Demon Slayer: Why Does Akaza Hate Douma And Kokushibo?

In Demon Slayer, Akaza hates Douma and Kokushibo; but his rage isn’t just about rankings. It’s about pride, principles, and a past that haunts him. As Upper Moon Three, Akaza sits below Douma (Upper Two) and Kokushibo (Upper One), and their situation is messy. But why can’t Akaza stand his superiors?

Akaza isn’t a typical anime villain. He’s a Demon with a code: he respects strength, despises weakness, and refuses to kill women. Douma and Kokushibo, meanwhile, break every rule Akaza lives by. Douma mocks life and death with a creepy smile, while Kokushibo betrays everything a warrior should stand for. According to Akaza, their existence is an insult; and here’s why.

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UPDATE: This article was updated by Pavas Gagneja on April 29th, 2025. We have added more content to the article, added new photos, and a table at the end for a better experience of our readers.

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Akaza Vs. Douma: Empty Smiles Against Stolen Humanity

Douma, Upper Moon Two, is the living embodiment of everything Akaza hates. With his permanent smile and carefree cruelty, Douma treats human life like a joke. He kills indiscriminately, even eating his own followers, and feels no genuine emotions; no anger, no fear, no joy. Their fight isn’t just about rank. Douma deliberately pokes Akaza for his weaknesses, mocking his refusal to kill women and calling him soft.

For Akaza, who secretly clings to fragments of his human past, this is a deep cut. While Akaza avoids harming women, Douma enjoys their suffering, proving he’s a monster without a heart. To Akaza, Douma is just a hollow shell and an example of what happens when Demons lose every shred of their humanity.

Akaza Vs. Kokushibo: The Hypocrite Who Sold His Soul

Kokushibo, Upper Moon One, is a different kind of thorn that pokes Akaza. Once a samurai named Michikatsu, Kokushibo abandoned his humanity out of envy for his brother, Yoriichi, the legendary slayer who nearly killed Muzan.

But Akaza sees Kokushibo as the ultimate hypocrite. He preaches about strength and discipline, yet he’s obsessed with Yoriichi’s shadow, clinging to the past. He became a Demon out of fear of death, rather than ambition. To Akaza, who views battle as a sacred path to self-improvement, this is pathetic. Kokushibo’s immortality feels like a cheat code, a betrayal of the warrior’s code that Akaza idolizes.

How Akaza’s Past Fuels His Rage

Akaza’s hatred for Douma and Kokushibo is rooted in his own shattered humanity. Long before he was a Demon, he was Hakuji; a human who fought to protect his sick father and later his wife and father-in-law. But tragedy struck: his loved ones died, and with all hope lost, he became a Demon.

Deep down, Akaza hasn’t fully let go of Hakuji. He refuses to kill women, a signal to the wife he lost, and he craves battles that remind him of the strength he once valued. Douma and Kokushibo represent everything Akaza fears becoming.

Douma’s emotionless cruelty mirrors what Akaza could be if he abandons his last shreds of humanity. Kokushibo’s obsession with power and status reflects the emptiness of a life without purpose. Every time Akaza comes before them, he’s fighting the parts of himself he hates most.

Final Verdict: Why Does Akaza Hate Douma And Kokushibo

Akaza’s hatred for Douma and Kokushibo is more than petty rivalry or jealousy; it’s a tragic reflection of his inner confusion. Douma mocks the humanity Akaza can’t fully erase, while Kokushibo embodies the cowardice he denies in himself. Their presence forces Akaza to confront the truth: no matter how strong he gets, he’s still a Demon haunted by the man he used to be.

But this complexity is what makes Akaza Demon Slayer’s most tragic and compelling villain. He’s a broken soul angry at the monsters he’s forced to call allies. And in the end, his hatred for Douma and Kokushibo is not about them. It’s about the parts of himself he’ll never forgive or forget.

Release Year	MAL Rating	Animation Studio	Genre	Watch On
April 2019	8.44	Ufotable	Action, Supernatural	Netflix

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