This Is The Correct Order In Which To Watch The Demon Slayer Franchise
"Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” is a popular anime based on writer and illustrator Koyoharu Gotouge's best-selling manga series of the same name. Set in the Taishō era of Japan, the story revolves around Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy thrust into the world of the supernatural after his family is massacred by a demon. His young sister Nezuko is the only one who survives the attack, although her wounds lead her to transform into a demon. The anime will follow Tanjiro's lengthy journey to become a Demon Slayer and find a cure for Nezuko's transformation.
The "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" anime hails from the Japanese animation studio Ufotable, which first adapted the manga into a series in 2019. It has since become known as one of the best anime shows of all time. Audiences and critics alike have praised the anime for its top-notch animation quality, captivating action scenes, incredible characters, moving soundtrack, and engaging storylines. The series has already garnered multiple awards, including series of the year at the Tokyo Anime Awards in 2020.
For viewers who are finally ready to binge-watch "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba," here's your guide through the series, including the correct order of the story arcs and what to expect from each segment. This guide can also be very useful for fans who have already watched the anime looking for a list that can direct them to their favorite scenes.
Tanjiro's origins (Season 1: Episodes 1-3)
Like most shows, your binge-watch starts with the first season. The first episode of "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” introduces Tanjiro Kamado, a bright, strong, and responsible kid with dark red hair who wears a checkered black-and-green haori and a pair of hanafuda earrings. He lives in the mountains with his widowed mother and five younger siblings.
Despite initially depicting warm scenes that will make you root for Tanjiro, viewers will soon learn how dark, gruesome, and horrific the series can be with the revelation of the demons. Tanjiro's tragic origin begins when his blissful and simple life suddenly turns into a nightmare after he discovers that a demon has killed his family. He finds a glimmer of hope in the survival of his sister Nezuko, but she soon turns into a demon. Soon, a mysterious swordsman arrives and tries to kill Nezuko. However, Tanjiro's determination to protect his sister convinces the man to let Nezuko go.
The man is revealed to be Demon Slayer Giyu Tomioka and directs them to go to Mount Sagiri, where they can find an old man named Sakonji Urokodaki. For the next two episodes, Tanjiro goes through a long and difficult training to become a Demon Slayer under the strict mentorship of Urokodaki. This involves strengthening his body, developing breathing techniques, and learning sword fighting skills.
Final Selection Arc (Season 1: Episodes 4-5)
After completing Urokodaki's rigorous training, Tanjiro is now ready to enter the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection process, where he must go to Mount Fujikasane. There, Tanjiro will meet fellow young applicants, including a few new characters who will later play significant roles in the series. To pass the Final Selection and become full-fledged Demon Slayers, they must survive the mountain's demon-infested forest for seven days.
Episodes 4 and 5 will once again be an emotional experience for viewers as Tanjiro faces different kinds of bloodthirsty demons, including a morphing demon who grows stronger and bigger with each human it consumes. This marks Tanjiro's first encounter with a demon of this level of power since completing his training. During the battle, the truth about the tragic fates of Urokodaki's previous students will be unveiled as Tanjiro tries his best to avenge them and avoid sharing the same destiny.
In Episode 5, Tanjiro receives his Demon Slayer uniform and official Nichirin sword, forged and delivered by the mild-tempered and Hyottoko mask-wearing swordsmith Haganezuka, who makes a memorable debut with his over-the-top reactions. Meanwhile, Nezuko finally wakes up after two years of sleeping, giving viewers a preview of what kind of special demon she will become.
Tanjiro's first mission as a Demon Slayer (Season 1: Episodes 6-7)
After officially becoming a Demon Slayer, Tanjiro receives his first mission from his talking Kasugai crow. The story takes viewers into a small town in the northwest region, where townsfolk are plagued by the repeating disappearances of young girls during the night. Tanjiro arrives with Nezuko inside a special lightweight wooden box he carries on his back, thoughtfully made by Urokodaki so the siblings wouldn't ever be apart.
Tanjiro starts his mission after meeting a disheveled young man named Kazumi, who is desperately looking for his vanished girlfriend. During Episodes 6 and 7, he encounters a trio of demons working together as they stalk and abduct the town's young girls using Blood Demon Arts. This mission is a different challenge for Tanjiro, especially when this marks the first time he will face this type of disturbing demon. For viewers who want to see Tanjiro and Nezuko in action, you'll definitely enjoy these two episodes as Nezuko jumps out of her box to help his older brother fight against the demons while also valiantly protecting the two humans with them.
During this brief arc, viewers are finally introduced to the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji, the first-ever demon who — according to Urokodaki — might be the only one capable of turning Nezuko back into a human. With this valuable knowledge, Tanjiro is determined to find the Demon King himself.
