Highlights

• Powerful women in Demon Slayer, such as Kanao and Aoi, showcase their strength through their abilities and determination.
• These female characters prove that they can be true powerhouses, whether it's through physical combat or using their intelligence for strategic thinking.
• The diverse cast of Demon Slayer includes plenty of powerful female icons who make their enemies think twice when attacking.

Powerful women in anime cultivate a generation of young girls who not only empower themselves but support their friends. Whether women show their power through physical, mental, or emotional strength, female anime characters can be true powerhouses. There is no doubt that Demon Slayer female characters also fill this role. The beloved series is set in a world of supernatural abilities and demons, an environment where anyone can fight their way to the top.

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With incredible abilities spanning from Water Breathing, kunai knives, medicine, and Demon Arts, these demon slayer female warriors steal the spotlight. Among this diverse cast of characters, there is no shortage of powerful female icons, and there have been plenty of moments allowing the characters to show off their power. These women make their enemies think twice when they're on the attack.

Updated by Omar Faruque on November 20, 2023: In the dynamic universe of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, we've seen numerous characters grow, evolve, and showcase their unique strengths. Our list of the strongest female characters in the series is a reflection of this diverse and empowering cast. This has prompted us to revisit our list, expanding it to include emerging characters and to update the descriptions of those we've come to know even better.

15 Mukago

Member Of The Twelve Demon Moons (But Killed By Muzan For Being Weak)

Makugo's Power & Abilities:

• Member of Twelve Kizukis
• Calculating personality
• Can talk back to Muzan

Mukago is a demon and was a member of the Twelve Kizuki, specifically Lower Moon Six. Mukago is characterized by her youthful appearance, resembling a young girl with short white hair and large, innocent-looking eyes. Despite this, she is a demon with a ruthless and calculating personality.

I risk my life for you -- Mukago to Muzan, Chapter 52

As a member of the Twelve Kizuki, Mukago was a formidable demon. However, compared to the Upper Moons, her abilities were less developed. The specific nature of her powers is not extensively detailed in the series. Mukago was considered relatively weak by Muzan Kibutsuji, the leader of the demons, which eventually led to her demise at his hands.

14 Kanae Kocho

Former Flower Hashira (But Killed By Doma)

Kanae's Power & Abilities:

• Skilled with swords
• Expert in Breath of Flower Style combat
• Was able to keep up with Doma, the Upper Rank 2 Demon

Kanae Kocho was a former Flower Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps and the older sister of Shinobu Kocho. Kanae was a kind-hearted and gentle individual, often seen with a warm smile. She was deeply caring and protective of her younger sister, Shinobu. Kanae was an exceptionally skilled swordswoman. While her specific fighting style is not elaborated upon, it's expected that she was proficient in combat, given her status.

Once you decide to defeat a demon, defeat it. Once you decide to win, win. Win, whatever the cost -- Kanae Kocho

While Kanae's time as a Hashira was cut short due to her untimely death, her strength and abilities were highly regarded. Her legacy continues through her sister, Shinobu, and Kanao, both of whom carry on her will and determination in their battles against demons.

13 Kanao Tsuyuri

Avenged Her Sister's Death

Kanao's power & abilities:

• Can now make decisions without coin flips
• Kanao can predict an opponent's upcoming movements.
• Killed Doma, Upper Rank 2 Demon

Kanao Tsuyuri is a major supporting female character in Koyoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer. She is a Demon Slayer and the adopted sister of Shinobu and Kanae Kocho, two respected members of the Demon Slayer Corps. She was found and taken in by Shinobu and Kanae after enduring a harsh and abusive childhood. Her traumatic past left her unable to make decisions for herself, leading her to use a coin flip to make choices. However, as the series progresses, Kanao gains the ability to make decisions and express her emotions, showing significant growth and development.

