Demon Slayer's most tragic villain didn't choose to be evil
Credit-Fandom
If you've only just joined the world of
Demon Slayer
, you may assume that the demons in this series are simply emotionless killing machines. The truth is, many of them have surprisingly tragic backstories—including one of the very first villains, the
Hand Demon
. As frightful as he was to behold, his background narrates a sad story of bereavement, treachery and metamorphosis.
This initial arc in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba makes it clear that even the most terrifying antagonists weren't always so malicious—they used to be humans filled with emotions, families, and aspirations.
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Who was the hand demon in Demon Slayer
During his last examination to become a fully-fledged demon slayer,
Tanjiro Kamado
, the hero of the first season of Demon Slayer, fights the Hand Demon. It was unique among the show's various demons—not just for his Lovecraftian appearance, but for his icy hatred and especially for his heartbreaking origin story.
The Hand Demon's body was hideously misshapen, with dozens of extra arms, giving him the ability to move and attack unnaturally viciously. Underneath that horror was a crushed soul.
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Innocent child to wild beast
When the Hand Demon was just an ordinary boy, he fell in love with his older brother, whom he served as a maid. As a kid, he was very anxious, and would keep asking his older brother to hold his hand whenever he was scared. Everything changed when the Demon King
Muzan Kibutsuji
forced him to become a demon during the Edo period.
Like all highborn demons in the series, he was now required to consume humans to stay alive. His very first victim? His very own brother.
In those years, the humanity of that boy was erased. His desire to consume human flesh increased and his physical form then transformed into a horrifying state. The recently transformed demon earned a reputation as perhaps the deadliest fiend on the slopes of Mount Fujikasane, the traditional stomping ground for young demon slayer trainees taking their last rite of passage.
Toxic legacy trapped and forgotten for decades
The first of these, the Hand Demon, was defeated by Sakonji Urokodaki, the last Water Hashira (one of the elite-ranked demon slayers). Rather than kill him, Sakonji imprisoned him atop the mountain surrounded by wisteria flowers—which demons cannot cross.
The plan was to use him as a litmus test for potential demon slayer recruits, but that went horribly awry.
Held captive for 47 years, the Hand Demon fostered a seething, escalating rage toward Sakonji. He eventually started hunting down and assassinating everyone he had trained—particularly those under Sakonji's tutelage who donned Sakonji's trademark fox masks. Before long, the demon had killed 13 of Sakonji's pupils, most notably the talented warrior Sabito, who attempted to save Tanjiro in spirit before his own death.
A house of despair mortality A heartbreaking conclusion the final battle against Tanjiro
When Tanjiro finally defeats the Hand Demon, it's one of the more nuanced, sympathetic demises in shonen history, as viewers learn just how broken and bitter the demon has become. He lashes out in anger, not only to stay alive but to destroy. Tanjiro, unlike most of his demon slaying contemporaries, can't fight with hatred. He cannot bear to look away when he sees the sadness in the demon's eyes.
After a brutal struggle, Tanjiro is able to decapitate the Hand Demon. Rather than celebrating, he tenderly takes the demon's hand in his own as he dies—just like the charming brother he once loved.
Now in her final moments, the Hand Demon recalls what life was like before, when her name was Kuniko. He remembers his brother's hand in the warmth of his palm, and the tears puddle as he turns to dust. Tanjiro prays for him, wishing that if he does get reincarnated then maybe he can be reincarnated as a kind human, instead of being burdened by the hell-ish fate of being a demon.
Why this story resonates so deeply
Demon Slayer is primarily about action and sword fighting, stories like the Hand Demon's help us remember that even villains have an emotional core and pain. Instead of portraying demons as uniformly evil creatures, the show dedicates time to how many were just victims themselves.
When the Hand Demon's story plays out, it's a vivid reminder that even during the most horrific times, empathy and kindness still shine through, and that's what makes all of Demon Slayer so incredible.
Where to watch Demon Slayer
You can now stream Demon Slayer. Demon Slayer on Crunchyroll, Netflix, and Hulu (check local listings). The Hand Demon is featured early in Season 1 as part of Tanjiro's final selection arc. It is a must-watch episode filled with as much emotion as it is with action.
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