Tanjiro meets Muzan and Tamayo (Season 1: Episodes 8-10)
In Episodes 8 through 10, Tanjiro moves on to his next mission, which leads him and Nezuko to the flashy city of Asakusa. Viewers will find Tanjiro's reaction to the city absolutely hilarious as he gets culture shock with how advanced the place is compared to the villages he is used to. His time in Asakusa gets more interesting as he unexpectedly comes face to face with Muzan Kibutsuji after recognizing his foul scent.
Tanjiro and Nezuko meet two more demons in the form of the elegant Tamayo and her loyal companion Yushiro, who will become their unlikely allies due to their shared goal of taking down Muzan. As a powerful healer, Tamayo will play a key role in finding a cure for Nezuko. To help make the antidote, Tanjiro must collect blood from Muzan's top-ranking demons, which will be a vital part of Tamayo's intensive research.
Meanwhile, after being caught off guard by Tanjiro's appearance, Muzan enlists two skilled demons to hunt down the young Demon Slayer. With the reliable help of Nezuko and Yushiro, Tanjiro must now face the strong demon duo. Apart from Tanjiro's entertaining match with the Arrow Demon, viewers will surely be impressed with Nezuko's showdown against the Temari Demon, which is definitely one of Episode 10's highlights. During this arc, viewers will also get a glimpse of Muzan's unmatched powers and how cruelly sick he can be.
Zenitsu and Inosuke's introduction (Season 1: Episodes 11-14)
After parting ways with Tamayo and Yushiro, Tanjiro heads to his next mission involving a pair of young siblings and a mysterious-looking mansion in the forest. Along the way, Tanjiro encounters the cowardly Zenitsu Agatsuma, whom he first met as one of the survivors during his Final Selection. Viewers may find Zenitsu a bit tiresome at first due to his exaggerated antics, but he'll develop into a fan-favorite character thanks to his extreme loyalty and comic relief.
Tanjiro and Zenitsu begin their mission by entering a mansion that repeatedly changes rooms caused due to the influence of a demon's Blood Demon Art. As they finally encounter the giant Drum Demon responsible for devouring numerous victims, Tanjiro, who's still recovering from his injuries during his last fight, must successfully kill the demon while protecting two kids. Meanwhile, an energetic and loud double-wielding swordsman wearing a boar's head makes his debut as he excitedly searches for demons to kill.
During the Tsuzumi Mansion Arc, Tanjiro will briefly fight this strange masked Demon Slayer, who is later revealed to be Inosuke Hashibira, after he deliberately hurts Zenitsu. Viewers will get their first glimpse of the trio's teamwork and unusual bond, which will continue to strengthen throughout later episodes, despite their clear differences in personality and fighting style. In Episode 14, after getting asked why a Demon Slayer secretly carries a demon with him, Tanjiro ultimately introduces Nezuko to Zenitsu and Inosuke.
Mount Natagumo Arc (Season 1: Episodes 15-21)
Following a well-deserved rest, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke are given a joint mission to travel to Mount Natagumo. There, they discover that fellow Demon Slayers are getting brutally attacked by the forest's extremely powerful demon residents, a family of pale-colored spider demons. They are led by Rui, Season 1's most dangerous villain, who is a Lower Rank Five demon. This marks the first time that Tanjiro will be encountering an official member of Muzan's Twelve Demon Moons, giving him his first chance to acquire the blood Tamayo needs for Nezuko's cure.
While Tanjiro deals with Rui's difficult Blood Demon Arts, Zenitsu and Inosuke are thrust into individual battles with different members of Rui's demon family. During the Mount Natagumo arc, viewers will have a closer look into each of our heroes' unique strengths as the trio is pushed to their limits. For those curious about Zenitsu's unbelievable hidden power first seen during the Tsuzumi Mansion Arc, Episode 17 will feature a flashback to the yellow-haired Demon Slayer's origins and training process.
One of this arc's highlights that viewers need to anticipate is Tanjiro and Nezuko's ultimate battle against Rui, with Tanjiro spontaneously using a new kind of breathing style and Nezuko unleashing a new side of her. Later episodes also include the return of Giyu Tomioka and the introduction of Shinobu Kocho, who is revealed to be the highest-ranking of the Demon Slayers called Hashiras.
Tanjiro meets the Nine Hashiras (Season 1: Episodes 22-23)
Following the battle at Mount Natagumo, Tanjiro and Nezuko are taken to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. In Episodes 22 and 23 viewers are introduced to the nine mighty Hashiras. The nine Hashiras are Giyu Tomioka (Water Hashira), Shinobu Kocho (Insect Hashira), Kyojuro Rengoku (Flame Hashira), Tengen Uzui (Sound Hashira), Sanemi Shinazugawa (Wind Hashira) Mitsuri Kanroji (Love Hashira), Muichiro Tokito (Mist Hashira), Obanai Iguro (Serpent Hashira), and Gyomei Himejima (Stone Hashira). Their individual personalities immediately shine, teasing their potential roles in the series. The Demon Slayer Corps' leader Kagaya Ubuyashiki will also make his official debut during the Hashira meeting.
