Tanjiro Kamado, from a rural mountain family, became the household's charcoal burner after his father Tanjuro's death, supporting his mother and younger siblings. His family was slaughtered by the demon king Muzan Kibutsuji, leaving only his sister Nezuko transformed into a demon. This fuels his motivations: avenging his family, curing Nezuko, and protecting humanity. He carries inherited hanafuda earrings and a forehead scar gained shielding his brother from boiling water; this scar later developed into a flame-like Demon Slayer Mark following intense combat. He trained for two years under former Water Hashira Sakonji Urokodaki, mastering Water Breathing swordsmanship and developing enhanced physical abilities. During Final Selection, he slew the Hand Demon, joined the Demon Slayer Corps, and received a black Nichirin blade. His combat style later incorporated the Hinokami Kagura (Dance of the Fire God), a Sun Breathing technique passed down through his family. This technique, combined with his acute sense of smell—detecting environmental threats, emotional states, and combat openings ("threads of interval")—forms his fighting foundation. Tanjiro exhibits profound empathy, often recognizing human remnants within demons and offering compassion before delivering fatal blows. He believes demons committing atrocities must be eliminated without mercy, but those expressing regret should not be belittled. This contrasts with his intense rage against irredeemable evil, particularly Muzan and Upper Rank demons. He is protective of allies, especially Nezuko, forming strong bonds with fellow Demon Slayers Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira. Despite his kindness, he displays tactical intelligence in battle, adapting techniques and exploiting enemy weaknesses. During the Mugen Train mission, Tanjiro, alongside Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku, confronted Lower Rank One Enmu. Falling into a dream state, Tanjiro resisted an illusory reunion with his deceased family through Nezuko's intervention and a vision of his father instructing him to sever the dream. Awakening, he coordinated with Inosuke to locate and decapitate Enmu, fused with the train. After this defeat, Upper Rank Three Akaza ambushed the group. Tanjiro witnessed Rengoku's fatal battle against Akaza, shouting defiance as Akaza fled sunlight and declaring Rengoku the moral victor. Rengoku's dying words urged Tanjiro to seek his family's records on Flame Breathing. Physically, Tanjiro stands at average height (165 cm) with a muscular build, ruffled black hair featuring red tips, dark red eyes, and calloused hands from training. His standard Demon Slayer uniform includes a black-and-green checkered haori and a wooden box to carry Nezuko during daylight.