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- “Go ahead and live with your head held high! No matter how devastated you may be by your own weakness or uselessness…set your heart ablaze. Grit your teeth and look straight ahead.”
- — Kyōjurō's Last Words to Tanjirō
- “Rengoku-san..protected us at the cost of his life. He was an incredible person. He was kinder and stronger than anyone else. He was amazing to the end”
- — Tanjirō, remembering Kyōjurō
- “What was that? You. Shut it. Don't talk about Rengoku-san”
- — Tanjirō getting madly furious after Akaza insulted Kyōjurō's memory
RenTan is the slash ship between Kyojuro Rengoku and Tanjiro Kamado from the Demon Slayer fandom.
Canon[]
Season 1[]
Kyojuro's first apparition at the Hashira's Trial
Tanjiro first met Rengoku when he was brought at the Hashira's Meeting in the Demon Slayer Corp's Headquarters. Tanjiro is put on trial by the Hashira for violating Corps rules by protecting a demon, and Kyojuro is one of the first Hashira's presents that sentence to decapitate Tanjiro and his demon sister with no doubt, he states it is a clear violation to protect a demon and breaks the corps rules. After being surprised by the headbutt Tanjiro gives to Sanemi Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira, The Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya comments on accepting the Kamado siblings as part of the Demon Slayer Corps and Kyojuro exuberantly opposes the Master’s decision.
Kyojuro declares to decapitate Tanjiro & Nezuko for breaking the Corps rules
Upon hearing along with the other Hashira the letter from the former Water Hashira, Urokodaki Sakonji, about Nezuko being unable to attack or eat any human and his oath of committing Sepukku if she were to do so, Kyojuro claims to agree with Sanemi opinion, and comments that her killing a human is irreversible. The Master agrees that it isn’t sure she won’t attack but adds that it is also unsure that she will, citing the fact that Nezuko has refrained for two years. With three people risking their lives for her cause, the Master implores the Hashira to try a more convincing argument; with this, Kyojuro grow hesitant.
Hearing from the Master that Tanjiro met Muzan Kibutsuji, Kyojuro is very surprised by this fact. Later, he watches along with the rest of his companions as Nezuko is tested by Shinazugawa and rejects her instincts to drink human blood. At the end, he ends agreeing to the Master's wishes. That night, during the meeting at the Headquarters, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, met with the Hashira to discuss the threat of demons. Kyojuro chimes in that Tanjiro encountering one of the Twelve Upper Moons only months after joining could mean he has the power to draw them, feeling quite envious since even they rarely get to face them.
Once the meeting was over, Kyojuro left for his next mission, and he is met by Shinobu Kocho. He then asked her what she would do about Tanjiro, mentioning that she wanted more Tsugukos. Shinobu jokingly tells him not to worry, as “it’s not as if I’ll gobble him up." Kyojuro agrees and laughs heartily as he departs the Headquarters.
Mugen Train Arc[]
Meeting at the Mugen Train[]
Tanjiro meeting Kyojuro on the Mugen Train
Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke all board the Mugen train for their mission to accompany the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku
As they enter another car and wonder about the Hashira's potential character, they hear someone continually yelling, "Delicious!". The three realize it is Kyojuro himself, happily enjoying bento boxes. He ignores them while eating, but Tanjiro formally introduces his comrades and himself to the Hashira when he finishes eating. Kyojuro also deduces that Nezuko is in the box on Tanjiro's back, remembering both of them from the previous trial.
At that moment, he confirms to Tanjiro that since the Master decided to accept his sister, he was not going to make any objection about it, which makes Tanjiro surprised and smiles. Then, Kyojuro kindly offered Tanjiro to sit next to him on the train.
Tanjiro notices how Kyojuro is kind and has a strong sense of justice
Kyojuro asks Tanjiro why they are on the train, to which he responds that they received word from a Kasugai Crow to accompany him. Tanjiro also takes time to ask Kyojuro about his knowledge of his father's breathing technique, Hinokami Kagura. Kyojuro bluntly states he has no knowledge about it; he commends Tanjiro's father for his skill in battle and declares that their conversation is over now. When Tanjiro pries for more information, Kyojuro instead declares he should be his Tsuguko. But to Tanjiro's question, he adds that given Flame Breathing's long history, there was always a Flame Hashira and a Water Hashira together within the Demon Slayer Corps. Kyojuro asks for Tanjiro's sword color, and he states that he has never heard of a Hashira with a black sword. Kyojuro again exuberantly asks Tanjiro to train with him while Tanjiro asks where was he looking at.
