Zenitsu Agatsuma won the last official Shonen Jump popularity poll by a landslide. Honestly, if you only watch the anime, that might sound like a joke. How does the guy who spends half his screen time screaming and crying beat the literal Sun-Breathing protagonist? But it happened. In the second and final official poll released during the manga's climax, Zenitsu secured 17,451 votes. Tanjiro Kamado, the heart of the show, didn't even make the top three.
He came in fourth.
This isn't just about one character being "better" than another. It's about a massive shift in how the Demon Slayer fanbase views its heroes versus its icons. When the first poll came out way back in 2017, Tanjiro was the undisputed king. He had the top spot because he was the classic hero we all needed. But by 2020, and continuing into the current 2026 landscape of the Infinity Castle movie trilogy dominance, the "vibe" has changed.
The Results That Shocked the Demon Slayer Corps
The second official poll was a beast. We’re talking over 130,000 votes compared to the measly 26,000 from the first round. Because the voting happened as the manga was wrapping up, the rankings reflect a deep appreciation for character arcs that the early anime seasons hadn't even touched yet.
Here is how that final top ten shook out:
- Zenitsu Agatsuma (The sleeper hit, literally)
- Giyu Tomioka (The king of "I have no friends")
- Muichiro Tokito (The Mist Hashira prodigy)
- Tanjiro Kamado (Our humble lead)
- Shinobu Kocho (The Insect Hashira)
- Inosuke Hashibira (The mountain king)
- Kyojuro Rengoku (Set your heart ablaze!)
- Obanai Iguro (The Serpent Hashira)
- Sanemi Shinazugawa (The Wind Hashira)
- Kanao Tsuyuri (The silent but deadly successor)
You’ve probably noticed some glaring omissions. Nezuko? She fell to 11th. Muzan? Not even close to the top. The "villain" slots were actually dominated by Akaza and Doma further down the list, but it’s clear that the Japanese audience has a massive soft spot for the tragic, the stoic, and the surprisingly relatable cowardice of Zenitsu.
Why Zenitsu keeps winning
People find him real. Most of us wouldn't charge a demon head-on with a smile. We’d probably be hiding in a box like Zenitsu. His growth from a terrified kid to someone who can hold his own—even if he has to be unconscious to do it—strikes a chord. Plus, his "Thunder Flash" is undeniably one of the coolest visual sequences Ufotable has ever put to screen.
The 2025 and 2026 Shift: New Rankings Emerge
While the official Shonen Jump polls are the "gold standard," recent 2025 and 2026 surveys from outlets like Nippon.com and various Japanese high school polls show the ranking is still evolving. With the Infinity Castle movies hitting theaters and breaking records—recently overtaking Spirited Away to become a top-tier box office titan—characters like Akaza and Kokushibo are surging.
In a recent 2025 "Best Male Character" poll, the villain Akaza actually secured 3rd place, beating out protagonists from other major series like Chainsaw Man. It seems the more we see of the Upper Moons' backstories, the more the fans "forgive" them. Sorta.
The Hashira Tier List vs. Popularity
There is a huge difference between who is the "strongest" and who is the "favorite."
- Gyomei Himejima is widely accepted as the strongest Hashira, but in popularity polls? He’s usually near the bottom. In the second official poll, he was 22nd.
- Muichiro Tokito is the opposite. He’s powerful, sure, but his "climb" to 3rd place was fueled by his tragic backstory and his sassy attitude toward the Upper Moons.
- Giyu Tomioka stays at the top because of the "cool factor." He’s the first Hashira we meet, and his 11th form "Dead Calm" is basically the aesthetic peak of Water Breathing.
What Most People Get Wrong About These Polls
A lot of Western fans get frustrated seeing Tanjiro at #4. They think it means people don't like him. That’s not it at all. In Japan, the main character is often seen as the "base" of the story. You love them by default. Voting for someone else is a way to show support for the side characters who don't get as much spotlight.
Also, the timing matters. If a poll was held right after Mugen Train, Rengoku would probably be #1. If it was held today, in the middle of the Infinity Castle hype, Shinobu and Douma would be fighting for the top spots because their rivalry is the current focal point of the animation.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking at the demon slayer popularity poll to decide which merch to invest in or which figures will hold their value, follow the "Stoic and Tragic" rule.
- Invest in Giyu and Muichiro: These two have stayed consistently in the top 5 for years. Their figures almost always sell out faster than Tanjiro’s.
- Watch the Villain Market: Akaza is becoming the "it" character of 2026. His popularity is currently higher than almost any other demon, making his high-end statues a solid bet.
- Don't Sleep on Sanemi: He’s a "late bloomer" in the anime, but manga fans know. His popularity is expected to skyrocket as the final battles are animated.
The reality is that Demon Slayer isn't just a story about killing monsters anymore; it’s a cultural staple. Whether Zenitsu is at the top or Tanjiro reclaims his throne, the fact that we're still voting on these characters years after the manga ended says everything you need to know about the series' staying power.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the Oricon yearly sales charts and the "Japan Anime Trend Awards." These often provide the most up-to-date look at which characters are currently driving the $100 billion "Infinity Castle" economy.