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Introduction
In this thread we’ll be examining why and how Blood Demons Arts, or BDAs for short, from Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba), qualify as a Non-Physical Energy System (NPES), which is a sort of sub-type of Universal Energy System (UES). Additionally, we’ll discuss whether BDAs scale to physical statistics, such as Striking Strength or Durability, and why.
General definition of a Universal Energy System
Let’s begin with the general definition of UES found in the UES page:
“Universal Energy Systems are a fairly common element in fictional stories possessed by certain characters to display incredible feats and powers, often being born out of fantastical or otherwise otherworldly elements such as Magic, Chakra, Chi and a myriad of other possible energy systems. Often the argument is made for a character’s specific powers to scale linearly to their physical statistics and other supernatural abilities in their arsenal, oftentimes being matched by an opposing view that these powers should be their own matter entirely”.
By now, BDAs match this definition quite well, as these indeed are magical powers (they’re described as a sort of sorcery or magic) that certain characters (demons) possess, which allows them to display incredible feats and powers (creating alternate dimensions, manipulate space, control others dreams, blood manipulation, etc.).
Limited energy system
Let’s go with the criteria that BDAs should meet in order to qualify as a NPES.
For an energy system to be considered as a NPES, it first must meet the criteria for a Limited Energy System, so let’s check this criteria first:
“In order to qualify for a Limited Energy System and do scaling according to it, a character or the system they are using must have explanations or showings that indicate that the powers which should scale to each other draw from the same source of power (or can convert between the different kinds of power) and use up a similar amount of power to each other. Alternatively, it would also suffice to show that the user can invest similar amounts of power into any given technique, should they want to.
For the sake of scaling it would also suffice if powers are shown to use a larger amount of the common power than the technique which produced the feat in question did, although in that case one wouldn't talk about a Limited Energy System as the inverse doesn't hold. (i.e. feats of those techniques that need more power wouldn't scale to the techniques that need notably less)”.
When a demon uses their BDA, they usually first say “Blood Demon Art” followed by the name of the technique, which suggests that all of their “magical” powers are originated from their BDA (one single source of power). Furthermore, when talking about a BDA, all of the techniques that arise from it have a really close relation, for example, Rui is capable of creating and controlling strings, he can control their individual movements, arrange them in different ways, make them stronger, etc., but in the end all comes down to “string manipulation”; Gyutaro is a very similar case, he can use his blood to create sharp blades, blood “swirls”, a blood dome, control its movement, etc., but in essence this is all just “blood manipulation”. In other words, BDAs are essentially a single special ability that can be manipulated to create different techniques. Most other demons (if not all of them) are the same as the two previous examples, which also supports the fact that all the magical abilities of demons are originated from their BDA. Even those demons who appear to possess more than one magical ability are still referred to have a single BDA.
Additionally, we should remember that all the special abilities of demons (this includes “immortality”, super strength/speed, regeneration, unlimited stamina and BDAs as well) come from Muzan’s blood, as this is what allows demons to become, well…, demons.
So, we already have plenty evidence suggesting that the magical abilities of demons draw from the same power source.
On the other side, demons have been consistently shown capable of controlling the power they invest into their techniques, as the following examples show:
In summary, demons can control the amount of power they invest into their techniques at will, which implies they’re able to invest similar amounts of power into any technique if they want to.
Non-Physical Energy System
Let’s now check the criteria for a NPES:
“In order to qualify for a Non-physical Energy System and do scaling according to it, a character or the system they are using needs to fulfill all criteria for a Limited Energy System, but for all techniques. Additionally, they have to demonstrate or have reliable statements that all their supernatural or otherwise non-physical powers scale to each other in Attack Potency. Hence an increase in power / energy should correspond to a proportional increase in the potency of their powers and abilities.
That means in particular that either the user makes use of only one system of power (e.g. magic powered by mana) or that the user uses several different ones (e.g. magic and chi) but they draw from the same underlying power source or can convert their power between the different kinds of power sources.”
