The Ten Commandments of 7DS are elite warriors chosen by the Demon King to serve as the primary antagonists in the latter half of the anime and manga series The Seven Deadly Sins (Nanatsu no Taizai). Each member is bestowed with a unique curse or commandment that applies unconditionally to anyone who breaks its specific rule within their presence, regardless of power level. Created by author Nakaba Suzuki, these characters draw thematic parallels from religious lore while operating as a high-stakes power scaling device in a fantasy battle shonen narrative.
Understanding how the Ten Commandments function requires examining their individual curses, their origins within the Demon Clan, and how the narrative resolves their overwhelming abilities. This guide breaks down who the members are, how their unique rules work, and why they remain one of the most distinctive adversary groups in modern battle anime.
Origins of the Ten Commandments
Long before the current timeline of the series, the Demon Realm was locked in a holy war against the Goddess Clan, fairies, giants, and humans. To share his immense magic and tilt the war in his favor, the Demon King split his power into ten fragments and bestowed them upon ten elite warriors. These warriors became known as the Ten Commandments.
Accepting a commandment requires immense physical and spiritual fortitude. If a warrior lacks the capacity to handle the Demon King's power, their body will mutate or disintegrate. Once accepted, the commandment grants the wielder a massive surge in magical power (known as斗級 or battle power) alongside a passive curse that affects allies and enemies alike if they violate the commandment's specific law. For further details on this development, detailed coverage can be read at The New York Times.
The Ten Members and Their Commandments
Each commandment represents a specific concept or sin, functioning as an absolute rule in combat. Here are the members of the elite group and the exact nature of their curses:
Meliodas (Former Leader of Piety)
Before turning against his own kind to protect Elizabeth, Meliodas served as the leader of the Ten Commandments and the heir apparent to the Demon King's throne. His commandment was Piety, which forced anyone who turned their back on him to become subject to absolute obedience and servitude. After Meliodas abandoned the group, the commandment was later transferred to Zeldris, his younger brother. Zeldris uses this power to force opponents to submit, making movement or resistance impossible once they attempt to flee or turn away from him.
Estarossa (Commandment of Love)
Estarossa possesses the commandment of Love. Anyone standing before him who harbors feelings of hatred, malice, or anger is rendered entirely powerless, losing all ability to inflict harm or fight back. This ironic curse turns an opponent's aggressive intent against them, though it proves ineffective against individuals who feel no hatred toward him, such as Escanor during their legendary clash.
Galand (Commandment of Truth)
Galand embodies the commandment of Truth. Anyone who tells a lie in his presence is instantly petrified, turning completely to stone. The curse is absolute and applies even if the individual lies unintentionally or believes their falsehood to be true, making verbal deception in combat an immediate death sentence.
Melascula (Commandment of Faith)
Melascula holds the commandment of Faith. Anyone who displays doubt, wavers in their convictions, or loses their faith while in her presence suffers severe physical combustion, causing their eyes to catch fire. She frequently utilizes this curse to immobilize opponents who hesitate or lose their psychological resolve during battle.
Derieri (Commandment of Purity)
Derieri's commandment is Purity, though the exact nature of its curse is rarely detailed directly in combat, as her primary fighting style relies on her Combo Star ability—where consecutive physical strikes increase in momentum and weight with each hit. Her presence enforces a strict standard of unblemished intent, punishing those who harbor impure or deceitful actions.
Monspeet (Commandment of Reticence)
Monspeet possesses the commandment of Reticence. Anyone who expresses their true inner feelings, secrets, or unspoken thoughts out loud while in his presence has their voice silenced or is otherwise restricted from articulating those hidden truths. He often acts as the voice and restraint for Derieri, maintaining tactical discipline within their operations.
Derocchio and Gloxinia (Commandment of Repose and Patience)
Gloxinia, the first Fairy King, holds the commandment of Repose, though its exact activation mechanics vary in application. Meanwhile, Drole, the giant king who fell to the demon race, holds the commandment of Patience. Both former kings joined the elite group out of desperation or subjugation, bringing legendary ancient weapons—Spirit Spear Basquias and Giant's Hammer respectivement—to the demonic frontline.
Grayroad (Commandment of Pacifism)
Grayroad wields the commandment of Pacifism. Anyone who commits murder or takes a life in Grayroad's presence has their time stolen, rapidly aging them until they die of old age. This forces opponents to find non-lethal methods of incapacitation, completely altering standard combat tactics.
Fraudrin (Self-Appointed Replacement)
Fraudrin acted as a temporary substitute for the missing member Gowther for centuries, manipulating events in Britannia from the shadows. While he lacks a true divine commandment of his own, his immense magical power allowed him to pose as a major threat until the true forces returned.
How the Commandments Shape Combat Dynamics
Unlike standard shonen tropes where characters simply punch harder to win, the Ten Commandments introduce puzzle-box combat. Protagonists like Meliodas, Ban, and Elizabeth cannot rely purely on raw strength. Instead, they must deduce the enemy's commandment rule mid-fight and adjust their behavior to avoid triggering an instant penalty.
For instance, fighting Galand requires absolute honesty, while fighting Grayroad requires subduing enemies without killing them. This tactical layer elevates the narrative stakes, forcing characters to exploit loopholes or rely on unique physiological traits—such as Escanor's pride and emotional detachment from malice—to bypass overwhelming curses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Ten Commandments be removed or destroyed?
Yes. The commandments are physical fragments of the Demon King's soul and magic. They can be extracted by someone with overwhelming authority, such as the Demon King himself, or absorbed by another powerful entity to gain a massive surge in power.
Why did Meliodas leave the Ten Commandments?
Meliodas fell in love with Elizabeth, a goddess, during the ancient holy war. This betrayal of demonic principles caused him to turn against his father and his comrades, effectively ending his tenure as the leader of the elite group.
Are the Ten Commandments stronger than the Seven Deadly Sins?
Initially, the Ten Commandments outclass the Sins significantly, easily overwhelming them during their awakening. However, as the Sins unlock their true magical potentials, sacred treasures, and emotional peaks, they gradually bridge the power gap and overcome individual commanders.
Who is the strongest member of the Ten Commandments?
Meliodas held the position of strongest while he led them. Following his departure, Zeldris assumes the role of field commander and wields authority backed by the Demon King's borrowed power, making him the most formidable active threat among the group.
