Muzan Kibutsuji is the primary antagonist in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. He is the first demon ever created and is the progenitor of all other demons in the series. Muzan is the leader of the Twelve Kizuki, a group of the strongest demons who serve him directly. He became a demon during an experimental treatment to cure his terminal illness in the Heian Era and has since sought to become truly eternal by finding the Blue Spider Lily or creating more demons who can conquer their weakness to sunlight. Muzan can control all those who have assimilated his blood to become demons, except for a few exceptions like Nezuko Kamado, Tamayo, Yushiro, and Chachamaru. It is later revealed that he is of the same bloodline as the Ubuyashiki Family.

Who Is Muzan Kibutsuji?

How Did Muzan Become The Demon King?

Muzan Kibutsuji’s heart stopped beating multiple times while he was in his mother’s womb, and he was declared stillborn roughly 1,000 years ago during Japan’s Heian Period. However, he showed signs of life during his funeral pyre, indicating that he wanted to live. Despite his desire for life, Muzan was afflicted with a deadly illness that would have killed him before he reached the age of 20. He sought out a physician who tried to prolong his life through trials on the dying young man. When the treatment failed, Muzan killed the physician in a fit of rage, but the doctor’s blood triggered a transformation in Muzan, making him almost superhuman and the first demon in history. Muzan also discovered that he would die if he ever came into contact with sunlight.

Muzan’s Abilities

Muzan Kibutsuji possesses a unique demon body that includes seven hearts and five brains, which give him powerful vitality. If any of these organs are damaged, he will be severely weakened. He has the fastest and most powerful regenerative power of any demon, allowing him to immediately regenerate his body after being hit by powerful attacks. Even being decapitated by a Nichirin Blade is not enough to kill him, as he can easily regenerate his head. Muzan also has incredible control over his body, able to separate it into lumps of flesh and rejoin them to avoid death. 

He can also shapeshift into a child or a woman, and even Tanjiro can’t detect the difference. During combat, he takes on a monstrous form with dark red mass covering his limbs and long white hair, increasing his speed, strength, and power. He has extrasensory perception and can sense others’ presence from great distances. As the creator of the demon race, he can use his blood to transform humans into demons, giving them access to Blood demon arts. He can also empower a demon by giving them more blood, limited only by the recipient’s ability to withstand it. In combat, he can subtly inject his opponent with his blood to destroy their cells.

Why is Muzan Looking for Blue Spider Lily?

In Demon Slayer, it is suggested that eating the Blue Spider Lily can nullify a demon’s vulnerability to sunlight, which is why Muzan relentlessly searched for it. As the strongest being in the world, Muzan is only weak to sunlight. While the Sun Breathing Technique can harm him, it relies on the user’s skill. Yoriichi Tsugikuni was the only person who had ever truly injured him. However, sunlight is a different matter altogether since it can kill him immediately upon exposure. Muzan loathes hiding in the shadows and desires to walk freely under the sun. Failing to find the Blue Spider Lily, he begins targeting Nezuko, who can withstand sunlight despite being a demon.

Why can’t demons say Muzan’s name in Demon Slayer?

Demons are unable to say Muzan’s name in Demon Slayer due to a curse placed on them by Muzan himself. The curse was a means of controlling his subordinates and ensuring their loyalty to him. It is said that if a demon were to say Muzan’s name, they would suffer a painful death. The curse is also believed to extend to humans who have been transformed into demons, as they are still under Muzan’s control. This curse adds to the fear and reverence that demons have for Muzan, as they are unable to even speak his name without facing dire consequences.

During a battle with Tamayo, Susamaru, a demon, was faced with the consequences of the curse when she accidentally spoke Muzan’s name out loud. Despite her efforts to defend her honor, Susamaru’s mind was clouded, and she broke the curse, resulting in grave consequences.

Is Lord Oyakata or Kagaya related to Muzan?

It was later discovered that Muzan and Lord Oyakata were from the same family, which resulted in the curse upon the Ubuyashiki family. The curse caused every child born into the family to be weak and die at a young age.

The Only Two Demons That Muzan Can’t Control In Demon Slayer

Why is Muzan powerless against Yoriichi in Demon Slayer?

Muzan Kibutsuji is powerless against Yoriichi, one of the most powerful Demon Slayers in Demon Slayer, due to a special ability called the Sun Breathing technique. Yoriichi’s Sun Breathing technique is so powerful that it allows him to generate sunlight even at night, which is fatal to demons. Muzan, who is incredibly vulnerable to sunlight, is unable to withstand the power of Yoriichi’s Sun Breathing technique, which makes him powerless against him. Additionally, Yoriichi possesses a unique sword called the Sun Blade, which is said to be capable of slaying demons with a single strike. This combination of Yoriichi’s Sun Breathing technique and the Sun Blade makes him a formidable opponent for Muzan, who is unable to overcome his power.

Who is Muzan’s favorite demon in Demon Slayer?

As previously stated, some demons are given preferential treatment by Muzan, and the notorious quartet is listed below:

1) Kokushibo

Ranked at the top of the Twelve Kibuki, Kokushibo is the sole demon in the Demon Slayer series to possess a breathing style. Muzan regards him as a business partner and a trusted ally, which has earned Kokushibo unwavering loyalty and made him the most powerful enforcer for Kibutsuji.

2) Akaza

Another of Muzan’s favored demons among his subordinates was Akaza, owing to the demon’s unwavering devotion to his master. Despite being ranked third among the Upper Ranks, Akaza was frequently entrusted with special missions that were denied to even the first and second ranked demons. Additionally, Muzan allowed Akaza to abstain from consuming women, a preference that was looked down upon by some of his fellow demons, like Doma.

3) Gyutaro

Gyutaro is another of Muzan’s powerful allies, but his methods of serving the demon king were somewhat twisted. As Muzan held Gyutaro in high regard, he also enlisted his sister Daki to work alongside him. Muzan believed that Daki was the only means of controlling Gyutaro, but he perceived her as weak and even blamed her for her brother’s demise. This favoritism towards Gyutaro was evident in Muzan’s decision to allow the siblings to share the Upper Rank 6 position.

4) Rui

Rui is likely the youngest of all the demons, appearing as a young boy in the Demon Slayer series, although his actual age is unknown. Despite being ranked only as Lower Rank 5 among the Twelve Kizuki, Rui proved his loyalty to Muzan by continuing to prey on humans for sustenance. Impressed by his devotion, Muzan granted him a special privilege of starting a family, despite his usual opposition to demons forming alliances. This led to the formation of the Spider Family, which was unique to Rui and not granted to any other member of the Twelve Kizuki.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Muzan Kibutsuji is the ultimate evil in the world of Demon Slayer, possessing unique abilities that make him nearly invincible. He created the demon race, programmed them to prey on humans, and serves as the leader of the Twelve Kizuki. Muzan’s backstory reveals that he was once a human who became a demon during an experimental treatment to cure his terminal illness in the Heian Era. Despite being the embodiment of evil, Muzan has a few demons who receive special treatment, including Kokushibo, Akaza, Gyutaro, and Rui. Muzan’s reign of terror is the driving force behind the story of Demon Slayer and sets the stage for the epic battle between the demon king and the demon slayers.