In the manga Demon Slayer, the Demon Moons embody the very essence of terror and power. Personally chosen by Muzan Kibutsuji, these demonic entities serve as the ultimate adversaries for demon slayers. Organized into two distinct categories (Lower and Upper), each boasts powers as impressive as they are fearsome.
From dream manipulation to elemental mastery, these demons are the most dreaded antagonists in Koyoharu Gotōge’s series. Discover the list of Demon Moons and the secrets that make these demons the most feared characters in the anime.
The 6 Upper Demon Moons
The Upper Demon Moons constitute the elite among Muzan Kibutsuji’s servants, each endowed with extraordinary powers and abilities. These overwhelmingly powerful demons are the most formidable foes for the demon slayers. Each one has a unique history and power that only adds to their lethality.
Daki and Gyutaro: Former 6th Upper Moon
Daki and Gyutaro form an inseparable duo that shares the title of 6th Upper Moon.
Daki, with her mesmerizing allure, runs a pleasure district brothel where she conceals her true identity. She wields razor-sharp obi belts as deadly blades to obliterate her enemies.
Gyutaro, her older brother, can merge with her, amplifying their respective strengths. Armed with his poisoned sickles fashioned from flesh and his toxic blood, he is just as dangerous.
Although their fraternal bond is the key to their power, it is also their Achilles’ heel: to defeat them, one must decapitate both simultaneously. Their past, marked by suffering and survival in the slums, has forged their cruelty and their unyielding determination to stay together at all costs.
Kaigaku: 6th Upper Moon
Following the downfall of Daki and Gyutaro, Kaigaku rose to become the new 6th Upper Moon. A former student of the same master as Zenitsu, Kaigaku betrayed the demon slayers by choosing the path of a demon.
He wields the Breath of Thunder, and when combined with his newfound demonic powers, it makes him an adversary to be reckoned with.
Capable of channeling electricity in his attacks, Kaigaku is all the more dangerous due to his deep-seated rivalry with Zenitsu. His character is laden with intense emotional tension stemming from his human past and subsequent betrayal.
Gyokko: 5th Upper Moon
Gyokko is a demon with a particularly unsettling appearance. Obsessed with art in its most macabre forms, he wields pots as weapons, allowing him to teleport and summon terrifying aquatic creatures. His ability to manipulate water renders him unpredictable and difficult to combat.
However, despite his narcissistic nature and twisted artistic talents, he turned out to be one of the less powerful Upper Moons. The Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, was able to exploit his weaknesses and defeat him more swiftly than expected, proving that pride is sometimes the greatest vulnerability.
Hantengu: Former 4th Upper Moon
Hantengu stands out with his ability to divide into several emotional incarnations. Each form represents a different emotion and wields unique powers, making Hantengu extremely difficult to defeat.
His most formidable form, Zohakuten, embodies hatred and can absorb other emotions to grow even stronger. Beneath his frail appearance and cowardly demeanor lies a fearsome demon. He has faced several of the 9 Hashira and demon slayers. It was only through a well-thought-out strategy that his enemies managed to bring him down.
Nakime: 4th Upper Moon
After Hantengu's demise, Nakime—the enigmatic biwa player—took over as the 4th Upper Moon. Although less inclined toward direct combat, Nakime plays a vital role in Muzan’s organization. Her power lies in manipulating the structure of the Infinity Castle, creating labyrinths and traps for anyone daring to venture into this dimensional stronghold.
Thanks to her absolute control over the castle’s architecture, she can trap her enemies in dead-end spaces, rendering any direct assault against her particularly challenging. Nakime is a strategic asset for Muzan, proving that raw strength isn’t the only form of threat among the Upper Moons.
Akaza: 3rd Upper Moon
Before becoming a demon with devastating fists, Akaza was a master of martial arts, a skill he honed over the centuries. His Destruction Compass technique allows him to sense and counter every move his opponents make with unfailing precision.
Though devoted to seeking out powerful adversaries, Akaza adheres to a strict code of honor: he refuses to use weapons and never attacks women. This blend of honor and brutality, coupled with his painful past, makes him a truly unique character. His relentless quest for strength, combined with his exceptional close-combat abilities, renders him a feared opponent.
Doma: 2nd Upper Moon
Behind his handsome face and honeyed manners hides a demon of boundless cruelty. As a master of ice, Doma wields his powers to unleash devastating attacks and regenerate rapidly.
The charismatic leader of a demonic cult, he manipulates his followers with an unsettling calm, making him even more dangerous. Doma feels no empathy... He is a cold, manipulative enemy! His confrontation with the Insect and Love Pillars revealed the full extent of his icy abilities and perverse cunning.
Kokushibo: 1st Upper Moon
Kokushibo, the elder brother of Yoriichi Tsugikuni and a former demon slayer, is the most powerful demon after Muzan. He wields the Breath of the Moon, a technique of unparalleled rarity and strength. His demonic sword and six eyes enable him to perceive and strike with devastating accuracy.
