The most notorious demons in the demon slayer are the 12 kizuki. Handpicked by the Demon lord Muzan Kibutsiji himself, these demons overview the will of their demon lord and help Muzan maintain a chain of command among the demons. Also known as the 12 demon moons in the English dub of the anime Demon Slayer, these demons hold the highest place in the demon command after the demon king.
Fans of Demon Slayer might know that humans who receive the demon king Muzan’s blood become demons. Moreover, the demons who’ve received comparatively more blood from Muzan go on to become stronger than others, ultimately making their way to the 12 kizuki or 12 demon moons in Demon Slayer.
The 12 Kizuki or Demon Moons in Demon Slayer
This list of the 12 kizuki in demon slayer is from the upper demon moons to the lower demon moons. These are the villains in the demon slayer; while some have made their appearances, many of the 12 kizuki are yet to appear in the demon slayer anime. So, a warning, this article will have spoilers for the demon slayer anime fans as to who the 12 kizuki or 12 demon moons are.
| Rank | Demon |
| Upper Rank 1 | Kokushibou |
| Upper Rank 2 | Doma |
| Upper Rank 3 | Akaza |
| Upper Rank 4 | Nakime |
| Upper Rank 5 | Gyokko |
| Upper Rank 6 | Kaigaku |
| Lower Rank 1 | Enmu |
| Lower Rank 2 | Rokuro |
| Lower Rank 3 | Wakuraba |
| Lower Rank 4 | Mukago |
| Lower Rank 5 | Rui |
| Lower Rank 6 | Kamanue |
Upper Moon 1 – Kokushibou (strongest of the 12 kizuki)
The most powerful of the 12 kizuki in demon slayer anime and manga, Kokushibou, is the right hand of the demon king Muzan. Turned by Muzan centuries ago, Kokushibou has served his master with the utmost honesty and loyalty.
In addition to holding the topmost rank in the 12 kizuki, Kokushibou is also the twin brother of the legendary Sun-breathing user Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He is also the first sun-breathing user and undoubtedly the most powerful demon slayer in the story.
Interestingly, it is revealed that as a human Kokushibou, then Michikatsu Tsukiguni was jealous of his younger twin brother Yoriichi of his natural talent and ability as a demon slayer. Moreover, as a demon, Kokushibou uses the moon breathing technique, one of the reasons he is the most feared among the 12 kizuki in demon slayer.
Upper Moon 2 – Doma
The second most powerful demon in the 12 kizuki and the most charismatic among the lot, Doma is the most possibly the most sadistic among all the 12 demon moons in demon slayer. Doma is among those demons with a complete lack of empathy, making him a dangerous foe. Having fed on multiple beautiful women in the span of the demon slayer’s story, Doma is both unempathetic and impudent.
As for the blood demon art, Doma uses cryokinesis as his primary weapon. The demon can generate ice with just his kyosensu (Japanese folding fans). Moreover, Doma can also generate ice through his blood and flesh, similar to Nezuko generating fire with her blood.
Upper Moon 3 – Akaza
The third most powerful demon in the 12 kizuki in demon slayer, Akaza, is a formidable enemy in close-quartered combat. As seen in the Mugen Train Arc, the demon has immense raw strength when Akaza fights the flame hashira Kyojuro Rengoku.
As far as his demon blood art is concerned, Akaza uses destructive death, granting him heightened perception and creating shockwaves. Moreover, out of all the 12 kizuki in demon slayer, Akaza has the fastest regeneration capacity.
Upper Moon 4 – Nakime
While the original placeholder of the upper moon 4 rank was Hantengu. Upon his defeat, Nakime was found as a worthy replacement of the dead kizuki and placed in his stead. Her first appearance in demon slayer was during Muzan’s massacre of the lower demon moons in the first season.
While Nakime’s physical abilities were not shown, in the episode where Muzan massacres the lower moon demons, Nakime could be seen manipulating the castle with a single stroke of her biwa. As part of the 12 kizuki in demon slayer and among the upper moon rank demons, Nakime is powerful enough, even if the show hasn’t shown her in combat.
Upper Moon 5 – Gyokko
The most sadist of the 12 kizuki in demon slayer, Gyokko is the most narcissistic of the lot; although most demons are, this one tops the list. In addition, the demon is obsessed with art and crafts and becomes infuriated if someone doesn’t appreciate his self-styled art.
As far as the demon’s personality goes, Gyokko is shown to be shallow and jealous of others, especially those showing more dedication to their arts than the demon. As far as the demon’s abilities are concerned, Gyokko used decorative pots to teleport from one place to another. Moreover, the demon can create fish demons in the pots that attack his enemies.
