Demon Slayer is an anime that's told mostly from the perspective of those hunting and killing demons, but the series does take the time to focus on one demon: the main character's sister, Nezuko. In fact, the story begins with Nezuko being turned into a demon, and the plot hinges on Tanjiro's vow to turn her back into a human.
And because Nezuko isn't an ordinary demon, she doesn't eat human beings and tends to attack her own kind instead. She fights by her brother's side, and she's demonstrated some pretty impressive skills while doing so— even if she's nowhere near as powerful as some of the evil demons we meet throughout the first season. Here are 5 characters Nezuko can beat (& 5 she can't).
10 Can Beat: Zenitsu
Zenitsu is one of the weaker Demon Slayer Corp recruits, and he's afraid of engaging in combat the majority of the time. Given his cowardice, it's likely that Nezuko would make easy work of him.
Zenitsu also isn't the type to attack anyone he considers a beautiful girl, and we already know that Nezuko fits that description. He's more likely to try to woo Nezuko than defend himself against her. Sadly, his desire to be a gentleman would probably get him killed in this scenario.
9 Can’t Beat: Inosuke
Unlike Zenitsu, Inosuke has no issue with attacking pretty girls— especially pretty girls who are actually demons. It's mostly out of respect to Tanjiro that Inosuke leaves Nezuko alone, and he does try to get rid of her before he learns anything about the pair.
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Taking Inosuke's speed and combat skills into account— along with his relentless determination to keep fighting— it seems possible that he could actually beat Nezuko in a fight. But even if he weren't able to win, the two would certainly come to a draw. Short of interference from Giyu, you know Inosuke wouldn't forfeit during a fight.
8 Can Beat: Tanjiro
The fact that Nezuko would kill Tanjro if it ever came down to a one-on-one fight against each another has less to do with either character's skill set and more to do with the fact that Tanjiro would never actually hurt his little sister. Sure, it's not probable that Nezuko would harm him either— but shedoestry to eat him when she's first turned into a demon, so it's not completely off the table.
And during that incident, Nezuko does manage to get the upper hand. This is, as we said because Tanjiro doesn't truly fight back against her. And it's unlikely he ever would.
7 Can’t Beat: Giyu
Giyu is one of the legendary Hashira, and he's brought down demons far more powerful than Nezuko. With his level of skill and impressive agility, he'd easily defeat Tanjiro's little sister.
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In fact, when Giyu first meets Tanjiroand Nezuko, he almost doeskill the latter. His agility allows him to take hold of her faster than Tanjiro can even react, and he manages to stab her before Tanjiro gets in his way. It's only through a combination of Tanjiro's wit and Giyu's mercy that Nezuko makes it out of this encounter alive. But if Giyu ever suspected Nezuko would eat a human, he'd eliminate her from the equation.
6 Can Beat: Temple Demon
The Temple Demon is one of the first demons Tanjiro encounters, and it's probably one of the weakest we're introduced to over the course of the series. He does have some difficulty taking it down at the time, but even prior to his Demon Slayer training, he manages to disarm it. (Working up the nerve to kill it is another story.)
Given that Nezuko is stronger and quicker than Tanjiro was at this point in the anime, it's likely she'd be able to take care of the Temple Demon on her own if it ever came down to it.
5 Can’t Beat: Sanemi
Saying that Sanemi and Nezuko get off to a poor start is an understatement, and honestly, most viewers would love to see Nezuko destroy the Wind Pillar— one might even say he deserves it after the way he treats her at the Demon Slayer Headquarters.
Unfortunately, even if Nezuko were to fight back against Sanemi's cruelty, she'd probably find herself outmatched. Much like Giyu, Sanemi has encountered and defeated far stronger demons than Nezuko to make his way to the top of the Demon Slayer Corp. He isn't afraid of her, and that's probably because he doesn't need to be.
4 Can Beat: Swamp Demon
Tanjiro and Nezuko encounter the Swamp Demon early on in season one, while they’re investigating a series of disappearances in a nearby town. Naturally, the Swamp Demon is the one behind all the missing girls — and the two ensure he can't continue destroying families by taking him out of the picture.
Given that the Swamp Demon can split himself into two other demons, it's hard to say whether or not Nezuko could defeat it single-handed. But considering that she seems to be the stronger of the two demons— and that she's the one who saved Tanjiro during this particular fight— we'd wager she stands a chance.
3 Can’t Beat: Rui
Tanjiro and Nezuko fight against Rui while they're on Natagumo Mountain. And while the two do manage to outmaneuver the Demon Moon for a moment, it's clear that they aren't powerful enough to actually take him down. He quickly recovers from their most powerful attack, and if it weren't for Giyu showing up, he likely would have killed the siblings.
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Judging by that encounter, Nezuko is the weaker demon between she and Rui. She certainly can't defeat him on her own, and it's questionable if she can even do so with help.
2 Can Beat: Susamaru
Susamaru is one of two demons Kibutsuji sends after Tanjiro and Nezuko, hoping to kill them both before Tanjiro can make good on his promise to get justice for what the original demon did to his sister. And Susamaru makes for a powerful opponent. Even with the help of two other demons, Nezuko has difficulty bringing Susamaru down. (And she's forced to regenerate a limb in the process.)
Still, Nezuko doeseventually defeat Susamaru— and that leaves little question about who the better fighter really is.
1 Can’t Beat: Kibutsuji
Kibutsuji is the original demon and the "Big Bad" of Demon Slayer, and there's a good reason he's survived so long, even with the Demon Slayer Corp hunting his kind. Kibutsuji is a powerful player, and his influence over other demons only makes him that much more intimidating.
Nezuko's power currently pales in comparison to Kibutsuji's, and it's questionable if any of the characters we've met thus far could win in a one-on-one fight against him. It'd also be hard getting to him, considering he can create and manipulate demons who will fight his battles for him.
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