Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Lecture Notes

Story of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

1. Prologue: Tragedy and Resolve

The narrative begins with Tanjiro Kamado, a compassionate boy residing in the mountains with his family. His life takes a tragic turn when he ventures into town to sell charcoal and returns to discover that his family has been brutally murdered by a demon. Among the casualties, his younger sister, Nezuko, survives but undergoes a horrific transformation into a demon after demon blood enters her bloodstream through her injuries. Despite this transformation, Nezuko retains signs of human emotion and shows restraint against her demonic urges.

The siblings are soon discovered by Giyu Tomioka, a Demon Slayer who recognizes Nezuko's unique ability to resist her demonic impulses. He decides to spare her life and guides Tanjiro to train under Sakonji Urokodaki, the former Water Hashira. The term Hashira denotes the top rank among Demon Slayers, highlighting an elite group of fighters.

2. Final Selection Arc

Tanjiro undergoes rigorous training under Urokodaki on Mount Sagiri for two years, mastering the Water Breathing sword technique. He eventually passes the Final Selection, a perilous entrance exam into the Demon Slayer Corps, wherein he must survive for seven days battling demons. During this test, he confronts a formidable demon with a personal vendetta against Urokodaki. As a result of his bravery and skill during this ordeal, Tanjiro earns a Nichirin Blade, a specialized sword designed for killing demons, receiving a rare and mysterious black blade color.

3. First Missions Arc (Kidnapper’s Bog and Asakusa)

Tanjiro embarks on his initial missions, beginning with two significant encounters:

  • Northwest Town: Here, he confronts the Swamp Demon, notorious for kidnapping and devouring young women.

  • Asakusa: During this mission, Tanjiro encounters Muzan Kibutsuji, the demon responsible for the massacre of his family. Muzan manages to escape but not before Tanjiro meets Lady Tamayo and Yushiro, two demons that oppose Muzan. They present Tanjiro with an opportunity to cure Nezuko and revert her to human form.

While at Tamayo and Yushiro's covert residence, Tanjiro also battles the demons Susamaru and Yahaba, sent by Muzan to eliminate him and Nezuko. With the assistance of his sister, he triumphs in this confrontation and learns about the hierarchy of demons, specifically the Twelve Kizuki, which is a group of twelve powerful demons.

4. Tsuzumi Mansion Arc

During this arc, Tanjiro encounters Zenitsu Agatsuma, a cowardly yet proficient swordsman, particularly when he is unconscious. Together, they investigate a drum demon residing in a shifting mansion. Furthermore, they meet Inosuke Hashibira, a boar-headed warrior with a fierce and wild disposition. Tanjiro manages to defeat the drum demon, garnering respect before its demise.

5. Mount Natagumo Arc

The trio's next mission leads them to Mount Natagumo, a location infested with spider-themed demons ruled by the Spider Demon Family. They face severe challenges against the family’s ruthless strategies. During this arc, Zenitsu combats a spider demon, utilizing his Thunder Breathing technique. Tanjiro and Inosuke encounter near-death experiences until the timely arrival of Giyu Tomioka and Shinobu Kocho, both of whom are Hashira.

Tanjiro's pivotal moment comes when he confronts Rui, the head of the Spider Demon Family and a lower rank member of the Twelve Kizuki. In this intense battle, Tanjiro unleashes the Hinokami Kagura, a fire dance technique passed down from his father. With the aid of Nezuko’s Blood Demon Art, they collaborate and successfully defeat Rui.

6. Hashira Meeting and Rehabilitation Training Arcs

In this section, the nine Hashira convene at the mansion of Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, to deliberate on Nezuko’s fate, given that she is a demon traveling alongside a Demon Slayer. Giyu and Tanjiro advocate for her, and Ubuyashiki ultimately permits Nezuko to live under stringent conditions. Some Hashira, notably Sanemi Shinazugawa, remain skeptical. Nezuko showcases her control by refraining from attacking Sanemi, who taunts her by cutting his arm to provoke her.

Simultaneously, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke recuperate at the Butterfly Mansion under the care of Shinobu Kocho, participating in rehabilitation training to regain their strength. Meanwhile, Muzan commits massacres against the lower-ranked demons, sparing only one, thus paving the path for more formidable opponents.

End of Season 1

The season concludes with Tanjiro and his companions boarding the Mugen Train alongside the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku.

7. The Nine Hashira

  • Giyuu Tomioka: Giyuu, who lost his older sister to a demon, became a disciple of Urokodaki. He had formed a bond with a boy named Sabito during his training at Urokodaki's. Sadly, Sabito was killed during the Final Selection by the same demon Tanjiro faced and ultimately vanquished. Giyuu is perpetually haunted by regret for not saving Sabito, often reminded of him through Tanjiro, and practices the Water Breathing technique.

  • Shinobu Kocho: Much like Giyuu, Shinobu also lost her elder sister. Her sister, a former Hashira, was slain by Upper Moon 2, one of the Twelve Kizuki. This event has driven Shinobu into a constant state of rage, fueling her resolve as a Demon Slayer. She employs the Insect Breathing technique.

  • Mitsuri Kanroji: Mitsuri possesses extraordinary strength and an enormous appetite, which she worried would hinder her chances of finding a husband. Despite her beautiful pink and green hair (due to consuming excessive sakura mochi), she started dyeing her hair black to conform. After her engagement fell through, Mitsuri turned to the Demon Slayer Corps, seeking companionship and purpose. She utilizes the Love Breathing technique.

