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- “We're comrades... and like brothers. So if someone starts straying from the path, the rest has to stop him together. No matter how hard and painful it is... We've got to walk the right path[...] I'm gonna strike him down and stop him. I- [...] I can't cut him. I was wrong, Tanjiro. I can't do it!”
- — Inosuke, unable to bring himself to kill Tanjiro after the bond they have developed, chapter 201
InoTan is the slash ship between Inosuke Hashibira and Tanjiro Kamado from the Demon Slayer fandom.
Canon[]
Kamado Tanjirou and Hashibira Inosuke are both Demon Slayers. They initially don't get along and even fight because of Inosuke's insensitive and aggressive personality. it doesn't take much time for the 2 to start getting along, which is mostly because of Tanjirou's kindness and him not minding Inosuke being rude to him. The 2 end up being close friends who care greatly for each other. They continuously save each other, rely on each other and support each other. Inosuke often experiences warm and fuzzy feelings because of Tanjirou. The 2 of them have also shed tears for one another and held each other. By the end of the show, the 2 of them are very close friends.
Season 1[]
Inosuke and Tanjirou were in the same Final Selection but because Inosuke was the first to go down the mountain and the first to leave without waiting around for the explanation afterwards, they didn't meet. They first interact while Tanjirou is fighting the former lower moon Kyogai. Tanjirou suddenly notices an odd scent heading his way. Inosuke bursts through the wall, surprising Tanjirou, who notices all the odd things about him, like his boar hide and the nichirin blades he's wielding. After Kyogai tilts the room, Inosuke uses Tanjirou as a jumping board, which Tanjirou takes without complaining. However, he does yell at Inosuke to stop launching reckless attacks since it's a demon with supernatural abilities. When Kyogai tilts the room again, Inosuke steps on Teruko, which Tanjirou does get angry at. He grabs Inosuke's ankle and throws him off her, telling him to not stomp all over her. Inosuke asks who Tanjirou is, but Tanjirou is visibly angered while holding Teruko and asks what he thinks he's doing by stepping on a little kid. Inosuke laughs and says: "I like it! No human's ever sent me flying like that before!" Inosuke then attacks Tanjirou, who dodges and asks himself why he's coming after him if he's a demon slayer. Inosuke says that his swords will hurt Tanjirou since "they're not the kind of swords you little gentlemen use". He continues by saying he is proud of the way they slide through flesh. Tanjirou tells him to knock it off, since the demon is right there. Inosuke says he doesn't care and goes to attack again but gets interrupted by Kyogai's attack. Inosuke falls out of the room and the room changes again.
After defeating Kyogai, an injured Tanjirou goes outside with Kiyoshi and Teruko and finds a bleeding Zenitsu being beat up by Inosuke for protecting the box with Nezuko in it. The sight makes him remember finding Nezuko protecting Rokuto after Muzan attacked. Tanjirou becomes very angry and after Inosuke prepares to stab Zenitsu and Nezuko, he goes to attack. Tanjirou punches Inosuke in the ribs, breaking them. Tanjirou asks Inosuke if he doesn't get why Zenitsu doesn't draw his blade and explains that it's because demon slayers are forbidden to do so for no reason, yet Inosuke is giving him a one sided beat down and calls him "the lowest of the low". Inosuke, who's laying on the ground coughs and laughs, apologizing. He then says that they'll settle this with their fists then, Tanjirou says he doesn't think he gets it at all and goes to explain they aren't supposed to fight each other at all, but Inosuke's already going to attack. Tanjirou tries to make him understand while Inosuke's attacking him, but Inosuke doesn't listen and they end up fighting. Zenitsu comments that Tanjirou is violating the rules as while and they're both fighting with broken bones. While fighting, Tanjirou notices Inosuke's attacks are extremely low, it's like he's fighting a four-legged beast and he images Inosuke is a boar. Tanjirou tries to attack from a lower angle, but Inosuke's superhuman flexibility allows him to dodge and counter, something Tanjirou also takes note of. Inosuke says he's amazing twice and shows off more of his flexibility by putting his head backwards between his legs while standing. Tanjirou tells him to stop doing that with broken bones because it'll get worse. Inosuke tells him it's fine, nothing can stop the pleasure of this moment and attacks again. Tanjirou tells him he should start thinking about the future while they're fighting, but Inosuke asks him why he should care. Tanjirou yells at him that he should calm down and headbutts him hard. Inosuke's board hide falls off, revealing his face. Zenitsu and Tanjirou are surprised, Zenitsu being the loudest. Inosuke asks if they got a problem with his face or something. Tanjirou answers they don't. He further explains by saying Inosuke's face is: "quite petite, fair-skinned, and therefore attractive!", meaning Tanjirou has no problem saying that he finds Inosuke attractive. Inosuke says to say that to his fist, but Tanjirou says that's not happening and he's not going to attack Inosuke anymore. Inosuke tells him to try headbutting him again, but Tanjirou refuses. Inosuke yells at him he told him to do it and to come. Tanjirou says he needs to calm down a little and asks if he's okay. Inosuke tells Tanjirou his name and to never forgot that while calling him Mr. Forehead. Tanjirou asks him how to spell that, surprising Inosuke who tells him he doesn't know how to read or write. He continues by saying his name is written on his loincloth, but stops talking suddenly and freezes. Tanjirou asks him what's wrong, but Inosuke passes out from the headbutt.
