Summary
“Cruelty” marks the beginning as Tanjirou faces the horrors of demon attacks with courage and kindness, establishing the core of the film. “Sabito and Makomo” showcases Tanjirou's growth and inspires the next generation of Demon Slayers, leaving a lasting impact on fans. “Never Give Up” highlights the fierce battles and strong bonds formed as Tanjirou and his friends face powerful demons together.
With the newest season set to begin airing in May, eager fans are happily diving back into the show's best episodes. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The hit film tells the story of Tanjirou Kamado, a teenager from the Taisho period who returns home to find his family massacred by a demon, and his only surviving sibling Nezuko transformed into a demon. To restore Nezuko's humanity and ensure that no one else can fall victim to the demon's fangs, Tanjirou takes up the sword and joins the Demon Slayer Corps.
Like most television shows, Demon Slayer's best episodes epitomize its strongest qualities. Fans love it for its beautiful action scenes, huge amount of heart, and best of all, really beautiful animations. At its best, Demon Slayer is a thrilling series that gets stronger with each new installment.
10 “Cruelty” begins the demon extermination with a bang
(Season 1, Episode 1)
The show's first episode immediately made viewers love the humble and kind Tanjirou Kamado, then horrified everyone when he returned home and discovered that his family had been massacred while he was away. Their blood on the snowy mountain would be the most prominent image of the scene, if it weren't for Tanjirou frantically trying to protect the transformed Nezuko, who is simultaneously trying to use all his demonic powers to eat his flesh, from Demon Slayer Giyuu, begged him for her life.
Of all the titles this opening episode could have received, “Cruelty” might seem an unfamiliar one at first. But it does establish the core of the film very well: where cruelty like that of Kibutsuji Muzan and his demons exists, the bravery and kindness of humans like Tanjirou and Giyuu will be there to fight back. It. Without Tanjirou's determination to save his sister and Giyuu's choice to give him a chance to do so, the ultimate achievement of the series' unadapted ending would never have happened.
9 “Sabito and Makomo” is Tanjirou's first important victory as a swordsman
(Season 1, Episode 2)
Before officially undergoing the test to become a Demon Slayer, Tanjirou trained for nearly two years with former Hashira Urokodaki. He is alone until the final test, where he received unexpected help from two other swordsmen, Sabito and Makomo. The pair trained him themselves, not only unleashing powers he didn't know he had within him, but also making clear for the first time how the older Demon Slayers inspired and placed their hopes into the younger Assassins.
Although they later appear in one of Hashira's flashbacks, Sabito and Makomo only appear directly in this episode. Not only that, they're also some of the most memorable characters in the show, with fans even going to great lengths to create the perfect Sabito cosplay. Especially when the anime first aired, Sabito's smile and the scene of the rock splitting apart were some of the most iconic scenes of the entire series.
8 “The wild boar grows fangs, Zenitsu sleeps” is the Main Team's first mission together
(Season 1, Episode 12)
As a shounen hero, Tanjirou quickly makes friends during his demon-slaying journey. The first is Zenitsu Agatsuma, a highly cowardly man with immense power in his Thunder Breath, and the second is Inosuke Hashibira, a wild warrior with a boar mask and two jagged blades. Together, they infiltrate a surreal mansion to rescue a kidnapped boy.
This episode does a great job of both building the friendship between the trio and showing off their unique powers. Even though Zenitsu screams about everything, at his core he is determined to do the right thing: when he faints, his unconscious instinct is to protect the boy instead of running away. Meanwhile, Inosuke and Tanjirou's contrasting fighting styles clash as they try to fight a demon that can constantly change their surroundings.
7 “Against the Legion's Rules” is the first truly tragic demon death
(Season 1, Episode 21)
The climactic battle against the Spider Family on Mount Natagumo is one of the best storylines in Demon Slayer. Rui was the first member of Muzan's inner circle that Tanjirou fought, and His razor-sharp threads give the young Demon Slayer his most harrowing battle to date. Even though Tanjirou has trained hard, he still cannot defeat Rui on his own, as Giyuu rushes in to deliver the truly fatal blow.
Determined to destroy demons, Tanjirou has a kind heart and considerable empathy for the tortured people they once were. The first prime example of this is Tanjirou making Rui remember that his deepest wishes are for his family and comforting him when he dies. More important than the fact that he was the one who killed Rui is the reason he was able to enter the afterlife as himself, bringing a moment of peace to these “tragic creatures.”
6 “Your heart is on fire” is Kyojuro's standout moment
(Season 2, Episode 7)
The Mugen Train arc is arguably the most famous part of the film, with its theatrical release even dethroning Spirited Away as the highest-grossing Japanese animated film ever made. Tanjirou and company are joined by the excited Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, on their next mission. But when the train is hijacked by the demon Enmu, They all have to fight for their own lives and the lives of the many passengers under their protection.
