Demon Slayer: 8 Strongest Characters Without the Demon Slayer Mark, Ranked
Cathlyn is an anime writer with years of experience covering some of the biggest and most popular series of all time. She loves writing listicles, features, and query-based articles about all things related to anime. Outside of writing, she enjoys playing mobile games, building Lego and Nanoblock sets, playing pickleball, watching movies, and rewatching her favorite anime series.
Before joining GameRant as a contributor, she worked in Epicstream’s anime department. Beyond her passion for anime, she also enjoys writing romance fiction, with her most successful work surpassing one million reads on Wattpad.
The Demon Slayer Mark is a powerful upgrade that only a select few individuals can unlock in Demon Slayer: Kimtsu no Yaiba. Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the inventor of Sun Breathing, was officially the first Demon Slayer Mark wielder in the series, and the effects of his awakening spread to his fellow swordsmen back in the day.
Following Tanjiro's awakening in the Taisho Era, the Demon Slayer Mark was also shown to appear on the skin of some of the most powerful members of the Hashira. Although the Demon Slayer Mark bestows immense strength upon its users, many of the strongest characters in Demon Slayer never awakened this rare ability.
8 Kaigaku Grew Strong Without the Demon Slayer Mark
It's not uncommon for swordsmen-turned-demons to possess Demon Slayer Marks. For instance, Kokushibo, Yoriichi's younger brother, had awakened his Demon Slayer Mark prior to becoming an upper moon demon. However, in Kaigaku's case, he never tapped into the power of the mark, let alone came close to awakening it in the first place.
Despite this, Kaigaku was once a seasoned demon slayer who could use all forms of Thunder Breathing flawlessly, except for the first form and Zenitsu's invented form. In his demon form, Kaigaku even awakened Electrokinesis, a Blood Demon Art that perfectly complemented his Thunder Breathing Style.
7 Genya Shinazugawa Borrowed Demon Powers Instead of Awakening the Mark
Nothing would stop Genya Shinazugawa from killing demons with his double-barreled shotgun. He may not have a Breathing Style, let alone a Demon Slayer Mark, but Genya remains a steadfast Corps member who can slay demons and protect allies, at the cost of his dignity or even his life.
What Genya lacks in natural talent, he makes up for with perseverance, exceptional sharpshooting skills, mastery of Repetitive Action, and his unique ability to consume demon flesh to gain demonic powers. Rather than fear the strongest demons, Genya would turn them into his greatest weapon by borrowing their abilities.
6 Shinobu Kocho Outsmarted Demons Without the Demon Slayer Mark
Behind Shinobu Kocho's beautiful smile lies a vengeful Insect Hashira who is always in a state of extreme anger. With the loss of her parents, sister, and beloved Tsuguko, Shinobu's anger toward demons only intensified. She could only rest until the world was free from demons and their brutality against humans.
While Shinobu was lacking when it came to physical strength, her petite, slender build made her more agile than her fellow Hashira. She may not have awakened the Demon Slayer Mark in the series, but she will forever be remembered for her brilliant mind, wisteria-based poison, and her creative Insect Breathing techniques.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
5 Kanao Tsuyuri Surpassed Shinobu Without the Demon Slayer Mark
At the time of the Final Selection Exam, Kanao Tsuyuri was the closest demon slayer to the members of the Hashira in terms of power and potential. After all, multiple Hashira personally trained Kanao, resulting in her refined swordsmanship, breathing style, and overall combat prowess.
By the time Kanao was fighting Doma in the Infinity Castle, her strength as a demon slayer had officially surpassed Shinobu Kocho's level. Her natural aptitude for demon hunting, combined with her remarkable analytical and observational abilities, makes her an outstanding Hashira candidate even without a Demon Slayer Mark.
4 Inosuke Hashibira's Beast Breathing Was Deadly Enough Without the Mark
Despite Inosuke Hashibira's unique upbringing, he is one of the most talented demon slayers in the entire series. Not only did Inosuke teach himself Total Concentration Breathing, but he also created a unique Breathing Style that perfectly complements his wild and unpredictable fighting style. In short, Inosuke learned how to become a demon slayer without formal training, unlike his friends.
Additionally, Inosuke is a swordsman with many tricks up his sleeve. Despite lacking a Demon Slayer Mark, his enhanced flexibility, as well as a body that recovers far faster than most, make him one of the toughest demon slayers in the series, capable of fighting toe-to-toe with upper moons.
3 Zenitsu Agatsuma Never Relied on the Demon Slayer Mark to Win Against an Upper Moon
For someone who constantly fears an early death, Zenitsu Agatsuma ironically outlives many of his fellow demon slayers not only because of obvious plot armor, but also because of his solid demon-hunting skills. He may be loud, whiny, and anxious for most of the story, but his unrivaled mastery of the First Form of Thunder Breathing speaks to his combat prowess.
One of Zenitsu's greatest feats of power in the series happened in the early stages of the Infinity Castle Arc, where he used a new form of Thunder Breathing that ultimately killed an upper moon in one shot. As it turns out, Zenitsu never needed the Demon Slayer Mark to overcome even the toughest battles on his own.
2 Uzui Tengen Survived His Hardest Battle Without the Demon Slayer Mark
Uzui Tengen is the self-proclaimed God of Flashiness in Demon Slayer. He is extremely flamboyant to such an extent that even his fighting style as the Sound Hashira is one of the most over-the-top in the entire series. No wonder, apart from the demons roaming around Japan as well as his apathetic father, Uzui dislikes plainness and mediocrity.
Before retiring, Uzui Tengen had some of the greatest feats of power, speed, and endurance in the series, even without a Demon Slayer Mark. From keeping pace with the Upper Moon 6 siblings, Gyutaro and Daki, to protecting his allies with a severed arm while his body suffered from a deadly poison, Uzui Tengen proved himself to be one of Demon Slayer Corps' greatest warriors.
1 Rengoku Kyojuro Earned Akaza's Respect Without a Demon Slayer Mark
From the moment Rengoku Kyojuro opened his eyes in Demon Slayer, his mother instantly knew that he would grow stronger than the others. True enough, the late Flame Hashira trained himself to become a powerful and reliable pillar capable of protecting the weak. With his flawless swordsmanship and extraordinary Flame Breathing techniques, Rengoku single-handedly defeated powerful demons, such as the Flute Demon and the former lower rank 2, Hairo.
Most impressively, even without a Demon Slayer Mark, Rengoku Kyojuro nearly killed the Upper Moon 3, Akaza, who instantly acknowledged the Flame Hashira's exceptional strength, relentless resolve, and endless fighting spirit. Rengoku was even offered a chance to switch sides, with Akaza asking him to become a demon due to his overwhelmingly powerful abilities.
