. Most significantly, he activated his Demon Slayer Mark, giving him the power to overcome his stronger opponent. Muichiro became one of the rare few to defeat an Upper Moon all by himself.

Akaza Chose to Destroy Himself Rather Than Continue the Empty Violence of His Life

Rank: Upper Moon 3

While Tanjiro ultimately faced Akaza, his victories were incomplete. He witnessed Kyojuro Rengoku’s fight against Akaza during the Mugen Train arc, feeling a sense of moral triumph for Kyojuro. Later, in the Infinity Castle Arc, Tanjiro fought Akaza himself, seeking revenge with help from Giyu Tomioka. However, even with both of them using Water Breathing, defeating the Upper Moon 3 proved incredibly difficult.

The battle with Akaza was unbelievably intense—even after Tanjiro and Giyu severed his head, he continued to fight. It was a terrifying sight, and they began to feel hopeless. Luckily, Akaza remembered his troubled past and ultimately chose to end his own life. This act of self-destruction was a final release for someone who had desperately tried to escape his pain through endless combat.

Kaigaku’s Loss at Zenitsu’s Hands Helped Redeem the Legacy of Thunder Breathing

Rank: Upper Moon 6

Image via UFOtable.

Zenitsu Agatsuma managed to defeat an Upper Moon demon all on his own, though it’s worth noting that Kaigaku, as Upper Moon 6, hadn’t reached his full potential yet. This fight showed significant growth in Zenitsu, both in terms of his strength and his character, as he faced his old training partner. Even though Zenitsu knew fewer breathing techniques than Kaigaku, he proved he had the determination and courage to overcome the difference.

Zenitsu played a key role in restoring the reputation of Thunder Breathing. Kaigaku, having become a demon, had twisted the technique into something cruel and malicious. Ironically, Kaigaku was more skilled with Thunder Breathing than Zenitsu was at the time, making him a kind of successor to their master, Jigoro. For a while, it seemed like Thunder Breathing was failing, but Zenitsu’s win against Kaigaku – achieved entirely on his own, without help from Tanjiro or Inosuke – completely turned things around.

It Took Four Hashira to Finally Vanquish Kokushibo in Muzan’s Castle

Rank: Upper Moon 1

Image via UFOtable.

As expected, Kokushibo, the strongest of the Upper Moon demons, was incredibly powerful. He possessed a wide range of abilities, including rapid healing, the ability to perceive everything around him, and mastery of Moon Breathing, as well as even bearing the Demon Slayer Mark himself. No single demon slayer, not even Tanjiro Kamado, stood a chance against him. During the battle, four other slayers joined Tanjiro, each attempting to defeat Kokushibo in a final showdown.

The demon slayers fought with everything they had, led by the incredibly powerful Gyomei Himejima, considered the strongest slayer of his generation. Despite their strength, Kokushibo still managed to kill some of them, and the humans barely won the battle. Tanjiro wanted to assist, but he was occupied with another urgent matter.

Doma Was Destroyed From the Inside Thanks to Shinobu’s Sacrifice

Rank: Upper Moon 2

Image via UFOtable.

Honestly, imagining Tanjiro taking on all the Upper Moons in the Infinity Castle Arc? That would have been either amazing or totally over the top! But I’m glad they didn’t go that route, because it really let other characters shine in Demon Slayer. Even though some of them faced tough battles and didn’t make it, we got to see them truly prove themselves. Take Shinobu Kocho, for example – her fight with Doma, the Upper Moon 2, was so personal because he was the one who killed her sister. And Doma himself? He was a terrifying villain! His ice powers were creepy, and it was shocking how nothing seemed to poison him – he really gave Demon Slayer fans a scare!

When Shinobu died, her essence merged with Doma’s body, ultimately leading to his downfall. From the inside, she weakened him, allowing Inosuke and Kanao Tsuyuri to defeat the incredibly strong demon. This was Kanao’s first true battle, and she fought admirably, proving she didn’t need Tanjiro’s help to succeed.

Tanjiro Put the Hurt on Rui, But He Couldn’t Finish the Job

Rank: Lower Moon 5

Image via UFOtable.

Tanjiro fought Rui in the forest on Mount Natagumo, but he wasn’t strong enough to win. At that point in his training, he hadn’t yet developed the special Demon Slayer Mark or mastered advanced techniques needed to defeat a powerful demon like a Lower Moon. He usually relied on good fortune or facing weaker demons to succeed, like when he fought the Swamp Demon. While Tanjiro did unlock the incredible Hinokami Kagura during the fight with Rui, it still wasn’t enough to secure a victory.

Giyu ended up defeating the Lower Moon 5 with surprising ease. His quick win highlighted how much more training Tanjiro still needed, but Tanjiro wasn’t upset by this. He was actually glad to continue practicing at the Butterfly Mansion, preparing to face stronger demons like Enmu.

No Demon Slayer Ever Defeated Nakime in Battle

Rank: Upper Moon 4

While most demons were killed by demon slayers – with or without Tanjiro’s help – Nakime was different. She always worked behind the scenes for Muzan’s strongest demons, remaining inside the Infinity Castle and serving her master. Her main job was to move people around and keep an eye on the demon slayers, but eventually, she was forced into a battle with them.

Nakime proved to be a surprisingly resilient opponent, skillfully using her unique abilities within the Infinity Castle to avoid attacks and challenge Mitsuri and Obanai. However, shortly after becoming Upper Moon 4, she was ultimately absorbed by Muzan, bringing a disappointing and swift end to her story as a devoted demon.

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2026-01-19 17:42