Since its release in 2019, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has become one of the most well-known shonen series of its genre. Audiences were initially drawn to the series by its captivating manga, but since the debut of its first feature film and the most recent developments of the anime's third season, the "Swordsmith Village Arc," the amount of popularity around Demon Slayer has reached unparalleled heights.
While Demon Slayer's action is consistently praised, the show also features some endearing relationships that excite fans, both those that have materialized and those that are still there in viewers' imaginations. The Demon Slayer community has strong ideas on which relationships are pure toxicity and which are endgame since romance is a hard thing.
Updated on April 13, 2023 by Daniel Kurland: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has a sentimental quality that's prompted a lot of shipping within the fandom. A healthy romance can prove to be more challenging than any Upper Rank Demon and plenty of characters in the series don't know how to get in touch with their emotions. Some of the anime's pairings and relationships leave a lot to be desired, especially when better options are sometimes right in front of them.
Worst Pairings
Rengoku & Akaza
Kyojuro Rengoku is a fan-favorite character who comes into his own on the Mugen Train. Alternatively, Akaza is one of the Upper Rank Demons who rises to relevance during the anime's third season. Rengoku and Akaza are both deadly individuals, but their opposing ideals mean that they'd never work in a relationship together.
Rengoku is committed to protecting those who are weaker than him, which is an act that eventually costs him his life. Alternatively, Akaza detests those who are lesser than himself and he's only interested in facing the strongest. Akaza gives Rengoku the chance to live a longer life, as a demon, which he refuses in favor of death.
Shinobu & Inosuke
Anyone who has only watched the Demon Slayer anime is likely to see Shinobu and Inosuke as a natural couple due to the awkward energy that they both generate. However, those who have finished Demon Slayer's manga are aware of why these two committed individuals are not destined to be together.
Shinobu is one of the strongest female characters in Demon Slayerand her accomplishments are genuinely impressive, yet all of this falls flat for Inosuke. The biggest hurdle here is that Inosuke doesn't really have romantic feelings for anyone. He views Shinobu as a close friend, but their relationship will never progress beyond that point.
Tamayo & Yushiro
Tamayo and Yushiro are a popular couple in the Demon Slayer fandom, but that doesn't mean that they're destined to be together. There are some major problems that keep these two apart, including the fact that Tamayo is considerably older than Yushiro and this age gap could lead to certain obstacles between the two of them.
Additionally, Yushiro's admiration towards Tamayo borders on obsession. While it's not wrong for Yushiro to admire and long for Tamayo, he's not straightforward when it comes to his intense devotion. Communication problems break up many healthy couples and Yushiro and Tamayo are no different.
Giyuu & Nezuko
Some unconventional couples can work against all odds, but there's really no hope when it comes to Demon Slayer's Giyuu and Nezuko. Nezuko becomes an early victim of circumstance in the series when she's turned into a demon, which is too much for many Demon Slayers to overlook. Giyuu is the first of many who attempts to execute Nezuko before she becomes a problem.
The initial meeting between Giyuu and Nezuko is tense, but he does eventually let her go when he witnesses that Tanjiro isn't in any real danger around his demon sister. This sliver of compassion has some fans curious about a union between Giyuu and Nezuko, but it's not a wise idea. These two characters barely know each other and there are decades of experience between them.
Muzan & Tamayo
A lot of dangerous monsters exist in Demon Slayer, but Muzan Kibutsuji holds dominion over them all. Muzan's powerful blood has sired endless demons into the world and he remains the series' ultimate evil. Moreover, Muzan isn't exactly romantic, and this prospect seems even more foolish considering Tamayo is a kind character who eventually becomes Muzan's victim.
There's a softness to Tamayo that might have given her the impression that she could get through to Muzan, especially since he's a demon who's presumed to have both a wife and child. However, Tamayo learns the hard way just how vicious Muzan can be.
