As the story of Demon Slayer draws to a close, Nezuko’s strength can be considered to be at the level of an Upper Moon Demon, and she may even surpass all of them, including Muzan, in terms of overall power. In this article, we will delve into the evidence presented in the manga and attempt to determine whether Nezuko can be classified as an upper moon demon and, thus, one of the most powerful demons in the series. Please be advised that this article contains spoilers, so proceed with caution if you have not yet caught up with the manga.
Nezuko’s once ordinary life, consisting of caring for her family, took an unexpected turn when Muzan attacked their household. In a brief turn of events, Nezuko transforms into a demon, but her story stands apart from other demons as she has an incredible amount of control over her newfound demon powers, unlike other demons, Nezuko has a unique ability to recover through sleep and has no need to consume human flesh.
Nezuko vs. Giyu
Shortly after Nezuko’s transformation, she displays her loyalty to her brother Tanjiro by protecting him from the Water Pillar, Giyu. Initially, her strength pales in comparison to that of Giyu’s, as he can easily defeat her at the beginning of the series. However, as the series progresses, Nezuko, much like her brother, grows increasingly stronger.
Nezuko vs. The Temple Demon
Right from the start, Nezuko exhibits immense physical strength, capable of delivering powerful kicks that can decapitate demons with ease, as seen in her confrontation with the Temple Demon during episode 2. Despite her impressive capabilities, Nezuko must join forces with Tanjiro to overcome the Temple Demon, which is comparatively feeble due to it not being a caster demon or someone who possesses Blood Demon Art.
Nezuko vs. The Swamp Demon
In episode 6, after Tanjiro successfully passes the selection exam, Nezuko helps him in his first demon slayer mission with the fight against the Swamp Demon. During the battle, while Tanjiro navigates the treacherous swamp underworld, Nezuko protects a group of children. Her impressive strength does not go unnoticed, as even one of the Swamp Demon’s clones comments on her immense power. Speculation suggests that the amount of Muzan Blood Nezuko possesses could attribute to her strength, as people commonly understand that more Muzan Blood leads to more power.
During the battle with the Swamp Demon, despite not utilizing her Blood Demon Art, Nezuko’s incredible speed proves to be a formidable obstacle for the demon, preventing him from escaping back into the swamp. Although Tanjiro ultimately saves Nezuko by dismembering the demon, the fight is a significant turning point for Nezuko’s character development. No longer a mere liability in battle, Nezuko has become a valuable ally capable of protecting both Tanjiro and other humans. Her protecting the children from the demon’s clones proves vital, as Tanjiro may have struggled to defend them alone.
Nezuko vs Yahaba and Susumaru
In episode 9, Nezuko once again assists Tanjiro in combating Yahaba and Susumaru. Her strength has grown to the point where she is even capable of repelling Yahaba’s attack with her kicks. Even Tamayo mentions Nezuko’s incredible rate of growth, suspecting that it may be something inherent in the Kamado bloodline that facilitates such rapid progress. However, despite Nezuko’s impressive strength, Susumaru proves to be a formidable opponent, ultimately requiring Tamayo’s help to defeat.
Nezuko’s Blood Demon Art
In a critical moment during the battle with Lower Moon Five, Rui, in episode 19, when Tanjiro is overwhelmed, Nezuko sacrifices herself by using her body as a shield to protect her brother. Although she endures intense pain and torture from Rui’s spider webs, Nezuko eventually awakens her Blood Demon Art: Exploding Blood. This powerful ability allows her Blood to ignite into searing flames, which prove strong enough to incinerate Rui’s webs and enhance Tanjiro’s sword to the point of being able to decapitate the demon. Despite the siblings’ remarkable growth in strength throughout their battles, they still require assistance to survive Rui’s most potent attacks.
Nezuko’s Regeneration Speed
During the events on the Mugen Train Arc, Nezuko employs her abilities to rouse Tanjiro from unconsciousness and helps in protecting the human passengers from being absorbed by Lower Moon One. Later, when facing off against the powerful demon Daki, Upper Moon Six, in The Entertainment District Arc, Nezuko unleashes a powerful kick, sending Daki hurtling away.
As Daki possesses the highest concentration of Muzan’s Blood of any demon encountered thus far, memories surface within Nezuko, inciting a surge of anger and a subsequent boost in power. Though Daki inflicts severe wounds on Nezuko’s body, to the surprise of the Upper Moon, Nezuko’s regeneration speed has increased to a level that rivals that of an Upper Moon. As noted by the key points of the battle, Nezuko’s regenerative abilities have grown remarkably formidable.
