Demon Slayer: Is Yoriichi Tsugikuni Stronger Than Muzan Kibutsuji? Explained

Demon Slayer's Yoriichi Tsugikuni is one of the most mysterious and interesting characters in the franchise because of his power, presence, and place within the story. It also helped his legacy that the series' main villain, the demon overlord Muzan Kibutsuji, was still terrified of Yoriichi after so many centuries. He had traumatic memories of their clash when he saw that Tanjiro had the same earrings as the legendary swordsman.

This led a lot of Demon Slayer fans to ask themselves if Yoriichi was stronger than Muzan, considering how the latter perceived the former. However, considering that the first demon is still alive, there is also the question of how that is possible in the case that Yoriichi was stronger. That being said, the manga itself does answer that question in great detail.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers for the Demon Slayer series.

Explaining how Yoriichi is stronger than Muzan in Demon Slayer

Yoriichi was born in the Sengoku era, a few centuries before the original Demon Slayer series. He was born with the Mark that Breathing users have to train for years to achieve, highlighting how he was naturally gifted as a warrior. He eventually left his home after his mother died and his relationship with his twin brother strained, eventually falling in love and finding peace in the mountains.

However, his wife was killed by demons when he was around and Yoriichi met a Demon Slayer who taught him the ways of Breathing. The former eventually rose through the ranks, becoming a Hashira. This is how he met Muzan, who was the first demon and creator of many more, which is why Yoriichi felt that he had to kill him to avenge his wife. He felt that this evil overlord was the creator of the original sin.
Yoriichi was naturally stronger than Muzan, especially because the latter had created Sun Breathing, the most powerful Breathing technique, and had innate talent as a fighter. As the fight went on, Muzan started to realize that he couldn't win and divided himself into 1800 pieces of himself. While Yoriichi killed 1500 the remaining 300 escaped and regenerated. Thus, the legendary swordsman never managed to kill the demon overlord since the latter went into hiding.

This is why Muzan had a panic attack when he saw Tanjiro Kamado in the main series and realized that he had the same earrings as Yoriichi. That man was stronger than him and could have killed him if he hadn't run away at the time.

Yoriichi's impact in the series

Yoriichi in the anime (Image via Ufotable).

Yoriichi is a very unique character in the Demon Slayer series, not just because of his strength. He is also unique because of how he influenced several key players in the story such as Tanjiro, Kokushibo (his twin brother), and Muzan himself. Despite dying of old age and being dead for centuries, his presence is still felt across the story, which is saying a lot.

He was the first human to make Muzan feel fear which drove him to isolation for a long time. This is saying a lot considering that the former seemed unstoppable at the end of the manga. His Sun Breathing would prove to be pivotal for Tanjiro in some of his most crucial moments, giving the protagonist an edge he wouldn't have otherwise.

Of course, his biggest impact came in the form of his relationship with his twin brother Kokushibo. The latter was envious of Yoriichi's natural talent for swordsmanship and overwhelming strength. This prompted Kokushibo to serve Muzan as a demon, and several centuries later was still suffering from that inferiority complex.

Final thoughts

Yoriichi is stronger than Muzan and the Demon Slayer manga proved in the flashback that showed their fight, with the former having the upper hand with the latter. The only reason Muzan managed to survive was by running away as he spread his body in several small things and Yoriichi wasn't able to destroy them all.