Somehow I feel the people I care for and those important to me will still be alive tomorrow. But that's just my hope and there's no way I can promise that with any certainty. Why do people... believe such things? -- Kanao Tsuyuri

Kanao practices the Breath of Flower combat style. This is a derivative of the Breath of Water, one of the original five breathing styles. It involves movements that mimic the grace and subtlety of flowers in the wind. Kanao also possesses an extraordinary level of visual acuity. This is due to her use of the Flesh-Calming technique, a method of Total Concentration Breathing that focuses on the eyes to improve visual processing speed and clarity. It’s interesting to note that Kanao managed to kill Doma who had taken Kanae’s life. Even though Shinobu & Inosuke helped her, it truly shows how much Kanao has progressed.

12 Nakime

Upper Moon Demon

Nakime's powers & abilities:

• Can manipulate space
• Can also use teleportation powers

Nakime is a female demon character who serves as Muzan Kibutsuji's main method of transportation and surveillance. Her appearance is that of a young woman with long, flowing hair and traditional clothing. She possesses a pair of biwa, traditional Japanese lutes, which she uses to exhibit her powers. As an Upper Moon demon, she can manipulate space within her eyesight, creating a labyrinth.

I decline -- Nakime To Doma, Chapter 99

This labyrinth consists of traditional Japanese rooms connected by doors and corridors. The layout of this labyrinth can be changed instantly according to Nakime's will, making it a difficult and confusing terrain for her enemies. By incorporating her space manipulation abilities, Nakime can teleport herself and others to different locations within her labyrinth.

11 Aoi Kanzaki

User of Water Breathing technique; Coach To Tanjiro, Zenitsu & Inosuke

Aoi Kanzaki's powers & abilities:

• Medical Knowledge
• Training Regimen Knowledge
• Administrative Skills:

Aoi comes off as no-nonsense, strict, and serious. However, her harsh behavior is only due to the reality of being a Demon Slayer. She values those who work hard to become stronger. Aoi uses the Water Breathing technique which is how she was able to survive the Final Selection. Despite this, she decides to serve in the Butterfly Mansion to hone her skills in medicine.

Compared to you guys, I'm not so important, so thanks aren't necessary. I survived selection due to pure luck. Since then I've been afraid to fight, so I'm a coward -- Aoi to Tanjiro

Aoi’s intelligence is what makes her a strong individual, knowing her strengths and weaknesses allow her to help people to the best of her abilities. She is a great physical trainer and workout coach to Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke. Saving people with an extensive knowledge of medicine is just as incredible as wielding a sword.

10 Makio

Skilled Female Kunoichi (But Can't Beat Tengen Uzui)

Makio's powers & abilities:

• Aggressive
• Skilled in kunai weapons
• Expert in stealth, espionage, and quick, effective combat techniques

While Makio may not be a Demon Slayer, her fighting skills come from years of precise, practiced training. A ninja skilled in the art of Shinobi and using kunai weapons, she makes an intense opponent. Makio is loud, vibrant, and a bit aggressive, but that doesn’t stop her from having a big heart and caring for the people around her. Her desire to protect comes from her desire to keep her loved ones safe.

We're here to help, boar-head. So hang in there! -- Makio to Inosuke

Though younger than Tengen, Makio’s combat flows stylishly, and she throws her kunai with great accuracy. After helping Tengen and Inosuke fight the Obi from Daki, Makio takes Suma and gets the citizens of the Entertainment District to evacuate. Her headstrong approach saved hundreds of lives.

9 Hinatsuru

Female Kunoichi Expert In Strategic Thinking

Hinatsuru's powers & abilities:

• Strong willpower
• Skilled at a variety of shinobi weapons
• Strategic fighter

Hinatsuru is another one of Tengen’s wives. While she, Suma, and Makio went undercover to find the demons in The Entertainment District, she discovered Daki and attempted to escape. Daki trapped her, leaving Hinatsuru slowly dying of poison. Yet Hinatsuru did not let the poison stop her: After running into Tengen, she decided the best thing she could do for him was to fight.