A while later, Inosuke wakes him while laying with his head on Tanjirou's haori and Zenitsu's haori as a blanket. He immediately tells Zenitsu to fight him, but stops when he finds Tanjirou, Zenitsu, Kiyoshi, Teruko and Shoichi burying the people killed inside Kyogai's house. He asks them what they're doing and Tanjirou explains and tells him to come help them out. Inosuke asks them what the point is and to forget about that and to fight him. Tanjirou says: "I see. You can't do it because your wounds are hurting you." with a sympathetic looks on his face. However it greatly annoys Inosuke. Zenitsu thinks they're lost cases and both absolutely nuts. Tanjirou continues with a smile by saying: "Don't worry, it's fine. Everyone has a different pain threshold. It's a lot of work to carry the bodies outside and give them a proper burial. We'll all do the best we can, so don't worry! You should get some rest. Sorry for asking too much of you!" During this, Inosuke's getting more pissed off, while Kiyoshi and Shoichi think to themselves that Tanjirou's completely off. Inosuke snaps and yells to not underestimate him, he'll bury 200 of his corpses and to watch because he'll bury more corpses than any of them. When they're done, Inosuke headbutts trees while the others pray. After the crow tells them to descend the mountain, the others prepare to do so, but Inosuke asks them what they're doing. Tanjirou explains, however Inosuke says they aren't done with their contest yet. Tanjirou says that Inosuke's exhausted and to come with. Inosuke denies and tells him to fight him, while running towards them. While saying goodbye to Kiyoshi, Shoichi and Teruko, Inosuke is seen headbutting trees int he background again. Afterwards, Tanjirou and Inosuke are arguing. Inosuke calls him a loser, tells him to fight him and swears he'll find a weak spot and take him down. Tanjirou says his name isn't loser, it's Kamado Tanjirou. Inosuke then calls him Kamaboko Gonpachiro and says he'll bring him down. Tanjirou is annoyed and asks who the hell he's talking about, Inosuke says that would be him. Tanjirou shouts that he doesn't know anyone by that name. Zenitsu then interrupts and yells at them to shut up.
After arriving at a wisteria house, Tanjirou, Inosuke, Zenitsu and Nezuko are greeted by an old lady. Inosuke asks who the hell she is, grabbing a scandalized Tanjirou's attention. Inosuke pokes her hair and says she looks pretty weak, causing Tanjirou to get angry with him. While eating, Inosuke eats with his hands, causing Tanjirou and Zenitsu to look at him. Inosuke suddenly looks at Tanjirou's food and then Tanjirou with a grin. Inosuke then eats some of Tanjirou's food and grin again. Tanjirou's a little surprised, but then offers him some more of his food with a sweet smile. It annoys Inosuke, who doesn't respond and when Tanjirou offers it again, he angrily tells him no. After being shown their bedding, Inosuke dives in one of them and tells him it's first come first served, aimed at Tanjirou. Tanjirou smiles again and tells him that's fine and that he can sleep wherever he wants, annoying Inosuke again, who throws a pillow at Zenitsu.
After the doctor checks them out, they are informed they each have broken ribs. Inosuke says that the bump he got from Tanjirou hurts a lot more than his 4 broken ribs and Tanjirou apologizes. Zenitsu tells him to apologize for beating him up, but Inosuke refuses and Tanjirou cuts in too, telling Inosuke to just apologize. While talking about the wisteria houses, Tanjirou asks Inosuke why he joined the demon slayers. Inosuke explains he found a demon slayer on his mountain, stole his sword and found out about demons and the Final Selection. Tanjirou comments that it also turns out they both grew up in the mountains, but Inosuke tells him not to lump him in with Tanjirou because he has no parents or siblings and his only pleasure is testing his strength against other creatures. Tanjirou repeats: "Is that right?" twice with tears in the corners of his eyes. While Nezuko is coming out of her box after Zenitsu and Tanjirou talked about why Tanjirou's traveling with a demon, Inosuke is thinking about why Tanjirou didn't take the bait even after he stole his food. He asks himself that what it took for Tanjirou to get mad. He forgot and says he's been thinking too much and promptly falls asleep while Nezuko comes out of her box. Another day, Inosuke suddenly barges in and headbutts Tanjirou in the back and starts chasing him. When the 4 prepare to leave, the old lady starts striking sparks for good luck, however Inosuke's confused and gets angry. He prepares to hit her, but a wide-eyed Tanjirou holds him by the waist. After the lady tells them to live their lives with great pride and wishes them luck, they leave and Inosuke asks what that meant. Tanjirou says that now that he mentions it, it's kind of difficult to understand. Tanjirou tries to explain but Inosuke's still confused and asks more questions, ending with: "She doesn't know what her own place is, does she?" which makes Tanjirou annoyed and he speeds up his pace. Inosuke also speeds up and yells that he won't be beaten.
