Zenitsu Agatsuma, the Thunder Breathing Slayer

Who is Zenitsu Agatsuma?

Zenitsu Agatsuma is a key character in the anime series ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba’ and a member of the Demon Slayer Corps, an organization dedicated to safeguarding humanity from demons. He belongs to the same Demon Slayer class as the protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado, forming a quick friendship due to shared experiences and goals. Zenitsu is recognized by his distinctive yellow hair and eyes, a visual trait that sets him apart. Despite his role as a Demon Slayer, Zenitsu is often perceived as cowardly and fearful, harboring self-doubt. However, his strong sense of duty compels him to protect others, even at the risk of his life. This commitment is evident in his determination to fulfill his master Jigoro Kuwajima’s last wish. Zenitsu’s Thunder Breathing technique, achieved through intense training, allows him to move at lightning-fast speeds, making him a formidable fighter. Despite initial impressions of weakness, Zenitsu is a deeply compassionate and brave individual, displaying unwavering resolve in defending innocent lives.

What defines Zenitsu Agatsuma’s Personality and Background?

Zenitsu Agatsuma, a captivating character in the ‘Demon Slayer’ series, exhibits a unique blend of fearfulness and bravery, coupled with a deep affection for Nezuko Kamado.

Zenitsu, of average height, possesses fair skin, downward-sloped, worried-looking eyes transitioning from soft brown to gold, and forked eyebrows fading into a warm orange color. His short, yellow hair, a result of a lightning strike during training, falls unevenly in front of his face, resembling a bowl cut. Following the Mount Natagumo battle, temporary limb shrinkage due to Son’s poison is rectified by Shinobu Kocho’s developed medicine.

He adorns a paler brown Demon Slayer uniform, featuring a dark brown gakuran jacket, a white belt, extended hakama pants, and his signature white-triangle patterned, yellow and orange gradient haori. Additional accessories include Kyahan with three white bows, matching the haori pattern, pale brown tabi socks, and white-laced zōri sandals.

Initially depicted as cowardly, Zenitsu often expresses fear, anxiety, and pessimism. However, beneath this exterior lies a brave and determined soul. His unconscious bravery surfaces when asleep or unconscious, transforming him into a powerful warrior, exemplified in the fight against the Spider Demon on Mount Natagumo. Zenitsu’s deep infatuation with Nezuko, despite her demonic nature, showcases his ability to recognize her inherent kindness and humanity.

Throughout the series, Zenitsu undergoes significant growth, gaining confidence and control over his fear through demon battles and protecting friends. Dressed in a lighter brown variation of the standard Demon Slayer attire, including a dark brown gakuran jacket, a white belt, extended hakama pants, and a distinctive haori with a white-triangle pattern on a yellow to orange gradient, Zenitsu completes his outfit with Kyahan featuring three white bows, pale brown tabi socks, and zōri sandals with white laces. Zenitsu embodies the struggle between fear and bravery, with his journey highlighting that courage is not the absence of fear, but the determination to persevere despite it. His character development, relationships, and unique abilities contribute to his status as one of the ‘Demon Slayer’ series’ most beloved characters.

Before the Infinity Castle raid, Zenitsu exhibits a different, more serious vibe, reflecting a newfound focus. This change follows a letter from Chuntaro revealing his master’s death and Kaigaku’s involvement. In his confrontation with Kaigaku, Zenitsu adopts a stern and enraged demeanor, displaying unexpected maturity compared to his usual cowardice.

How did Zenitsu’s hair turn Yellow?

Zenitsu’s hair underwent a transformation from black to yellow during a typical training session when he was unexpectedly struck by lightning. This incident was explicitly explained in the show as the cause behind the change in hair color. Fans, however, speculate that this alteration could also be a deliberate aesthetic choice. In his usual attire, Zenitsu wears the standard uniform of the Demon Slayer Corps, featuring a black haori adorned with a white cloud motif symbolizing his association with the Thunder Breathing technique.

What is Zenitsu’s Power and Fighting Style?

Zenitsu Agatsuma is a formidable Demon Slayer with a unique set of abilities and skills. His overall abilities, physical attributes, supernatural powers, and fighting style contribute to his effectiveness in battle.

Overall Abilities:

Zenitsu’s true strength is revealed when he is asleep, allowing him to display remarkable skills in combat. His nervous demeanor, which normally hinders him, is absent during sleep, making him more sagacious, calm, and precise.
He has achieved impressive feats such as instantly decapitating demons and defending against powerful foes like Enmu and Daki.
Zenitsu’s awakened abilities showcase enhanced strength, immense speed, and incredible reflexes, allowing him to outmatch Upper Rank demons and even hold his ground against the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.

Indomitable Will:

Zenitsu possesses unwavering willpower, evident when he protects the demon inside Tanjiro’s box and fights against formidable enemies despite sustaining injuries.

Tactical Intellect:

Even when fighting unconsciously, Zenitsu demonstrates remarkable judgment and tactical intellect. His ability to process techniques and assess demonic abilities is notable, as seen in his battles against Daki and Kaigaku.

