Demon Slayer: Tanjiro Kamado (ENFJ)

Tanjiro Kamado from Demon Slayer is typically theorized to be an ENFJ, so in this instance, it seems we’re in line with the popular theory. We did keep an eye out for other potentials, such as ESFJ, but ultimately, ENFJ appears to be a better fit for Tanjiro. Unfortunately, the rest of the characters in Demon Slayer don’t get a lot of development, so we don’t intend on writing any more individual analyses. Although, stay tuned for an upcoming group article, where we’ll briefly cover other significant main characters and our theories on them.

Fe:

“But when it comes to those who felt despair and regret from the actions they took as a demon, I will never disrespect them. Because at one time or another, they were human, no different from me. So please don’t step on his remains!”

“Why are you making such a scene in the middle of the road? She’s clearly not interested in you. Also, you’re stressing your sparrow out.”

“Stop it. What are you doing? Performing a stunt like that in your condition won’t be good for you.”

“Life has a way of rewarding good deeds. Oftentimes, when you help others, you’re helping yourself. I was planning to go anyway, so why not?”

“Why is every one of you so horribly selfish?”

Tanjiro Kamado has all the hallmarks of a Fe dominant. Right from the beginning of the show, Tanjiro is shown walking through town, speaking with everyone along the way. They all know him by name, and each have something to either ask of him or thank him for. It is obviously in Tanjiro’s nature to try to connect and have some sort of meaningful relationship with every person he comes across. He has clearly gone out of his way to help each and every person in town, even if there was no particular reason to. This attitude is also reflected in his home life, and in his relationship with his family that we briefly get to see before they are slaughtered. It even extends to his sister Nezuko after she has been turned into a demon. The only thing on Tanjiro’s mind is to protect her and find her some help. Even when she attacks him and tries to eat him, Tanjiro is convinced that his sister is still his sister, even after the Water Hashira insists that she’s gone. Of course, in this instance, Tanjiro’s instincts are correct, and Nezuko does eventually come around.

Tanjiro is very considerate of others and very polite and formal in the way that he talks. He has a deep respect for social etiquette. He scolds others like Inosuke and Zenitsu when they are being rude and violating those protocols. This respect for social etiquette even extends to demons, as can be seen in the quotes at the top of this section. Tanjiro still has empathy towards demons, in spite of all the horrible things they have done. Showing signs of despair and regret before dying is enough to absolve demons in Tanjiro’s eyes. He is able to see that they were once human and that their humanity is not completely wiped out because they became a demon.

In addition, Tanjiro can’t stand to see family relationships in turmoil even if that turmoil is amongst his enemies. He seems completely heartbroken when he watches two demons, a brother and sister, arguing and cursing each other with their final breaths, before they turn to ash. In fact, he steps in and lays his hands over both their mouths to silence them. He tells them that they don’t actually mean any of it, and that they need to stop and think about what they are saying to each other. He reminds them that, in the end, all they have in this world is each other, and that no one else would ever be on their side. Essentially, Tanjiro takes the time to give a big lecture to his defeated enemies about the importance of family bonds, even though they were about to die and had no interest in hearing him out.

Ni:

“I have to keep pushing forward. That’s because I’ll be a grown man one day, and then I’ll become old and pass on. After that, if you’re still a demon, then you’ll be lonely. That would be far too lonely, wouldn’t it? I promise. I will turn you back into a human.”

“There’s a way, and I’ll find it no matter what it takes.”

“Tanjiro has a pure soul and will work diligently toward all his goals. And the potential he showed exceeded my expectations, and perhaps most importantly of all, he has a clear path in mind in regards to defeating Kibutsuki.” – Shinobu Kocho

“For some reason, I have this feeling that I shouldn’t sever this rope with my sword.”

“But you have to think about the future as well! Now calm down!”

“Don’t put words in the mouths of my family! They would never say that! Your visions, they insult their memory!”