They arrive at the mountain where their mission is and Tanjirou suddenly smells something. He runs towards the mountain and Inosuke immediately follows. They find a demon slayer on the ground but he gets pulled back into the forest while calling out for help before they can do anything. Tanjirou says he's going but is shaking. Inosuke then steps past him and says he'll go on ahead and he can follow him while shivering in his boots. They go in the forest, leaving a terrified Zenitsu behind. While they're moving in the forest, Inosuke comments that there are a lot of spider webs and Tanjirou agrees. Tanjirou suddenly says Inosuke's name and Inosuke strikes a battle pose while asking what he wants. However, Tanjirou thanks him, confusing Inosuke. Tanjirou continues by saying he felt a lot more encouraged when Inosuke said he'd come with. He further explains that the twisted ominous scent made him freeze a little and then he thanks Inosuke again. Inosuke's speechless and remembers how he felt about the old lady from the wisteria house who gave him clothes and food. Fuzzy balls appear as a representation of Inosuke's own warm and fuzzy feelings. Tanjirou notices a demon slayer and goes towards him, prompting a still silent Inosuke to follow. They find the demon slayer Murata and Tanjirou reveals their mission and introduces himself including his rank. Murata isn't happy with this who asks why they didn't sent a Pillar and that it doesn't matter how many they sent from Tanjirou's rank. Inosuke suddenly punches him and yells at him that his existence doesn't make a difference, Tanjirou yells at him and holds him back from further attacking Murata. Multiple demon slayers being controlled by Mother Spider Demon appear. Inosuke calls them idiots because they don't know that demon slayers aren't supposed to attack each other, but Tanjirou says that they're actually being controlled. Inosuke prepares to attack, but Tanjirou says not to since some of them are still alive and they can't harm the corpses of their comrades. Inosuke angrily tells him to stop denying him at every turn and headbutts Tanjirou in the stomach while being attacked by controlled demon slayers.
Tanjirou figures out they are being manipulated by threads and Inosuke cuts all the threads and says he already knew that before Tanjirou. Tanjirou then finds out the spiders are attaching the threads to them and Inosuke says they'll need to kill the spiders then. Tanjirou says that they're too small and in too many numbers, Inosuke kills spiders anyway but Tanjirou says not to bother. He continues by asking Inosuke if he has some sort of technique to locate the demon to help him because his nose is being blocked by a smell from the mountain. Rui suddenly appears and Inosuke tries to attack but can't reach. Rui leaves and Inosuke falls on the ground, causing Tanjirou to call out his name in worry. Tanjirou says that Rui isn't the demon controlling the threads and Inosuke says he hears him, he just needs him to find the demon. Inosuke also tells him to shut up and calls him "Mr. Forehead" (because Tanjirou's harsh headbutt is one of the (if not the) most outstanding features of him in Inosuke's mind). Inosuke uses Beast Breathing Seventh Form: Spatial Awareness to locate Mother Spider Demon. Tanjirou asks if he found it, which Inosuke confirms and informs Tanjirou of the location. Tanjirou compliments him, causing Inosuke to pause and the fuzzy balls appear again although they are in the middle of battle. While they are struggling to find a way to defeat the controlled Demon Slayers without harming them, Inosuke loses his patience and says he'll demolish them all at once. However Tanjirou tells him he can't. When Murata tells them he'll hold them off and to go on ahead, Tanjirou grabs Inosuke and runs. However, Inosuke, who was insulted by Murata, struggles to get out of Tanjirou's grip and says he wants to pound Murata's face first. Tanjirou doesn't let go though.
A couple of moments later, Inosuke's running beside Tanjirou, but still angry and talking about how he'll punch Murata even if it's the last thing he'll do. Tanjirou tells him to stop saying such thing, but Inosuke turns his head towards him and argues that Murata called him a stupid boar, calling Tanjirou "Monjirou". Tanjirou corrects him and then asks if he's sure he's heading the right way. Inosuke says his senses never lie, but asks what the hell is up with these annoying threads. Tanjirou says it shows how close they are to the demon and then they come across more controlled demon slayers. When more appear and ask them to kill them, Inosuke goes to attack but Tanjirou denies him again. Inosuke gets angry and points at him while getting attacked, saying he needs to shut up already and they are asking them to kill them. Inosuke says that they are pretty fast, so they'll die if they're caught napping. Tanjirou says he knows that and to give him a second to think. Tanjirou figures out a way to immobilize them but doesn't tell Inosuke and runs around in circles. Inosuke gets mad and asks him way and to stop fooling around. However he is surprised when Tanjirou throws the controlled demon slayer up on a branch. He asks what's up with that and yells that he wants to do it to. Inosuke copies Tanjirou and turns to him, asking if he saw that and that whatever Tanjirou can, he can do it too. Tanjirou says he missed it though and apologizes. Inosuke is angry and surprised, but Tanjirou asks if he can really blame him because he's fighting another controlled demon slayer. A bit later, Inosuke points at a tangled up demon slayer and tells Tanjirou to look and that he threw up more than him. Tanjirou says they only have one more to go and Inosuke walks up to the last one, saying he'll do it one more time and tells Tanjirou to look closely this time. Tanjirou says that's fine, just don't be too rough. However the Mother Spider Demon kills the controlled demon slayers in anger. Inosuke's quite angry at this, however he watches as Tanjirou kneels at a dead demon slayers' corpse. When he feels the rage coming from Tanjirou, he's very surprised and intimidated. Tanjirou stands up and says: "Let's go.", which a subdued Inosuke agrees to.
