Nezuko is one of the main characters in the popular anime and manga series Demon Slayer. She is the younger sister of Tanjiro Kamado, the protagonist. At the start of the series, Nezuko gets turned into a demon by Muzan Kibutsuji, the main antagonist. However, unlike other demons who lose their humanity after transformation, Nezuko retains her human emotions and memories. She also gains the unique ability to resist the urge to consume human flesh and blood.
After becoming a demon, Nezuko falls into a deep slumber that lasts for over two years. During this time, Tanjiro embarks on a quest to find a cure for Nezuko and turn her back into a human. He also strives to protect Nezuko from demon slayers who seek to kill her. Nezuko’s long sleep has intrigued and confused many fans of the series. In this article, we will explore the possible reasons behind Nezuko’s extended period of slumber.
Nezuko Was Recovering From Her Transformation
The most straightforward explanation is that Nezuko slept for so long because she needed time to recover from her traumatic transformation into a demon. The transformation process must have exhausted her physically, mentally, and spiritually. Her human body underwent extreme changes as it morphed into a demonic form. This took a massive toll on the young girl who had just turned 13.
Nezuko’s immune system was also probably very weak after the transformation. As a result, she fell into a deep, death-like slumber to conserve her energy and allow her body to heal. Her sleep lasted for over two years because the transformation had drained her life force completely. She needed all that time to regain enough strength to become active again.
She Was Resisting Her Demonic Urges
Most demons in the Demon Slayer universe lose their humanity entirely after transforming. The only things that drive them are an insatiable thirst for blood and flesh. However, Nezuko manages to retain her human heart and emotions. She refuses to harm humans even in her transformed state.
Maintaining her humanity while fighting against her inborn demonic urges must have taken immense mental strength and concentration. Nezuko probably chose to sleep as a way to avoid situations where she would be tempted to attack and feed on humans. By sleeping, she eliminated all external stimuli that could trigger her demonic impulses.
Hibernation Helped Nezuko Stay Calm
Entering a state of deep hibernation or estivation allowed Nezuko to keep her demonic instincts suppressed. While asleep, her bodily functions slowed down, which reduced her bloodlust. The stillness and quietude of sleep enabled her to focus inwards and keep her human consciousness alive.
When Nezuko briefly awakens a few times over the two years, she displays an incredible capacity to stay calm despite encountering humans. This suggests that her long period of hibernation played a key role in strengthening her mind and self-control.
Tanjiro’s Protective Chant Helped
In the first episode of the anime, Tanjiro chants a short poem to help Nezuko fall asleep after her transformation:
“Even if you grow out those claws again tonight,
Even if you bare those fangs at me again tonight…”
This moving chant reveals Tanjiro’s compassion for his sister and his determination to protect her, no matter what. It also seems to have a calming effect on Nezuko, allowing her to sleep peacefully.
It’s possible that Tanjiro subconsciously used a subtle form of hypnosis or a binding spell when reciting those words. This could have induced Nezuko into a deep state of hibernation or suspended animation. By chanting periodically, Tanjiro was able to keep Nezuko asleep for an extended duration. Her sleep protected both siblings as they avoided confrontation with demon slayers.
Nezuko’s Unique Physiology
As a demon who nonetheless retained some of her humanity, Nezuko has a very unique physiology. After her transformation, she displays abilities that are unheard of among other demons. Besides her strong empathy and self-control, Nezuko also shows an incredible healing power. She has a heightened resistance to sunlight which is fatal to other demons.
It’s likely that Nezuko’s singular physiology allowed her to remain asleep for years at a stretch. Normal humans would perish from lack of food and water after a few days of sleep. However, Nezuko survived for over two years without any apparent nourishment. Her demonic metabolism might have slowed down to minimal levels so she didn’t need sustenance.
Lowered Ageing in Sleep
Nezuko was able to sleep for so long without ageing commensurately because of her demonic nature. When she wakes up two years later, she still has the physical form of a child around 13-14 years rather than that of a 15-16 year old teenager.
This suspended animation was only possible due to unique demon powers activated by her sleep. If not for her transformation into a demon, Nezuko would have woken up as a normal girl in her mid-teens. Instead, the two years of sleep barely impacted her body’s developmental process.
Nezuko’s Strong Bond with Her Brother
The loving bond between Nezuko and Tanjiro is a focal point of the Demon Slayer story. The two siblings shared a very close relationship even before Nezuko was turned into a demon. After the transformation, Tanjiro strives relentlessly to find a cure that will make Nezuko human again. For her part, Nezuko remains deeply attached to her brother despite becoming a demon.
This strong attachment might have been another factor in Nezuko’s ability to hibernate for years. Her love for Tanjiro gave her something tangible to anchor her human side. She was able to draw on this emotional bond to fight against her demonic nature. Additionally, Tanjiro’s protective chant created a safe space for Nezuko to sleep undisturbed. Their mutual caring and devotion enabled the long period of dormancy.
Conclusion
Nezuko’s two-year period of uninterrupted, death-like sleep after becoming a demon is definitely an intriguing mystery. There are several plausible explanations, ranging from her need to recover from the transformation to her unique physiology. The most likely reasons are a combination of Nezuko strengthening her mind to resist demonic urges, and the reassuring comfort of her brother’s presence and chant. Their powerful bond coupled with Nezuko’s own mental focus allowed her to remain suspended in deep sleep through those difficult years when she was newly transformed.
While the exact reasons remain uncertain, one thing is clear. Nezuko’s ability to hibernate for so long while retaining her humanity is a testament to the character’s remarkable mental strength and her loving bond with Tanjiro. It laid the foundation for her future role in the Demon Slayer story as the kind demon who fights to protect humans. Her long sleep gave Nezuko time to reconcile her human heart with her demon body before embarking on the quest to defeat Muzan.