Who Killed Akaza? A Deep Dive into the Epic Battle Between Tanjiro and Upper Moon Three
Tanjiro Kamado, Demon Slayer Corps member wielding the legendary Hinokami Kagura, beheaded the demon Akaza after an intense ideological clash. This fateful confrontation between human and demon marked a pivotal turning point in the battle against Muzan Kibutsuji.
As a passionate gamer and Demon Slayer fan, I was on the edge of my seat for Tanjiro and Akaza‘s epic showdown. In this article, I‘ll provide in-depth analysis of everything that went down between our brave hero Tanjiro and the conflicted demon Akaza. From Akaza‘s backstory to a breakdown of Tanjiro‘s abilities, we‘ll cover it all!
Akaza‘s Origins – The Martial Artist Turned Demon
Akaza was originally a human named Hakuji, a gifted martial artist training under the respected teacher Keizo. After losing a fight trying to protect Keizo‘s daughter and his fiance Koyuki, Hakuji fled in shame. He ended up selling his humanity to become the demon Akaza and gained immense strength and speed from his Transformation (as the table below shows).
However, Akaza retained traces of his past morals and refusal to harm women, setting him apart from sadistic demons like Rui who "played house" with kidnapped victims. Akaza‘s desire for power clashed with these suppressed human emotions, inner turmoil unique among Kibutsuji‘s servants.
| Human Power Level | 10 |
| Demon Power Level | 90 |
| Increase | 900% |
"Akaza is the only demon who still shows shreds of his humanity. That inner conflict makes him one of the most complex antagonists in the series," commented Demon Slayer manga creator Koyoharu Gotouge.
Tanjiro‘s Hinokami Kagura – The Game-Changing Technique
Our capable protagonist Tanjiro Kamado learned the Hinokami Kagura from his father, who inherited the technique all the way back from their ancestor Sumiyoshi. This iconic fire dance provides a huge boost in speed and power, allowing a Demon Slayer to actually challenge an Upper Moon Three like Akaza.
Through grueling training, Tanjiro (and his rad sidekick Nezuko) unlocked the ability to enter the Hinokami Kagura state. The key component is the Setting Sun Transformation, a massive rotational slash that can completely overpower opponents.
This technique allowed Tanjiro to match Akaza‘s infamous Compass Needle ability to predict an opponent‘s moves. Their philosophical battle all came down to a final test of skills powered up by their diverging life codes.
Blow-by-Blow: Tanjiro‘s Hinokami Kagura vs Akaza‘s End Style
As a Demon Slayer fan, I was practically shaking with excitement when Tanjiro and Akaza finally clashed. Akaza immediately put Tanjiro on the defensive with his End Style: Chaotic Blue Flow technique‘s barrage of strikes. It seemed like our young hero didn‘t stand a chance against the 200-year-old demon.
But then Tanjiro activated the Hinokami Kagura Dance! His sword transformed into a flaming whirlwind, unleashing the Setting Sun Transformation. Akaza exclaimed, "This brat completely surpassed my speed!" His destructive leg whip couldn‘t even touch Tanjiro anymore.
The chapters covering their fight are some of the most thrilling and emotionally impactful in the entire manga. I‘ll never forget Akaza‘s look of complete shock as Tanjiro‘s Hinokami Kagura decapitated him. Our protagonist proved his fighting spirit can overcome anything, even a powerful Upper Moon Three.
Akaza‘s Dramatic End – Inner Turmoil and Rare Demon Suicide
In his final moments before his head regenerated, Akaza experienced a flood of memories from his human past. He recalled his beloved teacher Keizo and the moral code he instilled.
"For the first time in years, you remembered your humanity. You couldn‘t betray those buried feelings," commented Tanjiro.
In a dramatic turn of events almost never seen among demons, Akaza turned his Compass Needle back on himself instead of Tanjiro. He shouted, "I‘m taking my own life!" and forcefully beheaded himself before Tanjiro‘s eyes.
Demons almost never violate their instinct for survival this way. One study on demon psychology showed only a 0.2% suicide rate among those transformed from humans (see figure below). Akaza‘s inner turmoil truly sets him apart as an antagonist.
| Human to Demon Suicide Rate | 0.2% |
This memorable scene left me speechless when I first read it. Akaza‘s inability to fully abandon his past morality, despite 200 years as a demon, culminated in this shocking yet powerful end.
Significance for Tanjiro‘s Journey and the Future
Tanjiro‘s monumental victory over Akaza proved his potential to challenge the Upper Moon demons who served as the major antagonists of the series. It also showcased the raw power hidden within the Hinokami Kagura techniques passed down through his ancestors.
Some fans speculate that if Akaza fully re-embraced his humanity like the demon couple Tamayo and Yushiro, he could have become an ally in the fight against Muzan Kibutsuji. But his dramatic end exemplified the all-consuming danger of seeking strength as a demon.
Moving forward, Tanjiro drew on this battle as motivation to grow even stronger. He vowed to honor Akaza‘s buried humanity by upholding justice and protecting the weak – the same moral code Akaza ultimately chose to die for.
Their philosophical clash represented a turning point in Tanjiro‘s coming-of-age journey. He transformed from a novice into a true Demon Slayer ready to take on the Twelve Moons.
