The Strength of the Original Demon in Nanatsu no Taizai

One of the central figures in the anime Nanatsu no Taizai is the Original Demon (OD), a character whose strength and capabilities hold a unique place in the series. His power is often discussed but always leaves room for debate and analysis. This piece aims to dissect the OD's combat abilities and rank them within the hierarchy of the strongest characters in the series.

Combat Capabilities and Powers

The Original Demon is a character with immense magical prowess, physical strength, durability, and an almost unrestricted lifespan. His immense magical power allows him to utilize powerful spells and manipulate darkness, which in turn enables him to create formidable offensive and defensive measures. His physical strength and endurance are also superhuman, making him a formidable opponent in any physical combat.

One of the OD's most significant traits is his immortality. While he can regenerate from most injuries, there are specific conditions under which an attack could be fatal, such as being struck by a certain type of magic or weapon. This trait contributes to the immense difficulty of defeating him in battle.

The OD also has the ability to corrupt and control other beings, which makes him a master strategist. He can use these beings as pawns to further his goals, which adds another layer of complexity to the challenges faced by other protagonists.

Assessing the OD's Power Level

The strength of the OD is often gauged by his interactions with various characters in the series. Historically, he has demonstrated overwhelming power, able to defeat powerful groups such as Estarossa and the combined forces of the protagonist group, Maniak.

During his initial appearance, the OD showcased incredible combat skills. He managed to outmaneuver and defeat the combined group, even permanently incapacitating Estarossa until the final confrontation. This overwhelming power suggests that the OD's strength might be on par with heroes like Meliodas and Zeldris.

However, the story doesn't offer a consistent power scale, which complicates the accurate assessment of his strength. For instance, the OD was defeated by Mael, the Sun, in a manner that attests to Mael's immense power. The manga even confirms this in a later special issue, suggesting that Mael is actually weaker than Meliodas without his One Form. This discrepancy creates a significant challenge in defining the precise strength of the OD.

Ranking the OD's Strength

Considering all the factors, the OD's strength placement is a matter of debate. Some enthusiasts place him between Zeldris the Piety and Meliodas the Love. However, the evidence from various confrontations and the story's inconsistencies make this classification difficult. The victory over the OD by Mael, a character often portrayed as weaker than Meliodas, further muddies the waters.

Despite this, if we assume the OD is closer to Meliodas's power level, it creates a new set of challenges. Specifically, Meliodas should be able to withstand or even defeat the OD, which contradicts the initial assessment of their power balance. This inconsistency is a significant issue when examining the power dynamics in the series.

Conclusion

The strength of the Original Demon in Nanatsu no Taizai is a subject of vast discussion and debate. While he is undoubtedly a powerful character with immense magical, physical, and strategic prowess, his exact placement in the power hierarchy of the series remains unclear. The nature of the story and the inconsistencies within it make a definitive rating challenging. Nonetheless, the OD's performance throughout the series clearly establishes him as one of the most formidable characters in Nanatsu no Taizai.