Unsolicited Producing | Tanjiro Kamado

Hello there.
I'm a mini-salamander, a swamp researcher.
I'll get right to it: I have some thoughts about the popular anime lately.

The protagonist...
isn't making it to number one in the popularity polls...!!

For example,
Denji from "Chainsaw Man"
Takemichi Hanagaki from "Tokyo Revengers"
Izuku Midoriya from "My Hero Academia"

I could go on and on.
Denji is one thing... but everyone else works so much harder than the average person, so why!?
So, today I decided to do some unsolicited producing.

That said, I want to pick a character that everyone might know at least a little bit, so I'll go with this kid.
Tanjiro Kamado from "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba"!!
He was the man who took first place in the first popularity poll, but had that throne stolen by Zenitsu Agatsuma in the second poll held after the series ended.

His charm lies in being a serious and very kind older brother. He stays focused on his goal of turning Nezuko back into a human, continuing to work hard without wasting any effort.
He makes you want to support him and he gives you energy.
He is an overwhelming protagonist with no flaws!
I like Tanjiro too because watching him makes me feel kind.
So why didn't he get first place?

I think there are two reasons.

1. There are times when he lacks a certain human touch.
He is always straightforward and always brave.
Even when Zenitsu was terrified during their first mission, he was perfectly calm.
He even stood his ground when he first met the final boss, Muzan Kibutsuji.
Wait, that's the boss of the demons, right? That's scary, isn't it?
Normally, you'd lose your nerve or even wet yourself, right?
I mean, in the beginning, there was at least some depiction of "fear" or "despair,"
but as the climax approached,
I feel like it decreased.
It's like his sense of justice is jumping out more than his fear.

On the other hand, look at Zenitsu. The reason he is so popular is that his fearful, noisy, and cowardly side is highly relatable, yet when he finds what he needs to do, he suddenly finds his nerve and can work hard.
That growth and that gap make it understandable why he's number one in popularity.

-> It might be good if Tanjiro could show a bit more of those moments where he says things like, "Actually, I'm terrified..." or
"I wonder if I can really defeat Muzan,"
like, "Wait, you're always so positive, what's wrong?"

"But that's just who Tanjiro is."
"I don't want to see a scaredy-cat Tanjiro!"
That's true too.
He's Tanjiro precisely because his core never wavers.
But even a protagonist, even an older brother, is human!! It's okay to be scared!
I just want 1ml of
"Oh, this kid is a bit like me."
I want you to remember.
Until he finished his training before the Final Selection,
he was a protagonist who really couldn't do anything and was scared.
Like, "It's impossible to cut a boulder."
That's exactly why I thought, "Do your best!" and
when he returned from the Final Selection, I think we all
shed tears along with Sakonji Urokodaki.

2. He says everything

Tanjiro explains everything.
That is also because of his sincerity, but
because of that, it's hard for an "aftertaste" to emerge.
Of course, he says many things that touch the heart. So "good lines" and
"the aftertaste of a line" are a little different.

"Do your best, Tanjiro, do your best!! I've done well up until now! I'm someone who can do it!! And today too!! From now on as well!! Even if I'm broken!! I will never give up!!"

...Don't say it all! It's too long!!
Are you Speedwagon from JoJo Part 1?

For example, Giyu Tomioka.
"You held out well until I arrived. Leave the rest to me."
How cool is that~~!!
This line is packed with all sorts of aftertastes, like
As expected of my senior! So reliable.
"Leave it to me"—are you really that strong?
Are you praising me?
If you translate this into Tanjiro-speak, it would be:
"You held out well until I arrived! I heard you were in danger and rushed over! You've gotten stronger than before. This is an attack from a type that's a bad match for you, so it must have been tough.

Your senior is here, so you're safe now.
Please step back!"

He'd probably say something like that. With this,
even if you think, "I'm glad you came,"
you won't think, "How cool!!"
It's a waste!

-> Why not try reducing his words just a little and giving the other person room to imagine?
Now is the time to go to the Water Hashira for Hashira training.
Tanjiro suddenly becoming quiet in a scene where he would normally talk a lot. Doesn't that make your heart skip a beat?

Conclusion

Tanjiro-kun. Are you not even a little bit scared?
If there is something you are afraid of, it's okay to be honestly afraid. ...No, please, be afraid.
Otherwise, I'm more afraid of you.
Also, thank you for always being so thorough with your explanations.
But sometimes, not saying everything is more impactful.

If you change these two things,
I feel like Tanjiro could become an even more "support-worthy protagonist."

That's all for my unsolicited producing.
By the way, my favorite in Demon Slayer is Giyu Tomioka. Someday I want to analyze his swamp to the fullest.