Demon Slayerwrapped up a compelling and well-paced story in 205 chapters. While the ending may have surprised some, it brought an end to every major plot point and concluded character arcs in satisfying ways. Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado, and the series' many other memorable personalities, found peace in the distant end.
Every arc inDemon Slayer’s 12-arc run serves a purpose, even when it’s a rest period for both readers and characters. But some have a bigger emotional or plot impact than others. Throughout the manga’s run, these arcs left perhaps the greatest impressions on readers.
This article will have unmarked spoilers for arcs yet to becovered by the anime.
5Swordsmith Village Arc
This arc ends with Nezuko walking in daylight. The father of all demons, Muzan Kibutsuji, starts an all-out war to capture Nezuko and overcome the sun and his fear of death. This naturally leads to the final battle, but this development is not the only reason why this arc is important.
In this same arc, Hashiras Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji awaken theirDemon Slayer Markafter Tanjiro Kamado while fighting Muzan’s elite demons, the Kizuki. The Mark, which confers great powers at the cost of a shortened lifespan, is revealed to be related to the Sun Breathing technique.
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Sun Breathing inventor Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the original Mark-bearer, was the only man to nearly kill Muzan. Tanjiro, who learned Sun Breathing through the Hinokami Kagura dancehis father taught him, and his descendant, Muichiro, inherited the Mark naturally. Mitsuri, and other Hashira later, activated her Mark through certain conditions and by resonating with a Mark-bearer. The Mark proves to be indispensable in the final battle with the Kizuki and Muzan. It also activates more powers, such asthe red Nichirin sword, which save the Hashira.
Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa unlocks the red Nichirin later, but Tanjiro did it first in this arc. Unearthed memories of Yoriichi through his ancestor taught Tanjiro the value of the red blade that played a part in Muzan’s undoing. Genya Shinazugawa’s appearance should not be ignored either, nor his shared backstory with his brother Sanemi. Unfortunately, this is due to his death leading to Muichiro, Sanemi, and Gyomei’s Pyrrhic victory against Kizuki Upper Rank One Kokushibo.
4Entertainment District Arc
The seedier nature of the Entertainment District befits its darker themes and costly battles. All the heroes, and named extras, make it out alive. However, the sheer scale of destruction Gyutaro and Daki wreck is the most readers see on-panel from all Upper Kizuki fights.
Gyutaro and Ume also hadthe strongest parallelsto Tanjiro and Nezuko out of any demons, and serve as their shadows. The demon siblings faced injustice from the day they were born. Neither of them experienced kindness, love, or mercy before or after Doma turned them, except from each other. Even then, Tanjiro had to gently remind them of their bond as they died.
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Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui’s flashy, synesthetic Breathing Style brought the sibling Upper Rank Six to death’s door. While it would have been amazing to see Uzui strike the final blow, Tanjiro and co. defeating their first Kizuki together served their story better. Uzui’s retirement was also necessary. His retirement was consistent with how deeply he cherished his wives and their freedom. It also gave the Corps valuable background support in the final battle.
Lastly, Demon Slayer Corps head Kagaya Ubuyashiki and Muzan recognize that Gyutaro and Daki’s deaths have tremendous consequences for their centuries-old war. This arc broke the status quo in-universe, and opened a path forward for the Corps.
3Mugen Train Arc
TheMugen Train Arcrode the series’ momentum into a shocking twist and huge shift in stakes. Emotional engagement by both readers and the active characters reached a new high, while the hierarchy of power changed in the background.Mugen Trainalso formally introduced Sun Breathing, the original Breath from which all Breathing Styles and the Hinokami Kagura came.
Kyojuro’s death was the catalyst for Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke to mature, both as fighters and as individuals. Inosuke and Zenitsu in particular showed marked growth, and their personal reasons for fighting in the corps evolved. Meanwhile, Tanjiro’s determination to save his sister and avenge his family was flecked by spiteful revenge. Tanjiro’s rage is only provoked by truly heinous acts. By kindling it, Akaza unknowingly gave Tanjiro the push to work his way up to
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Readers also got their first taste of just how destructive an all-out fight between a Hashira and Upper Rank Kizuki could be. Kyojuro went toe-to-toe withUpper Rank Three Akazain one of the best fights inrecent shonen anime. Kyojuro’s fiery passion, strategic thinking, and unhesitating nature made him an instant fan favorite.
Kyojuro and Akaza’s opposite moral values exemplify the central difference between Hashira and demons. Both have traumatic backgrounds and reasons for seeking, or falling into, power. But, like their leaders, only one party succumbed to fear, loss, and weakness.
2Sunrise Countdown Arc
This arc ranks lower theInfinity Castle Arcdue to the sheer number of events that take place in the latter. Nevertheless,Sunrise Countdownpaid off every setup, elaborated on mysteries, and eventually gave its heroes the peaceful life they wished for.
Tanjiro and Muzan’s fight was the culmination of everything the series built up to. From Yoriichi’s legacy, to the Hinokami Kagura,Tamayo’s grudge, and almost every character up to Murata, everything played into the eventual climax. But Muzan’s defeat was a marked group effort and justice for every life he destroyed.
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The Demon Slayer Corps’ unity winds upsaving Tanjiro from becoming a demonworse than Muzan. To the end, Tanjiro’s virtues of love, empathy, and community synergized with Giyu’s challenge to fight for his life with dignity. That’s what ended the vicious cycle perpetuated by Muzan’s fear, cruelty, and loneliness.
Readers also bid a tearful goodbye to Mitsuru, Obanai, and Gyomei, leaving Giyu and Sanemi as the only living Hashira. Everyone resolved their conflict before dying or after their reincarnation. Considering how reincarnation gave even Yoriichi the life he wanted, the bittersweet ending was worth it.
1Infinity Castle Arc
TheInfinity Castle Arcis the denouement for major characters who do not make it to sunrise. It’s the most emotionally charged and action-packed arc of the manga. Across 47 chapters, readers see the full potential of the Hashira, and why it took centuries to end the threat of demons.
Muzan’s pride and sense of superiority over humans caused his slow fall from power throughout this arc, culminating in his death in theSunrise Arc. The top three Kizuki,Yoriichi’s brother, Kokushibo,Doma, Akaza, and Kaigaku were also undone by their tragic flaws and fear of death.
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Fittingly, they are defeated by a Corps that survived death over and over to help bring about a peaceful world without demons. Their experiences allowed them to grow past their weakness, something demons in their infinite stasis and scorn of weakness could never achieve. Though Shinobu, Tamayo, Muichiro, and Genya passed, their legacies left paths for other Corps members to walk on. Without Shinobu and Tamayo in particular, humanity may have lost the war.
On the other hand, major characters concluded their personal arcs, whether in this arc or the next one. Zenitsu notably puts his personal demons to rest, while Giyu and Saname resolve their driving motivations in time. Even Akaza and Kokushibo return to their human selves, creating meaning out of their decades and centuries of empty existence.
