Demon Slayer has quickly risen to become one of the most popular anime since its debut. A unique feature of the series, apart from its distinctive style and setting, is its unconventional approach to naming its seasons. How they named the seasons can lead to confusion regarding the proper watch order, especially if you are a newcomer to the series.
Unlike the straightforwardly named Season 1, the later seasons are titled after the manga arcs they adapt, like the Entertainment District Arc and Mugen Train to name a few. These titles also highlight the regions or areas in which each arc takes place. How they released Mugen Train, in particular, may also add to the confusion.
Instead of being introduced as Part 1 of Season 2, Mugen Train was initially released as a movie. It was later reimagined as a 7-episode series. This break from a traditional season-based release made it a bit more confusing in regards to how to watch Demon Slayer in chronological order.
That said, let’s get into the ultimate Demon Slayer watch order. I’m a fan of the series who’s caught up on all of the seasons released so far. I’ll be covering all of the seasons and arcs in this post and will let you know the perfect order to watch them.
How to Watch Demon Slayer in Order
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
- Mugen Train (The movie or the 7-episodes anime series)
- Entertainment District Arc
- Swordsmith Village Arc
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc (2024 anime releasing on May 12)
You can learn more about each of the seasons in Demon Slayer and where you can watch each if are interested below!
Demon Slayer Background
Demon Slayer, which is adapted from the manga by Koyoharu Gotouge and has been released since 2019, is set in Japan’s Taisho Period and it follows Tanjiro, a kind-hearted boy who sells charcoal for a living. His life takes a tragic turn when he comes home to find his family slaughtered by a demon, and his younger sister Nezuko, the sole survivor, transforms into a demon herself. Despite this grim reality and all that he’s been through, Tanjiro embarks on a quest to become a demon slayer to find a way to revert his sister to her human form and avenge his family.
On his journey, he meets other demon slayers and the formidable Hashira, forming bonds with characters like Inosuke and Zenitsu to name a few. Since the first season’s release, a total of three seasons and one movie titled Mugen Train have been released.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Season 1)
Episodes: 26
The first thing you’ll want to watch is the first season of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, which was released in 2019. The first season has 26 episodes and it was animated by Ufotable, who are also known for their work on Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is set in Japan’s Taisho Period and I love it because it not only has a strong and emotional story but also has a unique style and top-tier animation. The story follows Tanjiro, a kind-hearted boy who sells charcoal for a living. His life takes a tragic turn when he comes home to find his family slaughtered by a demon, and his younger sister Nezuko, the sole survivor, transforms into a demon herself. Despite this grim reality and all that he’s been through, Tanjiro embarks on a quest to become a demon slayer to find a way to revert his sister to her human form and avenge his family.
On his journey, he meets other demon slayers and the formidable Hashira, forming bonds with characters like Inosuke and Zenitsu to name a few. Ufotable is known for its dynamic action and battle sequences, but they brought their A-game with Demon Slayer with fluid animation and visually stunning scenes that make it one of the best action anime to release to date.
The series’ aesthetic is pleasing because its this blend of muted backgrounds and vibrant character designs. The series not only excels thanks to its animation but also in its ability to weave a compelling story that resonates and connects with you as well. It’s one of the best anime you can watch on Crunchyroll if you’d like to check it out.
Where to Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
You can watch the first season of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba now on Crunchyroll. They have a 14-day free trial, which I’ve linked below if you’d like to try it out. The first season is also streaming now on Netflix and Hulu.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train
Episodes: 1 movie (1hr 56min) or 7 episodes
Up next on the watchlist is Mugen Train. Mugen Train was released in two formats: a feature film lasting 1 hour and 56 minutes, and a 7-episode series. Both versions center around the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku and they give us a deeper look into his character. The series picks up after Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke complete rehabilitation training at the Butterfly Mansion.
They embark on their next mission aboard the Mugen Train, investigating the mysterious disappearance of forty passengers and joining forces with one of the most formidable swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku. Together, they confront the menacing demon lurking on the train.
The key difference between the movie and the series, which is a remake of the movie, is the addition of new content in the first episode of the 7-episode anime, which showcases the group and their time leading up to the Mugen Train incident—a segment that was not included in the movie. While this new content isn’t extensive, it is a nice addition nonetheless and it serves as a prologue of sorts to the series.
Whether you choose to watch one over the other, or both like I did, you are going to experience one of the best arcs in Demon Slayer. It has amazing battles, which are not only animated flawlessly but are emotional to watch. This arc delves into Rengoku’s life and past, and this alone makes it worth the watch. The combination of incredible fight scenes and Rengoku’s backstory makes the Mugen Train Arc one of my favorites in the entire series.
Where to Watch Mugen Train
You can watch Mugen Train now on Crunchyroll. They have a 14-day free trial, which I’ve linked below if you’d like to try it out. It is also streaming now on Netflix.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc
Episodes: 11
After watching Mugen Train, you’ll want to watch the Entertainment District Arc next. It follows the emotional events of Mugen Train and sees Tanjiro and his companions embarking on a new journey with the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui. Their destination is the dazzling Entertainment District, a city that sparkles with life and lights at night.
Upon arrival, they uncover a concerning situation, though: Uzui has lost contact with his three wives, who had gone undercover in the district to investigate potential demon activity. Determined to unravel the mystery, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke dive into the heart of the Entertainment District, embarking on a quest to locate Uzui’s wives and confront the lurking demonic threat.
Just when I thought Demon Slayer had reached the pinnacle of its animation and battles with the release of Mugen Train, Ufotable far surpassed my expectations yet again with the Entertainment District Arc. With each new season, the studio continues to raise the bar.
What makes the Entertainment District Arc so most compelling, though, is its exploration into the lives and backstories of the demons, especially one of the Twelve Kizuki. While previous seasons have offered glimpses into the demons’ backstories and perspectives, this arc dives deeper. On top of all that, one of the best battles in the entire series happens in this arc, so this is something to look forward to as well.
Where to Watch Demon Slayer Entertainment District Arc
You can watch the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc now on Crunchyroll. They have a 14-day free trial, which I’ve linked below if you’d like to try it out. It is also streaming now on Netflix.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc
Released in 2023, the Swordsmith Village Arc is the latest season of Demon Slayer to release. As it was with the previous seasons, this season is animated by Ufotable, so it has the striking animation and exciting battles we’ve come to expect. The story unfolds in the Swordsmith Village, an important location in Demon Slayer, and it shines the spotlight on the Mist Hashira, Muichirou Tokitou, and the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji.
As the ominous presence of demons casts its shadow yet again in the Swordsmith Village Arc, Tanjiro and his comrades brace themselves for a new battle. This looming threat signals the beginning of another intense chapter in their relentless fight against the demonic forces that plague Demon Slayer‘s world.
Where to Watch Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc
You can watch the latest season of Demon Slayer now on Crunchyroll. They have a 14-day free trial, which I’ve linked below if you’d like to try it out. It is also streaming now on Netflix.
While Demon Slayer‘s watch order may seem confusing at first, it’s relatively straightforward compared to others, like the complex watch order of the Fate series or the Monogatari Series. As new seasons of the series are released, I will continue to update this guide. Until then, I hope you enjoy watching Demon Slayer as much as I did!
