We fans keep debating this question even after Demon Slayer ended. Zenitsu’s Godspeed moments gave goosebumps. Tanjiro’s rage against Muzan left us frozen. The truth is, both grew far beyond what they were at the start. That is what makes the Tanjiro vs Zenitsu rivalry so personal for the fandom.

The anime ended with both of them fighting Muzan side-by-side. But if it ever came down to Zenitsu vs Tanjiro, with full strength and no interruptions, who would actually win? Is Zenitsu Stronger Than Tanjiro? And this is exactly what we will find out in this post.

Tanjiro Kamado’s Strengths and Abilities

Tanjiro begins with something rare. His hyper-acute sense of smell lets him track demons, sense emotions, and even detect an enemy’s weak point by sniffing the “opening thread.” It is not flashy, but deadly when used right.

He first trains under Urokodaki in Water Breathing, mastering all ten forms. Later, on Mt. Natagumo, he unlocks his father’s dance Hinokami Kagura, which turns out to be the original Sun Breathing. From then, he switches between the two styles, based on his stamina.

Mastery of Sun Breathing Forms

Tanjiro learns many Sun Breathing forms from Dance and Raging Sun to Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance and even the Thirteenth Form, used against Muzan. Each one is fast, fluid, and precise. That’s what helped him push back multiple Upper Ranks.

Demon Slayer Mark and Transparent World

Then comes the Demon Slayer Mark. This mark multiplies his strength, stamina, and awareness. With it, Tanjiro enters the Transparent World, where he can see muscles and blood flow. It is like having X-ray vision mid-battle. Against Akaza, he even erases his presence by entering a Selfless State, which Akaza’s Compass Needle cannot detect.

His sword is another weapon in itself. It turns black—a rare Nichirin blade—and turns crimson in battle, slowing down demon regeneration. He fights poisoned, stabbed, exhausted—yet finds ways to survive and win.

From Rui to Muzan, Tanjiro defeats two Upper Ranks and lands the final blow on Muzan himself. By the end, even without becoming a Hashira, he fights on their level.

Zenitsu Agatsuma’s Strengths and Abilities

Zenitsu may act like a coward, but inside him lies raw talent. He has super-hearing, which is so sharp that he can detect emotional shifts from someone’s heartbeat. He can sense demons from far away just by sound.

Thunder Breathing Forms and Godspeed Evolution

When awake, he trembles. But when unconscious, he becomes deadly. His technique, Thunder Breathing First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, is a lightning-fast draw slash. He perfects it more than anyone ever has. It becomes a one-move death sentence.

He evolves it into Godspeed, which makes him faster than the eye can follow. Though limited to two uses, he pushes past that during the fight against Muzan. Later, he even creates his own form—Seventh Form: Honoikazuchi no Kami, shaped like a thunder dragon. No other non-Hashira has done that.

Reflexes, Swordsmanship, and Mental Growth

Zenitsu’s reflexes are unmatched. In the fight against Daki, he blitzes her with speed. Against Kaigaku, he stays awake, faces his own fears, and finishes him with the Seventh Form. And even against Muzan, he holds his ground while others fall.

His swordsmanship is built on raw timing, instinct, and total speed. Even though he never gets the Demon Slayer Mark, he still rises to fight Upper Rank demons and survive poison, exhaustion, and broken bones.

Speed and Reflex Comparison: Tanjiro vs Zenitsu

Zenitsu’s Raw Speed

No one in Demon Slayer moves faster than Zenitsu in Thunder Breathing Godspeed. Fans estimate his speed touches 1,000 mph, and his Seventh Form is said to reach nearly 38,000 mph in visual scaling. That’s faster than most can even perceive.

He decapitates demons in an instant. Sometimes, the enemy is already dead before they realize he moved.

Tanjiro’s Reflexes

Tanjiro might not match Zenitsu’s top speed, but his reflexes and adaptability make him hard to beat. He dodges Akaza’s attacks using Transparent World, sniffs out Hantengu’s core, and switches breathing styles in the middle of battle to stay alive.

While Zenitsu is a lightning strike, Tanjiro is a storm that keeps changing.

Head-to-Head: Zenitsu vs Tanjiro Speed

In pure speed, Zenitsu wins. But in sustained fights where strategy matters, Tanjiro evens it out with awareness, timing, and stamina. This makes the Is Zenitsu Stronger Than Tanjiro debate more complex than just who moves faster.

Swordsmanship and Breathing Techniques

Tanjiro’s Hybrid Style

Tanjiro blends Water Breathing’s flow with Sun Breathing’s fire. He uses Water Breathing to save energy and Sun Breathing for explosive attacks. He learns how to switch based on the fight, which gives him a wide range of moves.

His mastery of both styles shows in moves like Constant Flux, Setting Sun Transformation, and his Sun-Dragon slashes during the fight with Muzan.

Zenitsu’s Lightning Blade

Zenitsu focuses on one form—but pushes it to godly limits. His quick-draw technique is so sharp that most demons never see it coming. He then pushes further by creating his own Seventh Form, something no other Thunder Breathing user ever achieved.

His sword becomes an extension of lightning itself—blazing through demons with speed, grace, and finality.

Demon Slayer Marks and Power-Ups

Tanjiro’s Power-Up Path

Tanjiro awakens the Demon Slayer Mark, which boosts every part of his body, including power, speed, and healing. He unlocks Transparent World, gets the crimson Nichirin blade, and even survives the Mark’s curse.

This makes him capable of going toe-to-toe with Muzan, even after losing blood and stamina.

Zenitsu Without the Mark

Zenitsu never awakens the Mark. Some fans confuse his lightning wounds with the Mark, but canon confirms otherwise. All of Zenitsu’s growth comes from inside his discipline, training, and hidden courage.

Tanjiro vs Zenitsu: Who Would Win, And Why?

Now comes the big question: Is Zenitsu Stronger Than Tanjiro?. In the battle of Tanjiro vs Zenitsu, the result depends on more than speed.

Zenitsu’s biggest weapon is surprise. If he lands Thunderclap and Flash: Godspeed while unconscious, the fight could end in one flash. But that is only if Tanjiro does not know what is coming.

But if Tanjiro does know, the entire fight changes. With Sun Breathing, Demon Slayer Mark, and Transparent World, Tanjiro can track, dodge, and counter. He can fight long battles. He can switch styles. He has defeated Akaza and even cut Muzan down at sunrise.

In the debate of Is Zenitsu Stronger Than Tanjiro?, the answer leans towards no. Tanjiro is stronger—mentally, tactically, and physically. He has more tools and more experience in high-stakes battles. That is why, in a fair and aware fight, Tanjiro would win.

In the End

Even if Tanjiro wins the fight, Zenitsu still wins hearts. He became a fan favorite by growing from a comic coward to a brave warrior. He created his own form. He stood up in the final battle. And he made fans cry during his fight with Kaigaku.

That is why this rivalry will always stay special.

But what do you think? Would Zenitsu vs Tanjiro end differently if Zenitsu were fully awake? Or would Tanjiro still adapt and survive?

Tell us in the comments below. We fans love a good debate.