For decades, when people thought of anime, Dragon Ball and Goku often came to mind. The anime based on Akira Toriyama’s beloved manga shaped a new era, making Goku the most iconic and recognizable anime character worldwide by a wide margin. However, for the first time, Goku faces a worthy challenger for this title.
Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba is currently the most popular anime worldwide by every measure. The latest film in the series, Infinity Castle, is dominating global box offices and continuously breaking records, becoming the highest-grossing anime movie ever. Thanks to this, Tanjiro Kamado, the series’ protagonist, has become one of anime’s most iconic heroes.
No one understands Tanjiro’s legendary status better than the cast and crew behind Demon Slayer. At Anime Pasadena 2025, Tanjiro’s English voice actor, Zach Aguilar, shared why so many fans deeply love the character.
Tanjiro’s response to the world’s horrors is what makes him a true hero
In his response, Aguilar focused on the subtle complexity of Demon Slayer’s hero:
“I think sometimes people forget that Tanjiro is still a child. He’s just a boy forced to face unimaginable trauma. He goes through so much darkness and pain, but what’s incredible is how he chooses to respond. He doesn’t let those hardships break him. He doesn’t let hatred or sorrow change who he is.”
Aguilar emphasized Tanjiro’s core quality:
“Instead, he says, ‘I will become stronger to protect others.’ That’s what makes him such an inspiring role model. He faces humanity’s worst, yet chooses kindness.”
Tanjiro’s reaction to the world’s horrors is what makes him a hero. The fact that Japanese children admire Tanjiro shows there’s something about this character that truly resonates.
While some critics complain about the overuse of villain flashbacks in Demon Slayer, those scenes play an important role: they clearly highlight the moral contrast between Tanjiro and the demons he fights. While the series’ antagonists use their inner pain to harm others, Tanjiro transforms all the suffering he endures into something that helps people.
Tanjiro has officially surpassed Goku, and that’s a good thing
A major theme in Shonen stories is the passing of the torch. Anime like Naruto, Bleach, and of course Dragon Ball all include elements where older heroes realize they’ve been surpassed by the new generation.
While Goku often shows moral ambiguity (such as sparing enemies with Senzu Beans), Tanjiro clearly symbolizes the new generation in a way the world’s strongest Saiyan cannot. This doesn’t mean one is better than the other, but it fits perfectly with Dragon Ball’s theme of embracing change and welcoming a new era.
Dragon Ball and Demon Slayer are blockbuster series that have cemented their legacies. Although Tanjiro may be anime’s current iconic hero, that title will surely belong to another hero in the future. When that time comes, longtime fans and newcomers alike should welcome the next generation.