Demons have been consistently displayed to increase the power of their BDAs as they themselves become stronger. This can be seen in the following examples:
The inverse also holds true, that is, a decrease in power leads to weaker BDA techniques or straight up prevent demons from using these special techniques:
It’s also been implied that the BDA of a demon mirrors their overall power, as shown by the following examples:
As a matter of fact, BDAs are attained after a demon reaches a certain degree of power, as it’s explained in the databook, which implies that the BDA of a demon is inherently correlated to their strength. Not only that, but demons with BDAs are ranked above regular demons. See this link for scans.
Additionally, BDAs and regeneration appear to be powered by the same mechanism. As we saw on the earlier examples, Muzan’s regeneration slowed down at the same time his techniques stopped working, while Gyutaro’s regeneration also stopped working along with his BDA. Urami (another of Hantengu’s clones) serves as an example too, since his regeneration also slowed down because Zohakuten was using too much power (that is, Zohakuten was pouring so much power into his techniques, that he was not leaving enough power for Urami to heal), and he actually stated he needed to consume humans to regenerate faster. Doma is also the same since, in order to heal his body, he had to take the power he was pouring into his ice dolls, causing them to fall apart (this is further clarified on the 8th novel). In the first chapter of the series, we are also told that demons have to eat human flesh (the same resource that makes demons stronger) so they can regain strength and heal. And we know that the stronger a demon is, the better and faster they regenerate, which again suggests that as demons grow stronger, so does their BDA. Scans here.
In addition, Quirks from My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) or MHA for short, are cited as an example of a NPES, and Quirks are pretty much the same as BDAs. Certain characters in the series possess different Quirks which grants them different magical powers, while in DS certain characters (demons) possess different BDAs which grants them different magical powers. Although BDAs are likely closer to a UES than Quirks are, since they all have a common origin (Muzan’s blood), the same resources (blood) makes them stronger, and grow in power as the user becomes stronger. Therefore, if Quirks are a Non-physical Energy System, then there would be no reason for BDAs not to be considered one as well, given the strong similarities they share.
Physical Statistics
Although BDAs apparently lack enough showings or statements to qualify as a complete UES, considering the physical abilities of demons perform pretty much equally well (or even better) as their BDAs, these should at least be comparable in power to the latter. If this wasn’t the case, we’d see BDAs easily overpowering demon slayers.
For example, if we were to assume the striking strength of a demon A is much lower than the power of their BDA, and a slayer B is shown to be equal or relative to A in terms of striking strength (say B is able to stop/parry A’s blows and vice versa), then an attack from A’s BDA would completely overwhelm B, however, we never see this type of thing happening in the series.
Physical statistics of demons have been shown to be relative (or even superior) in power to their BDAs quite a few times, as noted in the following examples:
We shall remember that the durability of a demon has also been implied and seen to be proportional to their overall strength. And what’s more, each time we’ve seen the BDA of a demon becoming weaker, an overall physical weakening also takes place or vice-versa.
Summary and Conclusion
Demons have shown to control the power output of their attack’s multiple times, and there are several pieces of evidence suggesting that their magical abilities draw from a single power source. Moreover, it’s also been implied and shown several times that as demons grow stronger so does their BDA, and an inherent connection between the overall strength of demons and their BDA actually does exists. In addition, there is no reason to believe BDAs grow in power independently from demons themselves, not only because this would lead to contradictions regarding their displayed power levels, but because the available evidence shows the contrary. All of this is enough to fulfill the criteria for a NPES.
Finally, despite BDAs don’t appear to completely fulfill the criteria for a UES, the fact that their power levels have been seen comparable to the physical statistics of their corresponding demons several times, suggests that BDAs and demons’ physical stats have comparable levels of power. As we explained earlier, if this was not true, we’d encounter several contradictions within the history.