Wanting to live…and avoiding deadly danger aren't bad things. Most people live that way. I'm sure it's fine -- Hinatsuru, Chapter 80

Hinatsuru managed to pull up to the fight with a launcher of kunai dipped in poison. Her ability to strategize, move forwards and stand her ground in combat drives her and makes her a daunting enemy. Intelligence and strength are plentiful in Hinatsuru’s arsenal of skills.

8 Spider Mother

User of Blood Demon Art (But Beheaded By Tanjiro)

Spider Mother powers & abilities:

• Thread Manipulation
• Puppeteer Control
• Demon Durability & Regeneration

Another “mother” in the list, Spider Mother was not a biological mother, but one that was manipulated to be a mother to Rui and his “family.” Her powerful Demon Art Puppetry captured many Demon Slayers, permitting her to take control of their movements and manipulate them to kill their comrades. Her prowess with Puppetry grants her the upper hand in battle.

Those eyes.... Such kind eyes... Back when I was human, I think someone used to look at me with kind eyes. I wonder who that was. I can't remember. It was someone who always treasured me. I wonder how that person is doing now -- Spider Mother

Her fear fuels Spider Mother forward, forcing her to work harder and do better. Despite the immense pressure to succeed, she holds her ground against the abundant Demon Slayers present. Even the knowledge of her death did not stop her from fighting. She takes defeat with a grace that has not been seen by other demons in the show.

7 Daki /Ume

User of Obi Demon Art

Daki's powers & abilities:

• Daki has the power to manipulate her obi
• Has a backup body (Gyutaro) to fight Demon Slayers
• Immunity from decapitation; thanks to Gyutaro inside her

Daki, an Upper-Rank Six demon (a troubled group), is known for her white and green hair paired with her pink obi resting around her waist. Her eye-catching appearance, in combination with her prideful and sadistic personality, makes her a difficult enemy.

You humans are so miserable. No matter how hard you try, this is all you got. How unfortunate! -- Daki, Chapter 82

Her Demon Art Obi Sash Manipulation allows her to fight from multiple places, and is difficult to cut due to its material. Her Obi Sash moves quickly and strikes hard, giving her opponent little time to recover between attacks. This fighting style uses a long-range attack, making most Demon Slayers fight at a disadvantage. Daki does possess a unique ability in tandem with her brother Gyutaro, but even on her own, Daki is a fierce opponent.

6 Tamayo

The Demon Doctor

Tamayo's powers & abilities:

• Enhanced demon physiology
• Blood Demon Art - Bewitching Fragrance of the Enchanting Blood
• Blood Demon Art - Cat Enchantment
• Pharmacy and Research Skills

Tamayo may be a demon, but her gentle, and wise demeanor is no reason to underestimate her power. Her Demon Art Scent of Illusory Blood, Visual Dream creates a hallucinogenic cloud of flowers, momentarily confusing and disorienting the enemy.

I don't need to be stronger than you to kill you. I can just make you weaker -- Tamayo to Muzan

Combined with her Demon Art, Magical Aroma of Daylight (a truth field of sorts), her skills are powerful enough to disrupt anyone mid-attack. Her talents at medicine, too, are nothing short of stunning. With all of this in mind, Tamayo is no doubt an incredible ally.

5 Makomo

Former Student Of Urokodaki

Makomo's skills & abilities:

• Total Concentration Breathing
• Enhanced Speed & Agility
• Swordsmanship

Makomo is one of the two former students of Urokodaki that offered her experience and training knowledge to Tanjiro when he struggled to complete his final task. While Makomo is a small girl, her intelligence and patient nature is her strong point. Makomo spent half a year teaching, correcting, and training Tanjiro. Her knowledge and understanding of Total Concentration Breathing are vast, making it easy to relay and teach the information.

Train until it kills you. Because really, when you get down to it, there's nothing else you can do.

