In the vast and ever-expanding universe of anime, few debates spark as much fervent discussion as pitting beloved characters against each other to determine ultimate power. Today, we're tackling a comparison that, for many fans, has a clear-cut answer: Rimuru Tempest from That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime versus Zenitsu Agatsuma from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.
To cut straight to the chase: Yes, Rimuru Tempest is unequivocally, astronomically, and incomparably stronger than Zenitsu Agatsuma. While both characters are titans in their respective series, their power scales exist in completely different dimensions. Zenitsu operates within the formidable, yet fundamentally human-level realm of demon slayers, while Rimuru transcends universal, conceptual, and even divine boundaries.
The Cosmic Chasm: Why Rimuru Stands Unchallenged
The core of this comparison lies not in a close contest but in understanding the sheer, overwhelming difference in power tiers. Zenitsu Agatsuma, a master of Thunder Breathing, embodies superhuman speed, agility, and the ability to strike down powerful demons with blinding precision. His "Godspeed" technique is a testament to his lightning-fast combat prowess, making him one of the most effective demon slayers against truly terrifying foes.
However, Rimuru Tempest's journey begins as a mere slime and culminates in a being capable of creating and destroying countless universes, manipulating time and space, and holding the power of a god. His evolution far surpasses any physical or even spiritual strength Zenitsu could ever hope to attain. To truly grasp the magnitude of Rimuru's growth and the unparalleled abilities he wields, consider . This transformation alone sets him on a pedestal far removed from any human — or even demon — in Zenitsu's world.
Zenitsu Agatsuma: Peak Human, Earth-Bound Hero
Zenitsu Agatsuma's story is one of overcoming fear and harnessing extraordinary speed through his unique mastery of Thunder Breathing. Despite his often-comical cowardice, when unconscious or pushed to the brink, Zenitsu unleashes devastating attacks like the First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, often augmented with his Godspeed technique. He is a vital member of the Demon Slayer Corps, capable of fighting and defeating high-ranking demons.
His power is a testament to human potential pushed to its absolute limits, enhanced by specialized techniques. Within the world of Demon Slayer, Zenitsu is undeniably powerful, a force to be reckoned with against the most formidable adversaries. Yet, his strength remains constrained by the rules of his universe, bound by physical capabilities and the inherent limitations of a mortal body, however augmented. This stands in stark contrast to Rimuru, who has long surpassed such concepts.
Rimuru Tempest: A Journey to Omnipotence
Rimuru Tempest's narrative arc is one of escalating power that redefines what a protagonist can achieve. Starting as a reincarnated salaryman, he quickly gains the unique ability to absorb and mimic anything, laying the foundation for his exponential growth. He evolves from a simple slime to a Demon Slime, then a True Dragon, and ultimately, by the end of the web novel series, achieves a status akin to a god.
His powers extend beyond mere physical might or elemental manipulation. Rimuru can create and annihilate entire multi-universes, travel across different dimensions, and transcend the very concepts of life, death, space, and time. He is described as nigh-omnipotent and omniscient, meaning he possesses almost limitless power and knowledge. To truly comprehend the intricate details of his boundless capabilities, you'll want to .
The Scale of Rimuru's Power: Beyond Comprehension
To further illustrate the sheer scale of Rimuru's power, it's helpful to compare him not to characters like Zenitsu, but to other iconic figures across anime who are often considered among the strongest. Rimuru's abilities put him in a league where he can defeat characters that, to Zenitsu, would be incomprehensible forces of nature:
- Goku: Rimuru's multi-universal scale easily outstrips Ultra Instinct Goku's power.
- Saitama: Saitama's physical punches would be ineffective, as Rimuru can negate them entirely, and his universal destruction capabilities far exceed Saitama's.
- Naruto: Even in his strongest Baryon Mode, Naruto is no match for EoS Rimuru, whose slime nature allows him to absorb any attack.
- Meliodas: The power ceiling in TenSura is vastly higher. Rimuru's ability to mimic skills and create/destroy universes gives him a decisive edge.
- Milim: After achieving True Dragon status and beyond, Rimuru's power surpasses even Milim, one of the oldest and strongest Demon Lords.
- Luffy: Rimuru's magic, elemental manipulation, regeneration, and skill analysis/mimicry abilities provide a strategic and raw power advantage over Luffy's physical might.
- Giorno Giovanna: While Gold Experience Requiem can create a "death loop," it requires Giorno to first 'kill' the target, which would be impossible against Rimuru's transcended existence.
For a fascinating breakdown of how Rimuru measures up against a diverse roster of formidable characters, .
Who (If Anyone) Can Challenge Rimuru?
While Rimuru's power seems virtually boundless, there are indeed a select few characters in all of fiction who could stand a chance against him, or even defeat him. This is a testament to the truly cosmic tier of power we're discussing, far beyond anything Zenitsu could ever fathom.
- Veldanava: As the creator god of the TenSura world and the oldest True Dragon, Veldanava is the only character within his own series who could defeat Rimuru, possessing access to all existing skills.
- Anos Voldigoad: Known as the "God Slayer," Anos has a proven track record of defeating deities, including the God of Time, and is considered capable of defeating Rimuru in a serious fight.
- Simon (Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann): Wielding immense Spiral Energy, Simon can destroy realities, manipulate time, and transcend dimensions.
- Wang Ling: An immortal entity who can destroy and recreate universes with just a fraction of his full power.
- Dio Over Heaven: With his Stand "The World Over Heaven," he can stop time and rewrite reality and timelines, granting him god-tier powers.
- Anti-Spiral: An incredibly powerful being with the ability to alter probability, though he was ultimately defeated by Simon.
Interestingly, a potential clash between Rimuru and Zeno from Dragon Ball Super is often considered a draw. While Zeno can instantly erase 12 universes, Rimuru has experience confronting and absorbing enemies with similar existence-erasure powers, and can even create spaces outside multi-universes, giving him a potential counter. To truly understand the exclusive club of beings who might push Rimuru, and in the grand scheme of anime.
Bridging Worlds: The Vastness of Anime Power Scales
The monumental power gap between Rimuru Tempest and Zenitsu Agatsuma serves as a vivid illustration of the diverse power scaling present across different anime universes. While Zenitsu's journey to master Thunder Breathing and defeat demons is incredibly compelling within the confines of Demon Slayer, Rimuru's story takes him far beyond the physical world into realms of conceptual and universal authority. These comparisons, while often lopsided, highlight the imaginative freedom of creators to craft heroes with truly unique and escalating abilities. To appreciate the narrative foundation that allowed such an overpowered protagonist to flourish, you can itself.
Ultimately, while Zenitsu earns his place as a revered demon slayer, Rimuru Tempest's evolution from a simple slime to a nigh-omnipotent, omniscient divine entity firmly establishes him as one of anime's most overwhelmingly powerful characters, operating on a plane that Zenitsu could never hope to reach. The joy in these discussions lies not just in the definitive answers, but in appreciating the creative genius that allows such incredible characters to exist across the rich tapestry of anime.