The global anime phenomenon, Demon Slayer, is filled with breathtaking battles, heartbreaking losses, and a sprawling cast of characters. While main characters like Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke rightly shape the story, there is a vibrant (even flashy) cast of supporting heroes and mentors whose backstories, skills, and emotional depth hint at stories that are far richer than the short screen time allowed. If time had allowed, expanding on their barely explored stories—whether a former seasoned Hashira, a fallen mentor, or even demons seeking redemption—would have made the world of Demon Slayer all the more intricate.
Their limited screen time leaves fans wanting more, wondering about what they could have accomplished in the fight against Muzan Kibutsuji and the true depth of their personal journeys.
10) Kagaya Ubuyashiki
As the 97th leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya is the beloved and dedicated pillar that holds the entire organization together. His tranquil presence and unwavering compassion for his slayers, whom he considers as important to him as his children, make him the type of leader who inspires those under his command to continue the fight. However, the weight of his inherited curse—a disease rumored to originate centuries ago after Muzan became the first demon and cursed their bloodline—and the sheer responsibility he bears are mostly seen through the reverence of others.
The full extent of his strategic genius, the personal sacrifices made to maintain the Corps behind the scenes, and the depth of his relationship with his family and the Hashira are threads that, while touched upon, could have made his story—and by extension, his wife and children’s stories—more emotionally high-stakes. More time detailing his efforts to coordinate missions and manage the internal workings of the Corps, with the burning desire to rid the world of his ancestor Muzan and all demons, would have significantly upped the dramatic tension of his final moments.
9) Makomo & sabitus
These two former apprentices of Sakonji Urokodaki are intrinsically linked to Tanjiro’s growth in his early days, serving as his spiritual guides during his rigorous training for the Final Selection. Though Tanjiro did not know the two were spirits, their ethereal presence and the heartbreaking revelation of their fates emphasize the brutality of the Demon Slayer world and the true cost of becoming a swordsman.
Their past—how they trained with Urokodaki, their strengths as individuals, and the circumstances leading to their tragic encounter with the Hand Demon—is largely untold. Though audiences get some of Sabito’s backstory told through Giyuu Tomioka’s survivor’s guilt, exploring their lives further, perhaps in a brief, dedicated bottle episode, would have deepened the depth of their respective sacrifices (especially in Sabito’s case, as he died protecting Giyuu).
8) Kanae Kocho
The late Flower Hashira and older sister to Insect Hashira Shinobu, Kanae’s influence on the plot, particularly about Shinobu and Kanao’s lives, is perhaps the most important of all previous Hashira despite her only appearing in brief flashbacks. Her gentle nature and her deep desire for demons and humans to coexist provided a very opposing view to the motives that drive many other slayers. Kanae’s philosophies are the reason Shinobu agreed to take Tanjiro and Nezuko into the Butterfly Mansion, even though Nezuko was a demon.
Witnessing more of her time as a Hashira, specifically her interactions with her teammates and how her optimistic worldview translated into action on the battlefield with an unseen breathing technique, would be captivating. The circumstances of her fight with the Upper Rank Two, Doma, deserve to be told and seen in their full glory. Instead, all audiences know about her death is seen through Shinobu’s eyes, as she found Kanae dying after the battle.
7) Murata
A low-ranking Demon Slayer who crosses paths with Tanjiro multiple times and has an uncanny knack for surviving, Murata is typically seen as a source of comic relief and a relatable representation of the common, non-Hashira fighter. He is an ordinary young man thrust into extraordinary, terrifying circumstances, making his struggle and perseverance deeply human.
He is one of the few recurring lower-rank slayers whose fate and continued efforts the audience cares about, as Murata has become somewhat of a legend in the fandom. Showing him in action or surviving minor skirmishes with demons would give a more complete picture of the everyday efforts required to keep the Demon Slayer Corps running.
