Kibutsuji Muzan epitomizes cowardice through his ruthless manipulation of others to achieve his objectives, often at the expense of lives around him. A personal quest for immortality, rooted in a tortured childhood, fuels his relentless drive for power. Muzan’s childhood experiences have shaped not only his survival instincts but also his profound desire to transcend mortality.
Despite the advancements made by Tamayo in creating a cure for demonization, Muzan persists in his disdain for humanity. He aspires to ascend to godhood, striving to become the quintessential being. However, the complexities of Muzan’s aversion to human life extend beyond a mere quest for immortality in the world of Demon Slayer.
How Muzan’s Childhood Shaped His Future
Struggles of Early Life Fuelling an Unquenchable Desire for Perfection
Muzan’s fierce desire for survival can be traced back to his formative years, notoriously marked by his near-death experience at birth when he was pronounced dead due to an absence of vital signs. Displaying extraordinary resilience, even as an infant, he fought against fate itself, refusing the prospect of cremation while death loomed ominously. This early encounter with mortality fosters an insatiable desire to conquer death.
Although Muzan managed to defy the odds, death continued to haunt him. Diagnosed with a terminal illness that promised to claim his life before he turned twenty, Chapter 127 encapsulates his struggles, where he confesses to suffering immensely just to prolong his existence—an indication of his desperation to evade death.
The adversity Muzan faced during childhood seems to have profoundly influenced his psyche, contributing to his enduring will to live. Surviving in such a vulnerable state, he developed a deep-seated fear of death that propelled his quest for longevity as he fought against mortality.
While Muzan undeniably possesses a strong survival instinct, the perpetual threat of death spurs a constant anxiety regarding his own mortality. His seemingly insatiable quest for perfection further complicates his existence; he is unwilling to accept any form of imperfection, driving him to seek an unblemished, almost divine state of being.
Muzan’s Refusal Stems From His Desire to Live
Forever in Fear of Death, Muzan Seeks Eternal Life
| Saga | Final Battle arc |
|---|---|
| Chapters | 140 – 205 |
| Sub-Arcs | Infinity Castle and Sunrise Countdown arc |
Muzan’s first confrontation with Ubuyashiki Kagaya unveils critical insights into his ambitions. The backdrop of the Asakusa arc hints at his fixation on immortality, but this meeting challenges his understanding of eternity and personal existence.
The one thing I hate is “change.” Changes in circumstances. Changes in body. Changes in emotion. In most cases, every change is “degradation.” It is decline. The one thing I like is permanence. If something doesn’t change for an eternity, it’s in a perfect state.
From his introduction, Muzan’s narcissism is evident. His relentless pursuit of perfection extends to his physical appearance and character, which he believes must remain untainted as he strives for immortality. Over a millennium as a demon has rendered him seemingly unchangeable in form and demeanor, lacking in emotional connections, as he prioritizes the acquisition of eternal life over any human experience.
When confronted with the Anti-Kibutsuji Drug, Muzan’s immediate instinct is to negate its effects, as it would symbolize an acceptance of the mortality he so vehemently resists. In a moment of vulnerability, he reflects on his past exchanges with Ubuyashiki, revealing cracks in his stoic exterior.
- Even as an infant, Muzan sought to evade the clutches of death.
- Upon transforming into a demon, Muzan perceived himself as invincible.
- His fixation on attaining perfection drives his relentless search for the Blue Spider Lily, which promises him an eternal existence.
Ubuyashiki holds a contrasting view of eternity, suggesting that true immortality lies in the emotions and memories shared among people, a concept rooted in the enduring legacy of the Demon Slayer Corps. He believes these sentiments transcend mortality, establishing a form of eternal existence.
Muzan’s immediate reaction is rejection; he believes corporeal permanence is paramount. Emotionally detached, he lacks empathy or compassion, reducing people to mere tools for his ambitions. However, when faced with the looming specter of death, Muzan wrestles with the futility of his existence as he transfers his powers and emotions onto Tanjiro, ultimately creating a successor meant to carry on his legacy.
I am a perfect creature that is infinitely close to perfection.
This desperate act underscores Muzan’s relentless quest to evade mortality. Although death has long haunted him, he has never entertained a return to humanity. Rather, he surrounded himself with those weaker than him, further illustrating his fear-driven aversion to vulnerability. His god-like aspirations stand in stark contrast to the reality of his fragile existence, imperiled by sunlight.
Muzan’s stark refusal to embrace humanity stems from his aversion to death, but upon confronting Ubuyashiki’s ideals, he begins to waver as the end approaches. In a final, futile act to attain immortality, he attempts to siphon his essence into Tanjiro, yet it ultimately proves to be in vain.
Demon Slayer is now available for streaming on Crunchyroll.
Leave a Reply ▼