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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Series, 2019, Unwavering Resolve, Set in Taisho-era Japan

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is #1 of 6 in release order and #1 of 6 in chronological order in the Demon Slayer.

The story

It is the Taisho Period in Japan. Tanjiro, a kindhearted boy who sells charcoal for a living, finds his family slaughtered by a demon. To make matters worse, his younger sister Nezuko, the sole survivor, has been transformed into a demon herself. Though devastated by this grim reality, Tanjiro resolves to become a “demon slayer” so that he can turn his sister back into a human, and kill the demon that massacred his family.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba recap

Tanjiro Kamado, a kind charcoal seller, returns home to find his family slaughtered by a demon; only his sister Nezuko survives, turned into a demon herself. The Demon Slayer Giyu Tomioka spares her when she protects Tanjiro, and sends Tanjiro to train under the retired swordsman Sakonji Urokodaki. After two years, Tanjiro masters Water Breathing and survives the Final Selection on a mountain full of demons, joining the Corps. Nezuko, sleeping and muzzled with a bamboo gag, travels in a box on his back and refuses to eat people. In Asakusa, Tanjiro meets Muzan Kibutsuji, the first demon, living as a human with a family, and allies with Tamayo, a doctor who is a demon working on a cure. Tanjiro is joined by Zenitsu Agatsuma, a cowardly swordsman who fights brilliantly when he passes out, and Inosuke Hashibira, a wild boy raised by boars. On Mount Natagumo, the three face a family of spider demons led by Rui of the Twelve Kizuki, and Tanjiro and Nezuko discover new powers in the fight.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba ending explained

Giyu kills Rui, and the Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho nearly kills Nezuko before both siblings are brought to the Hashira for judgment. The Corps leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, accepts Nezuko after she refuses blood offered by the Wind Hashira Sanemi. Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke recover and train at Shinobu's Butterfly Mansion, learning Total Concentration Breathing, and Muzan kills most of his Lower Moons. The three set out on a new mission aboard the Mugen Train.

Where to watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is streaming on Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, and Crunchyroll in the US. You can rent or buy it on Amazon, Apple TV, and Google Play.

Ratings

IMDb 8.5/10, MyAnimeList 8.39

Where it fits

What to watch before Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

Nothing. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is the first of the Demon Slayer essentials, so it's the place to start.

Cast