This season had many standout moments, but the finale left fans both excited and heartbroken. Kyojuro risked his life to protect everyone from being eaten by a demon stronger than Akaza, never giving up his code of honor and although not enough to kill Akaza, fended him off with one blow ultimate explosive attack. His influence on Tanjirou is powerful and Tanjirou carries both Kyojuro's sword and his memories with him for the rest of the series.
5 “Transformations” change the final battle of this Arc
(Season 2, Episode 14)
The official Demon Slayer Season 2 is divided into two parts, the Train Mugen Arc and the Arcade Arc. Tanjiro and his group of friends assist Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, in penetrating the red light district, rescuing Tengen's missing wives, and driving out a demon that is preying on women. Discovering the demon's identity is the easy part: The second half of this section is a city-destroying battle, a much greater challenge.
Daki is a vicious and powerful demon, but in this episode there is a real power shift behind her. As she is about to die, her brother Gyutaro appears from where he was hidden in her body; both are Upper Kizuki. The reveal that these demon siblings unite their powers to kill in a doubly brutal way happens at the same time as Tanjirou is trying his best to stop Nezuko's demonic hunger from taking over and harming the people. out.
4 “Never give up” describes both sibling teams
(Season 2, Episode 17)
In the penultimate episode of the season, the battle against Daki and Gyutaro rages on. With Tengen no longer active, Tanjirou and his friends' mission is to destroy the demon siblings once and for all. Although Tanjirou often sympathizes with the demons he fights, it really reminds him of home when he fights a team of siblings alongside Nezuko, with Gyutaro even mocking him for not being able to protect him. Protect your sister like you protect Daki.
This fight is one of the best in Demon Slayer, with impressive animations and brutal action. At this time, the entertainment district was burning, and the power of the battle was leveling the place even faster. All the young Demon Slayers along with Nezuko are trying their best to keep up with Daki and Gyutaro and reach their weak points, from Inosuke and Zenitsu teaming up with Tanjirou Hinokami Kagura-ing so hard that he activates his forehead mark mine.
3 “Yoriichi Type Zero” helps Tanjirou master the Nichirin sword
(Season 3, Episode 2)
During the Blacksmith Village Arc, Tanjirou witnesses the Demon Slayer's skill in crafting the precious Nichirin Blade and hones his sword skills. After Muichirou defeats both her training doll and Tanjirou, Tanjirou and his new friend Kotetsu resolve to improve both of them. Defeating the doll was much more difficult than Tanjirou expected.
It's funny that Kotetsu is Tanjirou's harshest drill sergeant, which isn't why this episode is so interesting. Both solidifies the culture surrounding demon slaying and all the work associated with it, and begins to provide more insight into its past. Like last season's Sun Breath research, what ultimately helped Tanjirou overcome the doll's perfect technique was his vision which sharpened his reflexes and his efforts were rewarded with a blade new sword.
2 Heartbreaking flashbacks of “The Mu In Muichirou”
(Season 3, Episode 9)
For most of the Blacksmith Village Arc, Hashira Muichirou Tokito in the mist was, frankly, a jerk. But during the battle with Gyokko, both he and the audience find out why he has been so cold and uncaring the entire time. He barely survived the demon attack that killed his twin brother Yuichirou, and suffered severe amnesia, unconsciously taking on Yuichirou's personality.
The flashback to the Tokito brothers' orphaned childhood features one of the saddest deaths in Demon Slayers. Frustrated with his parents and the Demon Slayer Corps, Yuichirou is harsh and often cruel towards his meek twin, insisting that Muichirou would be nothing without his protection. But in his final moments, Yuichirou begged any power that would listen to save his brother: he always believed that Muichirou's life was worth more than his and that his potential was limitless.
1 “Connected Bonds: Dawn and First Light” is a great finale
(Season 3, Episode 11)
With many High Kizuki attacking the Blacksmith Village, the climax of this arc is thrilling at every turn. With everyone at their limits, the fight against the Hantengu is fought not with overwhelming strength but with an absolute determination to risk one's life to protect others. When Tanjirou's power fails him, he is horrified that it is Nezuko who bravely faces the sunlight. to save the swordsmiths from being eaten.
This ending is a major plot reveal that sets the stage for the final installments. Tanjirou's desperation to protect everyone around him and his panic when he believes Nezuko is dead are only matched by his relief when he realizes Nezuko has evolved to be invulnerable to sunlight. . It was further proof that Nezuko was unlike any other demon alive, giving everyone hope in her humanity, but also warning Muzan that she was his ultimate target and forced the entire The Demon Slayer Corps must be stronger in the upcoming Hashira Training Session.