The movie Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Castle has sparked a lively debate: who is the best character in the series? In a recent interview with Kyodo News, voice actor Akira Ishida gave a surprising answer: the greatest character in Demon Slayer is actually a villain, Upper Moon Three Akaza.
Akaza is not just an obstacle the heroes must overcome. He represents many core themes of the story, and by contrasting with Tanjiro, Akaza defines the true meaning of strength.
Akaza – The Most Important Demon in Kimetsu no Yaiba
One reason Akaza is so important is that he acts as a “shield” for the main character Tanjiro. He is one of the strongest demons in the series and the main opponent Tanjiro and Giyuu face at the start of the Infinity Castle arc.
Ironically, Akaza’s overwhelming power cannot save him. He relentlessly pursues strength but ultimately realizes it does not bring true happiness. Akaza and Tanjiro share many similarities but differ in motivation. Akaza’s selfish obsession with becoming stronger leads to his downfall, while Tanjiro’s selfless journey to protect loved ones makes him stronger.
Akaza’s Selfish Strength vs. Tanjiro’s Selflessness
According to Ishida: “Through his pursuit of ultimate power, Akaza became a formidable opponent. Paradoxically, this highlights why Tanjiro needs to grow.” Akaza is one of the toughest enemies Tanjiro must face.
When Tanjiro began his demon slayer journey, he was not strong. But loss drove him to train relentlessly to protect those left behind and bring justice to his family. Tanjiro fights for his loved ones and is committed to helping Nezuko return to being human. As Ishida said, Akaza is the opponent Tanjiro must give his all to defeat.
Akaza – Tanjiro’s Perfect Opposite
Broadly speaking, Tanjiro’s motivation is deeply selfless, while Akaza’s is the opposite. Akaza’s past is a series of tragedies: as a human, he suffered great losses including the deaths of his father, lover, and mentor. He witnessed human cruelty and injustice firsthand.
These painful experiences and deep hatred for humans led Akaza to willingly abandon his humanity to become a demon when given the chance. After being transformed by Muzan, he became obsessed with being the strongest, despising humans and believing the weak do not deserve to live.
Though Akaza was a good person as a human, those qualities vanished after becoming a demon. Like Tanjiro, he craves power, but only for selfish reasons, completely opposing the hero’s sacrifice.
Akaza’s Story – The Most Moving Tale in Demon Slayer
The first part of Infinity Castle is even titled “Akaza Returns,” emphasizing his central role. Among many battles in this arc, the fight between Akaza, Tanjiro, and Giyuu is one of the most memorable and emotional. This is why Akaza is considered the best character in Demon Slayer: he is far deeper than he appears.
Besides perfectly opposing Tanjiro by contrasting selfish power with compassionate strength, Akaza’s story is seen as the most touching in Demon Slayer. His final moments differ greatly from other demons, showing genuine regret and sorrow for his crimes. Most demons justify their actions or beg for mercy, but Akaza does not.
Akaza lost his memory and could not recall his human life after becoming a demon. In the last moments of the battle, all memories, both good and bad, flood back. He must face the reality of what he has done and all the lives he ended.
This awareness horrifies Akaza so much that he ends his own life. His death is tragic, but he finds comfort in the thought of reuniting with loved ones in the afterlife.
According to Ishida, Akaza’s story is “extremely rich and cinematic,” far more complex than other characters. He is a star of Demon Slayer, and his story deserves to be shown on the big screen.