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Koyoharu Gotouge’s Demon Slayer has reached great heights of popularity in a short span of time. For many fans, Demon Slayer has become the definitive of anime for its spectacular animation. The credit also partially goes to the wide variety of characters. The unparalleled track record wouldn’t have been possible without a strong vision behind it.
Going through Koyoharu Gotouge’s interviews gives one a sense of the creator’s strong and specific vision. When something doesn’t align with their idea, the creator doesn’t shy away from removing it altogether. Sometimes, the characters bear the brunt of this vision as shared by Gotouge in an interview.
Koyoharu Gotouge on Their Primary Focus in Demon Slayer
Tanjiro and Nezuko | Credits: Studio UfotableKamado Tanjiro is a compelling protagonist who is both compassionate and resilient. Gotouge has put a special emphasis on Tanjiro’s presence in the manga. They have ensured that he doesn’t get sidelined by any other characters or storylines. Upon being asked in an interview about something that the creator is always mindful of, while revising their drafts, Koyoharu Gotouge shared (via translation on Tumblr) that it was mostly about minimizing unnecessary content.
By unnecessary content, they were referring to any element that doesn’t contribute to the protagonist’s goal or development. Gotouge always ensured that the most amount of time and attention went to the main character.
It’s best to minimize parts that have nothing to do with your main character or the central plot. I’ll even cut whole characters if they don’t seem to advance the story.
This is a bold and great approach for a story like Demon Slayer as there are many characters at every stage. It becomes important to reaffirm the protagonist’s goal and presence. By ensuring that every creative decision leads to the development of the central plot, it becomes easier to navigate the story.
The Entertainment District Arc Serves as the Perfect Example
Uzui Tengen | Credits: Studio UfotableWe might have caught a glimpse of Gotouge’s process during the Entertainment District arc. During the beginning of the arc, Tengen Uzui was introduced as a flamboyant and extremely strong character. Everyone paled in front of Tengen’s physical presence, which was both reassuring and entertaining.
From planning to fighting both the demons by himself, Tengen was leading the story. As the arc progressed, Tanjiro went from following Tengen to fighting alongside him.
This transition was executed quite well, as Tanjiro went from providing assistance to seeking opportunities to attack the sibling duo. There was a point where Tanjiro shone brighter than Tengen near the end. Even the Hashira expressed his gratitude to Tanjiro for saving his wives. It wasn’t just his strength but also his personality that recentered the focus on him.
Kamado Tanjiro | Credits: Studio UfotableThe moment when Tanjiro reunites the siblings and prevents them from fighting was a great display of his compassion. Introducing a character of Tengen’s caliber and using him to reaffirm Tanjiro’s strength is an effective way to ensure that his growth is visible.
Other characters get their time, but they are convincingly side-tracked once they’ve fulfilled their purpose. This level of commitment to the central plot is exactly the reason why Demon Slayer has garnered massive popularity within its short run.
Demon Slayer is available to stream on Crunchyroll.
Bengali (BD) · 
English (US) ·