Zenitsu Agatsuma is one of the main characters in the popular anime and manga series Demon Slayer. Despite his cowardly personality, Zenitsu possesses extraordinary speed and agility in battle when unconscious, making him a formidable demon slayer. But are there any characters potentially stronger than Zenitsu in the Demon Slayer universe?
Zenitsu’s Abilities and Power Level
As a demon slayer of the Demon Slaying Corps, Zenitsu has undergone extensive training and has a few unique abilities:
- Thunder Breathing – Zenitsu’s signature fighting style allowing him to move at blinding speeds. It utilizes lightning-based techniques.
- Godspeed – Zenitsu’s enhanced reflexes and coordination when unconscious, making him incredibly fast and agile.
- Sixth Form – Zenitsu’s strongest Thunder Breathing technique, unleashing a powerful lightning strike.
- Demon Slayer Mark – Further boosts Zenitsu’s physical abilities when activated.
Despite having only fully mastered the first form of Thunder Breathing, Zenitsu is considered a very talented swordsman. When unconscious, he can battle and take down demons of the Lower Ranks on his own. With further training, he could potentially reach the upper ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Stronger Hashira Demon Slayers
The most obvious characters stronger than Zenitsu are the Hashira, the top-ranked demon slayers of the Corps. They are the most powerful and skilled swordsmasters, having fully mastered their respective Breathing Styles. Here are some of the Hashira who outclass Zenitsu in combat ability:
Gyomei Himejima
- Stone Breathing user
- Regarded as the strongest Hashira
- Tremendous physical strength and endurance
- Wields a giant spiked flail and axe with ease
- Can take on Upper Rank demons alone
Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Wind Breathing user
- Extremely aggressive, fast, and skilled in battle
- Able to defeat demons while gravely injured
- Fought Upper Rank 1 temporarily
- Vast experience fighting demons
Obanai Iguro
- Serpent Breathing inventor
- Incredibly fast reflexes and footwork
- Master swordsman dual-wielding blades
- Keen sensory abilities and strategies
- Fought and survived battle against Upper Rank 2
All of the Hashira have had extensive real-world experience and training perfecting their combat skills against demons. They have developed techniques and physical capabilities far exceeding Zenitsu’s, making them significantly stronger opponents.
Upper Rank Demons
The Twelve Demon Moons are the strongest warriors of Muzan Kibutsuji and the main antagonists in Demon Slayer. The Upper Ranks, in particular, have blood demon arts and abilities on a completely different level compared to Zenitsu and most slayers. Some examples:
Akaza
- Upper Rank 3
- Powerful hand-to-hand combat skills
- Enhanced speed, strength, and reflexes
- Can create devastating shockwaves
- Instant regeneration abilities
- Hundreds of years of fighting experience
Kokushibo
- Upper Rank 1
- Master swordsman with cloning techniques
- Moon Breathing inventor with 16 forms
- Demon slayer mark enhances physical stats
- Extremely fast, strong, and durable
- Calm and analytical battle tactics
The Upper Ranks combine their centuries of experience and training with overwhelming physical abilities and Blood Demon Arts to outmatch nearly all demon slayers. Zenitsu would currently stand little chance against them in a direct fight.
Muzan Kibutsuji
As the first demon and progenitor of all others, Muzan Kibutsuji is undoubtedly the strongest character in the Demon Slayer universe. Some of his capabilities include:
- Shape-shifting and regeneration abilities
- Creating new demons from his cells
- Possessing humans through flesh and blood
- Stealing battle experience and techniques from others
- Immense strength, speed, stamina
- Over 1,000 years of combat experience
Muzan is an intelligent, ruthless fighter with supernatural physical abilities far beyond any demon or human. He can regenerate from nearly any non-Sun damage while wielding mimicry skills and raw power. Zenitsu would currently be completely outmatched against Muzan.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni
As a skilled swordsman from the Sengoku Era, Yoriichi Tsugikuni is considered the most powerful known character in Demon Slayer’s history. He was the original Breath Style user and sole survivor against Muzan centuries ago due to:
- Inventor of Breath of the Sun, the first Breath Style
- Natural proficiency learning any technique after seeing it once
- Demon Slayer mark provided huge stat boosts
- Flawless swordsmanship and combat instincts
- Overwhelming speed – moving faster than the eye can see
- Nearly killed Muzan in their battle over 400 years ago
In his prime, Yoriichi’s prodigious natural abilities and Sun Breathing far exceed any swordsman before or since. He is considered potentially the only character capable of defeating Muzan in a 1-on-1 battle. Zenitsu is not even close to Yoriichi’s level of speed or skill.
Tanjiro Kamado
While starting as an ordinary boy, the protagonist Tanjiro trains relentlessly and unlocks several abilities over the course of the Demon Slayer story. By the end, a case can be made for Tanjiro surpassing Zenitsu in power:
- Demon Slayer Mark provides huge combat boosts
- Uses self-taught Breath of the Sun techniques
- *_Eventually unlocks the special transparent world perception_*
- Wields advanced swordsmanship combining techniques
- Strong empathy and will to protect others
- Develops the 13th form of Breath of the Sun
Tanjiro’s natural talent, constant innovation, and dedication to mastering the Breath of the Sun make him one of the most skilled slayers. By fully realizing Yoriichi’s techniques that no one else could, Tanjiro eclipses Zenitsu’s current abilities towards the end of the story.
Conclusion
While certainly skilled for his age and training, Zenitsu Agatsuma is far from the strongest character in Demon Slayer. All of the Hashira, the Upper Ranks, Muzan, Yoriichi, and eventually even Tanjiro possess abilities and experience that allow them to outmatch Zenitsu in direct combat.
However, Zenitsu has plenty of room left to grow. Further mastering the Thunder Breathing style or even learning Breath of the Sun techniques could put him on the path to becoming one of the most powerful slayers in the Corps. But for now, he hasn’t realized his full potential compared to many of the incredibly strong characters shown throughout the story.