The essential episodes of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Watch these 15 in order and you've got Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — each pick states its reason.
- 01
It is the Taisho Period (i.e. 1912-1926). Tanjiro Kamado is living a modest but blissful life in the mountains with his family. One day, when he returns from selling charcoal in town, he finds the remains of his slaughtered family in pools of blood after a demon attack. Tanjiro rushes down the snowy mountain with the sole survivor, his sister Nezuko, on his back. But on the way, Nezuko suddenly snarls, turning on Tanjiro.
- 02
To pass Final Selection, one must survive for seven days on Mt. Fujikasane where demons captured by the Demon Slayers have been imprisoned. So begins the battle for survival between the young swordsmen and the demons. Armed with the breathing techniques and stances he'd learned from Sakonji Urokodaki, Tanjiro slashes demon after demon. His two years of training have not gone to waste. But just then, a morphed demon appears out of nowhere.
- 03
Something More Important Than Life
Every time Kyogai, the master of house, plays his tsuzumi, the room spins and Tanjiro struggles. Debilitated by the fractured bones he sustained in his previous battle, Tanjiro tries to fire himself up as he desperately fights on, but he is overwhelmed by Kyogai's Blood Demon Art. Will he find a way to slice off Kyogai's head?
- 04
You Must Master a Single Thing
One of the Twelve Kizuki, a direct subordinate of Muzan Kibutsuji, is here somewhere. When Tanjiro slays the Mother Spider Demon of Mt. Natagumo, he learns that a demon who might hold the key to turning Nezuko back into a human is somewhere in this very forest. With the battered Inosuke in tow, he heads deeper into the forest. Meanwhile, Zenitsu trudges forlornly through the woods only to encounter a spider with a human face.
- 05
Tanjiro and Inosuke face off against the Father Spider Demon of Mt. Natagumo. Tanjiro unleashes an attack, only to get hurled away by the demon's overwhelming power. Landing near a river, he comes upon the young demon Rui torturing the Sister Spider Demon. When Rui calls their bond of terror and hatred "a family’s bond," Tanjiro is enraged. So begins the battle between Rui and Tanjiro.
- 06
Swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps known as Hashiras have arrived on Mt. Natagumo. Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, slays the Father Spider Demon with a single strike. Inosuke, thrilled to see such a display of swordsmanship by someone in a totally different league from himself, challenges Giyu to a duel. Meanwhile, Zenitsu lies near death as the poison circulates throughout his body. Just then, the Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho appears before him.
- 07
As Tanjiro and the others are devoted to their rehabilitation training, the absolute master of the demons, Muzan Kibutsuji, gathers the Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki. The demons, too, are preparing to make their next move. As training draws to a close, Tanjiro has improved to the point where he can fight on equal terms with Kanao. Just then, he receives word of a new mission from his Kasugai Crow.
- 08
Nezuko, Zenitsu and Rengoku fight against Enmu to protect the passengers. Meanwhile, Tanjiro and Inosuke discover the location of Enmu's neck. They work in tandem to thwart Enmu's Blood Demon Art and sever Enmu's neck. The Mugen Train writhes in pain and derails. What will be the fate of the 200 or so passengers as well as Tanjiro and his friends?
- 09
The demon that appeared before Tanjiro and Rengoku after they defeated Enmu was the Upper Three, Akaza. While injured and on the ground, Tanjiro is almost attacked by Akaza and narrowly escapes death when Rengoku quickly strikes back. During the intense battle between Rengoku and Akaza, Akaza suggests to Rengoku that he should also become a demon. Rengoku vehemently refuses Akaza's offer, but his injured body is exhausted and being pushed past its physical limits...
- 10
During the fierce battle with Daki, Tanjiro continues to unleash the Hinokami Kagura, which causes a huge strain on his body. Meanwhile, Inosuke reaches the Belt Demon’s nest and saves people who have been captured. Makio, Suma, and Zenitsu, who have been freed from the belt, join in on the fight. As the ceiling of the nest is broken, Uzui appears wielding his swords.
- 11
After Nezuko attempts to attack innocent bystanders as her demon form advances, Tanjiro is finally able to make her fall asleep by singing a lullaby. Meanwhile, another demon emerges out of Daki's body after being beheaded by Uzui - Gyutaro, Daki's older brother and the other form of Upper Six. Uzui must now face both demons, Daki and Gyutaro.
- 12
Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke have joined Uzui in battle. While Zenitsu and Inosuke take on Daki, Tanjiro and Uzui deal with Gyutaro; however, they struggle as the demons have the upper hand with their coordinated attacks. But thanks to Hinatsuru's help and some teamwork from Uzui, Tanjiro's blade finds its way towards Gyutaro's neck...
- 13
Tanjiro and Uzui have been separated by Gyutaro’s Blood Demon Art. As Tanjiro joins the struggling Zenitsu and Inosuke, they manage to decapitate Daki at last thanks to their coordinated barrage of sword strikes. However, when Inosuke tries to run off with Daki’s head, he gets pierced by Gyutaro’s scythe. Uzui has also collapsed, leaving Tanjiro and the others with their backs to the wall.
- 14
A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light
Tanjiro continues the fight against Hantengu. Amidst all his injuries and the Superior Four's skill, will he be able to defeat him? As the battle draws to a close, the Demon Slayer Squad must race against time to end the fight before dawn.
- 15
During a silent night when the moon shines, Kagaya finally meets Muzan Kibutsuji, who appears at the Ubuyashiki Mansion.
