I knowshōnen is not a genre of anime. It is technically a demographic, traditionally targeting teen boys; however, that has changed. There is no denying that some of the most popular shōnen series appeal to a broader demographic than that. Plus, if you go online, it’s clear from the fan art, cosplays, and theories, that the shōnen demographic has grown well beyond just teenage boys. Though, while it is not a genre, there is typically astructure to shōnen anime, which is still alive and well.
Usually a shōnen series follows the story of a teenager who joins an organization after they’ve gone through some event that connects them to the villain. This is the structure ofMy Hero Academia,Jujutsu Kaisen,Chainsaw Man, andDemon Slayer. While that structure persists, these anime fit other genres, withChainsaw Man,Jujutsu Kaisen, andDemon Slayerfitting the horror genre. However, whileDemon Slayeris considered part of thenew Big Three of manga, it’s left out of the Dark Trio of manga –Chainsaw Man,Jujutsu Kaisen, andHell’s Paradise. Despite this,Demon Slayeris ahorror and shōnen series.
Demon Slayer’s First Season Hammers Home That It’s A Horror Anime
Tanjiro’s Backstory Is Enshrouded In Horror Tropes
When I first watchedDemon Slayer, Episode 1 had me instantly hooked. While it’s not uncommon for a protagonist to go through something traumatic that puts them on their hero’s journey path,Demon Slayergets straight to it with the death of every member of Tanjiro’s family aside from Nezuko.What’s more haunting is that some of these family members are children, with one being an infant.Child deaths in horror films are still taboo, and while these kids don’t die on screen – we just see their bloody corpses – it’s adark, heartbreaking moment that makesDemon Slayerstand out.
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From there,Demon Slayercontinues to play with horror elements. Episode 6, “Swordsman Accompanying a Demon,” for instance, sees a twisted demon preying on teenage girls. The episode is practically a short horror film. Even the less graphic moments, like the demon showing off his trophies, are haunting. When I saw how many trophies he had, it hit harder than expected. I felt Tanjiro’s rage over this, and that image sticks with me to this day. What also made Season 1 such a stand-out for me was the battle with Rui and his spider family toward the end.
Each demon here has a unique set of powers and design,making each one a perfect monster for a horror filmof its own. Plus, these demons go hard. The mother demon – who is horrifically revealed to have been a child turned into a monster – controls her victims like they are puppets, prolonging their torment until she sees no use for them. Meanwhile, Rui can cut down almost any Demon Slayer into literal pieces. It’s graphic, haunting, and something that would feel suited to a horror film, especially the bloody image of Nezuko strung up and bleeding.
Muzan And His Demonic Forces Are Horror Movie Monsters
The Demon Slayer Corps' Biggest Enemy Is Straight From A Scary Movie
While Season 1 set the tone ofDemon Slayeras one ofshōnen’s most popular series, the horrors persist throughout the entire season, especially once we get to the remaining members of the 12 Kizuki. FollowingDemon Slayer’sfirst season, its first film gave audiences theDemon Slayerequivalent ofNightmare on Elm Street, with a demon that traps its victims in their dreams and nightmares. Tanjiro’s in particular, calls back to the horrors of his family’s deaths. Then, once free of this sleep-state,the film delivers some body horror by turning the train into a twisted extension of the demon– an image that still grosses me out.
After theDemon Slayer: Mugen Trainfilm, the Upper Moons prove to be dangerous forces for the Demon Slayer Corps, andsome of them embrace being monsters, like with Upper Moon Five, whose anatomy defies what is expected, from the placement of their mouths as eyes to the multiple baby arms sticking out of their heads. Meanwhile, other demons, like Upper Moon One, have an intimidating aura that strikes fear in other demons, as well as audiences. While he’s not been seen in action yet in the anime, I know Upper Moon One will live up to expectations, delivering even more horrors for the Demon Slayer Corps while also keeping audience members like myself on the edge of our seats.
