Muzan is Demon Slayer’s weakest-written villain, and the anime’s endgame will prove it

The announcement of Demon Slayer Season 4’s release date on May 12 has sparked curiosity among fans, who are eager to discover what this season has in store. As a result, there has been increased focus on Muzan Kibutsuji, the primary antagonist of the series and renowned as the mastermind of all evil.

However, can Muzan be considered a dynamic antagonist? He seems to fall short in comparison to characters such as Akaza and Kokushibo, whose backgrounds are cloaked in ambiguity, adding to their allure.

Despite Daki and Gyuutaro displaying more intricate motivations and emotional complexity, Muzan’s brand of wickedness remains overly self-centered, making it difficult for viewers to truly connect or find him compelling. This noticeable flaw creates a gap in the overall narrative of Demon Slayer.

The portrayal of Muzan as a one-dimensional character who is solely driven by his fear of death undermines his potential as a compelling villain. Unlike other antagonists whose backstories evoke empathy and interest from viewers, Muzan’s lack of depth and relatability make him appear less formidable.

Demon Slayer: Muzan – The Enigma Behind the Villain

Missing the shades of grey found in Akaza (Image via Ufotable Studio)

Despite the complex histories of characters like Akaza and Kokushibo, which offer insight into their motivations and somewhat justify their evil actions, Muzan is simply portrayed as power-hungry and self-absorbed. While his fear of death is a driving force, it lacks context and depth, making his villainy seem shallow. In comparison to the deeply tragic backgrounds of other demons in the series, Muzan’s superficial portrayal falls short.

Lack of Relatability

One of the problems with Muzan’s character is his lack of relatability. The most compelling villains are those that audiences both despise and, at times, can even understand. However, Muzan’s behavior and reasons are solely focused on himself.

While there is no room for interpretation or a relatable flaw to be found in his character, he is presented as purely evil, resulting in a less captivating portrayal. In contrast, the backgrounds of Akaza, Kokushibo, Daki, and Gyuutaro offer insight into their inner selves, heightening the emotional intensity and significance of their clashes with the slayers.

Muzan Kibutsuji: Lacking Emotional Depth as a Villain

The most notable antagonists are those that elicit an internal struggle within the audience, causing them to contemplate the concept of evil and the potential for redemption. Unlike other demons who have complex and layered interactions with the protagonists, Muzan’s solely wicked nature lacks depth. In these battles, the boundaries between good and bad become blurred, forcing viewers to confront their emotions towards the antagonist’s ultimate destiny.

Kokushibo from Demon Slayer (Image via Ufotable Studio)

As the Demon Slayer series approaches its climax, it is anticipated that the final arc will further amplify these flaws. In order for a story to be truly captivating, its antagonist must possess layers, intricacies, and a hint of empathy – all of which are sorely missing in the character of Muzan. This clear disparity between him and his more multi-dimensional subordinates only serves to emphasize his inadequacies.

If the narrative does not take a significant turn, Muzan will be remembered not as the formidable foe he was intended to be, but as the weakest link in Demon Slayer. The ending of the anime has the potential to either refute these criticisms or further solidify them, depending on how Muzan’s character is portrayed.

From what we’ve observed, it appears highly probable that Muzan’s lasting impact will serve as a warning in the realm of villain portrayal – a clear indication that in a universe filled with demons and warriors, the greatest threat can often stem from a lack of complexity.