If you’re anything like me, you finished watching Demon Slayer and immediately had an overwhelming urge to swing a sword around your living room. But since that’s generally frowned upon (and a great way to break your mom’s favorite lamp), I’ve found the next best thing: making stuff.
I’ve been on a total crafting kick lately, and I figured, why not combine my love for anime with my need to keep my hands busy? I’ve gathered up eight of my favorite DIY Demon Slayer crafts that are actually doable, even if your artistic skills max out at stick figures. Grab some supplies, put on the Mugen Train soundtrack, and let’s get started.
Why You Need These Crafts in Your Life
Ever looked at your shelf and thought, “You know what this needs? More Inosuke?” Same. These projects aren’t just about passing the time; they’re about bringing a piece of the show into your daily life. Whether you’re decking out your room or looking for the perfect gift for the Tanjiro-obsessed friend in your life (we all have one), these crafts are the way to go.
Plus, there’s something incredibly satisfying about looking at a finished product and thinking, “Yeah, I made that.” It’s way cheaper than buying official merch, and honestly, it means more. So, ready to get your hands dirty? Let’s do this.
1. The Iconic Tanjiro Earrings (But Make Them Lightweight)
Let’s kick things off with the most recognizable accessory in the whole series: Tanjiro’s Hanafuda earrings. You’ve seen them. You’ve wanted them. But wearing heavy resin danglers all day? No thanks.
What You’ll Need:
- Small wooden beads or lightweight polymer clay
- Red and white acrylic paint
- A super fine paintbrush (or a steady hand and a toothpick)
- Earring hooks and jump rings
- Clear sealant (like Mod Podge)
How to Make Them:
First, you need your base. If you’re using polymer clay, roll it into small, flat circles, bake them, and let them cool. If you’re using wooden beads, you’re one step ahead.
Paint the background a solid, bright red. This is the most important step, so don’t rush it! Once that’s dry, it’s time for the fun part: the white rising sun and the stylized pattern. I won’t lie, this part requires patience. I tried freehanding it the first time and ended up with what looked like a confused egg. Use a toothpick for the small dots if your brush is too thick. After you’ve painted your masterpiece, seal it with a coat of clear sealant. Attach the jump rings and earring hooks, and boom—you’ve got lightweight earrings you can actually wear without feeling like your lobes are being stretched.
2. Breathing Technique Water Bottles
Staying hydrated is a total grind, but it’s a lot more fun when your water bottle looks like it’s channeling a Breathing Technique. This is one of those crafts that’s both useful and a great conversation starter at the gym.
Grab a plain metal or plastic water bottle. You’re going to want to paint a design on it that represents your favorite style.
- For Water Breathing, think flowing blue and white waves, like Hokusai’s “The Great Wave.”
- For Flame Breathing, go for aggressive oranges and reds, like Rengoku’s fiery spirit.
If you’re using acrylic paint on metal, you must use a primer first, or it will just slide right off. Another super easy option is to use waterproof vinyl stickers. You can cut them out with a Cricut or even buy blank adhesive vinyl and cut the designs by hand. Slap a “Beast Breathing” label on there and watch people’s reactions.
3. DIY Nichirin Sword Keychains (The Safe Version)
Look, we all want a real Nichirin blade. But making a full-size sword is a massive project. These mini keychains are the perfect compromise. They’re small, they’re cute, and they won’t get you arrested.
Popsicle Stick Method:
This is the “I have ten minutes and some craft supplies” method.
- Take two popsicle sticks and glue them together side-by-side to make a wider blade.
- Cut one end into a point (optional, but cool).
- Paint the blade your character’s color. Tanjiro’s is black, Zenitsu’s is yellow, and Giyu’s is blue.
- For the hilt, wrap the bottom in black duct tape or paint it black and brown.
- Add a small loop of string or a keychain ring to the end.
Polymer Clay Method:
This is for when you want something a bit more polished.
- Shape the clay into a tiny sword, complete with a tsuba (the hand guard).
- Bake it according to the package instructions.
- Paint it meticulously. I’m talking about getting that little geometric pattern on the hilt just right.
- Seal it and attach it to a keychain. These make awesome gifts, FYI.
4. Nezuko’s Pink Eye Paintings (For Your Walls)
Nezuko is the heart of the show, and her iconic look—with those bamboo muzzles and, most importantly, those pink, compelling eyes—is pure art. Why not turn that into some wall decor?
