All Demon Slayer Arcs Ranked From Worst to Best

Please be aware that this article contains spoilers from the *Demon Slayer* manga! Koyoharu Gotouge’s popular *Demon Slayer* manga finished in 2020, and the anime is now reaching its conclusion as well. The first part of the final story arc was incredibly successful, breaking box office records worldwide. The anime begins with the ‘Unwavering Resolve’ arc, which is made up of six smaller story sections and covers the entire first season. The final battle itself is split into two parts, bringing the total number of arcs in the series to twelve. The story starts with a very emotional beginning, letting viewers know that Tanjiro’s journey will be full of challenges.

Demon Slayer is a rollercoaster of emotions – it’s funny, sad, and full of thrilling action. What truly sets it apart is how it connects with viewers through the characters’ moving and often tragic pasts, making us deeply invested in their journeys. While every story arc in the series has its strengths and none are truly weak, some are definitely better than others. So, if we were to rank all twelve arcs, only one could claim the top spot.

12) Kidnapper’s Bog Arc

Now that Tanjiro is officially a Demon Slayer, his first assignment takes him to a village plagued by nightly disappearances of young girls. Several have already been killed by the Swamp Demon, who uses his powers to conceal himself and his victims. Without Tanjiro’s keen sense of smell, finding the demon would have been extremely difficult.

This story arc focuses on the siblings working together to avert disaster. While it’s engaging, it doesn’t advance the main plot as significantly as other arcs. The villain is disturbing, but not in a compelling way. Despite this, Tanjiro completes his first mission relatively easily.

11) Tsuzumi Mansion Arc

While traveling, Tanjiro encounters another Demon Slayer named Zenitsu Agatsuma, and the two are tasked with the same mission. The arc’s main antagonist is Kyogai, a former Upper-Rank Demon who is much stronger than typical new recruits. But Tanjiro is an exceptional fighter and manages to defeat Kyogai without any help.

This arc really highlights Zenitsu’s abilities, which are surprising given how much he complains. However, the most exciting part is the introduction of Inosuke Hashibira. While he initially comes across as abrasive and confrontational, viewers quickly discover that these traits are actually what make him endearing.

10) Final Selection Arc

After two years of grueling training, Tanjiro is ready to take the Final Selection Exam and officially become a Demon Slayer. He was driven through this difficult training by one goal: to find a way to save his sister, Nezuko, from a tragic fate as a demon. The exam takes place in a dangerous forest filled with demons, and only those who can survive for a week are accepted into the Corps. It’s an incredibly harsh test – many applicants die each year – but that’s often overlooked.

I was completely floored when Tanjiro encountered the Hand Demon during the exam! It turned out this demon was responsible for the deaths of all of Sakonji Urokodaki’s students, save for Giyu Tomioka. But what really got to me was that even with everything he’d done, Tanjiro sensed a deep sadness and regret within him. It was the first time the story really showed us that demons aren’t just monsters – they’re often carrying the weight of decades, even centuries, of pain. And the really heartbreaking part? They’ve forgotten everything they once cherished.

9) Asakusa Arc

The Asakusa Arc featured several surprising events, most notably Tanjiro’s initial confrontation with Muzan Kibutsuji. Tanjiro was shocked to discover Muzan living as a normal family man amongst humans, despite being a ruthless demon. Following this unexpected meeting, Tanjiro encountered Tamayo and Yushiro, two demons who were surprisingly allies.

Tanjiro eventually catches up with his companions and quickly realizes he can rely on them. Meeting Tamayo renews his determination to find a cure for Nezuko. This encounter sets important events in motion, as Tamayo will be crucial not only in helping Nezuko become human again, but also in the fight against Muzan.

8) Rehabilitation Training Arc

The Rehabilitation Training Arc of *Demon Slayer* is where we meet the Hashira, who quickly became fan favorites in the Shonen genre. However, Tanjiro’s initial encounter with them wasn’t great, as it happened immediately after a dangerous fight with a Lower Moon demon, leaving him seriously injured. Although the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, had already accepted Tanjiro’s sister Nezuko, despite her being a demon, most of the Hashira weren’t willing to do the same.

I noticed Sanemi and Obanai were the most upset during everything, but thankfully, they calmed down once Nezuko showed everyone she wouldn’t harm people. After that, the story focused on Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke recovering from a really tough fight. We also got to learn a lot about Kanao Tsuyuri and the sad things she’d been through, and it was great to see Tanjiro help her start to heal.

7) Sunrise Countdown Arc

The series concludes with some strong moments, but doesn’t quite reach the heights of the Infinity Castle Arc. After defeating Nakime, the Demon Slayers make a final stand against Muzan. Though they’re badly injured and exhausted from the battles in the Infinity Castle, Muzan quickly recovers, even after being injected with a drug meant to weaken him. While the drug eventually begins to work, it’s too late – most of the Demon Slayer Corps have already fallen.

