10 Times the Demon Slayer Anime Was Better Than the Manga

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The Demon Slayer anime closely follows Koyoharu Gotouge’s original manga, and in many cases, the changes it does make are actually an improvement. The manga sometimes provides more background information through its writing, but the anime’s action sequences and emotional moments have a bigger impact. These elements are simply more effective when presented visually, and the studio Ufotable clearly put a lot of work into making the animation exceptional.

The animation and voice acting in Demon Slayer elevate even the strongest scenes, making climaxes more exciting, sad moments more impactful, and comedic relief land perfectly. Sometimes, simply seeing a scene animated makes it better, while other times the anime adds extra details that enhance the best parts of the story. These improvements demonstrate how the anime adaptation surpasses the original, popular manga.

10) Tanjiro & Nezuko’s First Encounter With Giyu

As a huge fan, I was so excited to see the beginning of the Demon Slayer anime, and it’s incredibly faithful to the manga! But honestly, the anime just nails the emotional impact, especially when Tanjiro and Nezuko first meet Giyu. Natsuki Hanae’s voice work as Tanjiro is phenomenal – you really feel how desperate he is to save his sister. And seeing Nezuko trying to protect him, even while battling her new demonic urges, is just so powerful on screen. The manga rushes through that first encounter a bit, but the anime takes its time, letting the weight of the moment really sink in and making you instantly care about these characters.

9) Inosuke’s Introduction

Inosuke is a funny character whether you watch or read Demon Slayer, but the anime version really lets his personality come through. Yoshitsugu Matsuoka’s voice acting is fantastic, making Inosuke’s wild attitude and lines incredibly funny right from the start. The anime does a better job of introducing him – we quickly see how useful he is in battles, and his aggressive personality is immediately amusing, setting up a great and developing relationship with Tanjiro and Zenitsu.

8) Tanjiro & Nezuko vs. Rui

The Demon Slayer anime truly shines in its fight scenes, and the battle between Tanjiro and Nezuko against Rui is a prime example. While the animation is excellent, what really makes this fight memorable is its emotional weight. The anime emphasizes the deep love between Nezuko and Tanjiro, and the music and voice acting powerfully showcase their connection. This makes it incredibly rewarding when Nezuko finally uses her Blood Demon Art to protect her brother. Seeing her powers unleashed, combined with Tanjiro’s skillful breathing techniques, creates a more captivating experience than simply reading the fight in the manga.

7) Rengoku vs. Azaka

The battle between Rengoku and Akaza in Demon Slayer: Mugen Train is a highlight of the story, both in the manga and the anime. However, the anime version is particularly impactful. Made for the big screen, it features breathtaking visuals and animation that elevate the fight beyond what’s seen in the manga, making it even more intense. The voice acting and music powerfully convey the high stakes and emotional weight, especially when Rengoku suffers a devastating loss. The anime does a better job of capturing the characters’ feelings throughout and after this crucial battle.

6) Tengen vs. Gyutaro

The fight between Tanjiro, Tengen, and Gyutaro is arguably the best action sequence in Demon Slayer before the Infinity Castle arc. From the moment Gyutaro appears in the Entertainment District, a feeling of intense dread sets in. The anime excels at making him truly frightening, even more so than in the original manga. The fight itself is a visual masterpiece, with stunning animation, strong voice acting, and a perfect blend of action, flashbacks, and emotional moments. While effective in the manga, this fight truly shines as an anime adaptation.

5) Nezuko Surviving the Sunlight

Nezuko’s exposure to sunlight in the Swordsmith Village arc is a shocking and deeply emotional scene in both the manga and anime versions of the story. Both versions lead you to believe she’ll die while trying to protect others, but then reveal she’s the first demon capable of withstanding the sun. However, the anime makes this moment even more impactful by including a montage of sweet memories between Nezuko and Tanjiro. It’s a truly tear-jerking sequence, and viewers will feel a huge sense of relief when they realize she’s okay. While the manga also evokes emotion, it doesn’t quite have the same powerful effect.

4) Muzan’s Arrival at the Ubuyashiki Mansion 

The anime Demon Slayer turned Muzan Kibutsuji’s visit to the Ubuyashiki Mansion into a popular meme. His slow, deliberate walk to the mansion is particularly memorable, and the anime makes it much more impactful than the manga version. The animation and music emphasize Muzan’s cold confidence and cruelty, something the manga can’t quite capture. This scene effectively sets the stage for the exciting final chapters of Demon Slayer.

3) The Demon Slayer Corps Falling Into the Infinity Castle

At the conclusion of the Swordsmith Village arc, the Demon Slayer Corps enters Muzan’s Infinity Castle. The anime adaptation gives this arrival much more dramatic impact than the original manga. While manga readers will recognize the significance of this moment, the anime’s animation and music greatly increase the tension. This effectively builds excitement and keeps viewers engaged as the story heads towards its conclusion – something the manga simply can’t replicate.

2) Shinobu vs. Doma

As a huge fan of Demon Slayer, I’ve noticed that the anime consistently takes the already amazing manga battles and elevates them even further, and Shinobu’s fight with Doma in the Infinity Castle arc is a perfect example! The anime doesn’t just adapt the fight, it improves on it – and in a really meaningful way. They really took the time to build up Shinobu’s internal struggle with Doma, which I think works brilliantly for a visual medium like anime. It makes that key emotional moment in the arc so much more suspenseful and impactful. Honestly, the manga rushes through it a bit, and you don’t quite get to fully appreciate the weight of Shinobu’s final stand like you do in the anime.

1) Tanjiro & Giyu vs. Akaza

Watching the fights in Demon Slayer is usually amazing, but the showdown between Tanjiro, Giyu, and Akaza in the Infinity Castle arc really stood out – it felt even more impactful than the manga version. The original manga fight was great, of course, but because this was the climax of the Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie, Ufotable clearly pulled out all the stops. The fight choreography and animation were incredible, and the voice acting really brought it to life. It was mesmerizing to watch, and I appreciated that they took the time to explore Akaza’s backstory more fully. The anime actually expands on the manga version, and even though some people criticized the flashbacks, I think they added a lot to the story.

What scenes from Demon Slayer do you think are improved in the anime adaptation? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss with other fans on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-23 06:11