Demon Slayer (aka Kimetsu no Yaiba) took the manga world by storm when it introduced the story of young Tanjiro Kamado and his quest to become a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered by demons and his sister Nezuko is mutated into one. Later stories would see Tanjiro the Demon Slayer Corps and fight alongside other professional demon hunters who also sought to destroy the demons plaguing the Earth.
Kimetsu no Yaiba became one of the best-selling manga series of all time and while its anime version has yet to complete the epic story, the original manga series has reached its definitive end. With this in mind, let’s take a look back at some of the most powerful story arcs in the series and select our favorites.
Final Selection Arc
Despite the way it sounds, this is actually the first arc in the Demon Slayer manga series and introduces readers to Tanjiro’s quest to become a Demon Slayer and avenge his family while attempting to cure his sister of her demonic state. Readers get to see Tanjiro seek out Sakonji Urokodaki, a retired member of the Demon Slayer Corps, to train to become a Demon Slayer and prepare for the Final Selection, a grueling ordeal that forces him to fend off Demons for seven nights.
Every epic story needs a beginning, and this original arc introduces a lot of popular characters while also showing Tanjiro begin to master the skills that will make him a formidable Demon Slayer.
Swordsmith Village Arc
Every great warrior needs a mighty weapon, and this arc sees Tanjiro journeying to Swordsmith Village after his original sword keeps breaking (earning him the ire of his usual swordsmith, Hotaru Haganezuka). Of course, the visit doesn’t go smoothly when the Demon Muzan sends several Upper Rank Demons to destroy the village. And intense fight follows, with Haganezuka suffering some pretty severe injuries before Tanjiro is able to slay the Upper Rank Demon Hantengu.
Hashira Training Arc
Ever wonder what goes into becoming a formidable Demon Slayer? The Hashira Training Arc focuses on the Demon Slayers’ grueling training session which shows them undergoing painful drills in stamina, flexibility, and quick movement. They also receive expert instruction in sword skill, pounding training, and muscle reinforcement. While the arc is technically a “downtime” story, it just goes to show that for a Demon Slayer, even downtime can be a hellish (albeit rewarding) experience.
Mugen Train Arc
This arc was so popular, it served as the basis for the anime movie Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Movie – Mugen Train. Although it technically takes place aboard the Infinity Train, it also takes place in the dreams of the Demon Slayers, due to the manipulations of the sadistic Lower Rank Demon Enmu, whose powers allow him to turn dreams into nightmares and destroy the Demon Slayers’ spirit cores. It’s an intense arc (and anime movie) that shows what fans have come to expect from Demon Slayer.
