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- Thank you... Nezuko-san! Thank you!
- —Tamayo after Nezuko hugged her, Episode 10 of Season 1.
NezuTama is the friendship between Nezuko Kamado and Tamayo from the Demon Slayer fandom.
Canon[]
After Nezuko and Tanjiro finish their meal at an udon shop, Nezuko abruptly stopped after noticing a lurking demon. After Yushiro interrogates them and discloses Tamayo's location, he guides them to the secluded house where both Tamayo and Yushiro reside, concealed behind a wall. Tanjiro and Nezuko traverse through the wall, gaining access to the house. Yushiro knocks, to which Tamayo grants them permission to enter. Tamayo welcomes him as she is seen seated next to a patient. Tamayo introduces herself, along with Yushiro, adding that she's altered her body and removed Muzan Kibutsuji's curse. Nezuko stays silent and stands completely still, having no reaction to her words.
Tamayo asked them to follow her, leading them to another room. Nezuko layed herself down, ignoring her surroundings as Tanjiro issued her to have manners. Tamayo politely stated that she didn't mind, urging them to make themselves at home. Tanjiro apologised and Tamayo continued to explain how she modified her and Yushiro's bodies. As Tamayo explained, the screen panned to show Nezuko rolling on the floor, completely unfazed.
Tanjiro scent picks up that Tamayo is being truthful when she claims to only want to treat the terminally ill, even asking them if they want to become demons in advance. Tanjiro asked if there was a way to undo a demon back into a human. After showing the demons, Susamaru and Yahaba, the focus returned to show Tamayo answering Tanjiro's question, claiming that there was a possible way to turn demons back into humans. Tanjiro demanded that Tamayo tell him, to which Yushiro apprehended him. Tamayo went on to explain that she was currently unable to revert the transformation from a demon back to a human. Tamayo elaborated that she needed to test the blood of various demons in order to create a cure, and that Tanjiro needed to collect blood samples from demons with a large supply of Kibutsuji's blood. Additionally, Tamayo stated that “Nezuko's condition is exceedingly rare and peculiar.” and that a normal demon would go berserk after lacking blood for as long as Nezuko has, but surprisingly, Nezuko shows no signs of that. She thought that Nezuko could be beneficial when trying to discover a cure. Tanjiro agreed to fulfill his part in making an ailment. Mid-conversation, Susamaru and Yahaba made a surprise attack.
The next epidose primarily focused on the fight between Yushiro, Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Tamayo against Susamaru and Yahaba. Tanjiro asked Nezuko to take her patient outside, but Tamayo ordered Nezuko to take her to the basement. After discovering that Susamaru and Yahaba were affiliated with Kibutsuji, Tanjiro began slashing at Susamaru's Blood Demon Art. Nezuko eventually returned, running outside after Tanjiro ordered her to. Nezuko attacks Yahaba hiding in the trees as Tanjiro takes on Susamaru.
The screen pans to show Tamayo and Tanjiro conversing once more, Tamayo aksing Tanjiro for permission to study Nezuko's blood. She repeated her words from before, showing that this was a flashback. A while later, Yushiro asks Tanjiro to fight Yahaba while him, Tamayo, and Nezuko deal with Susamaru. Tamayo stands up in an unbalanced motion. Nezuko locks eyes with Tamayo and Yushiro, the two appear to be her mother and younger brother, Rokuta. As Nezuko's worried expression changes to anger, her and Tanjiro run in opposite directions, heading towards the separate demons.
Nezuko went towards the ball, attempting to kick it. Tamayo warned her not to do so, but she went through with it anyways, leading her foot to be amputated and her to be sent flying back into the remains of Tamayo's house. Tamayo showed worry for Nezuko as she landed on the floor. After Yahaba and Susamaru's discourse, the screen swifted to show Tamayo massaging what's left of Nezuko's foot. Tamayo worried as Nezuko’s leg didn't regenerate, so she was about to inject her with a syringe that carryed medicine. In Nezuko's point of view, Tamayo's appearance changed to Nezuko’s mother once again, shocking her.
