Character Personality Reflected Through Breath Styles in Demon Slayer Mugen Train Arc

Abstract

This academic consists purposes to analyse and synthesise the relationship between character personalities reflected through “Breathing Styles” in the animation Demon Slayer Mugen Train Arc, by applying the conceptual frameworks of Carl Gustav Jung's Archetypes and Semiotics as tools for the study. The sample group analysed consists of four main characters: Tanjiro Kamado, Kyojuro Rengoku, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira, through the study of characteristics in five Breathing Styles: Water Breathing, Sun Breathing, Flame Breathing, Thunder Breathing, and Beast Breathing. The results indicate that “Breathing Styles” serve to clearly reflect the personalities and mental states of the characters symbolically. Water Breathing signifies flexibility and adaptability; Flame Breathing signifies determination and leadership; Thunder Breathing reflects inner conflict and immense hidden energy; Beast Breathing represents instinct and nature; and Sun Breathing signifies warmth and the power of life. In the dimension of Archetype theory, it was found that each character possesses attributes significantly corresponding to universal archetypes. Tanjiro and Zenitsu represent The Child archetype developing towards heroism; Rengoku represents The Wise Old Man archetype or the Mentor and Inosuke represents "The Shadow" archetype, expressing the primal instinctual power of humans.