With over 400 years of experience as a demon, Kokushibo represents the epitome of demonic power. His battles against multiple Pillars at once prove that the gap between him and the other Upper Moons is immense. Without a doubt, Kokushibo is one of the most terrifying and powerful adversaries in the anime.
The 6 Lower Demon Moons
The Lower Demon Moons make up the less powerful segment of the Twelve Demon Moons. Even though they rank at the bottom of the hierarchy, they remain formidable foes. Each demon is marked by a number in the eye, indicating their rank among the Twelve.
Kyogai: Former 6th Lower Moon
Kyogai, the drum demon, was once the 6th Lower Moon before being cast out by Muzan. His power allows him to use drums on his body to create various effects. The drum on his right shoulder rotates the space to the right, while the one on his left turns it to the left.
Kyogai lost his rank after he lost the ability to consume humans. This disgrace drove him to obsessively seek reentry into the Twelve Moons. In his quest, he captured Kyoshi for her rare blood, drawing Tanjiro’s attention.
Despite his downfall, Kyogai remains a formidable opponent. His mastery of demonic drums allows him to manipulate space, disorienting his enemies. This ability, combined with his demonic strength, makes him a challenging adversary for the young demon slayers.
Kamanue: 6th Lower Moon
Kamanue occupies the rank of 6th Lower Moon following Kyogai’s demotion. Little is known about this demon, which underscores his position at the bottom of the Demon Moon hierarchy. Both his appearance and abilities remain largely shrouded in mystery, adding to the enigma surrounding his character.
Like all members of the Lower Moons, Kamanue received a portion of Muzan’s blood. This grants him strength superior to that of ordinary demons. However, as the 6th Lower Moon, he is regarded as the weakest of the Twelve Moons.
Rui: 5th Lower Moon
Rui masters the art of demonic blood. This young demon, with his childlike appearance, uses sharp threads as blades to trap and slice his foes. His domain on Mount Natagumo is populated by spider demons that he considers family.
Rui’s tragic past has shaped his twisted personality. Obsessed with the concept of family, he forces other demons into familial roles under threat of death. This desperate quest for affection reflects his desire to be loved and accepted.
Despite his lower rank, Rui proved to be a formidable opponent for Tanjiro and Nezuko. His ability to manipulate his threads with precision, coupled with his demonic strength, makes him one of the most dangerous Lower Moons. His battle with the protagonists marks a major turning point in the story.
Mukago: 4th Lower Moon
Although details about her abilities are limited, Mukago’s position suggests that she possesses superior powers compared to the lower-ranked Lower Moons.
Like all members of the Demon Moons, Mukago received a portion of Muzan’s blood. This grants her enhanced strength and improved regenerative capabilities relative to ordinary demons. Despite her status, Mukago remains vulnerable against seasoned demon slayers.
Wakuraba: 3rd Lower Moon
Wakuraba is also quite in the Demon Slayer anime. His rank suggests that he wields considerable power compared to the other Lower Moons.
Despite his relative strength among the Lower Moons, Wakuraba remains vulnerable against elite demon slayers. His ephemeral existence underscores the ruthless nature of the demonic hierarchy, where even powerful demons can be swiftly replaced.
Rokuro: 2nd Lower Moon
Rokuro inherited this rank after the death of his predecessor, Hairo. Unlike the other Lower Moons, Rokuro appeared as a more mature man, with a robust body and pale skin. He was extremely powerful, although his specific abilities remain unknown, as he never had the chance to demonstrate them in the series.
Unfortunately, Rokuro’s fate was sealed during a meeting with Muzan Kibutsuji. Like the other Lower Moons present, he was executed by Muzan after demanding more of his blood. This purge marked the end of the Lower Moons, with the sole exception of Enmu, the only one to survive Muzan’s wrath.
Enmu: 1st Lower Moon
Enmu is a character feared for his ability to manipulate dreams. This sadistic demon takes pleasure in psychologically torturing his victims before devouring them. His power allows him to enter others’ dreams and turn them into nightmares.
As the 1st Lower Moon, Enmu is the most powerful of the lower ranks. His mastery over dreams makes him a particularly dangerous and unpredictable foe.
He plays a crucial role in the Infinity Train arc. His confrontation with Tanjiro and his companions highlights the growing threat posed by the Demon Moons. His defeat marks a turning point in the story, prompting Muzan to reconsider the usefulness of the Lower Moons.
The Demon Moons: The Absolute Evil?
The Demon Moons of Demon Slayer represent the epitome of demonic threat, each possessing its own history and unique powers. Their hierarchy and interactions with Muzan Kibutsuji raise fascinating questions about the nature of evil and the pursuit of power.
But beyond their antagonistic roles, these characters invite us to reflect: what would become of these demons if they were to reclaim their humanity? How does their past influence their present actions? And above all, is redemption possible for these beings corrupted by Muzan’s blood?