Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotōge. The series follows a young boy named Tanjirō Kamado who becomes a demon hunter after demons slaughter his family and his younger sister Nezuko is turned into a demon.
Together with his fellow demon hunter companions, Tanjirō embarks on a journey to find a cure for Nezuko and defeat the Demon King, responsible for the demon attacks on humanity.
The series has been serialized in Shueisha’s Weekly Shōnen Jump magazine since February 2016 and has been collected in 24 tankōbon volumes as of September 2020.
It has also been adapted into an anime television series produced by Ufotable, which aired from April to September 2019.
After being rescued by a mysterious man named Genshirō Izumo, Tanjiro vows to become a demon slayer like his father to protect others from the same fate as his family. He joins the Demon Slayer Corps under the tutelage of its leader, Hakufu Sonsakuin. He begins training for the day when he finally faces the demon responsible for killing his family.
An anime television series adaptation produced by Ufotable aired from April to September 2019. The first season consists of 12 episodes, while the second season debuted in July 2019 and has 13 episodes. The manga’s story continues through three arcs titled “Demon Slayer,” “Demon Slayer: Baki,” and “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba.”
A sequel film titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Fire Resurrected premiered in theaters in Japan on October 19, 2020. Although not part of the manga, the film also adapts material from the third arc, “Demon Slayer: Soi Yukinojo.” The film topped the Japanese box office opening weekend, becoming the highest-grossing anime and Japanese movie.
Where To Watch It
In North America, Crunchyroll is streaming anime series.
In Europe, Netflix is streaming the series, and Amazon Prime Video is streaming the English dub.
Who Should Watch It?
Anyone interested in an anime set in medieval Japan that features demons should check out this series. I enjoyed the action sequences, though they were occasionally hard to follow due to poor animation choices or confusing editing.
If you’re looking for something more character-driven, there are plenty of moments throughout the series where we learn about the motivations behind various characters’ actions.
How To Watch It?
You can watch each episode of the anime on Crunchyroll. For those subscribed to Crunchyroll, you’ll be able to stream the entire anime ad-free using their free 7-day trial.
What To Read Next
If you want to continue reading the manga, here are a few recommendations:
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Volumes 1–5, collected together in a single volume called Demon Slayer: Fullmetal Edition
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Volume 6
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Volume 7
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Volume 8
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Volume 9
Final Thoughts
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is one of Japan’s most popular manga series and has been adapted into several forms of media over the years. This anime series is based on the manga’s second arc, called the “Blood & Demon Arc.”
While the first season focuses primarily on introducing new viewers to the world of Demon Slayer and providing fans with closure following the events of the manga’s first arc, the second season provides us with further insight into the motivations of many of the key characters.
Even if you aren’t familiar with the Demon Slayer universe, I recommend checking out at least the anime’s first season. At just 12 episodes long, it’s easy to binge-watch, and the story doesn’t drag too much once things start picking up. Plus, it’s always fun to see how the anime handles certain scenes compared to the manga.
For those already well-versed in the Demon Slayer universe, I’d highly recommend checking out the sequel film, which is set two years after the end of the manga’s final arc. Like the first season, the second season introduces new viewers to the cast of characters and provides deeper insight into what makes them tick.
As someone who has watched every episode of the anime multiple times, I found the movie incredibly satisfying, especially since it left me excited to see the show return someday.
