Demon Slayer What-If Analysis: Could Muzan and Other Demons Have Survived with Body Armor?

As the Demon Slayer anime heads towards its final arc, fans are revisiting the manga to engage in intriguing discussions about various “what-ifs.”A particularly captivating topic that has recently emerged revolves around the potential impact of body armor within the series. Readers familiar with the narrative will note that neither demon hunters nor demons utilize armor; both factions engage in combat with minimal protection.

Instead of armor, they wield offensive weapons such as swords, Morningstars, and firearms, among others. This leads to a fascinating question: how would battles between demons and the Demon Slayer Corps change if the demons were equipped with full-body armor?

There are several scenarios to consider, and even a slight advantage for the demons could significantly shift the balance of power. Integrating body armor into combat would necessitate analyzing factors such as the material of the armor, its weight, and how it influences both defense and agility.

Disclaimer: This article contains major spoilers from the manga chapters.

Demon Slayer: Could the demons prevail if they donned full-body armor?

While full-body armor is notably heavy and significantly restricts a combatant’s movement, it does provide considerable protection against swords, which are the primary weapons used by demon hunters. Historically, soldiers facing sword-bearing opponents wore materials like chainmail and iron-plated armor.

There’s no question that demons might find armor advantageous when contending against typical humans wielding swords. However, the Demon Slayer Corps includes warriors who do not merely rely on physical strength; they employ the Breathing Techniques that exponentially amplify their abilities. For instance, even Tanjiro, with minimal combat experience, managed to slice through an entire boulder with his sword. When demon hunters can generate such immense force, the need for armor diminishes.

Additionally, materials like iron and steel are no match for the Nichirin Blades, which can slice through them easily. Reinforcing armor by increasing its thickness, while it may enhance protection, would drastically impact mobility. Kibutsuji Muzan, the Demon King, demonstrating the ability to remain in the shade during daytime, indicates that armor could potentially counteract sunlight effects if it effectively shields them.

Considering this, armor could grant demons the strategic advantage of engaging in combat during daylight hours. This shift could pose significant challenges for the Demon Slayer Corps, who must remain vigilant around the clock, thereby severely impacting their resource management. Such an advantage could provide Muzan and his army the opportunity needed to defeat the demon hunters.

Nonetheless, it is crucial to recognize that the accompanying loss of speed against formidable foes like the Hashira could be detrimental. Moreover, for demons that release poisonous substances through their Blood Demon Art, the effectiveness of this ability could be hindered by the constraints of wearing armor.

For instance, demons like Doma and Gyutaro possess skins that can release harmful substances which can affect the demon hunters. Thus, any limitations on their Blood Demon Art could place demons at a disadvantage in battles against faster and more agile demon hunters who aren’t burdened by detrimental effects.

Conclusion

Muzan and his lackeys will not benefit from armor in the Demon Slayer series (Image via Ufotable)

While body armor could offer some tactical advantages to demons, the most significant of which is the ability to fight in the sunlight, the overall detriments outweigh these benefits. Speed remains a critical factor in combat, and the encumbrance of armor severely hampers agility. Additionally, restrictions on Blood Demon Art would further complicate their effectiveness during fights. Therefore, it’s unlikely that demons would gain any substantial benefit from armor against the most powerful demon hunters. Even with armor, both Muzan and the Upper Moon demons may not have survived their confrontations.

Stay tuned for more updates on Demon Slayer anime and manga as 2024 unfolds.

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