Demon Slayer introduced a variety of characters, and each one of them has a unique personality and goal. Zenitsu Agatsuma is one of them. He was orphaned from a young age, which led to abandonment issues. He tried dating many times as he didn't want to die alone, but sadly, every girl ended up using him for money. Eventually, he accumulated a debt that was paid by Jigoro Kuwajima.
The former Thunder Hashira wanted Zenitsu to be his student as repayment. Because he had no choice, he accepted. This relationship later blossomed and Zenitsu began addressing Jigoro as Gramps. After a couple of years, his journey began as a Demon Slayer alongside Kamado Tanjiro and Inosuke Hashibira. Like all characters in this manga and its anime adaptation, Zenitsu from Demon Slayer has plenty of quotes that demonstrate his personality.
Updated on April 13, 2022, by Ritwik Mitra: Zenitsu is one of the most unique characters in Demon Slayer. He seemed like nothing more than a crybaby and a coward when he was introduced early on, but it's only after fans get to know more about this character that they realize what he's all about. His subconscious is comically strong, allowing him to reach into the deepest parts of his psyche and use the master of Thunder Breathing's first form to great effect as he cuts down any and all enemies in his path. Here are some of the best quotes Zenitsu from Demon Slayer has said throughout the anime series.
10 Your Family Is Waiting For You Two To Return
Near the end of the series, Tanjiro ends up defeating Muzan once and for all after a grueling battle for the ages. While the aftermath was definitely brilliant, Muzan still had one trick up his sleeve — right before his death, he decided to turn Tanjiro into a demon with the last of his powers.
This leads to Tanjiro having to face a grueling ordeal as he starts transforming into a demon. However, everyone around him tries to bring him back to the side of humanity, with Zenitsu himself saying:
"Tanjiro! Focus on staying alive! Can you hear me? Don't die! You can't die! Nezuko's gonna be human again! And you're gonna get her out of here! And go back to the house where you grew up! Your family is waiting for you two to return!"
9 Gramps Did Smack Me Around A Bit Too Much, But He Never Abandoned Me
Zenitsu's backstory is elaborated upon during the Mount Natagumo arc when the trio of Demon Slayers has to take on Rui and his twisted family. During Zenitsu's battle against the 'big brother', he starts looking back on the past and how his sensei constantly stopped him from trying to run away from being a swordsman.
As he was reflecting back, he talked about how his sensei never gave up on him and always pushed him to get better, no matter what. Even though he only knew the first form, that didn't deter the former Thunder Hashira from taking this student in as his pupil. Zenitsu's exact words were: “Clearly Gramps did smack me around a bit too much. But he never abandoned me.”
8 If You Master One, That’s Cause For Celebration
As mentioned before, Zenitsu could only master the first form of Thunder Breathing. He is yet to show another form of this breathing style, and it's possible that he simply has no clue of how to pull off these other, complex moves.
However, fans of the manga know that this wasn't a detriment in the slightest. In fact, swordsmen who master the first style have the potential to become one of the most powerful Thunder Breathing users around. So, Zenitsu's achievements should not be taken lightly. He himself states the same: "If you can master one, that's cause for celebration​​​​​​​!"
7 Women Have Rights
In chapter 88 of the manga, Daki, Upper-Rank Six Demon, attacks Tengen Uzui and Kamado Tanjiro from behind. Zenitsu appears and blocks it. He then faces Daki and tells her:
"Before you die, I have a task for you. Apologize to the girl whose ear you nearly tore off. It may be your money that pays for their clothing, food, and housing, but those girls aren't your toys. You won't get away with this."
The Demon laughs in disbelief and says that she did nothing wrong. She said that women are supposed to be treated like merchandise within the district. This angered the Demon Slayer, as he is a firm believer in women’s rights.
6 I Protected The Box
In episode 13 of chapter 25, Zenitsu protected the box that Tanjiro carried with him everywhere. After killing all the Demons in the Drum House, the Water Breather walks out and finds a beaten-up Zenitsu hugging the box that contains Nezuko. And the first thing Zenitsu tells Tanjiro is: ''I've protected it. You told me... this is more important to you... than your own life."