Tanjiro and Nezuko are put on trial for violating the organization's rules. He pleads for mercy from the Hashiras by telling them their family's tragic story. However, the nine Demon Slayers are engaged in a heated debate to determine whether Nezuko should live or not. Despite being intimidated by their presence, Tanjiro desperately tries to convince them that Nezuko will never harm humans. In this arc, viewers will see how Nezuko possesses the same unwavering resolve as her older brother during the test conducted by the aggressive Wind Hashira Sanemi.
Apart from Tanjiro and Nezuko, Giyu's punishment for his uncharacteristic actions of protecting a demon will also be discussed. During Episode 23, viewers will also get an update on Zenitsu and Inosuke's conditions as Tanjiro expresses his relief in seeing that his friends have also survived their difficult mission.
Rehabilitation Training Arc (Season 1: Episodes 24-26)
In the final three episodes of Season 1, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke are recovering from severe injuries, receiving medicine and treatment at Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho's mansion. As part of their recovery, the trio must undergo strict rehabilitation training to regain their strength and improve their skills for their next missions. During the Rehabilitation Training arc, they must also acquire the ability to maintain their Total Concentration Breathing for the entire day, pushing them beyond their physical limits.
In Episode 24, viewers will also finally get an official introduction from the silent but skillful Kanao Tsuyuri, who, like Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, is one of the survivors of the Final Selection. The trio will get a glimpse of Kanao's superhuman-like abilities and prowess through their training as they try their best to win a match against her. Shinobu and Kanao's origins will be briefly featured during this arc, showing viewers how they became adopted sisters and why Kanao, despite her skills, has a strangely indecisive nature.
Fans of Tanjiro's hilarious over-the-top swordsmith Haganezuka are in for a treat, as he makes a furious return in Episode 25. As Season 1 draws to a close, Muzan's elusive lair, Infinity Castle, is finally unveiled as the Demon King relays his disappointment with the recent death of one of his Twelve Demon Moons.
Trapped by a Sleep Demon (Season 2: Episodes 1-4)
The story moves on to Season 2, where Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke assist Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku in a mission involving the disappearances of more than 40 people at the Mugen Train station. For viewers who can't wait to see the fantastic action sequences of the Mugen Train Arc, you can skip the first half of Season 2 by watching the anime's first ever movie, "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train." Despite debuting in theaters at the height of the pandemic in 2020, it still went on to break records and become the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time (via Vanity Fair) – a testament to the anime's growing global popularity.
However, for viewers who are interested in seeing an extended version of the film, it's highly recommended that you should watch the first seven episodes of Season 2. A more in-depth look into Rengoku's origins and family will be revealed during this arc, which also highlights his likable personality, strong willpower, and commendable skills as a Hashira. In the first four episodes of the Mugen Train Arc, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Rengoku fall for a demon's sleep spell trap, leading them to live in an imaginary reality where their hearts' desires come true. Viewers are also introduced to Emmu, one of the lower-ranking demons in Muzan's Twelve Demon Moons, who'll be one of the two powerful demons that the Demon Slayers must face in this arc.
Mugen Train fight (Season 2: Episodes 5-7)
After going through great emotional pain by repeatedly reliving a traumatic experience, Tanjiro finally escapes Emmu's spell trap. In Episodes 5 to 7 of Season 2, viewers are treated to cinematic fight sequences as Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke show off their improved abilities from mastering the Constant Total Concentration Breathing technique. Fans will definitely fall in love with recently absent Nezuko more in this arc as she helps the Demon Slayers by fiercely protecting the sleeping passengers from Emmu's attack inside the train.
During Episode 6, an unexpected new enemy arrives in the form of Akaza, the Upper Rank Three of Muzan's Twelve Demon Moons, who is the most powerful demon that Rengoku will have to battle. The final moments of the arc will revolve around their epic battle as Rengoku tries to match Akaza's speed and strength. After sustaining serious injuries, Tanjiro and Inosuke are kept from jumping into the fight, leaving them to helplessly watch Rengoku push through his own injuries.
Whether you'll decide to watch the film or Season 2's first seven episodes, viewers should be prepared for the very emotional and touching ending to the Mugan Train Arc. Meanwhile, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke receive life-changing words and compliments from Rengoku, with the Flame Hashira also giving Tanjiro a useful lead on where he can learn about Sun Breathing.