6) Aoi Kanzaki
Aoi is a dedicated member of the Corps who essentially serves as Shinobu’s right hand at the Butterfly Mansion, administering physical rehabilitation for injured slayers. Even though Aoi is not a combatant like other slayers, her determination to the Corps, even if not on the front lines, speaks volumes about her courage and commitment to the cause. Without Aoi’s work as a fierce caretaker and knowledgeable medic like Shinobu, Tanjiro and the rest of his group would have died ten times over.
Her backstory, including why she joined the Corps and the nature of her training, is largely a mystery. Scenes detailing the tireless work she and the other girls do to help the slayers recover, highlighting her specialized skills in the Corps and her emotional resilience, would be incredibly interesting to learn about.
5) Lady Tamayo & Yushiro
The brilliant, compassionate demon doctor and her fiercely loyal assistant are essential allies to not only Tanjiro and Nezuko, but eventually the entire Demon Slayer Corps. Without her unique knowledge about Muzan, demon physiology, and the effect of poisons on said physiology, the Corps would not have stood a chance against Muzan before falling into the Infinity Castle. Tamayo’s quiet dignity and dedication to curing others, alongside Yushiro’s protective devotion and priceless blood demon art, make them a fascinating, unique pair.
Their centuries-long journey together, including Tamayo’s past as one of the original demons and the process by which she developed her medical expertise, would make for an excellent side story. More time spent on their research and strategy sessions, their frequent movements to avoid detection by Muzan, and how Tamayo figured out a cure for becoming a demon would have made their indispensable contribution to the final war effort even more meaningful.
4) Makio
As one of Tengen Uzui’s three ninja wives, Makio is a highly capable kunoichi who proves her worth through bravery and resilience during the Entertainment District arc. Her bold, though sometimes harsh, personality and practical combat skills establish her as an essential part of the Sound Hashira’s team.
Her specialized training as a ninja and her history with Tengen and the other wives was only briefly touched upon, mostly through Tengen giving a brief overview of what families they came from. Dedicated scenes of her infiltration and intelligence-gathering efforts, or a deeper dive into her life before she married Tengen, would truly showcase her agency.
3) Sum
Suma, another of Tengen Uzui’s three wives, is a source of comic relief with her endless anxieties and dramatic displays of emotion. Yet, beneath the surface, she is an incredibly loyal and skilled kunoichi who is willing to put her life on the line for her allies and husband.
Giving her more opportunities to show her skills as a ninja and her bravery beyond the moments of panic would truly allow her character to shine and be more than just an archetype. Exploring her perspective on the dangers of their lifestyle and her bond with Makio and Hinatsuru would add emotional weight to their team and family dynamic.
2) Hinatsuru
As the third of Tengen Uzui’s wives, Hinatsuru is arguably the most level-headed and strategic of the trio (and Tengen’s favored wife). Her ability to remain calm and think quickly under pressure, as well as her proficiency with weapons and indomitable spirit, saved Tengen and Tanjiro during the battle in the Entertainment District. Her quiet strength complements her husband’s flamboyance (or flashiness).
A clearer look into her past, particularly her dedication to the ninja code and how she adapted to working alongside a Hashira and two other kunoichi, would show how she became the adept fighter she is, but remained kind at heart, not allowing the dangerous and deadly world to corrupt her natural goodness.
1) Genya Shinazugawa
Genya’s arc is a study in determination and tragic loss. His unique ability to temporarily gain demon-like powers by consuming demon flesh, combined with his inability to use a breathing style, makes him an unconventional and often isolated member of the Corps. His complicated relationship with his older brother, the Wind Hashira Sanemi, is at the heart of Genya’s inner emotional conflict.
The audience sees only a fraction of his training under the Stone Hashira Gyomei and his personal struggle to find a way to become an effective Demon Slayer outside of traditional swordmanship (leading him to adopt a specialized gun as his singularly unique weapon). More time dedicated to his interactions with other slayers, his repeated attempts to reconnect with Sanemi, and the toll his unusual power takes on his body would enrich his already intriguing, though heartbreaking, story.
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