Legal Realities of Demon Slayer – Demon Slayer Corps As a Private Army?

You don’t have to be a 'weeb' to have heard of the popular anime franchise, Demon Slayer. Having recently watched the newest movie, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, I cannot help but wonder if such a concept can be reified.  

Demon Slayer Corps as a private army? 

It is perhaps uncontested that the Demon Slayer Corps is a private army under the control of Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Although the source of funding and its business model are unknown, it fits the description of a private army.  

The only recognised private army in the UK is the Atholl Highlanders, a Scottish private infantry regiment. They act as the personal bodyguard to the Duke of Atholl. Although it has no official military role, in the sense that it will not participate in a war, members of the Atholl Highlanders are armed with Lee-Metford rifles, and the regiment includes a pipe band. They are the only legal private army in Europe, and their purpose is mostly, if not only, ceremonial. They also wear traditional Scottish costumes, adding to the ceremonial nature.  

For the Demon Slayer Corps to exist in the UK, they are likely to be under the government’s control and are a part of the British Military due to the degree of force used and the nature of their mission.  

Owning of Nichirin Swords 

Nichirin swords are the weapons used by most Demon Slayers to kill, well, demons.  

The law of owning swords/knives in the UK is strict. A person under the age of 18 is not allowed to purchase or own swords, even if they are over 18.  

Possession of the Nichirin sword in public without a good reason constitutes an offence (Criminal Justice Act 1988 S139).  

Therefore, unfortunately, all the main characters, including Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, will not be able to use their Nichirin swords unless the government pass specific laws. However, all Hashiras, except for Muichiro, will be allowed to possess their beloved weapons.  

Are they carrying the sword in public for a good reason? I believe the answer to this question should be rather unambiguous. Protecting human lives against flesh-eating demons? One can hardly imagine this not to be a good reason.  

Status of Demons? 

The status of demons is also worthy of mention. Would they be considered humans? Or non-human dangerous entities?  

Scientifically speaking, they are merely mutated humans, genetically and physiologically altered by Muzan Kibutsuji’s blood.  

This might concern the application of human rights, do demons afford the protection of the HRA 1998 and other human rights-related laws? Are they still British citizens if they were one before they were transformed? What if they were not a British citizen before they transformed and came to the UK after they transformed? Can they be killed without the UK being sanctioned by the International Court of Justice?  

These are questions that perhaps cannot be answered until the first demon appears in the UK. Although if you wander through Fallowfield on a Friday night, you might already spot creatures suspiciously demon-like.  

Concluding Thoughts 

There are many more interesting questions that can be raised, e.g., what is the land law application on the Infinity Castle, or potential employment law within the Corps? I hope you enjoy reading this article as much as I did writing it.  

If you haven’t watched the show, go watch it now.