Kyojuro and Tanjiro sleeping together after being trapped into Enmu's power
As the Hashira rests, Tanjiro, while noting that Kyojuro seems quite a strange person, smells that he is caring and possesses a strong sense of justice, as he smiles.
During a quick action of the Flame Hashira by decapitating several demons that appeared on the train, Tanjiro along with his friends admire Rengoku, calling him "Aniki" and wanting the three of them to be his disciples, to which Kyojuro very happily agrees and laughs with enthusiasm. Moments after this, they both remain peacefully asleep together, with Tanjiro resting his head on Kyojuro's shoulder. Having both fallen into the dream trap of the Lower Moon, Enmu.
Battle Against Enmu[]
When he's awake from the demon's kekkijutsu, Kyojuro witnesses the demonic appearance of the train and grows ashamed as a Hashira before attacking with intense force, startling Enmu. Tanjiro sees Kyojuro, who had slashed the train and damaged it enough to force Enmu to take time and heal.
Kyojuro informs him of the next plan: he himself will guard the five rear-most cars while Zenitsu and Nezuko will protect the front three, whereas he and Inosuke will look for the demon's head, telling Tanjiro no matter what form he takes, Enmu's head is somewhere. With that, Kyojuro rushes out and goes to the back. Tanjiro praises him for his quick thinking before telling Inosuke the plan. Inosuke informs him he already knows, adding his annoyance that Kyojuro had ordered him and considers him awesome still.
Battle Against Akaza[]
After Tanjiro successfully beheads Enmu, tries to rest after being seriously stabbed on the stomach. Kyojuro finds him on the ground and tells Tanjiro that he's very impressed by how he is already able to use Total Concentration Breathing. Kyojuro tells Tanjiro is the first of many steps to being a Hashira and advises him to increase his control and breathing precision. Kyojuro tells him a blood vessel in his abdomen is torn, assisting Tanjiro in internally stopping the blood. The Flame Hashira tells him he will be stronger than he was yesterday, then adds that none of the passengers are injured, to Tanjiro's relief. Then tells the boy that he should rest, putting a loving smile on his face, as Tanjiro smiles back foundly and thanks the Pillar.
Tanjiro crying after his speech, making Kyojuro smile gently by his words
After this, both come across the Third Upper Moon, Akaza, arriving in front of them, to which Kyojuro does not hesitate to put himself on guard and protects Tanjiro from the demon's attack. Kyojuro asks Akaza why he would attack the injured one first, to which he responds that he was worried Tanjiro would get in the middle of their chat. Akaza admits to hating the weak, to which Kyojuro immediately contradicts the demon, stating that he should not belittle him, the boy wasn't weak and that he should not insult him.
In the middle of Kyojuro's intense fight against Akaza, Tanjiro watches helplessly from a distance unable to help him due to his injuries and Kyojuro ordered him not to move as he could die. Horrified, he sees before his eyes how Akaza pierced Kyojuro's solar plexus, mortally wounding him, and Tanjiro tries to run to help him. Seeing that dawn was coming, Akaza runs away from the sun only to be briefly stopped by Tanjiro's sword piercing into his chest. Tanjiro angrily calls out to Akaza, telling him not to run and calling him a coward for retreating, making Akaza furious at his words. He mutters that he was fleeing from the sun, not him, and declares the battle over since Kyojuro will die shortly anyway, as he successfully escapes the sunlight. Tanjiro proclaims that Kyojuro is the true victor of their fight for being stronger, for not letting anyone die, and for fighting till the end, as he begins to cry uncontrollably. But Kyojuro smiles gently at his young Demon Slayer's words. He urges him to stop yelling and risk reopening his wound, asking Tanjiro to have a final talk.
Kyojuro and Tanjiro's final moments
Despite Tanjiro urging him to stop the bleeding, Kyojuro calmly tells him he will be dead soon and instead decides to talk in his final moments. He tells Tanjiro his last wishes, wanting him to go to the Rengoku Residence,and tell his younger brother Senjuro to "follow his heart and to walk down the path he feels is right" and to tell his father to "take care of his health." He adds that he accepts Nezuko as a rightful member of the Demon Slayer Corps, as she fought to save the passengers while risking her own life. Kyojuro encourages Tanjiro, despite his own feelings of weakness and uselessness, to "Set your heart ablaze."