After saving Yushiro and seeing his appearance as Rokuta's, Nezuko began to kick the ball around with Susamaru as Yushiro and Tamayo (for the most part) quietly watched. Yushiro watched in disbelief, to which Tamayo simply stated that she only used a healing serum on her injuries. Additionally, she said that the serum does not increase ones strength, and that they were observing Nezuko’s personal strength. Interestingly enough, she also noted that Nezuko’s strength was increasing rapidly. Tamayo worried for Nezuko, noting that if she were to use all of her strength at once, she would fall. Tamayo decided that she could not just stand there and observe, so she joined Nezuko in battling Susamaru. Tamayo walked in front of Nezuko, addressing Susamaru before questioning her about Kibutsuji's real identity. Tamayo, utilizing her Blood Demon Art, conversed with Susamaru. Susamaru stood shocked as she noticed that she had said “Kibutsuji” instead of “Muzan”, meaning that she was going to die. According to Yushiro, her Blood Demon Art made it so that the victim was unable to lie or keep secrets, she was able to manipulate Susamaru using it. Tamayo stayed calm as Nezuko rocked back and forth behind her. After Susamaru's death, Tamayo took a sample of her blood before declaring that she would treat Nezuko.
As dawn breaks, what was left of Susamaru's body disintegrated, and Tanjiro entered the remains of the house in search of Tamayo and Yushiro. The two were found in the basement, which was left unscratched. After running to hug Tanjiro, Nezuko ran over to Tamayo as she pulled her in for a hug as well, surprising Yushiro, who deems it inappropriate. Tamayo asked him to calm down, continuing by saying that she didn't mind the affection. But Nezuko didn't stop there, instead, she patted Yushiro's head endearingly. Following Yushiro's ventilations, Tamayo asserted that Nezuko had been acting tenderly since she awoke, questioning Tanjiro if she was okay. Tanjiro suggested that Nezuko sees Tamayo and Yushiro as family, to which Tamayo rejected the suggestion, stating that Nezuko saw only humans as family, not demons similarly to her and Yushiro. Tanjiro proclaimed that Nezuko saw her and Yushiro as humans, which is the reason for her protection when Susamaru was attacking them. Finding this small interaction heartwarming, Tamayo was moved to tears, prompting Tanjiro to calm out for Nezuko and demand her to let go of Tamayo. Tamayo thanked Nezuko, showing her gratitude as she shocks Yushiro and Tanjiro.
Later, Tamayo informed Tanjiro and Nezuko that her and Yushiro would be relocating from the region they were currently in due to Kibutsuji's proximity. Tamayo suggested that Tanjiro let her take Nezuko into the clinic, proclaiming that it will be less risky than taking her to battle. Tanjiro thanked her for deciding to give the offer, but he rejected, wanted to stay closer with Nezuko. Tamayo nodded, respecting Tanjiro's decision. They bid farewell before departing.
Later, in chapter 196, Nezuko begins to revert to her human form. She remembers the people she interacted with, including Yushiro and Tamayo. Tears fill her eyes as she recalls Yushiro's sticking out his tongue and Tamayo's warm smile directed at her.
Quotes[]
- “Nezuko... This medicine will help heal your leg straightaway, alright?”
- — Tamayo speaks with Nezuko as she attempts to heal her injuries using the serum.
- “What we're seeing is Nezuko's own power.”
- — Tamayo explaining to Yushiro about Nezuko's enhanced abilities.
- “I can't just watch. I've got to do something.”
- — Tamayo, worried about Nezuko, decides to intervene.
- “Relax, Yushiro. I don't mind at all.”
- — Tamayo urging Yushiro to calm down, letting Nezuko hug her.
Fanon[]
NezuTama is an uncommon pairing to come across, yet it garners significant popularity on Tamayo's side, since Tamayo isn't often seen in friendships. Meanwhile, more popular friendships on Nezuko's side are the Kamaboko Squad, NezuMitsu, and NezuKana. However, NezuMitsu and NezuKana tend to be perceived as romantic pairings rather than friendships. This friendship can be shipped alongside YuTan, which is the slash pairing between Yushiro and Tanjiro, but the duo can be viewed as a friendship as well.
Fans often speculate that the reason Tamayo cried when Nezuko hugged her was because of her past before she became a demon. It is stated that Tamayo had a husband and children, and Nezuko likely reminded her of her late children. The theory holds the most credibility, leading to greater enjoyment of the friendship among many.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Nezuko & Tamayo tag on AO3
