The Kamado family is the heart of theDemon Slayerstory. When Muzan Kibutsuji massacred Tanjiro Kamado’s family, it set him on a path to becoming a Demon Slayer, vowing to protect others from suffering the same fate. His family, especially his sister Nezuko, is the emotional core of his character arc, representing love, sacrifice, and the main force behind his unbreakable determination.
But the Kamado family’s story is much deeper than just Tanjiro and Nezuko. Their lineage, including ties toDemon Slayer’smost powerful breathing technique, Sun Breathing, plays a huge role in humanity’s fight against the demons. From Tanjiro’s ancestors to his fallen siblings, every member of the Kamado family plays a part in the overall story ofDemon Slayer.
Sumiyoshi Kamado
Tanjiro’s Distant Ancestor And The Original Sun Breather
Sumiyoshi Kamado is Tanjiro’s distant ancestor, who has an uncanny resemblance to him. He lived during the Sengoku period, a time whenYoriichi Tsugikuni, the original Sun Breather and most powerful Demon Slayerin history, fought Muzan. Sumiyoshi was a close friend of Yoriichi, and after witnessing Yoriichi’s mastery of the Sun Breathing Technique, he memorized the movements and passed them down through his family line in the form of the Hinokami Kagura.
Though Sumiyoshi was not a warrior, his connection to Yoriichi and the Sun Breathing technique is what ultimately allowed Tanjiro to defeat Muzan centuries later.His decision to preserve Yoriichi’s legacy through the dance became the thing that saved Tanjiro many times.
Suyako Kamado
The Wife Of Sumiyoshi
Suyako Kamado, wife of Sumiyoshi Kamado, is another important yet often overlooked figure in the Kamado family tree. Living in the Sengoku period alongside her husband, Suyako played a supportive role in helping preserve the legacy of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the legendary Demon Slayer.
While not a fighter herself, just like her husband,Suyako had a very kind and nurturing personality. Suyako’s hospitality towards Yoriichi made the bond between the Kamaod family and the powerful Demon Slayer even stronger, a connection that would later be vital to Tanjiro’s battle against Muzan.
Tanjuro Kamado
Tanjiro And His Siblings' Father
Tanjuro Kamado, the father of Tanjiro and Nezuko, passed away from illness before the events of the main story, but he was still very influential toDemon Slayer.Though frail and sickly, Tanjuro was a master of the Hinokami Kagura, also known as the Dance of the Fire God, which Tanjiro later finds out to be the original Sun Breathing technique. His passing of this dance to his son becomes a key part of Tanjiro’s growth and development as a Demon Slayer.
Even though he was physically weak, Tanjuro had a deep understanding of the natural world and a strong spirit
Tanjuro was calm and wise, instilling in Tanjiro a sense of responsibility, morality, and a deep knowledge and connection of their family history. Even though he was physically weak, Tanjuro had a deep understanding of the natural world and a strong spirit, both of which he passed down to Tanjiro. That legacy of knowledge is what allows Tanjiro to stand against Muzan Kibutsuji and the Upper Moons.
Kie Kamado
Tanjuro’s Wife And The Mother Of The Kamado Siblings
Kie Kamado was the mother of Tanjiro, Nezuko, and their younger siblings. As a widow, Kie was the sole parent of the Kamado family for most of the time, raising her children in the mountains and keeping the household together. She was loving and nurturing, qualities that she passed down to Tanjiro, who inherited her compassion and sense of duty.
Kie’s death, along with the deaths of her younger children, was the inciting incident and starting point ofDemon Slayer.Her final moments were tragic, as she and her children were brutally murdered by Muzan, sparking Tanjiro’s quest for justice and revenge. Though she does not have much screen time in the series,Kie’s memory and the teaching that she passed down to Tanjiro and Nezuko shape their characters. Tanjiro’s emotional connection to his mother is one of the main motivations he has throughoutDemon Slayer,and he honors her in his fight to protect others from the same fate.
Tanjiro Kamado
The Eldest Kamado Child, the Main Protagonist Of Demon Slayer
Tanjiro Kamado is the main and most iconic character ofDemon Slayer.After his family is brutally murdered by Muzan Kibutsuji, Tanjiro goes on a quest to become a Demon Slayer and find a way to turn his sister Nezuko back into a human. Tanjiro is driven by his love for his family, particularly his last remaining sibling Nezuko, as well as his sense of responsibility for their deaths. As the oldest child, Tanjiro took care of his younger brothers and sisters, stepping up in his father’s absence.
There’s One Reason Tanjiro is Demon Slayer’s Real Hero, & It’s Not What Fans Think
Instead of strength or courageousness, there is a very unique quality that sets Demon Slayer’s hero Tanjiro apart from other shonen main characters.
Despite the horrific loss of his family,Tanjiro’s strength comes from the bond he still has with Nezuko, his friends, and the lessons his family taught him. His mastery of the Sun Breathing technique connects him to his ancestor, Sumiyoshi Kamado, who passed down the original form of the dance that Tanjiro later mastered.
Nezuko Kamado
Tanjiro’s Younger Sister Who Was Turned Into A Demon
Nezuko Kamado is the second-oldest child of the Kamado family and the only survivor besides Tanjiro. The attack, however, did result in her being turned into a demon by Muzan. As a demon, Nezuko loses much of her human memory but still maintains her instinct to protect her brother.Unlike most demons, Nezuko does not crave human fleshand is able to survive on minimal sustenance. ThroughoutDemon Slayer,Nezuko struggles between her demon instincts and her human memories, but her sisterly love for Tanjiro never stops.
Nezuko’s role as a protector for Tanjiro is the opposite of how their relationship used to be, where he was the caretaker of the family. She is one ofDemon Slayer’smain symbols of hope, showing that it may be possible for demons and humans to co-exist and showing the strength of familial bonds. Nezuko’s demon abilities also grow throughout the series, and she becomes one of the key fighters in many battles.
Tanjiro And Nezuko’s Siblings
The Kamado’s Youngest Children Who Were Killed By Muzan
Tanjiro and Nezuko’s younger siblings are named Takeo, Hanako, Shigeru, and Rokuta. They are all killed during the attack on their family by Muzan. While they are not main characters,their deaths impact Tanjiro for the remainder of the series, serving as a constant reminder of his loss and the stakes of his mission.
10 Most Tragic Demon Slayer Backstories
The backstories of Demon Slayer characters are unspeakably tragic, often containing abuse, tragic deaths, and long-lasting sorrow.
Takeo, the eldest of the younger siblings, was only a few years younger than Nezuko. Hanako, Shigeru, and Rokuta were even younger, with Rokuta being the baby of the family. Their deaths are devastating to Tanjiro, who feels extremely guilty for not being there to protect them.
Though they do not have a lot of screen-time within the series, these siblings symbolize the peace and happiness of life that the Kamado family once had. In the rare flashbacks where they appear, they are shown as joyful and full of life, making their deaths seem even more tragic and cruel.
The Kamado family tree is filled with tragedy, love, and a deep connection to the battle against the demons. From the ancestors who preserved the secrets of Sun Breathing to Tanjiro and Nezuko’s fight for survival, the Kamado family is one of the most important families withinDemon Slayer.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Cast
Set in Japan’s Taisho Period, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Tanjiro, a young boy whose family is killed by demons. With his sister Nezuko transformed into a demon, Tanjiro embarks on a quest to become a demon slayer, seeking vengeance and a cure for his sister’s condition.
