This list contains spoilers!
Summary
Hashira Training Arc focuses on Demon Slayer Corps members training for the final war. It lacks confrontation and is justifiably deemed underwhelming by fans.
Swordsmith Village Arc showcases an intense season with ancient mysteries and powerful demons. The season is highly rated by fans.
Mugen Train Arc and Entertainment District Arc offer the best animated fight scenes and battles.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is arguably the most popular Shonen series of the past decade. The anime has connected with millions of fans worldwide, thanks to its breathtaking animation and simple but captivating narrative.
Each arc of the series has offered a new perspective on the centuries-old human-demon conflict that has claimed the lives of countless innocent people. While some of them are focused on training and backstories, others revolve around epic adventures filled with action-packed fight sequences. Based on the fan ratings, animation quality, fight choreography, overall narrative, and other factors, here’s how Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba arcs stack up against one another.
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4
Season 4: Hashira Training Arc
Hashira Train Demon Slayer Corps Members for the Final War
Manga: Chapters 128 to 139
Anime: Episodes 56 to 63
After Nezuko conquers the sun and some demon slayers awaken their marks, the final battle with demons almost seems inevitable. In preparation for such a confrontation, Demon Slayer Corps members are trained under the watchful eyes of the Hashira, who themselves desperately try to awaken their marks.
If the master had not helped me, I would have been executed. After that, I became a deeply distrustful person. And, of course, I didn’t even believe in you. No matter how righteous people usually are, they reveal their true selves in times of disaster. But you did not run away. You did not look away. You did not lie. You were straightforward and resolute. It sounds simple but not many people are like that. You are a special child. I have seen many people with the eyes of my heart, so if I say this, it is true. Everyone is uneasy about the future. From now on, I will help you so that you do not take the wrong path. ~ Gyomei Himejima
Hashira Training arc, aside from a few notable moments, is mostly just training without any serious confrontation. While the season does end on a high note, most fans found the latest installment to be quite underwhelming, especially compared to other seasons of the show.
3
Season 3: Swordsmith Village Arc
Tanjiro and His Friends Face Two Upper Moons
Manga: Chapters 98 to 127
Anime: Episodes 45 to 55
The Swordsmith Village arc is one of the most intense seasons of the series. It is rare to come across an Upper Moon of the Twelve Kizuki, but this installment raises the stakes even more by featuring two. The season sets the stage for an epic adventure with Muzan calling his high-ranking henchmen for a meeting in Infinity Castle following the death of Gyutaro and Daki.
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Kibutsuji’s stern warning to his subordinates is followed by an ambitious effort to destabilize the Demon Slayer Corps by attacking the mysterious Swordsmith Village. While in ordinary circumstances, it would have been impossible to stop such a strong duo, especially with just two Hashira and two other demon slayers, the third season truly shines by revealing ancient mysteries that subvert expectations and leave viewers mesmerized.
All knowledge of the Demon Slayer Mark has been lost in the centuries since the end of the Golden Age of Demon Slayers. But in extreme circumstances, Tanjiro, Tokito, and Kanroji awaken their mysterious markings that significantly enhance their physical powers. This turns out to be an epic moment in the history of human-demon conflict, as members of the Corps are suddenly more than capable of taking down even the most powerful demons.
Just when it seems that there won’t be any more twists in the season, it ends on a high note with Nezuko conquering the sun and drawing the attention of the Demon King himself. Each twist and fight sequence in the Swordsmith Village arc is brilliantly executed, leaving fans shocked and eagerly awaiting what’s to come. It’s no surprise that it is rated highly by most fans.
2
Season 1: Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc
Tanjiro Starts His Long Journey to Defeat the Demon King
Manga: Chapters 1 to 53
Anime: Episodes 1 to 26
Among all the seasons of the series so far, the first one has to be the most nostalgic and memorable. Tanjiro, losing his family and vowing to turn his sister back into a human, sets in motion events that have far-reaching consequences. The Demon King had lived an unbothered life for quite a few centuries since the end of the Golden Age of Demon Slayers, but Kamado’s ascension beautifully coincides with the dawn of a new generation of Demon Slayer Corps that is on the brink of unlocking ancient mysteries.
Muzan Kibutsuji! No matter where you go, I promise you won’t escape me! You can run as far as you want! I’ll follow you to the ends of Hell, and my blade will be the last thing you see! I’ll never forgive you for what you’ve done. ~ Tanjiro Kamado
Tanjiro plays a central role in this power shift, and season one beautifully captures his induction into the Demon Slayer Corps and subsequent struggle against demons. Each battle sets him up for a bigger challenge, allowing him to evolve and make lifelong friends along the way.
1
Season 2: Mugen Train Arc and Entertainment District Arc
The Upper-Moons Wreak Havoc
Manga: Chapters 54 to 97
Anime: Episodes 27 to 44
The second season of the series is inarguably the best one so far. It has some of the most highly rated episodes, which should not be surprising since it also features the best animated and choreographed fight scenes. The Mugen Train arc leaves a lasting impression on the viewer because of its bitter ending. Akaza’s debut is perfectly executed, as it captures the astounding power difference in Muzan’s top underlings and the best Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corps.
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As good as the Mugen Train arc is, the second season takes things to a whole new level in the Entertainment District arc. Most fans rate the battle in Yoshiwara as the best in the series so far. Gyutaro’s appearance and fighting style send shivers down the viewer’s spine. Daki perfectly complements her brother’s aggression with her own deadly skills, making the fight a captivating watch.
The present generation of demon slayers has not tasted victory against the Upper Moons until this arc. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Tengen, and Nezuko put up a valiant resistance and fought well past their physical limits to bring down the brother-sister demon duo. Apart from Gyutaro and Daki’s ruthless fighting style and their emotional backstory, the combined efforts of the demon slayers and Nezuko are something special that is hard to put into words, as it is meant to be experienced.