She can spot and adequately change the bad habits that developed. Her understanding of Water Breathing gives her the proficiency to go in-depth and explain the subject in a way that helps Tanjiro understand. Makomo may have been unable to finish Final Selection, but that does not limit her strength in teaching and training others.

4 Mitsuri Kanroji *

The Love Hashira

Mitsuri's powers & abilities:

• High muscle density
• User of love breathing
• Regenerative Eating

Mitsuri Kanroji is one of the female Hashira, the nine most powerful combatants in the Demon Slayer Corps. Mitsuri is known for her cheerful and eccentric personality. She's often seen with a bright, wide smile and has a noticeable blush on her cheeks. Mitsuri is the only practitioner of the Breath of Love, a unique Breath Style derived from the Breath of Flame.

Is it okay for a girl to be this strong? I still worry that someone may ask that, as though I'm not human -- Mitsuri

Her techniques involve flexible, whip-like sword movements that mimic the fluttering of a heartstring. Mitsuri has a unique body composition with eight times the muscle density of an average person, allowing her to move and strike with exceptional speed and force. Despite her slender appearance, she's incredibly strong and durable. Mitsuri has an unusually fast metabolism, requiring her to eat a lot to maintain her strength. However, this also allows her to recover her stamina and heal injuries at a faster rate than most others.

3 Nezuko

The Perfect Demon

Nezuko's powers & abilities:

• Resistance to Sunlight
• Blood Demon Art - Exploding Blood
• Size Manipulation
• Controlled Hunger

Nezuko is considered one of the strongest demons in the Demon Slayer series. Her ability to grow more powerful when battling opponents can't be underestimated. Later, Nezuko learns of a Blood Demon Art, Pyrokinesis; Exploding Blood, allowing her to use her blood to catch aflame and burn enemies.

Humans are to be protected and saved... I will never hurt them -- Nezuko, Episode 22

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Nezuko has fought many demons and has continued to overpower the demonic forces that constantly attack her mind, trying to convince her to eat a human. Her strong will and connection to her morals keep Nezuko somewhat human. Even though she struggled to control her demon side, she was still able to return to her half-human state, a feat no other demon has managed. Without a doubt, Nezuko is a force to be reckoned with.

2 Shinobu Kocho

The Insect Hashira

Shinobu's powers & abilities:

• Breath of Insect
• Poison Creation
• Medicine Expertise

Shinobu is one of the nine Hashiras, known for their incredible power in the Demon Slayer Corps. Shinobu uses the technique of Insect Breathing. She is swift, agile, and light, and seems to be able to float or fly much like a butterfly. Shinobu’s appearance is closely designed after a violet-hued butterfly. However, her sweet demeanor and friendly attitude do not change her fierce fighting style, making her a formidable opponent.

How can you feel sorry for something that's killed humans? -- Shinobu

Shinobu uses speed and flexibility to fight opponents, utilizing poison as her main clutch. She studied medicine and was able to create cures for demon poisons. With her incredible knowledge of medicine and applications of toxins, Shinobu strikes fast and is able to paralyze her enemy, as her blade slowly drains the life from her opponent.

1 Ruka Rengoku*

Power of A Mother

Ruka's powers & abilities:

• Her lessons & wisdom protected many innocent lives

Ruka is the mother of Kyojuro Rengoku. Ruka taught Kyojuro to be strong, to do what is right, and to protect those who cannot protect themselves. Ruka lived her life with grace and strength. She may have been bedridden due to her debilitating sickness, but she never let that come between her and teaching Kyojuro.

It is the obligation of those born strong to defend the weak. Your mission requires you to fulfill your mission properly. Don't ever forget that -- Ruka Rengoku

She left him with a mantra that he would take to heart: It is the obligation of those born strong to defend the weak. That message is what drives Kyojuro to go beyond protecting nearly 200 innocent lives. There is nothing more powerful than a mother’s love, and very little stronger than her wisdom.

NEXT: Demon Slayer: What Is The Secret Hidden In Swordsmith Village