Agreements/Disagreements
(2:11) Agree: Machmatej, Epyriel, tonicsxz, Noes, Passersby, KnyRaizn, Tengouk, Xaropadob3ta, Digital_Franz, speedster352, JnSteHar002, Elizhaa, DemonGodMitchAubin.
(0:1) Disagree: NikHelton.
(0:0) Neutral:
In this thread we’ll be examining why and how Blood Demons Arts, or BDAs for short, from Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba), qualify as a Non-Physical Energy System (NPES), which is a sort of sub-type of Universal Energy System (UES). Additionally, we’ll discuss whether BDAs scale to physical statistics, such as Striking Strength or Durability, and why.
General definition of a Universal Energy System
Let’s begin with the general definition of UES found in the UES page:
“Universal Energy Systems are a fairly common element in fictional stories possessed by certain characters to display incredible feats and powers, often being born out of fantastical or otherwise otherworldly elements such as Magic, Chakra, Chi and a myriad of other possible energy systems. Often the argument is made for a character’s specific powers to scale linearly to their physical statistics and other supernatural abilities in their arsenal, oftentimes being matched by an opposing view that these powers should be their own matter entirely”.
By now, BDAs match this definition quite well, as these indeed are magical powers (they’re described as a sort of sorcery or magic) that certain characters (demons) possess, which allows them to display incredible feats and powers (creating alternate dimensions, manipulate space, control others dreams, blood manipulation, etc.).
Limited energy system
Let’s go with the criteria that BDAs should meet in order to qualify as a NPES.
For an energy system to be considered as a NPES, it first must meet the criteria for a Limited Energy System, so let’s check this criteria first:
“In order to qualify for a Limited Energy System and do scaling according to it, a character or the system they are using must have explanations or showings that indicate that the powers which should scale to each other draw from the same source of power (or can convert between the different kinds of power) and use up a similar amount of power to each other. Alternatively, it would also suffice to show that the user can invest similar amounts of power into any given technique, should they want to.
For the sake of scaling it would also suffice if powers are shown to use a larger amount of the common power than the technique which produced the feat in question did, although in that case one wouldn't talk about a Limited Energy System as the inverse doesn't hold. (i.e. feats of those techniques that need more power wouldn't scale to the techniques that need notably less)”.
When a demon uses their BDA, they usually first say “Blood Demon Art” followed by the name of the technique, which suggests that all of their “magical” powers are originated from their BDA (one single source of power). Furthermore, when talking about a BDA, all of the techniques that arise from it have a really close relation, for example, Rui is capable of creating and controlling strings, he can control their individual movements, arrange them in different ways, make them stronger, etc., but in the end all comes down to “string manipulation”; Gyutaro is a very similar case, he can use his blood to create sharp blades, blood “swirls”, a blood dome, control its movement, etc., but in essence this is all just “blood manipulation”. In other words, BDAs are essentially a single special ability that can be manipulated to create different techniques. Most other demons (if not all of them) are the same as the two previous examples, which also supports the fact that all the magical abilities of demons are originated from their BDA. Even those demons who appear to possess more than one magical ability are still referred to have a single BDA.
Additionally, we should remember that all the special abilities of demons (this includes “immortality”, super strength/speed, regeneration, unlimited stamina and BDAs as well) come from Muzan’s blood, as this is what allows demons to become, well…, demons.
So, we already have plenty evidence suggesting that the magical abilities of demons draw from the same power source.
On the other side, demons have been consistently shown capable of controlling the power they invest into their techniques, as the following examples show:
- Yahaba released his strongest attack after being beheaded.
- Kyogai increased the speed of the room rotations as well as the number of his claws from 3 to 5, after getting serious.
- Rui made his strings stronger by embedding them with his blood.
- Gyutaro released his most destructive attack after being cornered at the end of the battle.
- Karaku was shown capable of controlling the destructive capacity of his attacks, as they could go from destroying walls to blowing up an entire building.