Tanjiro cried inconsolably once the Flame Pillar finally died in front of his eyes.
Season 2[]
Tanjiro and Senjuro shocked after hearing Kyojuro's father insulting his deceased son
After completing their mission at the Mugen Train, Kyojuro's own Kasugai Crow reports his death to the Rengoku residence, and Kyojuro's younger brother, Senjuro, falls to the ground crying with the news. In order to deliver Kyojuro’s last message, Tanjiro decides to head to the Rengoku residence. There he finds Senjuro Rengoku at the door house, with a saddened expression after hearing of his brother's passing. Tanjiro arrives to relay Kyojuro's message, only to hear a drunken Shinjuro Rengoku accuse the message of being worthless. He rants that Kyojuro's worthlessness and lack of talent had gotten him killed, denouncing him as a fool of a son.
He angrily tells his remaining son to stop grieving his brother's death as Senjuro fights hard to stop crying. Unable to believe what he is hearing, Tanjiro steps in and demands that to stop insulting his son. Shinjuro suddenly sees his earrings and angrily tells Tanjiro he is a user of Sun Breathing. Not knowing what it is, Tanjiro is suddenly tackled to the floor by the former Flame Hashira, who hits away Senjuro for trying to stop the fight.
Tanjiro headbutting Shinjuro
Tanjiro breaks down and asks if Shinjuro is unable to see his own weakness, which has caused him despair from being unable to save Kyojuro. As he sprints towards Shinjuro and readies a punch, the former Hashira grabs him and violently punches his face repeatedly until Tanjiro headbutts him.
Later, Tanjiro apologizes to Senjuro for headbutting his father, but he is informed that Shinjuro has already left to buy more sake. Senjuro thanks him for defending his late brother, as he believes he is unable to stand up for him.
Senjuro giving Tanjiro his brother's sword guard
Before Tanjiro departs, Senjuro tries to give him Kyojuro's tsuba. Tanjiro refuses, not wanting to be given such a valuable item, though Senjuro insists, saying that he's sure he will protect him. Finally Tanjiro accepts it with a touched smile.
Season 3[]
It's revealed from Kotetsu that Tanjiro had entrusted him with Kyojuro Rengoku’s tsuba, wanting to put in his new blade, which caused to save the boy's life after he was stabbed by a demon. Seeing the guard, reminds Muichiro of the time when Kyojuro encouraged him to give his all as a Hashira.
Season 4[]
Hotaru Haganezuka gives Tanjiro his new Nichirin katana, and Tanjiro is amazed to see Kyojuro Rengoku's guard again, installed on the blade, thanking him for saving Kotetsu as he begins to tear up.
Tanjiro's thoughts about Kyojuro
During the Hashira's Training Arc, Tanjiro is driven to tears by Giyu's re-telling of his past, Tanjiro imagines that he wishes that he had died, a pain he is familiar; to have someone you had deeply cared for die and the wish that they had lived instead of themselves, a pain like being ripped apart. Tanjiro believes that if he had lived, Sabito would have undoubtedly been an incredible swordsman, adding that it is likely another reason Giyu believes he should have died.
He had felt the same when Kyojuro was killed, an incredible and noble person who protected him at the cost of his life, even thinking that he himself should have died in is place, as well Tanjiro believed Kyojuro was capable of defeating Muzan someday. Despite this, he knew the late Flame Hashira believed in him. He attempts to find the words to encourage Giyu, and make him agreed to join the training.
Fanon[]
RenTan is one of the most popular slash ships within the Demon Slayer fandom. The pairing is currently in first place in terms of fanarts on websites like Pixiv, with the ship having over 45,825+ combined works when you add up the amount of works under all three Pixiv tags. RenTan is better valued among Japanese fans, with a large amount of doujinshis based on the series. It gained greater popularity with the release of the Mugen Train Movie in 2020.
Thanks to how they often they are put them together in official merchandising, they have gained a larger group of fans nowadays. RenTan has a great amount of official art with of the iconic scene where Kyōjurō and Tanjirō were napping, which made most of the fans start to like the ship between them. Along with the subsequent arcs of the manga after Mugen Train, Tanjiro's way of continuing to think about Kyojuro and using his words to move forward, as well as carrying the guard of Kyōjurō's sword.
