Rengoku's death in Demon Slayer might be more overrated than fans think

Modified Dec 21, 2024 13:30 GMT

Reng͏o͏ku Kyojuro, the Flame ͏Hashira from͏ Demon Slayer,͏ ͏is often seen as one of͏ the ͏series’ standout characters, with his heroic death praised as a key moment in the story. However, not all͏ fans agree, with some feeling ͏that his death is overrated.

Despite his brave sacrifice and likable personality, Rengoku’s short screen time and rushed story left many viewers unable to form a strong emotional bond. The dramatic focus on his death aimed to make it impactful but sometimes felt overdone. This has led some to question if his loss truly deserves all the praise it receives.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the writer's opinion

Rengoku's limited screen time and emotional connection to the audience in Demon Slayer series

Kyojuro Rengoku in his final moments (Image via Studio Ufotable)

One major reason why Rengok͏u’s death didn't resonate with many fans is ͏that he didn’t have much screen time. R͏engoku’s story ͏mostly unfolds during the Mugen ͏Train arc,͏ which lasts only about two hours in the movie.

For fans who hadn’t read the manga, this short time wasn’t enough to form a strong bond with him. While his confident and kind͏ personality was ͏appealing, ͏these͏ traits alone did not create a deep connection for͏ everyone.

In many anime,͏ big character deaths are impactful because viewers have͏ spent a long time getting to know the ͏character.͏ With Rengoku, his arc felt rushed. Many fans found it hard to feel deeply about losing someone they had just met. When Tanjiro and the others showed intense grief, some viewers struggled to share those feelings since their own connection to Rengoku wasn’t strong enough.

Why Rengoku’s death in Demon Slayer feels overhyped

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Rengoku’s death is often described as a major turning point in the series, but some fans think it’s overrated. Part of the issue is how quickly the story tries to make Rengoku seem irreplaceable.

Even though he is heroic, it’s worth noting that earlier in the series, he voted to execute Nezuko. This contrasts with the warm relationship he later develops with Tanjiro, and for some, this shift made Tanjiro’s strong admiration for him feel a bit sudden.

Kamado Tanjiro saw Rengoku as his elder brother (Image via Studio Ufotable)

Another reason is how the other characters react to Rengoku’s death. Tanjiro, in particular, looks up to Rengoku as an older brother, even calling him “Aniki.” While this shows Tanjiro’s desire for support, it’s important to remember that their bond developed over just a few hours. While understandable given the situation, this quick attachment left some fans wondering if the grief shown was too intense for the short relationship.

The cinematic focus on Rengoku’s death also adds to this feeling. The dramatic music, slow-motion visuals, and flashbacks to his family were emotional, but to some, it felt like the story was trying too hard to make the moment sad. For fans who weren’t already deeply invested, these elements came across as overly dramatic.

Final thoughts

A snapshot from Rengoku and Akaza's fight (Image via Studio Ufotable)

Rengoku’s death in Demon Slayer has split opinions among fans, with some seeing it as a heroic sacrifice and others finding it overhyped. While his courage and kind nature were memorable, the short time spent with his character made it hard for some viewers to feel deeply connected.

Tanjiro’s intense grief and the dramatic presentation of Rengoku’s death felt overwhelming to those who didn’t share the same bond. While his sacrifice is important to the story, its emotional weight depends on how much viewers connected with him, making it less impactful for some than it’s often claimed to be.