Nezuko’s Demon Form
Nezuko undergoes a dramatic transformation, with her taking on a new form and gaining features such as a horn and flower tattoos. Her appearance exudes a menacing aura that even Daki can sense. In this new form, Nezuko delivers a powerful kick that sends Daki tumbling to the ground. Her regeneration speed has now exceeded even that of Daki’s, and she uses her Exploding Blood ability to ignite flames that prove difficult for Daki to heal from. As the battle between Nezuko and Daki rages on, Nezuko gains the upper hand, displaying overwhelming strength. However, Nezuko’s progress in becoming a demon is reaching a point where she is at risk of attacking humans. Tanjiro intervenes to prevent this from happening.
Read more: Why Did Nezuko’s Hair Change in Demon Slayer?
Nezuko Defeating Daki
Admittedly, Daki is not an Upper Moon on her own and requires her stronger brother’s presence to achieve that status. Nevertheless, Nezuko is completely overpowering Daki, and her regenerative abilities even exceed that of an Upper Moon. Speculation arises that Nezuko’s current strength level may be comparable to that of a Hashira, although her lack of control over herself remains a significant hindrance.
Nezuko vs. Hantengu
During the fight against Upper Moon Demon Four, Hantengu, in The Swordsmith Village Arc in chapter 110, Nezuko helps Tanjiro by engaging one of the clones. The clone is left in awe of Nezuko’s formidable kicks as she sends him flying away, but another clone retaliates by attacking her with lightning-based powers. After Tanjiro rescues her, Nezuko attacks by setting the lightning clone on fire and assisting Tanjiro in protecting himself. However, as three more clones gang up on them, Nezuko carries Tanjiro to safety.
In chapter 112, Nezuko proceeds to utilize her Blood Demon Art to transform Tanjiro’s black blade into a powerful red hue, similar to Yoriichi‘s legendary blade. Nezuko’s usefulness is unparalleled as she consistently aids Tanjiro and actively contributes to his growth as a demon slayer, all while displaying remarkable power in her own right.
As the battle continues with Upper Moon Demon Four, the demon acknowledges Nezuko as the most challenging of the three “brats,” implying that she is the strongest and most disruptive force throughout the fight, outmatching both Tanjiro and Genya.
Nezuko Surpasses Muzan
As the Sun begins to rise in chapter 126, Nezuko displays remarkable bravery and selflessness, saving Tanjiro from the Upper Moon Demon despite the risk of being exposed to the lethal sunlight. She is prepared to sacrifice her life to defeat their enemy, but fortunately, Nezuko emerges unharmed.
Nezuko has achieved a remarkable feat, as she is now the sole demon capable of surviving in sunlight and has even developed the ability to communicate verbally. With this accomplishment, Nezuko has become an incredibly powerful demon, surpassing all others in her ability to conquer the Sun, including the all-powerful Muzan. In fact, Muzan himself views Nezuko as incredibly valuable due to her exceptional abilities and refers to her as the “chosen demon.” Her unique skill set has led to her surpassing even the 12 Demon Moons in value.
Is Nezuko Stronger Than the Hashira?
Nezuko’s prowess is such that she could easily surpass an Upper Moon Demon in power. It is exceedingly rare for a Pillar to defeat an Upper Moon, as they typically hold their position for centuries, exceeding even the Pillars’ lifespan. Thus, Upper Moon Demons are evidently stronger than the Pillars in terms of strength and abilities, making Nezuko even more powerful than both an Upper Moon Demon and a Pillar.
Furthermore, due to her exceptional rate of growth and her unique ability to withstand the Sun, Nezuko has become the sole demon without any weaknesses. it’s likely that she will only become more potent as a demon, continuing to push her limits and surpass even her current level of strength.
Is Nezuko Stronger Than Tanjiro?
Nezuko has been instrumental in safeguarding Tanjiro throughout their confrontations with various Upper Moon Demons. Nonetheless, the clash with Upper Moon Demon Three, Akaza, marked a significant turning point in Tanjiro’s development, as he achieved full control of “The Transparent World” and accessed his “The Selfless State,” propelling him to the highest echelon. While Nezuko can be likened to Muzan, Tanjiro can also be compared to Yoriichi — the greatest demon slayer to have ever existed.
But It is important to recognize that without Nezuko, Tanjiro wouldn’t have lived to become a great demon slayer. Nezuko remains an invaluable asset to the trio, particularly in tandem with her brother. Nezuko consistently supports and assists Tanjiro, helping him unlock new powers and complementing his fighting style perfectly.
Together, the two make for a formidable duo, capable of taking on any challenge that comes their way. It would be truly exciting to witness Nezuko’s continued growth and development, as she has already established herself as one of the most useful and endearing characters in the Shonen genre.
Currently, Nezuko’s growth as a demon has been stunted due to Muzan’s belief that her abilities could allow him to overcome the Sun’s lethal effects. Consequently, Nezuko is undergoing a transformation process to revert back to her human form, which could foil Muzan’s plans. Meanwhile, she remains incapacitated, unable to join her peers as they continue to train and enhance their abilities.
