In most shōnen anime, the protagonist eventually grows strong enough to rival—or even surpass—the final antagonist. It’s a familiar arc: through training, experience, and sheer determination, the hero unlocks power beyond what seemed possible. However, in Demon Slayer, despite Tanjiro Kamado’s growth, his affinity for Sun Breathing, and his extraordinary resilience, he never reaches a point where he alone can defeat Muzan Kibutsuji. The Demon King’s death was a collective effort, requiring the combined strength of the Hashira, the Demon Slayer Corps, and Lady Tamayo’s lethal poison. This raises a crucial question: was Muzan truly unmatched? The answer is no. There was one man who could—and did—stand against Muzan on equal footing. Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the greatest Demon Slayer in history, remains the only character capable of rivaling the Demon King.