Due to the wind's changed direction, Tanjirou can use his sense of smell again and smells the Mother Spider Demon's final puppet. He calls out Inosuke name, who says he sensed it long before Tanjirou. When they see that the puppet has no neck, Inosuke freaks out. However, Tanjirou tells him to calm down and says they'll inflict a monk's robe cut. Inosuke jumps in after hearing this and gets cut, but realizes he can dodge them. But he forgot about the spiders and gets tangled up while the puppet attacks him. Tanjirou saves him and cuts the threads holding him. After being saved, fuzzy balls appear yet again (possibly in admiration for Tanjirou) and Tanjirou says they have to work together to take down the demon and asks him to fight together. Inosuke curses at him and yells not to make him any giddier than he already is, admitting out loud that Tanjirou makes him giddy. The puppet prepares to attack again and Tanjirou kneels, yelling at Inosuke to launch himself off him. Inosuke steps on him and cuts the puppet's arms. Tanjirou then yells at him to jump and Inosuke does. Tanjirou cuts the puppet's feet and tells Inosuke to go for the monk's robe cut. While in the air, Inosuke says it's pissing him off, it's all going Tanjirou's way like it's predestined or something, as natural as water flowing in the river. He realizes it's not about going first for Tanjirou, but he has his eyes on the overall flow of the battle. Inosuke cuts the puppet and it starts to disappear. Tanjirou thinks to himself that Inosuke cut it just right and then compliments Inosuke to his face that he defeated the puppet. Inosuke however is still for a moment, causing Tanjirou confusion before he runs towards Tanjirou, throwing his swords away. He yells that anything Tanjirou can do, he can too, calling him a dumbass. He grabs Tanjirou and throws him far in the air, which took a lot of strength. While in the air, Tanjirou realizes Inosuke threw him towards the demon.
In the preview for the next episode, Inosuke says that anything Tanjirou can do he can too. Tanjirou agrees but then says he knows something Inosuke can't do, surprising him. Tanjirou says that he still can't get his name right after all this time. Inosuke says that he does know his name and throws out guesses, which are all wrong. Tanjirou reveals as taisho secret, that Inosuke can get a name right about once every 7 times. Inosuke starts guessing again and gets warmer until he says the right last name, but stops and says that nobody cares about his name anyway. Tanjirou is a little disappointed and says he was so close to hearing it. Inosuke says that he is himself and that Tanjirou is Tanjirou and asks if he got that, calling him by the right first name, surprising him.
After being informed that a Blood Demon is present at the mountain, Tanjirou thinks about how he needs to get it's blood however then remembers Inosuke and hurries back to him. Inosuke angrily asks Tanjirou if he defeated the demon while bleeding from the wounds he got from the puppet. Tanjirou worriedly asks him if he's alright. Inosuke says he asked him if he defeated it or not, which Tanjirou confirms he did but asks: "But anyway, how are you feeling?" Inosuke yells at him to not shower him with his kindness and sensitivity. He asks if he got that and says that after all he can do anything Tanjirou can and before he knows it, his head will be tougher than Tanjirou's. Inosuke starts another sentence but it doesn't go anywhere. Meanwhile Tanjirou is more focused on Inosuke's injuries and is sad when he realizes he's severely wounded. Tanjirou tries to bandage Inosuke's wounds, who struggles and says he's totally fine.
A while later, Tanjirou and Inosuke are at a river. When Tanjirou calls Inosuke's name, he nearly falls in the river. Tanjirou says he'll go left and Inosuke angrily tells him to do what he wants. Tanjirou asks if he's descending the mountain, surprising Inosuke. Tanjirou repeats the question and Inosuke angrily asks why he would and to just beat it. Tanjirou says he was just wondering because Inosuke's severely wounded. Inosuke says he isn't wounded at all, causing Tanjirou to stare at him with a dumbfounded look. Tanjirou says that anyone could see his injuries, but they are interrupted by the Sister Spider Demon. Inosuke goes after her, making Tanjirou stick out a hand to stop him and call his name. She calls for Father Spider Demon, who jumps out and nearly hit Inosuke which causes Tanjirou to shout his name again. At seeing the Father Spider Demon's face, the two are intimidated. The Father Spider Demon attacks again and nearly gets Inosuke, but Tanjirou attacks to save him. However, his blade gets stuck in the arm and the Father Spider Demon attacks him, but Inosuke interferes, saving Tanjirou. The 2 get pushed away and the Father Spider Demon goes for Tanjirou again, but Inosuke interferes again, although he gets punched. This time he goes after Inosuke, who runs away after realizing he's at a severe disadvantage due to his wounds. In the meantime, Tanjirou cuts a tree which lands on the Father Spider Demon, saving Inosuke. Inosuke is confused because he didn't realize Tanjirou cut the tree. After seeing Tanjirou standing at the roots of the tree he realizes it was him and says: "That was some stunt, dammit!" When Tanjirou prepares to release the Water Breathing's most powerful form, Inosuke realizes he has a different aura and Tanjirou's going to do something out of this world. However just as he's about to deliver the final blow, the Father Spider Demon stands up with the tree in his arms, Inosuke yells at him to watch out but Tanjirou gets thrown by the tree and Inosuke yells out his name in worry (the wrong name). Tanjirou yells at him to survive and pull through until he's back. He also wrongfully informs him that he's a Blood Demon. He continues by yelling to survive and whatever he does, not to die.
