Why Demon Slayer Is Overrated (And Why Fans Still Love It)

Whether you hate it or love it, there is no denying the massive impact that the Demon Slayer series has had on the anime industry. Over the last few years, Tanjiro’s quest to find the sinister Muzan and avenge his family has become not only an icon of the Shonen genre but of the medium as a whole, thanks to its endearing cast, memorable moments, and stunning animation.

Over the years, many fans have found objective flaws that the franchise’s fans tend to overlook. While this does not mean that Demon Slayer has no redeeming qualities, as it has an outstanding number of positive traits, there are more than a few reasons why one can argue that its popularity is largely overstated.

Overrated: The Animation Hides a Lacking Plot

Anime fans all across the globe are aware of the fact that the Demon Slayer anime has one of the most beautiful animations in the entire industry. Despite how admirable this achievement is, fans argue that it is often used to justify the formulaic, shallow plot. While not an arguably bad story, there are not many aspects that can help it stand out.

Instead of enchanting fans with complex storylines, deep philosophical dilemmas, or incredibly well-written characters, the anime relies heavily on bright colors and over-the-top graphics to keep audiences engaged. Most of the positive comments surrounding the series talk exclusively about the animation and how inspiring it can be.

Fans Love It: The Animation is Beyond Stunning

As much as the excessive dependence on its animation can become a problem for the show, even the most ardent haters have to admit that Demon Slayer’s animation is a true masterpiece. Each scene is crafted with a level of care and attention to detail that is hard to find, boldly demonstrating the love and passion that went into creating this beloved series.

The use of color and contrast creates stunning visuals that will forever live inside the minds and hearts of fans. More impressive of all is the use of advanced animation techniques during fights, helping them feel fluid and alive, almost as if viewers were firsthand witnesses of these battles. It is an almost flawless animation that can enchant even the harshest of art critics.

Overrated: The Power System Does Not Feel Grounded

One of the most important traits a battle Shonen such as Demon Slayer can have is a power system that feels consistent, so audiences can comprehend it, and fantastical enough to drive the plot along. The abilities and supernatural powers demonstrated by both the Demon kind and the Slayers lamentably fail the first condition in almost all respects.

Not only do the skills utilized by the antagonists feel unfairly superior to those of the heroes, with the most powerful Demons being able to manipulate reality itself, but it also has no real justification. The origins of the Demon Blood or the Breathing Styles are never properly explained, making them feel vague. It is also frustrating that the heroes are granted power-ups at the most convenient times without any real reason as to why.

Fans Love It: The Fights Are Excellently Choreographed

Even though the power system of the series might not be the best-designed, the team behind this incredible show found a way to still make the encounters between the Slayers and the Demons feel exciting and memorable. This feat was achieved by making full use of the skills the fighters possessed and adapting them into vivid and impressive performances.

The best battles in Demon Slayer are a masterclass of fluid and vibrant animation, with not a single frame feeling out of place. Granting each breathing style a unique and colorful aesthetic also did wonders for the series, taking the already spectacular art style of the manga and elevating it with special effects that turn each fight into a delightful treat for the eyes.

Overrated: Character Traits Are Overtly Exaggerated

Tanjiro and his friends are, above all else, energetic and determined warriors whose sense of justice is as admirable as their swordsmanship. Even these inspiring heroes have traits that can often annoy audiences beyond a reasonable degree. One of the biggest examples of this is Zenitsu, a character whose cowardice and unsettling interest in women can quickly drive potential fans away.

Lamentably, this led to several forced and unfunny recurring jokes that can either break the pacing of the series or simply irritate fans without achieving any real laughs. To a much lesser degree, Tanjiro’s innocence and extremely heroic personality can feel somewhat forced, as the protagonist is often depicted as a pure soul with no capability for malice, which is highly unrealistic.

Fans Love It: Tanjiro is an Amazing Role Model

For a Shonen anime, epic fights and complex power systems are not all that is necessary to achieve success, as there is an attribute that is much more important: the protagonist. A charming protagonist can be vital for a show to become popular, as the main hero will be the first impression audiences will have. That is why Tanjiro is such an effective and beloved protagonist, as there are almost no negative traits to the kind boy.

The fierce main character is much more than just a hopeful and optimistic soul; he is the light that healed many of the wounds that kept his friends and the Hashira in agony. Tanjiro is a bastion of morality and kindness, even to those that not always deserve it, like the Demons. As such, it is almost impossible for someone to truly hate him as a protagonist.

Overrated: Over Reliance on Tragic Backstories

A good story is one that not only entertains fans but also speaks to them on an emotional level, allowing them to feel more than joy and laughter. Woefully, this idea can sometimes be taken to an unnecessary extreme, and Demon Slayer is living proof of this phenomenon. Across the many arcs of the series, with few exceptions, whenever a battle against a villain reaches its climax, fans will be informed about their backstory.

Most of the Demons Tanjiro and his friends were sent to kill suffered greatly in life, becoming the monsters they are today. While this did help many viewers empathize with their struggle and see the villains as more than just emotionless killing machines, the constant repetition of this trope quickly became tiring, no longer having the desired effect on audiences.

Fans Love It: Excellent Use of Emotional Scenes

Even though the Demon Slayer series had a hard time finding a balance between sympathetic and compelling villains, this does not mean that the story could not properly depict strong emotional scenes effectively. The world that Tanjiro inhabits is a dangerous one, filled with monsters waiting around every corner to tear humans apart without a second thought, no matter if they were simple civilians or powerful fighters.

This fact led to several moving death scenes, such as Rengoku’s final goodbye during the Infinite Train arc, that moved millions of fans to tears. Joyous moments were also aplenty throughout the plot, such as Nezuko’s first words after being cured of her mortal weakness to sunlight. These moments enchanted fans and proved the series could indeed be deep and emotional at times.

Overrated: The World Building Is Almost Non-Existent

Although it cannot be said that Tanjiro’s story is centralized to a single location, as the hero did travel to several unique places while getting stronger, it did objectively fail to truly capture the magic of the world the characters inhabited. Besides the few towns and training grounds the main cast traveled to or were sent out to protect, nothing much is known about the rest of the planet.

More infuriating of all is the seeming blissful ignorance about Demons that most of the world lives in, although they have existed for centuries and have likely spread far away from Muzan. Due to the series focusing mostly on a linear path, which involved training, sending the heroes on a mission, and fighting a powerful enemy, there was almost no time for the world to be efficiently developed.

Fans Love It: Nezuko is One of Anime’s Greatest Characters

Arguably one of the most beloved anime characters ever created, Nezuko is one of the main charms this amazing series has to offer fans. During most of the series, Tanjiro’s sister acts as an adorable and comedic supporting cast member whose main contributions are to motivate the protagonist while enchanting audiences.

Yet, behind her cuteness, this brave girl was hiding a fierce warrior who became a major asset to the heroes during the Entertainment District arc and beyond. The series found a way to turn its metaphorical mascot into an invaluable team member whose contributions were vital for the main cast’s victory during the finale, a feat not many franchises can claim.

Release Date

April 6, 2019

Network

Adult Swim