Muzan Kibutsuji, the central antagonist of Demon Slayer, is not merely a one-dimensional villain, but rather the progenitor of all demons in the series. The question arises: how did Muzan, the Original Demon, come to be?
Demon Slayer unfolds in the early 20th century, yet Muzan’s existence spans over a millennium, with flashbacks revealing his presence as far back as 1,000 years ago. Muzan’s ability to create demons lies in his act of imparting his blood to humans, transforming them into powerful beings, provided they can endure the resulting mutations.
The narrative traces Muzan’s origins to Japan’s Heian Period, a millennium before the series’ setting. Initially declared stillborn, Muzan demonstrated an unyielding will to live. However, his connection with death persisted throughout his life. As a young man diagnosed with a terminal illness, Muzan sought unconventional means to prolong his life. Experimentation with medicine derived from the Blue Spider Lily led to unintended consequences. Enraged by the perceived failure of the treatment, Muzan murdered his doctor, unwittingly discovering his newfound strength and immortality.
Why Did Muzan Become A Demon?
Muzan’s transformation into a demon was not deliberate but a consequence of an accidental exposure to the Blue Spider Lily medicine. Immortal and craving human flesh, Muzan grappled with the irony of his newfound weakness—vulnerability to sunlight. Despite his intoxication with demonic power, he remained fixated on achieving total immortality to escape the specter of death.
In the early 900s, desperate to find a cure for his illness, Muzan’s decision to undergo an experimental treatment marked the beginning of his inadvertent journey into becoming the world’s first demon. His initial intent of creating demons with sunlight immunity evolved into a broader agenda, using them for various purposes.
Muzan’s complex character is further revealed through his interactions with the Upper-Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki, the demons he appears to trust. Despite his reign of terror and unspeakable acts, Muzan’s ultimate motivation remains profoundly human: a fear of death. His pursuit of becoming the perfect being stems from this fear, transcending mere conquest or destruction.
In essence, Muzan Kibutsuji’s transformation into a demon is a nuanced tale of unintended consequences and the relentless pursuit of immortality, adding layers to the narrative complexity of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.