When preparing to fight Rui, the real Blood Demon (Lower Moon 5), he apologizes to Inosuke and asks him to hang in there a little longer, he'll come running after he defeats Rui and will come save him no matter what. Meanwhile Inosuke is hiding and running from the Father Spider Demon and trying to think of a plan. He says that until Tanjirou comes back he's gotta, but doesn't finish his sentence. He realizes he's been influenced by Tanjirou and calls it "germs". However the Father Spider Demon sheds his skin and becomes much more powerful. This causes Inosuke to give up after sensing his power. But just as he's about to take a punch to the face without guard, he remembers Tanjirou yelling at him to survive and the old lady from wisteria house saying to live their lives with great pride and wishing them luck in battle. This causes Inosuke to start finding his will to live again and tries to fight back, but he gets beat up. Just when the Father Spider Demon is about to crush his head, he remembers his mother, Tanjirou and Zenitsu and the old lady from the wisteria house. Inosuke gets saved by Giyuu. In the preview for the next episode, Inosuke asks Giyuu is he's Tanjirou;s friend since he uses the same technique. He also says Tanjirou and Zenitsu's favourite food as taisho secret. After Giyuu defeats the Father Spider Demon, he says that if he beats Giyuu who beat the Blood Demon, he'll be the strongest. Giyuu informs him that it's not a Blood Demon and Inosuke yells he never thought he was a Blood Demon either it's just that Tanjirou said it was and all he did was repeat what he said. After seemingly defeating Rui, Tanjirou's in a lot of pain from his injuries and the backlash he got from forcefully switching breathing and can only crawl. He tells himself it's not the end yet because he still has to save Inosuke and has to hurry.
After all the battles are done, they are brought to the Butterfly Estate in order to heal from their injuries. Tanjirou is the last one because he had to meet with the Pillars and the master. When Tanjirou arrives at the room he'll be sharing with Zenitsu and Inosuke, he first meets Zenitsu. He asks where Inosuke is and Zenitsu informs him he's right next to him, to Tanjirou's great surprise. He says that Zenitsu is right, he's been here the whole time but he didn't notice. After being dropped to the ground by the Kakushi Goto, he says he's so glad Inosuke is alright. He starts crying while repeating that he's so glad he's alright and that he's so sorry that he couldn't rescue him. After a short silence, Inosuke says in a hoarse voice that it's okay, to not worry about it. Tanjirou is confused because of Inosuke's voice and asks if it's really him. Zenitsu explains what happened to his voice and then Inosuke apologizes for being so weak. Tanjirou is stunned for a second, but then tells him to hang in there, it's not like Inosuke to get depressed. He continues by saying that he's just so happy he survived. A different day, Murata comes to visit and asks Inosuke something, who doesn't respond. He asks Tanjirou what's up with him and Tanjirou responds that he went through a lot so to please leave him be. On a different day, Inosuke and Tanjirou start rehabilitation training. Zenitsu narrates to himself that any moment the two of them will come back and look like they've seen a ghost, which is shown when they come in the room. While Zenitsu tries to ask them what happened, the two of them go to lay on the bed without answering. Tanjirou apologizes and Inosuke tells Zenitsu not to mind them. The next day Zenitsu joins them in the training and the training is explained, while Tanjirou and Inosuke look depressed. Tanjirou and Inosuke are pulled outside by very angry Zenitsu, who punches Inosuke when he gets angry. Tanjirou angrily asks him what he's thinking and yells at him to apologize to Inosuke while holding him. Several days later, after Inosuke and Zenitsu stop coming to the training, Tanjirou tries to ask a depressed looking Inosuke if it isn't about time he came back to training already and that sulking won't do him any good.
When Inosuke and Zenitsu start training again and are trying to master Constant Total Concentration Breathing, Tanjirou is seen cheering Inosuke on who's trying to lift rocks, while Zenitsu is running in the background. After hearing that their reforged Sun Blades are arriving, Tanjirou runs to Inosuke while calling his name and informs him of what he heard. The two are excited and run towards the entrance. While Inosuke holds his new swords, Tanjirou says he's happy for Inosuke since his old swords were all chipped. After Inosuke starts hitting the sword with a rock to make it chipped again, the swordsmith who forced them, Kanamori, gets extremely angry and tries to attack him but is being held back by Tanjirou who apologizes on Inosuke's behalf. When a still angry Kanamori and Haganezuka leave, Tanjirou apologizes and bows while Inosuke holds the corner of Tanjirou's shirt. In the preview for the next episode, Tanjirou says he's off to train but maybe Inosuke and Zenitsu should catch a break, since they're looking exhausted. Inosuke then regains his energy and says he's not even close to done and to not underestimate him, even though he said it was impossible to hold his Total Concentration Breathing all day.