A lot of fans changed their perspective of Zenitsu after this scene. Additionally, It was revealed later that the Thunder Breather has enhanced hearing. This means he heard Nezuko’s heartbeat and knew she was a Demon, but trusted Tanjiro and asked nothing.
5 I Wanted To Fight You As An Equal
Chapter 145 focuses on Zenitsu Agatsuma and Kaigaku’s past. They were both learning the Thunder Breathing Techniques by Jigoro Kuwajima. Unfortunately, Kaigaku turned into a Demon and ate many people in the Hashira Training Arc. Because of his actions, Jigoro performed Seppuku and died a slow, agonizing death. This angered Zenitsu, and forced him to seek his senior in the Infinity Castle Arc.
It’s later revealed that Kaigaku managed to learn all Forms except the first, which is the only Form Zenitsu can use. This caused the new Upper-Rank Six Demon to resent him. Upon meeting each other, they immediately start swinging their swords. After getting seriously injured, Zenitsu used a new Form that he created, and the Demon accused Jigoro of playing favorites. The Demon Slayer then said: "This is my form. I created it, so it's all mine. With this technique...I wanted to fight you as an equal!" Unfortunately, this didn't move the Demon's heart, and Zenitsu ended up killing his senior.
4 We Are Pathetic Successors
In chapter 144, the fight between Zenitsu Agatsuma and Kaigaku brought back many painful memories. The most vivid one is how the Thunder Breather blamed his senior for their mentor’s death. The Demon confessed he detested him and he deserves whatever happened to him. He started badmouthing Jigoro and saying that the old fart is senile, and called Zenitsu a scum. This caused Zenitsu to reply with:
"Gramps wasn't senile. If I'm scum, then you're trash. I feel sorry for grandpa for having such pathetic successors. I can only do the First Form and you can do everything except that!''
This shows how deeply Zenitsu cared about his old master, and also how he blames himself for being weak.
3 Hiding Won’t Make The Sadness Go away
In chapter 67, after Kyojuro Rengoku's death, the Kamado siblings, Inosuke, and Zenitsu all went back to the Butterfly Mansion to recover. The Thunder Breather is seen walking in the hallways while holding a plate of buns to share with Tanjiro. Before arriving, he remembers the past events and mourns the death of the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro.
While walking, he says to himself: "People don't simply recover instantly. No matter how strong someone is, they can feel pain and sadness. But hiding from it solves nothing. You must rouse your aching heart and stand back up. I'm sure Rengoku was that kind of person."
This quote was said after Zenitsu remembered how sad the Demon Slayer Corps was, especially Inosuke Hashibira and Kamado Tanjiro.
2 I Hate Myself More Than Anyone
In the Natagumo Mountain Arc, the three Demon Slayers got separated. Zenitsu is walking through the forest and trying to find the others and hoping he won’t run into any Demons. Unfortunately, he comes across the eldest son of the Spider Family. The Demon informs the Thunder Breather that he got bitten by a spider and he’ll transform into one of his minions.
Zenitsu freaks out and starts running away from the little spiders until he climbs a tree. Suddenly, he remembers the times when he gave up on himself, but his mentor kept encouraging him to train and get better. He thought to himself:
"I hate myself more than anyone. I always think I have to get my act together, but I end up cowering, running away, sniveling. I want to change. I want to be a competent person.
Fans can find this quote in episode 17 of the anime or chapter 33 of the manga.
1 Don’t Give Up
Zenitsu defeated the eldest son of the Spider Family in episode 17 of the anime (chapter 34 of the manga). The Thunder Breather becomes immobilized because of the poison and is about to pass out. He forced himself to stay awake because although he considered himself a coward, he didn't want to face death.
Instead, he performed a Breathing Technique to slow down the poison until someone could come to and save him. He felt like he might die, but convinced himself by saying: "Don’t ever give up. Even if it’s painful, even if it’s agonizing, don’t try to take the easy way out." Though Zenitsu might feel he's a coward, this quote proves he's anything but that.