Demon Slayer Officially Gets More Respect Than Moms in Japan

 When asked who they respected the most, elementary school students in Japan overwhelmingly chose characters in the popular manga Demon Slayers.

Since its debut in 2016, Demon Slayer has become one of the most popular and beloved manga ever and part of the reason why are characters like the series' protagonist Tanjiro Kamado. Though even a casual manga fan would know that Tanjiro is popular, a new study suggests his popularity actually far exceeds all expectations.

Like all the best manga, Demon Slayer by Koyoharu Gotouge presents a solid story that introduces a range of characters that fans can relate to and who provide an example of who they should want to be or strive to emulate. One of the most memorable is easily the series' protagonist, Tanjiro, whose quest to cure his sister of a demonic curse makes him admirable. It might be common knowledge that Tanjiro is beloved by anyone who reads the manga or watches the anime, but a new study suggests that Tanjiro's popularity is far greater than any expectation.

According to a survey by the Japanese education company Benesse of over 7,500 Japanese students between the ages of 8 and 12 on who they respected the most, characters from Demon Slayer were overwhelmingly chosen over more common, and real, figures of respect and admiration such as athletes, movie and music stars. Indeed, seven of the top ten people elementary students most respected were characters from Demon Slayer. Positions six to 10 were all Demon Slayer characters including Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito at #10, Tanjiro’s partner Zenitsu Agatsuma at #9, Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku at #8, Tanjiro’s sister and demon Nezuko Kamado at #7, and Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka at #6. That is right, students even had more respect for a demon than a real live person.

Even more surprising, however, was the popularity of Demon Slayer characters over the most traditional people children look up to and admire, namely their teachers and parents. While dads and teachers, who placed fifth and fourth respectively, should feel relieved that they scored higher among students than the demon slayers after them, they nevertheless failed to overcome the appeal of Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho. Besides being to top-level demon slayer, according to the survey, Shinobu was seen as more “family-oriented” than even fathers.

Perhaps the most shocking result of the survey was where mothers placed on the list, namely second to Demon Slayer protagonist Tanjiro Kamado. While the students’ respect for their mothers centered on the fact that they are kind, family-focused, and the go-to adult to do “stuff” for them, Tanjiro’s personality left a stronger positive impression on them. According to the survey, Tanjiro’s dedication to his family, work ethic, and his “never give in attitude” were admired by the students and often used as a reason for them to try their best in their studies and other activities.

That the characters from Demon Slayer are so popular with the elementary school students is not an isolated phenomenon. The manga is so popular in and outside Japan that every from airline companies to bag makers is trying to cash in on its acceptance in the public. Maybe that will persuade Demon Slayer's creator, Koyoharu Gotouge , to come out with a follow-up series.