Nezuko & Inosuke
Nezuko and Inosuke are two of Tanjiro's closest allies in Demon Slayer, but they barely even speak to each other over the course of the series. In fact, the first meeting between Nezuko and Inosuke almost ends in murder once he identifies her as a demon. Inosuke has learned about the humanity that lies inside Nezuko, but that's still not the strongest foundation to build a relationship.
Inosuke doesn't even remember his attempt to kill Nezuko, which in itself feels like a major hurdle that the two will never overcome. An honest and equal relationship can never exist if the circumstances behind their first meeting lie in doubt.
Better Alternatives
Sabito & Giyuu
Sabito is a valuable warrior who has already met a tragic end when Demon Slayer begins, but his presence hangs heavy over both Tanjiro and Giyuu, while flashbacks help fill in many of the specifics of Sabito's life before it was tragically cut short. Sabito and Giyuu were close friends who thought they'd spend their futures together as the next generation of Hashira.
Sabito's killer instinct hides itself when it matters most and he becomes a casualty that Giyuu struggles to overcome. It's easy to imagine more than a friendship existing between these two and this adds more emotional weight to the loss of Sabito.
Tanjiro & Kanao
Some fans believe that Tanjiro and Kanao would make for a poor romantic pairing because their relationship lacks development, but a lot is accomplished between the two of them in a very short period of time. Kanao helps rehabilitate Tanjiro, but he also helps her come out of her shell when it comes to her indecisive and mute nature.
Kanao and Tanjiro clearly care for each other and there's a genuine sadness that arises when they have to part ways. Demon Slayer's manga further elaborates on Kanao's crush on Tanjiro. Fans of the anime hope that a reunion between these two is in the cards before the series ends.
Shinobu & Giyuu
Shinobu and Giyuu are not implied to be a couple, but there's a healthy portion of the fandom who read a little more into their combative interactions. Some even believe that Giyuu and Shinobu embody a bickering couple who are beyond comfortable with each other. Giyuu looks like a serious Hashira, but there's an aloofness to him that only individuals like Shinobu can bring forward.
Much to Giyuu's chagrin, Shinobu often teases him with brutal truths that cut a little too close to the bone. Shinobu might bring out a lot of melancholy behavior in Giyuu, but it seems to come from a true place of love and they'd both be able to loosen up in a relationship together.
Inosuke & Aoi
Aoi is a character whose tenure in Demon Slayer is short, but sweet, and she's still someone who's created a lot of buzz when it comes to shipping. Aoi is a friendly face for Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke during an extended period of rehabilitation, but she seems to connect most with the latter of this trio.
There's some entertaining tension that grows out of Inosuke's obliviousness toward Aoi's feelings and his own commitment to his craft. Inosuke's desire to get stronger is trumped by Aoi's need for him to properly rest and heal. Inosuke listens to Aoi's instructions, even if he doesn't fully understand why. Aoi's ability to break through Inosuke's wild nature is why they're a perfect match.
Mitsuru & Obanai
Although Mitsuru and Obanai have been teased in the Demon Slayer anime in amusing ways, particularly during the Swordsmith Village Arc, their best work is still to come. These two Hashira will go to all lengths to defend their people and stave off evil, but their valor ultimately claims the lives of one-half of the pair.
It is difficult to accept Obanai's loss, especially given the genuine sparks that existed between him and Mitsuru prior to his terrible demise. Demon Slayer may have imagined a fascinating, passionate future for these two, but instead the Love Hashira is constrained to dwell in misery.
Nezuko & Zenitsu
Despite being a cowardly crybaby who enjoys chasing after women, Zenitsu guards Nezuko from Inosuke's murder. Zenitsu's acts are not only admirable but also brave, especially considering that when he decides to guard the box, he is unaware that Nezuko is within.
At the moment, Tanjiro's prized possession is being protected by Zenitsu, but he is not aware that Tanjiro is a real person. As Demon Slayer goes on, Zenitsu's lust for Nezuko develops into true love. Nezuko doesn't speak much, yet despite this, she manages to express her gratitude to Zenitsu.
