How to Watch Demon Slayer in Correct Order

“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” has garnered immense fanfare since its release in 2019. The anime has captivated the audience with its vibrant art, stunning animation, intense plot, and blood-boiling fight sequences.

With the recent release of season 4 on May 14, 2024, many new and old viewers are eager to binge-watch the series from the beginning. However, the numerous seasons, movies, and specials released at different intervals may lead to confusion.

Well, here’s a comprehensive guide to watching “Demon Slayer” in the correct order.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Season 1 (2019)

Episodes: 1-26

Demon Slayer Season 1 took the anime world by storm as soon as it aired on April 6, 2019. It adapts ‘the Final Selection Arc’ to ‘the Rehabilitation Training Arc,’ spreading across 53 chapters in the manga, all under the ‘Unwavering Resolve Arc.’

The story begins with Tanjiro Kamado, whose life is turned upside down when a demon brutally massacres his family. And the lone survivor, his sister Nezuko Kamado, is turned into a demon. Despite her transformation, she retains some human emotions and thoughts. Thus begins Tanjiro’s journey of becoming a demon slayer to avenge his family and turn his sister human again.

Season 1 introduces the audience to essential characters like Giyu Tomioka, Inosuke Hashibira, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and the infamous progenitor of all demons, Muzan Kibutsuji.

All the arcs featured in the first season were well-animated and had top-notch storytelling, but the Tsuzumi Mansion Arc and Mount Natagumo Arc became viral sensations, earning praise from fans and critics alike.

Kimetsu Gakuen Valentine-hen

ONA (2021)

“Kimetsu Gakuen Valentine-hen” is a light-hearted ONA that serves as a delightful spin-off of “Demon Slayer.” This special episode offers fans a comedic and heartwarming glimpse into an alternate universe where the characters of Demon Slayer attend the same high school. It consists of four episodes, and the central theme is Valentine’s Day.

This special contributes nothing to the main storyline and can be skipped.

Demon Slayer Mugen Train Movie (2020)

Movie Length: 1 hour and 57 minutes

After the first season of Demon Slayer, the Movie Mugen Train became an internet sensation and broke many international and domestic records. It became the highest-grossing Japanese film of all time, surpassing even Studio Ghibli’s “Spirited Away.” Released from 2020 to mid-2021 internationally, it grossed over $500 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing film of 2020 and the first non-Hollywood production to top the annual box office.

The “Mugen Train” arc, also known as the “Infinity Train” arc, corresponds to chapters 54 to 69 from the manga. The story continues from the first season; Tanjiro, Nezuko, and their friends Zenitsu and Inosuke embark on the mission to investigate the mysterious disappearances on the train. They board the Mugen Train to assist the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku. They quickly realize that Enmu, Lower Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki, is behind the disappearances. The arc is full of intense battles, showcasing the individual strength of each character. The ending is tragic and full of drama, marked by a fierce fight between the Upper Moon Three Akaza and Rengoku.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Season 2 (Entertainment District Arc) (2021-2022)

Episodes: 1 – 7 (Mugen Train Arc)

This segment contains an extended cut of the original 2020 Mugen Train movie, which includes additional animated sequences and new original soundtracks.

These episodes can be skipped if you have already watched “Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train.

Episodes: 8 – 18 (Entertainment District Arc)

‘The Entertainment District Arc’ continues after the ‘Mugen Train Arc’ and adapts chapters 70 to 99, covering volumes 9 to 11 from the manga. The story continues as Tanjiro and company are dispatched with flamboyant Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, to investigate suspicious demonic activity in the Yoshiwara Entertainment District, a historical red-light district.

The group infiltrates the district disguised as women to blend in easily. As they delve deep into Yoshiwara’s secrets, they encounter Daki, a powerful Upper-Rank Six demon who shares her rank with her brother, Gyutaro, and has been preying on the inhabitants of Yoshiwara. The demon siblings fight against the Demon Slayers and are eventually defeated by the combined efforts of Tanjiro, Nezuko, their friends, and Tengen. The arc is fascinating as each character tries to surpass their capabilities.

Demon Slayer To the Swordsmith Village Movie (2023)

Movie Length: 1 hour and 50 minutes

Released in 2023, this movie recaps the events from the Entertainment District arc’s episodes 17 and 18 — “Never Give Up” and “No Matter How Many Lives”—followed by the first episode of season 3.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Season 3 (Swordsmith Village Arc) (2023)

Episodes: 11

The “Swordsmith Village Arc” is the ninth story arc of “Demon Slayer,” and the third season adapts chapters 98 to 127. The arc begins with Tanjiro traveling to the hidden village of swordsmiths to repair his Nichirin Sword, which was damaged during the battle with Daki and Gyutaro. While Tanjiro waits for his sword to get repaired, the swordsmith village is attacked by Hantengu and Gyokko, two powerful Upper-Rank demons.

Tanjiro, along with Nezuko, Genya Shinazugawa, Muichiro Tokito (the Mist Hashira), and Mitsuri Kanroji (the Love Hashira), engage the two demons in an intense battle. The series showcases the full power of the Mist Hashira and the Love Hashira.

Demon Slayer To the Hashira Training Movie (2024)

Movie Length: 1 hour and 43 minutes

This movie, released worldwide in February 2024, compiles the last episode of season 3 and the first episode of season 4.

Demon Slayer Season 4 (Hashira Training Arc) (2024)

Episodes: TBA

The first episode of the ongoing arc was released on May 24, 2024. The ‘Hashira Training Arc’ spans across chapters 128 to 136 of the manga. This arc sets the stage for the ‘Infinity Castle Arc,’ where the demon slayers finally face Muzan Kibutsuji.
This arc mainly focuses on Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke training with different Hashira, focusing on improving their combat abilities. The arc delves deep into the Hashira’s backgrounds, motivations, relationships with each other, and their dedication to defeating Muzan Kibutsuji.

The Hashira Training Arc’s focus is on the overall development of Tanjiro and his friends while showing the background stories of other characters.

With this comprehensive guide, viewers can embark on Tanjiro Kamado’s epic journey in the correct order, ensuring that they experience the full depth and excitement of the series.