Interestingly, Gyokko’s appearance is the most morbid and grotesque of all the 12 kizuki in demon slayer. With no proper arms and a long torso, the demon sports mouth in place of his eyes. Meanwhile, the eyes are positioned horizontally, one on the forehead and one in place of his mouth.
Upper Moon 6 – Kaigaku
This position was initially held by the demon brother-sister duo daki and gyutaro. Moreover, daki and gyutaro were the main antagonists of the entertainment district arc and overwhelmed Tengen uzui along with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke. However, both were ultimately defeated by the young demon slayers and were replaced by Kaigaku.
Originally a member of the demon slayer corps, Kaigaku was Zenitsu’s senior when they were trained by the former thunder hashira Jigoro Kuwajima. As a human, Kaigaku showed qualities of an arrogant opportunist, a coward who follows the strong and does anything to survive, the qualities which pave down his path to becoming one of the 12 kizuki in demon slayer. Furthermore, his blood demon arts result from his thunder breathing style training.
Lower Moon 1 – Enmu
Those who watched the Mugen Train Arc know who Enmu is and what the demon is capable of. After Muzan massacred the lower moon demons, Enmu was the only surviving member. Enmu was tasked to find and kill Tanjiro; the demon king Muzan spared him and gave Enmu his blood, saying, “Kill the demon slayer wearing the hanafuda earrings.”
Enmu crushes one will to fight using his blood demon art to manipulate people’s dreams. Furthermore, Enmu’s blood demon art also allows him to put people to sleep on command and enter and control people’s dreams. As seen in the Mugen Train arc, Enmu’s favorite destroys people’s spiritual core by entering their dreams.
Lower Moon 2 – Rokuro
Rokuro became a part of the 12 kizuki in demon slayer after the initial lower moon 2 – Hairo was wiped out. Hairo’s main ability was to create several shadows from his blood. Moreover, the demon could shape these shadows in multiple forms.
As for the replacement Rokuro, there isn’t much information about the demon and his abilities. However, the demon was seen briefly in the Mugen train arc. During his screentime, Rokuro commanded Muzan to give him more of his blood to make him stronger. Feeling insulted by the command, Muzan decided to finish off Rokuro.
Lower Moon 3 – Wakuraba
A 12 kizuki in demon slayer, Wakuraba was the most loyal among the lower moon demons. In what little we see in the Mugen train arc of Wakuraba, he could be seen having enhanced speed. His enhanced speed was seen when he tried to run from Muzan after seeing his fellow lower moon demons getting massacred. However, to no avail, Wakuraba is instantly captured by the demon king and killed instantly.
Lower Moon 4 – Mukago
Another one of the 12 kizuki in demon slayer about whom very little is known. Fans never got to see what Mukago’s character has to offer. The demon was killed along with other lower moon demons by Muzan in the Mugen train arc. As for the appearance, Mukago was of short height and had horns protruding from the front of her forehead.
Lower Moon 5 – Rui
Rui is the only lower moon demon of the 12 kizuki in demon slayer to have gotten screen time of an entire episode. A frail and weak person during his time as a human, Rui was a young boy of short stature when the demon king turned him.
Rui had an obsession with growing a family and used his blood to turn other demons like him. An ability showed only in Rui. Meanwhile, the obsession with growing a family probably comes from the guilt of killing his parents.
As for the blood demon arts, Rui is immensely powerful among the 12 kizuki of demon slayer. In addition, Rui can also change the physical appearance of demons who consumed his blood using cell manipulation. Meanwhile, his primary weapon is the spider’s web, which is strong enough to even cut through a nichirin sword.
Lower Moon 6 – Kamanue
Initially, this position was held by Kyogai, the main antagonist of the Tsuzumi mansion arc. However, after his defeat, Muzan excommunicated him, citing he was not strong enough to be a part of the 12 kizuki in demon slayer.
Kyogai blood demon art was somewhat similar to Nakime’s. Kyogai’s body held multiple drums, which allowed him to alter his surroundings upon a tap. After Kyogai, the position was later filled in by Kamanue. Not much is known about Kamanue, except that the poor demon was eaten by Muzan as soon as he heard the demon’s thoughts.
Conclusion
So these are the strongest of all the demons in the demon slayer storyline. Moreover, each of these demons has its own unique blood demon art and unequal fighting style. While manga readers already know about these demons and their abilities, anime fans are unaware of the 12 kizuki.
Meanwhile, the upper-ranking kizuki are bound to appear in the coming arcs of demon slayer. Until then, make sure to read our weekly take on upcoming episodes and their release dates and times.