Mugen Train Arc[]
After mastering Constant Total Concentration Breathing and being completely healed, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Tanjirou with Nezuko on his back set out for their mission. They arrive at the train station where Tanjirou and Inosuke see a train for the first time. Inosuke is convinced it's the master of the land and prepares to attack. When Zenitsu tries to explain he tells Zenitsu to be quiet and calm down, but Tanjirou says Inosuke is the one who needs to calm down. He explains by saying it might the guardian spirit of the land so it might not be a good idea to attack it. In the preview for the 2nd episode of the Mugen Train Arc anime, Inosuke says he wants to fight the Pillar which causes him to start fighting with Zenitsu and Tanjirou says they heard Inosuke so to calm down now. While Tanjirou, Zenitsu, Rengoku and Inosuke are confronting a demon, a passenger is also nearby. Inosuke runs at the demon, but Tanjirou yells that they have to save the passenger first. Inosuke argues that it won't matter once he destroys the demon. After Tanjirou wakes up and finds out that the entire train became the body of Enmu, Lower Moon 1, he desperately tries to yell at the others to wake up. Inosuke is the first to wake up and bursts through the train's ceiling, much to the happiness of Tanjirou. In the preview for episode 5, Inosuke and Tanjirou are present. Tanjirou says he's so glad Inosuke is here, to which Inosuke replies that he came of course, he's the boss after all. Tanjirou then tells the taisho secret, which is about Inosuke's crow. Afterwards, Tanjirou says he's really counting on Inosuke, but it makes Inosuke angry and he replies to not be so bossy because he's just an underling. However, Tanjirou smiles brightly and says that Inosuke makes him feel so secure when he's around. Inosuke is speechless for a bit and the fuzzy balls appear again. He yells to not make him feel so warm and happy. He then runs off and tells Tanjirou to come, to which Tanjirou agrees.
Tanjirou informs Inosuke of what happened to the train and that they have to protect the passengers. Inosuke goes back inside the train and protects passengers. Tanjirou thinks that he needs to go on ahead if Inosuke can hold down the fort here. After Rengoku wakes up, Inosuke and Tanjirou get the task of searching for the demon's neck. They communicate while moving to the front and Inosuke informs Tanjirou that he found the demon's weak spot, which is at the front. Tanjirou thinks to himself that the scent got swept away because of the strong wind, but if Inosuke says it's there there's no doubt about it, showing his faith in Inosuke. Inosuke arrives first and cuts the area around the weak spot, but Enmu retaliates and he gets caught by multiple hands. However, Tanjirou saves him and asks him if he's okay afterwards. Inosuke angrily tells him that Tanjirou didn't come to his rescue and Tanjirou says that he knows that. Tanjirou realizes Enmu's neck is below them and informs Inosuke, who tells him not to order him around since he's the boss. Tanjirou agrees to this demand. After exposing the neck but being unable to cut it, Tanjirou tells Inosuke that they will synchronize their breathing and attack together so one slices the flesh and the other severs the bone. Inosuke says that sounds good and that it's a great idea so he can praise Tanjirou for that, which Tanjirou thanks him for. Enmu uses eyes that he manifests on his flash that forces a person to fall asleep. Tanjirou had learned you wake up when you cut your neck in the dream and informs Inosuke of this. Tanjirou continuously falls for the trap causing him to confuse reality with the dreams and he nearly cuts his neck in reality before Inosuke stops him. Inosuke says that this is reality and to not fall for his trap and die such a lame death.
A train worker suddenly appears and tries to stab Inosuke for getting in the way of his dream. Tanjirou notices and jumps in front of Inosuke, causing him to get stabbed in the stomach. A surprised Inosuke asks if he got stabbed and Tanjirou says he's alright. Tanjirou knocks the man out and gets him out of the way, Inosuke tells him not to worry about such a bastard. Enmu attacks again and the 2 fight off the attack. Tanjirou tells Inosuke to synchronize his breathing with his so they can chop off Enmu's head. He ends with: "Let's fight together!" However, Inosuke is looking at Tanjirou's bleeding stomach and stays silent. The 2 of them attack together and Enmu manifests the eyes again, but Inosuke slashes them before they can put Tanjirou to sleep. While the train is turning over, Tanjirou asks Inosuke if he's okay, but groans in pain because of the stab wound. Inosuke stutters and asks if his belly's okay. Tanjirou says he's okay and tells Inosuke to protect the passengers, but the train crashes. As soon as Inosuke safely lands on the ground, he runs towards Tanjirou while asking if he's okay. He tells Tanjirou to hang in there and that he himself was lucky he could bounce of the demon's flesh, also adding: "Cool, huh?". Inosuke then partially lifts Tanjirou with one hand under his head and the other grabbing his haori. He shakes Tanjirou (not too harshly) while worriedly asking him if his belly is okay, the one that got stabbed. Tanjirou says that he's okay and asks if Inosuke's okay too, which Inosuke confirms. Tanjirou informs Inosuke that he won't be able to move for a while and asks him to help the others. He then asks if the others are okay and if anyone was injured, also asking about the engineer that stabbed him. Inosuke says that it's okay if he dies, but Tanjirou disagrees. Inosuke asks if he remembers that he was the one that stabbed him and informs him that his leg is stuck under the train so to just leave him be and he'll die. Tanjirou pleads to him to help him and Inosuke shakes a bit out of emotion and carefully puts Tanjirou back on the ground. He says he'll go for Tanjirou then because he's the boss and because his minion asked him too. Inosuke says he'll pluck out the guy's hair after he rescues him and leaves, although Tanjirou says that it's really not necessary. It shows that Inosuke greatly worries about Tanjirou and gets angry at the people who hurt him. While Enmu's disintegrating, he says that he could've at least killed Tanjirou but Inosuke thwarted him.
