When it comes to the devil, in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Hantengu is possibly one of the most pitiful people with his basic appearance. However, the series has found a way to turn him into an absolute powerhouse by sharing some elements with older myths. He may not seem like a threat, but first impressions can be very deceiving.
The third installment of Demon Slayer modifies the Blacksmith’s Village arc, pitting the villagers against Gyokko and Hantengu. They are the High-class, Upper Fifth, and Upper Fourth Demons, respectively. At first, Gyokko seems to be the strongest because Hantengu always cries and hugs him to hide. His snort attitude certainly wouldn’t rank him fourth in terms of power.
Demon Slayer’s Hantengu is an improved version of Hydra
Hantengu’s power comes from his ability to divide into stronger forms. One of the most interesting things about him is how these forms arise. Normally, Tanjiro and other members of the Demon Slayer Corps can kill demons by cutting their throats. However, this is not the case with Hantengu. When they first attack him, he splits into alternate forms, becoming smaller. These surrogates also split, resulting in four demons for them to fight. If that weren’t enough, these four combined into an even more powerful form that was still separate from Hantengu’s smaller body which was still too hard to cut.
Hantengu’s ability to split into smaller forms when sliced is very reminiscent of the hydra in Greek mythology or Yamata no Orochi in Japanese mythology. Yamata no Orochi is a dragon with eight or nine heads. Although Hantengu’s body does not possess many single heads, each part is still a part of him. The hydra’s power is to regrow multiple heads to replace the one that was removed, which Hantengu did. However, his variant of splitting into multiple bodies involves heads that are not only difficult to remove, but regrow instead of removing threats. This sets him apart from other demons that have fallen in a hard-won slice. The comparison to the multi-headed dragon is further aided by his use of the dragon’s head and protective shell in his fifth form around Hantengu’s miniature form in Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 7.
Due to his dissociation effect, his crying and seemingly frail basic form is greatly enhanced and protected. At first glance, he seems to be one of the weaker demons possible, but in reality, he has one of the most effective camouflage and defense. It is therefore not surprising that he ranks higher than Gyokko, as Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya have had a hard time facing him and his many forms despite working together. Despite his small stature and wheezing, Hantengu’s extraordinary abilities make him one of the deadliest enemies his heroes have. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Had to face.