- Gyokko is capable of summoning little or a lot of sea creatures at will, from a few of them up to thousands. He can also considerably variate the size of and power of these creatures.
- Zohakuten hit Tanjiro with a sonic wave that didn’t knock him out, but he then used a more powerful sonic wave against Mitsuri, being capable to make her lose consciousness, despite the fact Mitsuri was considerably stronger than Tanjiro at that moment.
- Akaza’s End Style (aka “Final Form”) is far stronger and faster than any of his other abilities. He decided to use this attack once he noticed Tanjiro mastered See-Through World.
- Doma can widely control the size of the ice constructions he makes.
- Kokushibo is able to make his crescent moon blades stronger, as he extends their range and they cut through more and larger objects, he can also control their size and increase their speed.
In summary, demons can control the amount of power they invest into their techniques at will, which implies they’re able to invest similar amounts of power into any technique if they want to.
Non-Physical Energy System
Let’s now check the criteria for a NPES:
“In order to qualify for a Non-physical Energy System and do scaling according to it, a character or the system they are using needs to fulfill all criteria for a Limited Energy System, but for all techniques. Additionally, they have to demonstrate or have reliable statements that all their supernatural or otherwise non-physical powers scale to each other in Attack Potency. Hence an increase in power / energy should correspond to a proportional increase in the potency of their powers and abilities.
That means in particular that either the user makes use of only one system of power (e.g. magic powered by mana) or that the user uses several different ones (e.g. magic and chi) but they draw from the same underlying power source or can convert their power between the different kinds of power sources.”
Demons have been consistently displayed to increase the power of their BDAs as they themselves become stronger. This can be seen in the following examples:
- After fusing back together with the obi belts Daki had spread around the Red District, she and her techniques became notably stronger and faster.
- Once the poison that Tanjiro used on Gyutaro started to wear off, the speed and power of his attacks began to progressively increase, as he was going back to full strength. We even saw how at first Tanjiro was able to stop Gyutaro’s blood blades using sheer strength, despite him not being able to do this while in a better condition earlier in the battle.
- When Sekido absorbed the other 3 clones of Hantengu, the resulting demon, Zohakuten, was seen and stated to be far stronger than the other 4 clones alone.
The inverse also holds true, that is, a decrease in power leads to weaker BDA techniques or straight up prevent demons from using these special techniques:
- On the two occasions Gyutaro got hit with a kunai laced with poison, he was unable to use his BDA while his regeneration stopped working too. It should be noted that he also suffered an overall physical weakening.
- After important blood loss, Kokushibo was unable to use his BDA.
- Muzan was eventually so weakened by Tamayo’s drugs that he couldn’t use techniques anymore, in addition to his regeneration slowing down. We shall remember that he experienced physical weakening as well.
It’s also been implied that the BDA of a demon mirrors their overall power, as shown by the following examples:
- Shinobu inferred the number of people the Spider Sister had eaten by observing and analyzing her BDA.
- After Doma received a vast amount of poison, Kanao was impressed by the amount of strength he had left when he created a massive ice sculpture with his BDA (this, again, implies that as a demon gets weaker, so does their BDA).
As a matter of fact, BDAs are attained after a demon reaches a certain degree of power, as it’s explained in the databook, which implies that the BDA of a demon is inherently correlated to their strength. Not only that, but demons with BDAs are ranked above regular demons. See this link for scans.
Additionally, BDAs and regeneration appear to be powered by the same mechanism. As we saw on the earlier examples, Muzan’s regeneration slowed down at the same time his techniques stopped working, while Gyutaro’s regeneration also stopped working along with his BDA. Urami (another of Hantengu’s clones) serves as an example too, since his regeneration also slowed down because Zohakuten was using too much power (that is, Zohakuten was pouring so much power into his techniques, that he was not leaving enough power for Urami to heal), and he actually stated he needed to consume humans to regenerate faster. Doma is also the same since, in order to heal his body, he had to take the power he was pouring into his ice dolls, causing them to fall apart (this is further clarified on the 8th novel). In the first chapter of the series, we are also told that demons have to eat human flesh (the same resource that makes demons stronger) so they can regain strength and heal. And we know that the stronger a demon is, the better and faster they regenerate, which again suggests that as demons grow stronger, so does their BDA. Scans here.