Unconscious Combat:

Zenitsu can fight effectively while asleep, unleashing his true strength. His hearing plays a crucial role, allowing him to discern his surroundings and enemy attacks, even after falling victim to spells.

Physical Abilities:

Enhanced Strength:

Zenitsu has achieved remarkable physical strength through rigorous training.
Demonstrated strength by holding down Inosuke Hashibira and manipulating his body’s movement with ease.
Possesses incredible leg strength, enabling high jumps and swift movements necessary for executing Thunder Breathing techniques.
Successfully damaged Muzan’s body, highlighting his strength against formidable opponents.

Immense Speed & Reflexes:

Zenitsu’s speed surpasses the eye’s ability to perceive, making him an exceptionally fast combatant.
Even in the early stages of his Demon Slayer career, he outclassed lesser demons like the Tongue Demon and Son of the Spider Family.
Demonstrated unmatched speed during battles, preventing enemies from landing hits and executing lightning-fast attacks.
Saved Nezuko from Lower Rank One’s attacks and swiftly sliced through them before Enmu could react.

Progressive Speed Enhancement:

Over time, Zenitsu’s speed has reached levels imperceptible to Upper Rank demons like Daki and Kaigaku.
Managed to move faster than Kaigaku’s lightning-based Blood Demon Art, showcasing superior reflexes.
Landed multiple hits on the exceptionally fast Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji, despite severe physical weakness.

Immense Stamina & Endurance:

Zenitsu exhibits extraordinary stamina and endurance in prolonged battles against formidable adversaries.
Continued fighting despite being affected by lethal poison from the Son Spider Demon, showcasing resilience.
Successfully defended three train cars with Nezuko for an extended period without showing signs of exhaustion.
Engaged in a prolonged combat with Upper Rank Six, Daki, enduring numerous wounds and rubble entrapment.
Unleashed Thunderclap and Flash: Godspeed technique twice consecutively, displaying both stamina and resilience.
Fought against Kaigaku even after enduring Blood Demon Art-enhanced Thunder Breathing techniques and summoned enough power to utilize his ultimate technique.
Exerted himself for approximately half an hour during the battle against Muzan, surpassing his limit of using Thunderclap and Flash: Godspeed twice a day before succumbing to fatigue.

Supernatural Abilities:

Enhanced Hearing:

Zenitsu possesses an extraordinary sense of hearing, enabling him to perceive danger from the faintest sounds.
Demonstrated the ability to decipher intricate layers of sound, showcasing remarkable sound detection.
Can accurately replicate tunes on shamisen and koto after hearing them once, exhibiting perfect pitch without any musical background.
Utilizes his exceptional hearing even while asleep, relying solely on sound to navigate and counter demon attacks.

Extrasensory Perception:

Zenitsu’s heightened hearing extends to extrasensory perception, allowing him to pick up sounds beyond normal human perception.
Capable of detecting a person’s thoughts, emotions, and personality by discerning subtle sounds they produce.
Distinguishes between humans and demons based on the sounds they make, providing insights into their nature.
Uses sound analysis to determine the strength of opponents, as evidenced by recognizing the distinct sound of Daki, an Upper Rank demon.

Fighting Style:

Master Swordsman:

Zenitsu exhibits exceptional swordsmanship, specializing in swift Iaijutsu-like techniques.
Proficient in the Thunderclap and Flash technique, demonstrating refined skills in both offense and defense.
Displays the ability to create variations and offshoots of the Thunderclap and Flash, showcasing adaptability and creativity in combat.
Effectively fends off multiple opponents, such as dozens of spiders and defends train carts from constant attacks by Enmu.
Evolves to the point where he can confront Upper Rank demons of the Twelve Kizuki and match a severely weakened Muzan, indicating a skill level comparable to the Hashira.

Breathing Style – Thunder Breathing:

Learns the Thunder Breathing technique from his teacher, Jigoro Kuwajima, focusing on its first form, Thunderclap and Flash.
Although unable to master all six forms, Zenitsu becomes highly proficient in using the first form alone.
Innovates and modifies the Thunderclap and Flash technique, showcasing versatility in adapting the style to different situations.
Achieves a unique feat by creating an entirely new form in Thunder Breathing, a rarity even among Hashira.

Notable Techniques:

First Form: Thunderclap and Flash: A lightning-fast attack where the user unsheathes, dashes forward at incredible speed, and decapitates the opponent before sheathing the blade. Resembles the swiftness of Iaijutsu.
Sixfold: An extension of Thunderclap and Flash, involving six rapid executions, enhancing both power and speed.
Eightfold: Further development of Thunderclap and Flash, incorporating eight quick successions while augmenting power and speed.
Godspeed: Enhancement of Thunderclap and Flash, significantly amplifying the technique’s speed. Initially limited in usage due to potential muscle fatigue but improves proficiency over time.
Seventh Form: Honoikazuchi no Kami: Zenitsu’s unique creation, involving a rapid forward dash and a low-stanced slash, accompanied by a yellow Japanese dragon-shaped like a lightning bolt.