Tanjiro Kamado is the main protagonist of the popular anime and manga series Demon Slayer. He is a Demon Slayer in the Demon Slaying Corps and wields a special sword called the Nichirin Blade. One of the unique abilities of Tanjiro is his connection to the Sun, leading many fans to speculate that he may be a Sun user. In this article, we will analyze Tanjiro’s abilities and connections to the Sun to determine if the evidence supports the theory that he is a Sun user.
What is a Sun user?
In Demon Slayer, some Demon Slayers are known as Sun users. These are Demon Slayers who have a special connection to the Sun and are able to utilize the Sun’s energy in various ways during battle. For example, the Hashira Shinobu Kocho is regarded as a Sun user. She is able to concentrate sunlight into her sword techniques, creating blade attacks that have the heat and brilliance of the Sun. Other examples of Sun users in the series include Giyu Tomioka and Kyojuro Rengoku.
So in summary, a Sun user is a Demon Slayer with an affinity for the Sun’s energy and special abilities related to harnessing that energy.
What are Tanjiro’s connections to the Sun?
There are several noteworthy connections between Tanjiro and the Sun within the Demon Slayer story:
- He has a Sun pattern on his haori – Tanjiro’s uniform features a large Sun emblem on the back, which is often seen as a visual representation of his Sun abilities.
- His sword techniques utilize the Sun – Many of Tanjiro’s secret sword techniques like Clear Blue Sky directly reference the Sun and involve channeling its energy.
- He gains strength during the day – Tanjiro is noted to grow much stronger during the daytime when the Sun is out, implying he draws power from it.
- His earrings represent the Sun – The hanafuda earrings gifted to him by Sakonji Urokodaki signify the Sun suit, hinting at Tanjiro’s Sun affiliation.
- Dance of the Fire God – This breath style is based on Hinokami Kagura, a real-life Japanese Sun goddess ritual dance. This reinforces the connection between Tanjiro’s abilities and the Sun.
So through these symbolic connections and ability descriptions, the series seems to establish a close relationship between Tanjiro and the power of the Sun.
Does Tanjiro exhibit abilities unique to Sun users?
In addition to the thematic connections, Tanjiro has also displayed some similar abilities and techniques used by confirmed Sun users:
- Solar aura – When fighting, Tanjiro can emit a glowing, flame-like aura not too dissimilar from other Sun users.
- Burn attacks – Techniques like Setting Sun Transformation and Solar Halo Dragon Dance involve engulfing foes in sun-like heat and flames, a common Sun user move.
- Enhanced strength – As mentioned earlier, Tanjiro’s natural strength increases significantly when the Sun is out. A classic Sun user trait.
- Blinding light – Moves like Dance of the Fire God: Solar Flare temporarily blind enemies with brilliant light, reflecting Sun user Shiobu Kocho’s abilities.
The parallels between these abilities and established Sun user techniques indicates Tanjiro taps into the same source of solar power.
Counter evidence
Despite these connections, there are also some counterpoints worth discussing:
- No explicit confirmation – Tanjiro is never outright called a Sun user in the story or given an official Sun user designation.
- Different breath style – His self-taught Dance of the Fire God is a distinct breath style from established Sun user styles like Flame Breathing.
- No resistance to sunlight – Unlike some other Sun users, Tanjiro doesn’t seem immune or highly resistant to sunlight.
- Limited solar manipulation – He cannot concentrate and manipulate sunlight to the same extent as Shinobu Kocho.
So while he exhibits tangential connections and minor abilities, Tanjiro lacks the explicit confirmation and full suite of powers possessed by confirmed Sun users. This casts some doubt over the theory.
Conclusion
After reviewing the available evidence from the Demon Slayer story, I believe there are strong thematic connections and abilities that suggest Tanjiro Kamado has an affinity for the Sun and taps into its power. However, the lack of direct confirmation or access to the full range of Sun user techniques indicates he likely does not qualify as a true, dedicated Sun user like Shinobu Kocho or Rengoku Kyojuro.
A more accurate designation for Tanjiro seems to be someone with a mild alignment to and ability to harness solar energy, but not at the level of a proper Hashira Sun user. His Dance of the Fire God forms utilizes some Sun-related techniques, but is still a unique breath style distinct from established Sun user styles.
So in summary, while Tanjiro Kamado exhibits tendencies of a Sun user and some Solar abilities, the evidence suggests he is not a true Sun user that solely relies on Sun Breathing techniques. He utilizes solar power to an extent, but his skills seem more varied beyond that of a dedicated Sun user. Hopefully as the story progresses, Tanjiro’s abilities and connections to the Sun will be explored more thoroughly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What breath style does Tanjiro use?
Tanjiro uses a self-taught breath style called Dance of the Fire God, based on a Sun goddess ritual dance called Hinokami Kagura. This reinforces his connections to the Sun.
Who trained Tanjiro to become a Demon Slayer?
Tanjiro was trained in the Demon Slaying Corps by former Water Hashira Sakonji Urokodaki, who taught him the basics of swordsmanship and Water Breathing techniques.
What rank is Tanjiro in the Demon Slayer Corps?
At the start of the story, Tanjiro holds the lowest rank of Mizunoto. He has currently progressed to Kanoto rank after continually proving his courage and skill.
Who gave Tanjiro his hanafuda earrings?
Tanjiro received his hanafuda earrings from his master Sakonji Urokodaki. The earrings feature a red and white checked Sun pattern, reinforcing his connections to the Sun.
What Demon Slayer Mark does Tanjiro have?
During his battle with Akaza, Tanjiro awakened the Demon Slayer Mark that takes the shape of a crescent Sun design on his forehead. This likely enhances his Sun-related abilities.
Key Takeaways
– Tanjiro exhibits strong visual and thematic connections to the Sun through his uniform, sword styles, and abilities.
– He displays some similar techniques to confirmed Sun users like solar aura, burn attacks, strength boosts, and blinding light.
– However, he lacks official confirmation as a Sun user and cannot fully manipulate sunlight like true Sun Breathers.
– Tanjiro likely has an affinity for the Sun and utilizes some solar power, but not at the level of a dedicated Hashira Sun user.
– His unique Dance of the Fire God form incorporates some Sun-related techniques, but also goes beyond standard Sun Breathing.