A review by zakcebulski
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 1 by Koyoharu Gotouge

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0


I have opted to start reading Demon Slayer after my brief foray into Hunter X Hunter . From the start I can already surmise that this is going to be one of the more interesting manga series which I have read so far.
The story starts off with the brutal massacre of the protagonist's- Tanjiro Kamado- family. Tanjiro's entire family, save for his sister- Nezuko- are all killed by Oni- or demons, while Nezuko is left alive, but is infected with oni blood, and, as a result, becomes a demon herself. Tanjiro opts to take his sister to a doctor in order to get her the healing she needs.
Along the way Tanjiro is introduced and falls under the tutelage of Sakonji Urokodaki- an expert demon slayer. Tanjiro passes the Final Selection- a test to see whom among potential demon slayers has the mettle to become full-fledged slayers.

 From the start of this series, I love the unique feeling of it. There is something about it that is beautifully realized. One extremely high point is the way in which Tanjiro is a very empathetic character. He offers prayers to the demons who he is forced to kill, and shows no glee in what he must do. I think that this was perfectly illustrated in the fight between him and the Hand Demon. The Hand Demon is a hellacious, disgusting being who has killed 50 children (holy fuck is that dark...) but even still, after it is killed Tanjiro prays that this being not reincarnated as a demon. I think that this is such a welcome character trait, and it is something that I truly hope continues. 
I think that Koyoharu Gotouge's illustrations are fantastic. The way the action flows is well done, and I feel that this story doesn't, to me, fall victim to that thing that happens to some manga, where the pacing is absolutely fucked. 

The premise and the rules of the inner world are all well explained and serve as a strong foundation for the rest of the story to build off of. 
I am quite excited to read more of this series, to see what all the hubbub is about. 
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