Tanjiro focuses his mind on a singular goal that is in service to his dominant Fe function. In his particular instance, it is finding a cure for his sister, Nezuko. Everything he does ultimately is in services to this goal, even joining the Demon Slayer Core manages to support it nicely in spite of initially seeming at odds with it. Being in close proximity to demons allows him to try to interrogate them for information that may provide clues concerning how to cure her. Tanjiro’s service in the Demon Slayer Core also leads him to Lady Tamayo, which shows him a clear path towards completing his goal. Through this, he’s able to align both his duties as a demon slayer with his mission to cure his sister.

Tanjiro does not get stuck on past regrets and sorrows, even though the tragic death of his family makes him deeply sad. He focuses solely on the fact that he still has Nezuko. His duty toward her and his mission to find a way to turn her back to into a human captures his complete attention. This mindset is exactly what allows him to realize when he’s caught in a dream, during the Mugen Train Arc. The demon, Enmu, tries to trap him back in an alternate, past version of his life where his family is still alive. Once Tanjiro realizes it is not real, not even the pleas of his false family can dissuade him from finding a way out. Tanjiro still feels the deep sorrow of loss as he runs away from his family, but he understands that he can never go back, that he has to push forward.

The answer to escaping the dream comes to Tanjiro through the disembodied voice of his father, telling him that what he needs to cut is within his reach. Realizing he must cut his own neck to wake up, Tanjiro has enough resolve to take his own life within the dream and wake. When later confronted by the frustrated demon who had trapped him in that dream, Tanjiro gets put into what can only be interpreted as a nightmare. In this nightmare, his family berates him and blames him for their deaths, telling him how worthless he is. However, this completely backfires. Their inconsistent words and behaviors, instead of leaving him heartbroken, leave Tanjiro furious. He easily sees through the lies and knows that his family would never say any of those things. He channels this rage into a final strike while proclaiming that the demon’s visions are an insult to the memory of his family.

Se:

“But now they’re all gone. I can never go back.”

“It wasn’t worthless. At the very least, that child didn’t believe so. He respectfully avoided trampling upon my work.” – Kyogai about Tanjiro

“He’s adapting to the changes in the room.” – Kyogai about Tanjiro

When it comes to helping others, Tanjiro is quick to act. He’s constantly in action, or rushing to the aid of others. When his family is killed, Tanjiro quickly accepts that they are gone and that he can never go back. He immediately begins moving forward, and keeps moving forward for the entire series. Sometimes, he isn’t completely sure what he is supposed to do or where he is supposed to go. However, his instinct is to keep moving in a direction and to figure it out along the way.

A good example of Tanjiro’s Se manifesting is when he has to battle the drum demon, Kyogai, who rearranges the house. Tanjiro has to continually think on his feet while fighting him, and constantly adapt to the changes in his environment. Not only does he adjust to the shifts in gravity as the room changes, Tanjiro goes the extra mile to not step on the demon’s papers that were scattered around the room. In other words, in spite of the intense, life-threatening battle, Tanjiro respectfully avoids trampling upon the demon’s work.

Another Fe-Se moment is when Tanjiro sees the Wind Hashira and Water Hashira fighting each other. Without a second thought, Tanjiro instinctively moves to intervene in the fight. He only realizes after the fact that they were using wooden swords and that it was actually a sparring match.

Ti:

Inferior Ti is probably the hardest thing to pinpoint in Tanjiro. While his overwhelming Fe is obvious, Ti evidence his hard to spot. One instance of his inferior Ti would be when he offers all his food to Zenitsu, in spite of being starving himself. He could have split the rice ball from the start, but it takes Zenitsu to notice that he seemed starving for that to happen. This overboard act of selflessness could point to a lack of calculated thought about his own well-being before doing the action.

Tanjiro also freezes up in the final battle during the Swordsmith Village Arc. He’s unable to make a decision between shielding Nezuko from the sunlight or saving the swordsmith villagers from the headless demon that was chasing them. His mind effectively gets stuck in a loop as he spins on his values and the obligations that he feels towards both groups. He keeps rationalizing what’s going on, trying to find some perfect solution that’ll serve everyone. This ultimately makes him no good to either, forcing Nezuko to make the choice for him by kicking him toward the villagers.