Demon Slayer is often regarded as one of the best-produced anime of the modern era. It is frequently praised for its amazing animation, and the addition of anime-exclusive scenes enhances the storytelling. More often than not, it is regarded as an accurate adaptation of the manga.
Who’s That Character?
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
Identify the silhouettes before time runs out.
But even a show like Demon Slayer has its moments where it fails to capture the essence of the manga fully. While not affecting the main plot directly, there have been moments in the show that skipped over some details that could have provided a better representation of characters and their actions.
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.
Tanjiro vs. Spider Demon (Father)
Fans remember the Mount Natagumo Arc as Tanjiro's first exposure to the threat of the Twelve Kizuki. But before his epic battle with Rui, he encountered various members of the spider family. In Episode 18, the Father Spider Demon appeared as a formidable foe in front of Tanjiro and Inosuke. While attempting to stop the towering demon, Tanjiro is tossed away into the sky and, despite using the Second Form to lessen the impact, suffers a gruesome landing. But in the manga, he does the same successfully and lands in a graceful and unharmed manner.
This minor detail might seem trivial, but it holds importance when considering his upcoming battle against Rui. The anime makes him look fairly inexperienced and vulnerable moments before encountering Rui. But the manga showcases his mastery over breathing techniques. While still new, it assures that Tanjiro's harsh training has prepared him for the upcoming challenge. This addition also makes his "victory" over Rui a lot more acceptable.
A Deeper Impact from Rengoku's Death
The first episode of the Entertainment District Arc is a direct sequel to the tragic events of the Mugen Train Arc. Rengoku, before passing away, asked Tanjiro to pass on his final words to his family. Naturally, Tanjiro was shaken by the death of his comrade, but he also held the responsibility of fulfilling Rengoku's last wish. The episode begins with a missing Tanjiro, who is already on his way to fulfill Rengoku's final wish; he is shown trotting on his way despite his injury. He is also questioned about his well-being by Senjuro because of the pale look on his face.
While the agony of Rengkou's death on Tanjiro was evident in the anime, it is shown in a better way in the manga. Unlike the anime, in the manga, a sense of urgency and restlessness was also implied in this scene. Tanjiro left in a rush, without picking up his bed, showcasing that at the moment, he was completely absorbed by Rengoku's passing, which made him skip things he would usually do. Also, upon reaching Rengoku's house, he looked a lot more exhausted, implying that he probably ran to exhaustion on his way. This small addition makes this scene more impactful in the manga.
Tanjiro's Presence Left a Stronger Impression
The Rehabilitation Training Arc introduced Tanjiro to members of the Butterfly Mansion, who he left a lasting impression on. These emotions are prevalent both in the manga and the anime. But the manga shows Kiyo, Sumi, and Naho not only celebrating Tanjiro's every accomplishment, but they are also seen crying in joy. They first cry when he successfully breaks the gourd after receiving continued support from the young assistant trio. They are once again caught weeping when Tanjiro and his companions bid them farewell.
This stays true in the case of Kanao, too. In the anime, she is dazzled after her conversation with Tanjiro. But in the manga, she is not only dazzled but also trips, showing an embarrassing yet human side of her that was not shown in the anime. These scenes emphasize Tanjiro's ability to truly bond with people through his kindness. Kanao's additional moment can also be seen as the start of her romantic interest in Tanjiro.
Zenitsu's Affection for Nezuko is Shown Better
In Season 1, Episode 25, during the Rehabilitation Training Arc, the anime shows the trio of Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu doing their best to become stronger for upcoming missions. Tanjiro and Inosuke also get their swords repaired that were damaged in the battle at Mount Natagumo. As Inosuke chips his newly delivered sword, Tanjiro restrains an angry Kanamori, which gives fans a memorable comic scene. But amidst this chaos, the anime skips a scene that the viewers would have loved to see.
In the manga, Zenitsu is seen talking to a boxed Nezuko. He happily tells Nezuko about his daily affairs while holding a flower. He talks about his companions and expresses his admiration for Tanjiro. He also promises to take her to the place where the flower bloomed. Nezuko is seen responding by scratching the box. Though it is unclear if her reaction was an affirmative one or a negative one. This small but cute scene highlights Zenitsu's affection for Nezuko, which continues to grow in the later seasons.
How Demon Slayer Humanized Demons
Demons might be the antagonists in Demon Slayer, but the series always does a good job of humanizing its villains.
While the addition of these moments could have definitely elevated the Demon Slayer series. But it still does not take away from the fact that it is still one of the most iconic ongoing anime.
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.
- Number of Episodes
- 63
- Streaming Service(s)
- Crunchyroll, Hulu, Netflix
- MyAnimeList Score
- 8.26 (Hashira Training Arc)
