Demon Slayer is one of those anime that will always remain imprinted in everyone’s hearts. It has been almost a year since the manga released its last chapter. However, fans of the series are still speculating about the anime. Reddit pages and Twitter posts are filling up with what-ifs and theories that are expanding the lore. The majority of the theories surround Tanjiro and his final showdown with Muzan. Is Muzan Really dead? Will Tanjiro ever become the next Demon King? The following article will look into the theories surrounding Tanjiro becoming the demon king.
This article contains spoilers for the Demon Slayers Manga Ending.
What Happens In The End?
The ending chapters of the Demon Slayer series staged a thrilling fight between Tanjiro and Muzan. After realizing that dawn is getting closer, the demon slayers go all out, stalling the demon king. All of the hashira, one after the other, use their last breath to keep Muzan from reaching underground or escaping. At this point, the drugs inside Muzan are wearing him down. However, he transforms into a giant mouth to take down his rivals. He emits a shock wave so strong that it tears off Tanjiro’s arm. When he realizes that he might die, Muzan transforms into a huge infant in the final moments.
He transforms into a giant infant to avoid getting burnt. While transforming, he absorbs Tanjiro, who was the closest demon slayer next to him. Like a giant baby, Muzan begins running to a place with shade to escape from the sun. However, the other demon slayers stop him. As time runs out, Muzan begins to dig a hole to reach underground. However, his weak state does not allow him to complete it. Furthermore, Tanjiro is still holding his Nichirin Sword, which adds to the weariness of the demon king. Soon unable to escape, Muzan burns under the sun and disintegrates.
Will Tanjiro Ever Become Demon King?
In his dying moments, Muzan remembers how he always struggled in his life. He remembers his goal of becoming immortal and cries at the realization that he cannot achieve it anymore. However, he realizes that his goals, dreams, and memories can be transferred to someone. He reaches out to an unconscious Tanjiro, who is already infected with the poison from the demon king. He comes to Tanjiro and sends his blood to him. Thus, making him the next possible demon king.
Tanjiro awakens as the new demon king with the borrowed goal from his predecessor to destroy the demon slayers. Giyu and the others decide that they have to kill him before he can hurt anyone and begin to hurt him. Muzan had predicted that Tanjiro was the perfect choice for a demon king. He is immune to the sun and has mastery over the sun breathing technique. Tanjiro does not get affected by the sun and continues to morph into a complete demon. He becomes the ultimate and strongest demon to have ever existed.
What If Tanjiro Remained The Demon King?
But as a demon, Tanjiro only regains his thoughts because of Nezuko and Kanao. He momentarily snaps from his demon form after his sister pleads him to fight Muzan. If it were not for Kanao injecting him with the medicine, Tanjiro would have become the next demon king. As witnessed in his battle against the rest of the demon slayers, Tanjiro would then go on to become the strongest demon to ever exist. He would have the strength of Muzan and also the immunity to the sun, making him indestructible. He would become the perfect immortal being.
It is possible that under the influence of Muzan and his hunger Tanjiro would try to kill his friends and sister. There would be more demon slayer deaths, and he might achieve the feverish dream of Muzan to finish the Demon Slayers. However, Tanjiro is someone with a strong conscience and strong morals. So, despite trying to attack his friends in his hunger and frenzy, he would eventually realize that he was being used. Tanjiro would crumble with guilt and regret over attacking his friends, but he would not let Muzan take over him.
Demon Slayer Alternative Ending: What Would Demon King Tanjiro Do?
In the last chapters, Demon Slayers mirrors the story of Tanjiro and Nezuko. Just like Nezuko, Tanjiro turns into a demon, and now it is her turn to make sure her brother does not stray into the wrong path. As a demon, Tanjiro is at the peak of his health condition. He is completely recovered. However, he has to battle Muzan, who still lives within him. It will be hard for him, but Tanjiro will hold back from killing anyone or hurting his friends. His strong morals and kindness will stop him from doing so. Unlike Muzan, who was consumed with pessimism and hatred, Tanjiro is surrounded by the love and loyalty of his friends.
If he manages to defeat Muzan’s blood and hold himself back, he will become the new demon king. Tanjiro will be able to suppress Muzan and become the demon king no one had imagined. Plus, he will continue to learn and get better. He might ask his friends to kill him, but his kind actions will stop them from doing so. In the end, even as a demon, Tanjiro will do his best to help his friends and protect them. He will continue to be kind and work towards finding him a cure and bringing peace to the lives of all those who have become demons in the past.
Also Read: 13 Strongest Female Characters In Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba [2021]
Conclusion
Even if Tanjiro remains a demon king, he will revert back to being his kind and selfless self. He will fight back his demonic urges to protect his loved ones. He will come up with ways to use his strength to do good. If he thinks he has become too dangerous he would either ask his friends to kill him or find a cure for him. Even as the most powerful demon to exist he will make sure no other demon would hurt him or his loved ones. For more interesting theories like this keep an eye out on The Anime Daily.