You don’t need to be a professional artist for this one. Grab a small canvas (6×6 inches is perfect). Paint the background a soft, muted beige or cream. Then, paint two simple, stylized eyes. The key here is the color gradient. Nezuko’s eyes aren’t just one flat pink; they have a deeper pink at the edges that fades to a lighter, almost white pink near the pupils. Use a dry brush technique to blend the colors while they’re still wet. Add a tiny dot of white for the highlight, and you’re done.
Pro-Tip: Paint a little pink “vein” detail coming from the corner of the eyes, just like in the anime. It adds that extra touch of realism.
5. Zenitsu’s Thunder Breathing Prayer Beads
Zenitsu might be a coward, but his Thunder Breathing form is undeniably cool. In some imagery, he’s shown with a simple strand of prayer beads. These are ridiculously easy to make and look super authentic.
Head to a craft store or grab some beads online. You’re looking for:
- Small, round wooden beads in a natural wood color.
- A larger, decorative bead or tassel for the centerpiece.
- Some sturdy brown or black cord.
Simply string the beads onto the cord. The traditional style has a specific number of beads, but for a craft project, you can just eyeball it until it looks full. Tie a knot at the end and attach a small tassel if you want to get fancy. You can drape these on a bookshelf, use them as a bookmark, or even hang them from your rearview mirror. They add a nice, zen vibe to any room.
6. Inosuke’s Boar Mask (A Wearable Disaster)
Alright, this one is for the brave. This is the most time-consuming craft on the list, but it’s also the most rewarding. You can’t call yourself a true fan until you’ve tried to see out of those tiny eye holes.
There are two ways to go about this: papier-mâché or foam.
Papier-Mâché Method:
- Blow up a balloon to the size of your head.
- Cover it in layers of newspaper strips and glue/paste. Let it dry completely.
- Pop the balloon and cut the mask shape, adding a snout made from cardboard.
- Paper-mâché over the snout to blend it in.
- Paint it with gray, brown, and black acrylics to get that realistic boar texture. Use a sponge to dab on the paint for a fur-like effect.
Foam Method:
- Buy a sheet of craft foam (EVA foam).
- Find a template online (Pinterest is your friend here).
- Cut out the pieces and hot glue them together. It’s faster than papier-mâché and looks super clean.
- Use a heat gun to shape the foam. It will mold to your face much better.
- Paint with acrylics or Plasti-Dip.
Just a heads up: It’s going to be hard to breathe in there. Inosuke makes it look easy, but he’s also an absolute beast. :/
7. Themed Washi Tape Phone Cases
This is probably the easiest craft on the list, and it’s fully reversible, so you can change it up whenever you want. If you have a clear phone case, you’re already halfway there.
Gather some Demon Slayer-themed washi tape. You can find rolls with patterns like:
- The checkerboard pattern from Tanjiro’s haori.
- The geometric scales from the demons’ skin.
- Small images of the characters or the Kamado family circle pattern.
Cut small strips of the tape and stick them to the inside of your clear phone case. Arrange them in a collage style, or create a border around the camera lens. Because the tape is on the inside, it won’t get worn out from your hands touching it. It’s a super clean, professional look that costs next to nothing.
8. “The Rui” Spider Demon Family Terrarium
Feeling a little darker? Let’s take a moment to appreciate the aesthetic of the Spider Demon family from Mount Natagumo. You can capture that creepy, haunting vibe in a tiny glass terrarium.
Grab a small glass container with a lid (like a mason jar). Here’s the breakdown:
- Base: Put a layer of small white rocks at the bottom, then a layer of activated charcoal (to prevent mold), and then a thin layer of potting soil.
- The “Forest”: Add some small, sprigs of preserved moss. You can find this at any craft store. Press them into the soil to create a miniature forest floor.
- The Demons: This is the key part. You need to find or make tiny figures of Rui and his “family.”
- Use polymer clay to sculpt tiny white figures with red eyes.
- Or, search for miniature dollhouse figures that you can repaint.
- The Web: Use a hot glue gun to string tiny webs between the moss and the glass sides of the jar. Be careful—it’s fiddly work!
Close the lid, and you have a tiny, encapsulated piece of the Demon Slayer world. It’s morbid, but IMO, it’s also incredibly cool.
Ready to Start Crafting?
So there you have it—eight ways to get your Demon Slayer fix without having to actually fight any demons (or break any lamps). Whether you’re painting, gluing, or sculpting, these projects are all about celebrating a show we absolutely love.
Have you tried making any of these? Or do you have another craft idea I missed? I’d love to hear about it! Drop a comment below and let’s geek out together. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a boar mask to finish. These eye holes aren’t going to cut themselves.