After Akaza, who is Upper Moon 3, arrived, he fights Rengoku while Tanjirou watches and after a bit Inosuke arrives as well. The two watch as Rengoku and Akaza fight until Rengoku is stabbed through the solar plexus, but holding Akaza down and trying to cut his neck. Tanjirou starts moving and grabs his sword. He yells at Inosuke to move for Rengoku's sake. Inosuke moves but Akaza rips his arms off and escapes. Tanjirou desperately yells after him and breaks down afterwards all while Inosuke and Rengoku watch, the former trembling. After Rengoku dies, Tanjirou cries about his frustrations and asks if he could really be like Rengoku. Inosuke trembles but then tells him to stop whining. He emotionally says to stop saying dumbass things like if he can or can't be like Rengoku, because he said he believed in them so to just think about how he's going to measure up to that. He continues by saying that all living things go back to earth when they die, sobbing or sniveling isn't going to bring them back. Inosuke cries when he says to not cry even when he has regrets, no matter how pathetic or humiliated you feel, you still have to keep on living. Inosuke drags Tanjirou and says to get over here because they're going to train all while he, Tanjirou and Zenitsu (who joined them after Rengoku died) are sobbing. A moment later, he's seen knocking his fists on Tanjirou, who's on the ground, all while they're all still crying. In the next season, another bit is added and while Tanjirou's crying and calling Rengoku's name, Inosuke yells at Tanjirou to stop crying while crying himself.
Season 2[]
After getting back to the Butterfly Estate after delivering Rengoku's final words to his family, Tanjirou is chased by a furious Haganezuka for hours. Later, when he's looking exhausted at breakfast/lunch, Zenitsu explains to Inosuke what happened. Inosuke realizes that is the reason why Tanjirou's not eating and tells him to give it to him. When Uzui calls Inosuke disgusting after he introduces himself as King of the Mountains and after Uzui called himself the God of Festivals, Inosuke gets angry and Tanjirou holds him back from attack Uzui. When Uzui quickly tells them to follow him and runs away, Inosuke is in awe and says that this is the power of the God of Festivals. Tanjirou, however, informs him that it's Uzui, the Sound Pillar. In the carriage that takes them to the Entertainment District, Inosuke is seen with his hand on Tanjirou's shoulder. Zenitsu and Inosuke jump out of carriage after arriving when they were told not to and Tanjirou follows Inosuke so he can get him back. Inosuke is overwhelmed by the place and Tanjirou tries to pull him back to the carriage.
After infiltrating, Inosuke and Tanjirou are waiting on Uzui and Zenitsu and talking on the roof of one of the buildings while Inosuke's trying to explain that there was a demon in his house. Inosuke is saying that the demon was something like this while making weird hand gestures and Tanjirou is confused so he tells him to wait until the others arrive. Uzui arrives and tells them Zenitsu is missing and they should get out of here. He leaves again and Tanjirou wonders if Uzui doesn't feel like he can trust them because they're from the lowest rank. Inosuke informs Tanjirou that they're 4th from the bottom now and of the Wisteria Flower Engraving, which will show you your ranking on the top of your hand if you flex your muscles and say a particular phrase. Tanjirou is confused and surprised because he had no knowledge of this and becomes depressed about it. Inosuke slaps Tanjirou on the back and tells him to cheer up, which is Inosuke trying to cheer him up. Tanjirou apologizes and says he'll head over to the house Inosuke infiltrated as soon as night falls and for Inosuke to wait until then before making a move. Inosuke angrily asks him why he should do that. Tanjirou says he'll be done investigating his own house today. Inosuke angrily grabs Tanjirou by his cheek and yells that he said the demon is at his house right now so he better come with him right now. He then pulls at both of Tanjirou's cheeks and asks him how stupid Tanjirou is. Inosuke continuously smacks Tanjirou on the back while Tanjirou explains that he thinks there are passages between the buildings and his reasoning behind it. Only after hearing about the passageways does Inosuke stop smacking Tanjirou and Tanjirou further explains. Inosuke ends up agreeing with his reasoning. Tanjirou says that he believes Zenitsu and Uzui's wives are still alive and he'll rescue them, he's going to take action with that in mind. He wants Inosuke to keep it in mind too and no matter what he doesn't want Inosuke to die. Tanjirou asks if Inosuke's okay with that. Inosuke chuckles and grins while saying that everything Tanjirou just said was what he was about to say himself. Which means that Inosuke also wanted to tell Tanjirou that he doesn't want him to die no matter what.