  • Obanai Iguro: Obanai suffered a tortured upbringing, isolated within a cage by a family that venerated a serpent-like demon. He was destined to be sacrificed to this demon. In thirst for its sustenance, the demon slit Obanai's mouth open to drink his blood. His salvation came when Shinjuro Rengoku slayed the serpent demon, liberating him. Obanai also harbors feelings for Mitsuri and uses the Serpent Breathing technique.

  • Kyojuro Rengoku: Kyojuro, the son of the former Flame Hashira, Shinjuro Rengoku, faced immense tragedy as his mother, Ruka, died due to an untreatable childbirth disease when his brother, Senjuro, was an infant. This trauma strained the father-son relationship, leading Shinjuro to cope through alcoholism. After Shinjuro’s retirement, Kyojuro has assumed the role of Flame Hashira, utilizing the Flame Breathing technique.

  • Muichiro Tokito: At the tender age of 14, Muichiro is the youngest Hashira. He faced the loss of his twin brother Yuichiro, and both brothers were left alone after their mother succumbed to illness. On a fateful night, a demon invaded their home, leading to Yuichiro's tragic death while protecting his brother. Strengthening his willpower from the tragedy, Muichiro fought against the demon until dawn. He was subsequently retrieved by Ubuyashiki and recruited into the Hashira. Muichiro employs the Mist Breathing technique.

  • Tengen Uzui: Though little is documented about Tengen’s past, which is deemed less relevant, it is known that he has three wives and practices the Sound Breathing technique.

  • Gyomei Himejima: Gyomei, recognized as the oldest, strongest, and tallest Hashira, was born blind and reared in an orphanage. When a demon attacked the orphanage in his young adulthood, he single-handedly defended the surviving children until dawn. However, he was imprisoned after a young girl from the orphanage, mistakenly believing him responsible for the children's deaths, accused him. He uses the Stone Breathing technique.

  • Sanemi Shinazugawa: Sanemi grew up in a hostile environment with an abusive father and a frail mother, often taking on the role of protector for his six siblings. Upon discovering that his mother had transformed into a demon, he confronted and ultimately killed her, causing a rift with his younger brother Genya, who wrongly blamed Sanemi for their mother’s death. As Genya tried to mend their fractured relationship despite Sanemi’s opposition, Sanemi continued to use the Wind Breathing technique.

8. Mugen Train Arc

Originally presented as a feature-length film and later divided into the first seven episodes of Season 2, this arc shows Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke embarking on the Mugen Train. Their mission involves assisting Kyojuro Rengoku as they investigate mysterious disappearances linked to a Lower Rank One demon, Enmu. Enmu employs his Blood Demon Art to ensnare both passengers and Demon Slayers in deep dreams, trapping them within fabricated realities.

Each Slayer confronts their personal desires in dream sequences: Tanjiro dreams of being reunited with his family, Zenitsu envisions a romantic relationship with Nezuko, and Inosuke imagines himself as a beast king. However, Tanjiro realizes the dreams are mere illusions and repeatedly kills himself in the dream to awaken. With Nezuko's assistance, he breaks free, and together, they confront Enmu, who amalgamates with the train, transforming it into a colossal demon.

After a fierce and chaotic battle, where Tanjiro and Inosuke strike at Enmu's core, they manage to defeat him, ultimately saving all 200 passengers. Nevertheless, this victory is transient, as an Upper Rank demon named Akaza (the Upper Rank 3 of the Twelve Kizuki) suddenly appears. Kyojuro engages Akaza in a crucial duel; despite showcasing exceptional swordsmanship, he sustains lethal injuries. Kyojuro’s final words invigorate and inspire Tanjiro and his companions to pursue greater strength. Tanjiro pays homage to the late Flame Hashira by conveying his messages to Kyojuro's family, solidifying the immense threat posed by the Upper Rank demons.

9. Entertainment District Arc

This arc comprises the latter half of Season 2, wherein the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, recruits Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke for a mission in Yoshiwara’s Red-Light District, plagued by demons abducting women. The trio disguises themselves as courtesans to infiltrate three different houses while Tengen seeks his missing wives—Suma, Makio, and Hinatsuru—who had vanished during their investigation.

The primary antagonist is unveiled as Daki, an Upper Rank 6 demon wielding her obi to ensnare and consume her victims. At once enchanting and menacing, she embodies a fusion of stunning beauty and ruthless cruelty. Tanjiro engages in battle with Daki but struggles against her formidable strength, nearly exhausting himself in the process. Amid the chaos, Nezuko awakens a berserk demon form characterized by vine-like markings on her skin and enhanced regenerative capabilities. While she briefly overwhelms Daki, an emotional trigger from witnessing injured humans drives her to regain her sense of humanity. Tanjiro manages to restrain Nezuko before she can harm any innocent civilians.

As Tengen enters the fray against Daki, the battle escalates further when Daki's true nature surfaces: she shares her body and rank with her older brother, Gyutaro, a lethal demon brandishing poisoned sickles. Daki and Gyutaro serve as dark parallels to Tanjiro and Nezuko, as both sibling pairs have endured adversity. However, the Kamado siblings choose resilience and compassion, while their counterparts exhibit resentment towards those more fortunate.

The conflict transpires into one of the series' most pronounced battles, culminating in the Demon Slayers coordinating a decisive attack that results in the simultaneous beheading of both Gyutaro and Daki, who recall their tragic histories as tortured children of the Red-Light District.

Aftermath

Following the battle, Tengen announces his retirement from the Demon Slayer Corps. Concurrently, in Muzan's base of operations, the Infinity Castle, it becomes apparent that he is rattled by the defeat of an Upper Rank demon, an event that had not transpired in over a century.