It is no surprise to anime watchers when Demon Slayer is discussed as one of the best anime in recent history. The show has risen to fame because of its emotional storytelling and exceptional animation. But it would not be fitting to call yourself a true Demon Slayer fan unless you've seen these 6 remarkable episodes.
The episodes perfectly capture the spirit of this beloved anime. Be it fast-paced action paired with unrivaled animation, or heartwarming emotions told through the backstories of protagonists and antagonists, these episodes deliver some of the most beloved moments in the anime so far.
Demon Slayer: Saddest Deaths In The Series, Ranked
As Demon Slayer's narrative continues, a lot more characters meet a tragic end. But, which deaths hit the hardest by the end of this story?
A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light (Season 3, Episode 11)
The finale of the Swordsmith Village Arc is a fitting conclusion to a big part of Tanjiro's journey. Tanjiro's journey was never as simple as just fighting demons. After his life was trampled by demons, he not only lost his family but also his beloved sister turned into a demon. He needed to get stronger, not only to defeat demons, but also to protect his sister, who was a threat in the eyes of both demons and humans.
This episode sees Tanjiro leading the charge in defeating an Upper Rank Demon, which is a testament to how far he has come. But nearing the end, fans found themselves in disbelief as Nezuko was at the brink of death. As Tanjiro chased Hantengu, the sun rose, putting Nezuko's life in danger. As Tanjiro struggled to make a decision, he was pushed away by Nezuko so that he could save others.
As a result, it seemed that the siblings' story finally came to an end. Despite defeating Hantengu, Tanjiro breaks down at the loss of his sister. But when he looks back, he finds a Nezuko who is not only alive but has also overcome the danger of the sun. What follows is an emotional scene where the siblings and their beloved companions embrace. This scene signifies the fulfillment of all the hardships the siblings went through, and also elevates Nezuko's importance to the story moving forward.
The Hashira Unite (Season 4, Episode 8)
This episode starts with one of the greatest meetings in the anime so far. Muzan's entrance into the Ubuyashiki Mansion is epic and sends chills down the viewer's spine. The following conversation between Muzan and Kagaya not only exposes the vanity behind Muzan's existence but also reintroduces Tanjiro and other Hashiras as a real threat to him. Kagaya's self-sacrifice is a shocking yet effective channel into a short but heated battle between Muzan and Himejima. These moments alone make the episode memorable, but this 40-minute episode is further enhanced by setting up the Infinity Castle movie.
Muzan, for the first time in the series, finds himself in a vulnerable position. Severely hurt and locked down, he finds himself surrounded by enraged Hashiras and Tanjiro. But the episode takes a turn when things once again play right into the demon lord's hands. He and the countless demon slayers get transported into the deadly domain called the "Infinity Castle". Here, we get a glimpse of the enormous battlefield and various fan-favourite characters, like Zenitsu, who seems ready for what lies ahead.
No Matter How Many Lives (Season 2, Part 2, Episode 11)
Following the heated battles of the Entertainment District Arc, the finale gives fans a painful yet peaceful reminder of what makes Demon Slayer truly special. We see the battered bodies of Tanjiro and his companions, who can finally breathe a sigh of relief after defeating the Upper Moon siblings. Yet, Tanjiro, restless, goes looking for the demons' heads. He finds the disintegrating siblings spewing hate at one another.
He immediately stops them and reminds them to be on each other's side because no one else will. This leads to a flashback from Gyutaro's perspective. The flashback shows the grueling reality of human society. It also helps draw a parallel between Tanjiro & Nezuko and Daki & Gyutaro. This makes fans wonder if things had been any different. Maybe Gyutaro and Ume, too, could have led happier lives. This touching flashback humanizes the demons and lets the fans remember them not with disdain and hate but with sympathy.