In addition, Quirks from My Hero Academia (Boku no Hero Academia) or MHA for short, are cited as an example of a NPES, and Quirks are pretty much the same as BDAs. Certain characters in the series possess different Quirks which grants them different magical powers, while in DS certain characters (demons) possess different BDAs which grants them different magical powers. Although BDAs are likely closer to a UES than Quirks are, since they all have a common origin (Muzan’s blood), the same resources (blood) makes them stronger, and grow in power as the user becomes stronger. Therefore, if Quirks are a Non-physical Energy System, then there would be no reason for BDAs not to be considered one as well, given the strong similarities they share.
Physical Statistics
Although BDAs apparently lack enough showings or statements to qualify as a complete UES, considering the physical abilities of demons perform pretty much equally well (or even better) as their BDAs, these should at least be comparable in power to the latter. If this wasn’t the case, we’d see BDAs easily overpowering demon slayers.
For example, if we were to assume the striking strength of a demon A is much lower than the power of their BDA, and a slayer B is shown to be equal or relative to A in terms of striking strength (say B is able to stop/parry A’s blows and vice versa), then an attack from A’s BDA would completely overwhelm B, however, we never see this type of thing happening in the series.
Physical statistics of demons have been shown to be relative (or even superior) in power to their BDAs quite a few times, as noted in the following examples:
- Rui stated that his neck was harder than any of the threads he controls.
- Kyojuro and Giyu were able to stop Akaza’s physical blows as well as the shockwaves he creates.
- Similarly to the prior examples, Tanjiro was also able to stop Akaza’s shockwaves and his physical strikes, although he was notably struggling against the latter.
- Tanjiro was unable to stop Gyutaro’s blood blades through sheer strength, and similarly, he was unable to cut Gyutaro’s neck even when weakened by poison.
- Tengen was capable of parrying and stopping Gyutaro’s physical blows as well as his blood blades.
- After Zohakuten hit Mitsuri with a sonic wave, he was confident on being capable of crushing her skull with a punch, despite him being impressed by the fact Mituri survived the prior attack.
- Doma could easily break through his own ice.
- Sanemi could block and clash with Kokushibo’s crescent moon blades and direct hits from his katana.
We shall remember that the durability of a demon has also been implied and seen to be proportional to their overall strength. And what’s more, each time we’ve seen the BDA of a demon becoming weaker, an overall physical weakening also takes place or vice-versa.
Summary and Conclusion
Demons have shown to control the power output of their attack’s multiple times, and there are several pieces of evidence suggesting that their magical abilities draw from a single power source. Moreover, it’s also been implied and shown several times that as demons grow stronger so does their BDA, and an inherent connection between the overall strength of demons and their BDA actually does exists. In addition, there is no reason to believe BDAs grow in power independently from demons themselves, not only because this would lead to contradictions regarding their displayed power levels, but because the available evidence shows the contrary. All of this is enough to fulfill the criteria for a NPES.
Finally, despite BDAs don’t appear to completely fulfill the criteria for a UES, the fact that their power levels have been seen comparable to the physical statistics of their corresponding demons several times, suggests that BDAs and demons’ physical stats have comparable levels of power. As we explained earlier, if this was not true, we’d encounter several contradictions within the history.
Agreements/Disagreements
(2:11) Agree: Machmatej, Epyriel, tonicsxz, Noes, Passersby, KnyRaizn, Tengouk, Xaropadob3ta, Digital_Franz, speedster352, JnSteHar002, Elizhaa, DemonGodMitchAubin.
(0:1) Disagree: NikHelton.
(0:0) Neutral:
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