How the Author Develops Characters in Kimetsu no Yaiba
Kimetsu no Yaiba, also known as Demon Slayer, often portrays its characters as flawed and humane, rather than purely evil. Even some antagonists have backstories that evoke sympathy. Of course, there are exceptions to this trend, including the main antagonist, Muzan.
Who is the Most Hated Character in Kimetsu no Yaiba?
However, when it comes to selecting the most hated character in Kimetsu no Yaiba, Muzan “loses” to another name: Kaigaku, whose personality is somehow even worse.
Kaigaku is always prideful, willing to abandon everything for personal gain, and values his own life above all others. He easily renounces his status as a swordsman when faced with Kokushibo, pleading to be turned into a demon to survive.
Originally, Kaigaku was not a villain; he was close to two main characters before betraying both. Kaigaku was a disciple of the former Hashira, Jigorou, but ultimately died as the Upper Six of the Twelve Kizuki under Muzan’s command.
As a child, Kaigaku was an orphan cared for by Gyomei. However, when he was cornered by a demon, he betrayed his caretaker and the other orphans, leading to their deaths and Gyomei being wrongfully imprisoned for murder.
Later, Kaigaku became a demon and was taken in by the former Hashira Kuwajima Jigoro along with Zenitsu. Yet, his desire for power drove him to become a demon. In pain and shame over Kaigaku’s betrayal, Jigoro committed suicide by disembowelment.
Jigoro’s death changed Zenitsu forever. In the Infinity Castle arc, he finally confronts Kaigaku, who has now become the Upper Six following the deaths of Gyutaro and Daki. Their battle is a spectacle to behold.
A KnY fan commented on Kaigaku: “This guy is tied to the tragic stories of not just one, but two core characters in the plot. It’s truly detestable.”
Another expressed: “What a contemptible character. First, he betrays Gyomei, and then he treats Zenitsu this way.”
A third person wrote: “He’s terrible as a human, and just as bad as a demon.”
Kaigaku is set to play a major role in the upcoming Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trilogy.
