which demon slayer should i watch first?

Based on the manga by Koyoharu Gotouge, Demon Slayer is organized into several distinct arcs, starting with the 'Final Selection' Arc. However, some sections are repeated in both the anime and the film, so knowing how to watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba in either chronological or release order can be tricky. Here is everything you need to know about this hit anime and what to expect from it next.

Why is Demon Slayer so popular? Good question, and one we delve into here.

The episodes of Demon Slayer play out largely in chronological order already, despite the many flashbacks that the series features. These flashbacks usually only take up a portion of the episode and are used to flesh out the backstory of the demon that Tanjiro and his friends are currently facing. As such, they don’t affect the watch order of the show, though they can have a big impact on its pacing.

The confusion comes from the inclusion of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, which covers the Mugen Train Arc of the manga. Portions of these two movies were then reused during the anime series with added scenes, meaning that there is some repeated material. Because of this repetition, we recommend watching either the movies or the the corresponding arcs of the anime. Here is the chronological watch order for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba:

It is much easier to watch Demon Slayer in release order since you don’t have to skip between the anime and the film. If you’re eager to get caught up before the next season premieres in April 2023, this is the approach we recommend you take. Again, we would suggest watching either the Mugen Train arc in the anime or in the film, as watching both creates unnecessary repetition.

Here is the release order for the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime:

There are episodes for Demon Slayer on several different streaming platforms, depending on where you live. Netflix has the first 33 episodes of the show and, in some territories, the Mugen Train movie. You can also stream the first 26 episodes of the show on Amazon Prime, though it isn’t included in your Prime membership. However, if you want to watch every episode of Demon Slayer and the film all in one place, you’ll want to stream it on Crunchyroll.

What is next for Demon Slayer?

Thankfully, the incredible success of the Demon Slayer anime has all but ensured that more episodes are on their way. In fact, fans can expect the next arc, titled The Swordsmith Village Arc, to begin airing in April 2023. If this stays consistent with how quickly the anime has been covering the manga in the past, season 3 of Demon Slayer: Kimestu no Yaiba should be between 11 and 12 episodes long. Crunchyroll will handle the localization and streaming efforts in most territories outside Japan.

This is of course, an expanded version of the recent movie Demon Slayer: Kimestu no Yaiba – To The Swordsmith Village. However, this isn’t a true theatrical film, as it consists entirely of animation created for the anime series. This release will include the final two episodes of the Entertainment District Arc (Episodes 43 and 44) as well as the first, one-hour-long episode of the upcoming season.

We dove into the visually stunning Infinity Castle scene of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village.

There are currently no other announced plans for more Demon Slayer films in the works, though that could change depending on how well the upcoming season is received.

Want more information about the show straight from the mouth of Tanjiro’s English voice actor? We’ve got the full New York Comic Con 2022 Demon Slayer panel with Zach Aguilar for you to watch.

The first season of Demon Slayer is where it all began. With 26 episodes, it tells the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is killed by demons. Season 1 is essential viewing and should be watched from start to finish.

• The Final Selection Arc – Episodes 1-5.
• Kidnapper's Bog Arc – Episodes 6-7.
• Asakusa Arc – Episodes 8-10.
• Tsuzumi Mansion Arc – Episodes 11-14.
• Mount Natagumo Arc – Episodes 15-21.
• Rehabilitation Training Arc – Episodes 22-26.
• Mugen Train Arc – Episode 27.