Tengen Uzui's introduction (Season 2: Episodes 8-9)
The second half of Season 2 begins with the flamboyant return of Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, a former ninja with an attractive face and muscular physique. To take Aoi's place in the mission, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke boldly volunteer to accompany Tengen to the flashy Entertainment District, where a powerful demon is wreaking havoc and instilling fear among the brothels by abducting a number of courtesans. During this arc, the viewers will be introduced to the beautiful and cruel Daki, the demon in question who is hiding in plain sight as a famous oiran. She is an Upper Rank Six demon, one of Muzan's loyal Twelve Demon Moons.
In Episode 9, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke will take on hilarious disguises as Uzui orders them to find his missing three wives — Makio, Suma, and Hinatsuru. Throughout the Entertainment District Arc, viewers will also have the chance to learn more about Uzui's origins, including his complicated family background, the reason why he joined the Demon Slayer Corps, and his relationship with his three wives.
Another highlight of Episodes 8 and 9 is the hilarious dynamic between Uzui and the young Demon Slayers, especially whenever he tries to deal with the trio's chaotic antics. Unlike Rengoku's caring persona, Uzui will treat them more roughly by straightforwardly insulting their plain appearances and constantly showing off his godly skills and looks.
Undercover in the Yoshiwara District (Season 2: Episodes 10-11)
Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke's undercover operation in the Entertainment District commences with each of them being assigned to different brothels where Uzui's wives were previously last seen. In Episode 10 of Season 2, viewers will get to see more of Daki's powers, including her signature Blood Demon Art attacks using flower-patterned Obi sashes. It will also be revealed that one of Uzui's wives, Makio, is currently being held captive by Daki.
While Tanjiro and Inosuke do their best to gather information at their assigned location, Zenitsu's investigation will make unexpected progress when he immediately comes face-to-face with Daki, who is disguised as the tyrannical oiran Warabihime. After Zenitsu fails to arrive at their scheduled meeting, Tanjiro and Inosuke are ordered to return to the headquarters by Uzui in hopes of preventing more disappearances under his supervision. However, they'll be able to persuade the Sound Hashira by showing off their new ranks.
During Episode 11 of Season 2, Tanjiro and Inosuke will finally drop their disguises and begin their search and rescue for the missing victims while actively pursuing Daki. Viewers will finally have their first glimpse at one of the many sensational and thrilling fight sequences of the Entertainment District Arc, which begins with a showdown between Tanjiro and Daki.
Tanjiro and Nezuko fight Daki (Season 2: Episodes 12-14)
While Tanjiro fights the real Daki, Inosuke, Zenitsu — along with Uzui's wives Makio and Suma — battle the Upper Rank Six demon's sentient obi which also allows Daki to be at different places at the same name. In Episode 12 of Season 2, viewers will finally see Uzui reuniting with his three wives, showing off their unique relationship dynamic.
Tanjiro struggles to deflect Daki's powerful obi sashes attack, as this is his first time fighting off an Upper Rank demon. His only saving grace will be through his Sun Breathing, or Hinokamu Kagura, technique. However, using it would entail a lot of intense energy from Tanjiro, which would weaken him early on in the fight. During Episodes 13 and 14 of Season 2, viewers will be delighted with the outstanding reappearance of Nezuko as she joins in the battle to assist her older brother. In this arc, Nezuko manifests how strong and deadly she can be as she shocks Daki with her Blood Demon Art, which is definitely in the same league as Muzan's high-ranking demons.
In Episode 14, a surprising new demon makes his debut in the form of Gyutaro, who turns out to be Daki's menacing older brother. Gyutaro's Blood Demon Art uses Flying Blood Sickles laced with poison, making him a formidable opponent against the Sound Hashira, whose strength and speed will be tested.
Demon Slayers vs. Gyutaro and Daki (Season 2: Episodes 15-18)
With the arrival of Gyutaro, the fight continues to heat up during the final four episodes of Season 2. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke must join all of their forces to help Uzui in his extremely difficult fight against the Demon siblings. During the final moments of the Entertainment District Arc, viewers will find Uzui and Tanjiro enduring their physical injuries and pushing past their limits in an attempt to behead Gyutaro. Meanwhile, Zenitsu and Inosuke are tasked with dealing with Daki's attacks. Their respective battles will be both strikingly cinematic, resulting in more destructive and horrific damages.
The tragic origin story of Daki and Gyutaro will also be revealed during this arc, such as a flashback featuring the Upper Rank demon who gave them a chance to live and become demons. Viewers should also expect to see a few emotional moments, including Tanjiro realizing he and Nezuko could have shared the same fate as the Demon siblings if their circumstances were different. In addition, Nezuko will once again play a significant role towards the end of the arc as she unveils another interesting perk of her evolving Blood Demon Art.
Unlike the previous season, the Entertainment District Arc will conclude without a teaser for Tanjiro's next big mission. However, during Episode 18 of Season 2, Serpent Hashira Obanai Iguro will return for a brief last-minute appearance.