Never Give Up (Season 2, Part 2, Episode 10)
The Entertainment District Arc is the highest-rated season of Demon Slayer, and it's evident with episodes like this. Barely getting up from exhaustion, Tanjiro finds himself surrounded by flames, and his companions are closing in on death. Yet, Gyutaro continues to stand tall and mocks him. Tanjiro fakes running away and manages to get hold of a kunai, which he uses to poison Gyutaro. He proceeds to use the opportunity to chop Gyutaro's head off while Zenitsu makes a surprise attack on Daki and attempts to do the same.
But the poison wasn't enough to keep the demon down, and he counterattacks, and Tanjiro finds himself in danger again. At the nick of time, Uzui rejoins the battle and engages Gyutaro in one of the most action-packed and well-animated sequences of the show. With the combined efforts of everyone, they manage to chop down the demon siblings' heads at the same time, putting an end to the grueling battle. But Gyutaro's exploding body leaves the fans on the edge of their seats as the fate of their beloved heroes is left untold. As the episode ends, fans see the perspective of a fainting Tanjiro who is unsure whether they succeeded or not.
Set Your Heart Ablaze (Season 2, Part 1, Episode 7)
The Mugen Train Arc's finale has an emotional and tear-jerking yet inspiring end. It highlights the final moments of the epic fight between Rengoku and Akaza. Despite being beaten down and being pushed to the limits of the human body, Rengoku continues to fight to fulfill his duty. This leaves Akaza baffled and amazed, and his desire to turn Rengoku into a demon increases.
Rengoku channels all of his energy to make one decisive attack. But despite using the ninth form, Rengoku's attack brings no result because Akaza regenerates the damage. On the other hand, Rengoku receives a lethal blow that goes right through his body. Closing death, Rengoku recalls his mother, and the emotional flashback explains the responsibility strong people have towards the weak. This scene helps fans understand Rengoku as a character better. Even in his final moments, his resilience leaves a lasting impression on everyone. To bring an end to the demon, he holds down Akaza as the sun rises. But a desperate Akaza eventually manages to escape.
The latter half of the episode is slow and solely built on emotions. Rengoku continues to talk and gives reassuring and kind words to the young demon slayers surrounding him. Nothing flashy or shocking happens; this episode simply connects with the fans with strong emotions of honesty and sincerity. Finally, Rengoku sees his mother's spirit and passes away with a smile. His demise becomes a driving factor for Tanjiro and other characters in the coming seasons.
Hinokami (Season 1, Episode 19)
This episode being at the top of the list would be a surprise to no one. It truly was the point where Demon Slayer first set itself as one of the top anime in recent times. Amidst the dangers of Mount Natagumo, Tanjiro encountered a member of the formidable Twelve Kizuki for the first time. Despite his rigorous training, he gets obliterated. But, nearing death, countless memories flash right before his eyes.
He recalls memories of his father and unleashes the Hinokami Kagura Dance, which allows him to close in on Rui and deliver a lethal blow, but he also risks getting slashed at the same time. Meanwhile, Nezuko also sees memories of her mother, who tries to wake her up so she can save her brother. These memories help Nezuko use Blood Demon Art: "Exploding Blood", which protects Tanjiro.
This scene is executed perfectly. The combination of the detailed animation and the beautiful song makes it the most memorable episode in Demon Slayer so far. Fans also get to see Tanjiro and Nezuko fight together for the first time, promising greater teamwork in the coming seasons.
Demon Slayer: Best Episode In Each Arc, Ranked
Demon Slayer is made up of iconic and memorable story arcs, and for each one, there is a single episode that stands above the rest.
Demon Slayer has a reputation for being a brilliant shonen anime. These episodes justify that claim as they not only fill the fans with emotions but also are some of the best pieces of media, consisting of top-tier animation and music.
Demon Slayer is available to watch on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Network
- Adult Swim
Based on Koyoharu Gotouge's shonen manga, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is an action anime set in Japan during the early 20th century. Seeking revenge for the murder of his family while also looking to save his sister, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps as they try to eradicate Demons led by Muzan.
- Main Genre
- Animation
- Seasons
- 4
- Creator
- Koyoharu Gotoge
- Number of Episodes
- 63