While Tanjirou has noticed Daki, Upper Moon 6, at the house he infiltrated, Inosuke is waiting on Tanjirou who is now late. He calls him a moron and decides to take action himself. In the preview for episode 7, Inosuke and Zenitsu are running towards Tanjirou and Daki's location. Inosuke yells at Tanjirou that they're coming to save him right now, so to not die before they get there. The 2 of them arrive at Tanjirou, Nezuko, Uzui, Daki and the true Upper Moon 6 Gyutaro's location. Tanjirou smiles when he hears Inosuke's voice. After Tanjirou notices Zenitsu's asleep, Inosuke screams and jumps in front of Zenitsu to get Tanjirou's attention. Tanjirou asks them to back up Uzui and Inosuke tells him to relax and he'll take care of it. Tanjirou then apologizes and asks them to give him a second to put Nezuko in her box. Inosuke grants Tanjirou's request, which Tanjirou thanks him for. Inosuke, Tanjirou and Zenitsu join the battle between Uzui and the Upper Moon 6 siblings. Zenitsu attacks Daki, bringing them to the roof. Inosuke tells Tanjirou to leave Daki to him and Zenitsu and for him and Uzui to defeat Gyutaro. Tanjirou tells him to watch his back and Inosuke replies: "Sure thing!". The battle between Daki and Inosuke and Zenitsu clashes with Tanjirou's location. Inosuke tells Tanjirou that since they can't get close to Daki, the 3 of them need to take her on. While battling her, Tanjirou informs Inosuke that Daki's head is too soft to slash so it needs to be from multiple directions. Inosuke notices that Daki's attacks have slowed down a bit now that it's headed for Tanjirou as well. They decide Inosuke's going to decapitate her since he's a dual wielder and Tanjirou says to Zenitsu that they'll protect Inosuke. Inosuke decapitates her and Tanjirou excitedly says he did it. In his mind, he says that Inosuke used his swords like saws and calls it amazing. Inosuke runs away with Daki's head, but gets stabbed in the chest by Gyutaro. Tanjirou screams his name and panics because of the poison on Gyutaro's blade and because he can't see due to the darkness if he got stabbed in the heart. While Gyutaro destroys the building and Tanjirou is falling because of it, he apologizes to Inosuke because he didn't notice Gyutaro sooner.
After defeating the Upper Moon 6 siblings, Zenitsu points out Inosuke's location in the aftermath, who's heartbeat is getting slower due to the poison. Tanjirou holds Inosuke's body on his lap while desperately screaming his name. He's panicking because there's nothing he can think of to save Inosuke. He starts tearing up, but then Nezuko uses her Blood Demon Art to burn out the demon's poison. Inosuke wakes up and tells him to give him something to eat because he's starving. Tanjirou yells out his name in happiness. Tanjirou starts wailing from relief and Inosuke tells him to knock it off since he's creeping him out.
Fanon[]
This ship is very popular inside the fandom of Demon Slayer. Although TanKana and AoIno are paired on the canon story, there are a lot of fanworks featuring Tanjiro and Inosuke romantically involved with each other.
A lot of people worship their relationship because of the positive influence Tanjiro has on Inosuke and the way both of them care about the other. It is also noticeable that Tanjiro finds Inosuke attractive and that the latter feels really good when he's praised by Tanjiro.
Their ship is portrayed as a very pure one, and in fanfics they are shown on a similar way to canon, usually with Inosuke realizing that he has weird feelings toward his friend and Tanjiro returning them back, helping Inosuke to put a name to his emotions. On fanarts their portray is usually the same, showing more of their comedic and funny side.
Fandom[]
FAN FICTION
- Inosuke/Tanjiro tag on AO3
- Inosuke/Tanjiro tag on FanFiction.Net
- Inotan stories on Wattpad
Trivia[]
- Inosuke often calls Tanjiro's name wrong, since according to the Taisho Secrets "Inosuke can say a correct name about once every seven times".
- Regarding, Inosuke has said Tanjiro's name correct in one of the Taisho secrets, once talking to Tomioka and in chapter 201.
Gallery[]
- Main article: InoTan/Gallery
Variations[]
- Butterfly Couples refers to the ship between the two, Aoi Kanzaki, Kanao Tsuyuri, Kanae Kocho, Sanemi Shinazugawa, Shinobu Kocho and Giyu Tomioka
- Final Selection Survivors refers to the ship between the two, Kanao Tsuyuri, Genya Shinazugawa and Zenitsu Agatsuma
- InoGenTan refers to the ship between the two and Genya Shinazugawa
- InoRenTan refers to the ship between the two and Kyojuro Rengoku
- InoZenTan refers to the ship between the two and Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Kamaboko Squad refers to the ship between the two, Nezuko Kamado and Zenitsu Agatsuma
- TanKanaIno refers to the ship between the two and Kanao Tsuyuri