In fanfics and doujins, Alternative Universes where Kyojuro survived are very popular. They often use one of the official spin-offs of Demon Slayer, Kimetsu Gakuen, and put them in a Teacher-Student type of relationship. In stories where Kyojuro and Tanjiro are represented as Master and Tsuguko, they often explore their relationship and potential friendship that goes from admiration to mutual affection. They are usually portrayed as a very wholesome couple, since both are empathetic, kind, passionate, hard-working people with similar thoughts and ideals. Tanjiro and Kyojuro share things in common such as being the older brothers in their respective families and have a great sense of responsibility: being very protective of the people they love.
Some people dislike this ship, considering the fact that Kyojuro is 20 years old, classifying him as an adult, and Tanjiro is 15 years old, which is considered a minor. However, they only have a 4-5 year age gap between them, which wasn't uncommon during the Taisho Era, the time period that the series is set. To combat their age difference, some fan-artists make AUs where they either age Tanjiro up or age Kyojuro down. They are commonly portrayed as childhood friends in their future reincarnations.
Whilst people pair them romantically, others tend to prefer them as a platonic friendship. Romantically, the pairing has over 980 works on AO3. Platonically, the pairing has around 155.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Kyojuro/Tanjiro tag on AO3
- Kyojuro & Tanjiro tag on AO3
- 煉炭 hashtag on Twitter
- 杏炭 hashtag on Twitter
- RnTn hashtag on Twitter
- KyoTan hashtag on Twitter
- TanRenTan hashtag on Twitter
- 렌탄 hashtag on Twitter
- 렌탄 posts on Twitter
- เคียวทัน hashtag on Twitter
- เรนทัน hashtag on Twitter
- เร็นทัน hashtag on Twitter
- TUMBLR
- RenTan tag on Tumblr
- KyoTan tag on Tumblr
- KyouTan tag on Tumblr
- TanKyo tag on Tumblr
- TanRen tag on Tumblr
- Rengoku x Tanjiro tag on Tumblr
- Kyojuro x Tanjiro tag on Tumblr
- RnTn tag on Tumblr
- TanRenTan tag on Tumblr
- RenTanRen tag on Tumblr
- RENTAN WEEK
- RenTan Week was held from October 25th to 31st (2021)
- RenTan/KyoTan Week (2021) tag on AO3
- RenTan Week was held from July 11th to 17th (2022)
- RenTan Week was held from January 23rd to 29th (2023)
- RenTan/KyoTan Week (2023) tag on AO3
- @RentanWeek on Twitter
- RenTanWeek hashtag on Twitter
- RenTan Week tag on AO3
Gallery[]
Manga[]
Anime[]
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Official Art[]
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Trivia[]
- The song "Homura" by LiSA is described as Tanjiro's feelings towards Rengoku and the relationship between them.
- Tanjiro and Kanao's great-great-grandson, Sumihiko Kamado, and Senjuro's descendant, Tojuro Rengoku, are assumably good friends in the present time (Reiwa Era). Both of them look identical to their family members from the past, Tanjiro and Kyojuro. The names “Kyōjurō” and “Tōjurō” also have the same ending kanjis in their names: “寿 (ju)” and “郎 (ro),” as well sharing similar stone fruits in their names such as "杏 (kyō)" meaning "Apricot" and "桃 (tō)" meaning "Peach" which adds to their resemblance.
- Tanjiro fought throughout the entire arc of the Infinite Castle and the final battle against Muzan carrying Kyojuro's guard with him. In the final chapter, you can see his sword hanging on a wall.
- Tanjiro has more than one flashback remembering Rengoku's words
- In Koyoharu Gotoge Original Art Exhibition Event from 2021, an official acrylic puzzle with drawings of all the Demon Slayer characters, confirmed that Toujuro & Sumihiko are Kyojuro and Tanjiro's reincarnations
- There was a Rengoku and Tanjiro statue at the front door of the Universal Studios Japan Park, accompanying the attraction inspired by Mugen Train
- The All Nippon Airways (ANA) Airlines collab with Demon Slayer made a desing of Kyojuro and Tanjiro together in a side of their planes
Variations[]
- InoRenTan refers to the ship between Inosuke Hashibira, Kyojuro Rengoku, and Tanjiro Kamado
- RenGiyuuTan refers to the ship between Kyojuro Rengoku, Giyu Tomioka, and Tanjiro Kamado
