If you’ve watched or read Demon Slayer, you’ve probably argued who wins - Akaza or Doma?
On the surface, it’s simple: Doma is Upper Rank Two and Akaza is Upper Rank Three, so Doma should be stronger. But fans often point to Akaza’s brutal fights and crazy healing to say he “feels” stronger in battle. Let me break down in plain terms why people feel that way.
Why do the ranks matter?
Muzan doesn’t hand out ranks at random. Doma being Upper Rank Two signals results and overall threat. Still, a rank isn’t a full fight simulation; styles and matchups matter. Doma’s style controls space and shuts down attackers before they can get comfy. That’s rough for a close-range monster like Akaza.
Why Akaza “feels” stronger on the page?
Akaza has the strongest willpower to be the strongest. That’s why Akaza is the guy who keeps going when others fall. In the manga, he even tries to fight after his head is cut off. It’s one of the most shocking moments in the series and it sticks in people’s minds.
On top of that, he’s more experience in fights than Doma. He’s great at reading opponents in the middle of a fight. Against fired-up enemies, he gets even better. That’s why, even if Doma ranks higher, many readers feel Akaza’s scenes hit harder.
There’s a famous scene where Akaza hits Doma during the Upper Moons’ meeting. It’s a great moment—and easy to clip—but it doesn’t prove Akaza is stronger. Doma basically shrugs it off and stays calm and claimed.
How each one loses to Demon Slayers?
! [Hidden Spoiler Text]
- Doma is taken down by a poison plan (Shinobu’s setup) plus teamwork from Kanao and Inosuke. That level of prep shows how hard he is to crack in a straight fight.
- Akaza stops after an emotional turning point, not because he ran out of power right away. That’s why people say his “ceiling” might have been higher.
Doma mainly eats women and we know Demons grow a lot stronger if they eat women because they’re really nutritious. On top of it, Doma runs the Eternal Paradise Faith (a cult) that feeds him a constant supply. Akaza on the other hand, doesn't eat women at all. So if Akaza did the same, he would likely grow faster and could have been stronger than Doma.
Why this debate is hot again right now?
The Infinity Castle movie run brought both demons back into the spotlight and set new box-office records in many places. That means new fans, more threads, and the same old “Akaza vs. Doma” arguments starting up again.