After a long night of fighting, the Demon Slayer Corps makes a huge sacrifice to hold Muzan until sunrise. Just when it looks like they’ve won and Muzan is starting to fall apart, Tanjiro unexpectedly becomes a vessel for the demon, extending the battle. Luckily, his friends are able to help him break free and return to normal. The story ends with a mix of sadness and hope, as a new, peaceful age begins, built on the bravery and loss of the entire Corps.

6) Mount Natagumo Arc

The Mount Natagumo Arc, though short, is memorable for introducing Tanjiro’s Sun Breathing Technique. This arc marks Tanjiro’s first battle against Rui, a powerful member of the Twelve Kizuki, and highlights the significant difference in their strength. While Sun Breathing briefly gave Tanjiro an advantage, it ultimately wasn’t enough to defeat the demon.

Tanjiro was completely worn out and hurt, unable to keep fighting. Luckily, Giyu showed up just in time to save him and Nezuko. Giyu was surprised to see Tanjiro still traveling with Nezuko after two years. This part of the story also introduced Shinobu Kocho, a fan favorite, and demonstrated why she’s a powerful and respected Hashira.

5) Hashira Training Arc

The Hashira Training Arc offers a refreshing change of pace, with a rare opportunity to see the Hashira and other Demon Slayers training without immediate danger from demons. Most of the Hashira joined in, hoping to help the lower-ranked slayers improve and unlock their own hidden potential. Shinobu Kocho and Giyu Tomioka were the exceptions – Shinobu was busy with a secret plan alongside Tamayo, and Giyu was struggling with personal issues that held him back.

We discover Giyu’s sad history, including his relationship with Sabito, the significance of his patterned jacket, and why he stopped smiling. Through his interactions with Tanjiro, Giyu starts to overcome his emotional barriers and accept himself. This part of the story also highlights Tanjiro’s relationships with each of the Hashira – all distinct personalities – providing some lighter moments before the intense final conflict.

4) Swordsmith Village Arc

Following the intense battle in the Entertainment District, Tanjiro and Nezuko face a new threat when powerful demons attack the Swordsmith Village. They team up with Mitsuri Kanroji, Muichiro Tokito, and Genya to protect the village. During the fight, two of the Hashira awakened their Demon Slayer Marks, which led to a period of intense training for all the Hashira.

Nezuko’s ability to withstand sunlight was a major plot twist, as it made her a prime target for Muzan, who became desperate to capture her. Although the villains in this arc weren’t particularly impressive despite their strength, the story excelled at exploring the histories of Genya, Mitsuri, and Muichiro, enriching our understanding of their characters.

4) Entertainment District Arc

The Entertainment District Arc begins with a lot of funny scenes, mainly because of the flamboyant Tengen Uzui and the dynamic trio of Demon Slayers. But things quickly turn serious when it’s revealed that a powerful Upper Moon demon has been lurking in the district. This Upper Moon Six turned out to be two siblings – Gyutaro was the actual demon ranked at that level, but he couldn’t be destroyed as long as his sister was still alive.

The fight against the demons was incredibly difficult, even for the strongest fighters like the Hashira, Tengen’s wives, and a team of three Demon Slayers. The battle between Tengen and Gyutaro is considered a standout moment in the series, with amazing animation that the movie couldn’t quite match. This arc concludes with the defeat of an Upper Moon demon – the first in over a century – which Kagaya saw as a hopeful sign, suggesting they were finally gaining the upper hand after a thousand-year war.

2) Mugen Train Arc

The story arc was made into a movie that resonated with audiences and greatly increased the series’ popularity. Before the *Infinity Castle* film, the *Mugen Train* movie held the record for the highest-grossing anime film of all time, even surpassing Studio Ghibli’s *Spirited Away*. Despite only appearing in a single story arc, Kyojuro Rengoku quickly became a fan favorite. Viewers were touched by his passionate personality, kindness, and inner strength.

The movie features Akaza, a villain who quickly became a fan favorite, even before we learned his history. Kyojuro’s sacrifice wasn’t meaningless; he saved everyone on board and inspired Tanjiro and his friends to continue their journey.

1) Infinity Castle Arc

The Infinity Castle arc is the longest story arc in the series, filled with both exciting and emotional scenes. It’s set within an inescapable, never-ending maze created by Nakime, where the entire Demon Slayer Corps is trapped. This arc showcases some of the most incredible battles from the series, like Tanjiro and Giyu fighting Akaza, and Zenitsu’s victory over Kaigaku.

Despite being the first part of a three-part story, this film doesn’t include some of the most exciting moments from the original series – we haven’t even seen the strongest demon, Kokushibo, fight yet. This arc is also the most heartbreaking, featuring the deaths and stories of many beloved characters. However, even with all the sadness, the Infinity Castle arc is still the most suspenseful and gripping part of Demon Slayer.

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2025-10-15 01:12