Demon Slayer Ending, Explained: How the Manga Finished (2024)

The Demon Slayer manga finished after 205 chapters in May 2020. Fans were sad to say goodbye, but the finale offered a glimpse into the hopeful future that Tanjiro and his friends fought to achieve. Not every beloved character made it all the way to Demon Slayer's ending, with many of the Hashira and Demon Slayer Corps giving their lives to put an end to Muzan Kibutsuji's reign of blood and terror.

With the Demon Slayer manga ending broken into two parts, Chapter 204 paid tribute to everyone who survived the final confrontation with Muzan. Chapter 205 time-skipped decades into the future to see the reincarnations and future descendants of the series' most important characters. For those who haven't read the manga but find themselves curious about how Demon Slayer ends, here's the takeaway on the series' ending.

Updated on September 14, 2024, by Ajay Aravind: With the end of the Hashira Training arc, Demon Slayer fans have recently learned that the Infinity Castle arc will not be getting an anime. On the contrary, the storyline will be molded into three distinct movies. Whatever the adaptation, fans hope that the ending will stay true to mangaka Koyoharu Gotouge's intentions. In any case, we have updated this article with some more relevant information about the Demon Slayer ending.

What Happened Right After The Hashira Training Arc?

The Concluding Storyline Is Known As The Final Battle Arc

At the end of the Hashira Training arc, as seen in Demon Slayer Season 4, Kaguya Ubuyashiki blows up the entire compound to weaken and ensnare Muzan. Tamayo and Gyomei make it even more difficult for the Demon King to regenerate or escape. Right before the Hashira and Tanjiro are about to land their attacks, however, Muzan has Nakime transport everyone to the confusingly designed Infinity Castle. In the manga, the concluding storyline is known as the Final Battle Arc, which can be separated into the Infinity Castle Arc and the Sunrise Countdown Arc.

In the Infinity Castle Arc, various battles take place between the Hashira and the remaining Upper Moons. Giyu and Tanjiro battle Akaza, hoping to avenge Kyojuro Rengoku's death, while Shinobu seeks vengeance for Kanae Kocho's death at Doma's hands. Meanwhile, Sanemi, Genya, and Muichiro face off against Kokushibo, the Upper Moon 1. The Sunrise Countdown Arc features the ultimate showdown, pitting the heroes against the most dangerous demon in history.

How Is Muzan Defeated?

Nearly Everyone Plays A Role In The Demon King's Fall

Tanjiro's ultimate goal is accomplished when Nezuko returns to being human again in Chapter 196, demonstrating that the Demon King's destruction is imminent. The Hashira and the Demon Slayers battle Muzan Kibutsuji for as long as possible, helped by Tamayo's plan to drug the villain beforehand. Muzan consequently swallows Tanjiro using his Blood Demon Art. Right when the sun is about to rise, however, Gyomei, Sanemi, Giyu, and Obanai struggle to keep Muzan in place.

The Demon King desperately attempts to escape the incoming rays, but Tanjiro strikes him from within his own body. Chapter 200 begins with Muzan's death, but that's not the last problem to be overcome. On the contrary, Tanjiro soon becomes a demon and begins to wreak havoc. A disembodied Muzan tries to make the hero reject his humanity, but Tanjiro receives the support needed to escape from his friends and allies. Tanjiro becomes a human, and Muzan is finally obliterated from the world forever.

How Does Demon Slayer End?

Tanjiro Survives and Recovers From Becoming a Demon.

Chapter 204 picked up three months after Muzan's defeat. The penultimate chapter showed that Tanjiro recovered from his near-transformation into a demon. However, the injuries he sustained had lasting effects when he was human again. Both his left arm and right eye were permanently damaged, but Nezuko was healed and returned to her human state entirely. As Yushiro reflects on how lucky Tanjiro was to recover from being turned into a demon, they discuss all the factors that allowed him to survive. He points out that his demon cells and abilities are even more powerful than both Nezuko and Muzan, making him incredibly lucky.

It wasn't easy for Tanjiro to accept his own part in their success. He noted everyone else's contributions, certainly thinking about all the deaths and losses they were all facing. As Yushiro turned around to leave, Tanjiro begged him not to die. Yushiro was the only one left who could keep Tamayo's memory alive, but he said nothing before walking out the door without looking back.

During Tanjiro's recovery, the young Kiriya Ubuyashiki, the current leader of the Demon Slayers Corps, held a final Hashira meeting to disband the organization. As Giyu and Sanemi are the last two Hashira still in action, they are the only two sitting before the Ubuyashiki family. It's an emotional disbanding, as it's all any of them have ever known, and so many of their compatriots, allies, and loved ones are now dead. After several heartfelt reunions and scenes hinting at a future for them all, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke head to the Kamado family home, with the chapter ending with an image of modern-day Japan.

Demon Slayer Epilogue, Explained

The Epilogue Is Covered In Chapter 205

Chapter 205, "Life Shining Across the Years," was a time skip that introduced a new generation of characters. Zenitsu's great-grandchild, Yoshiteru, read a book titled "The Legend of Zenitsu," and discussed the idea of reincarnation with his sister Toko: "I believe that everyone who fought demons and died for a peaceful world was reborn into a happier life." This hopeful thought established the backbone of the final chapter of Demon Slayer, as the many descendants/reincarnations of favorite characters made their debut in the modern world.

Family Tree Highlights​​​​​​

• Tanjiro and Kanao's great-grandsons are Kanata and Sumihiko Kamado, both students.
• Zenitsu and Nezuko's great-grandchildren are Yoshiteru and Toko Agatsuma, both students.
• Inosuke and Aoi have a great-grandson named Aoba Hashibira, a famous botanist.
• Giyu has a descendant named Giichi Tomioka, a swimming student.
• Sanemi has a descendant named Sanehiro Shinazugawa, a cop.
• Tengen's descendant, Tenma Uzui, is an Olympic gymnast.
• Kyojuro's descendant, Tojuro Rengoku, is a student.
• Mitsuri and Obanai's reincarnations have opened a bakery together.

How Are the Demon Slayers' Descendants Holding Up?

Kanata and Sumihiko Kamado were the first to be introduced, and it became clear by their appearance that they were Kanao and Tanjiro, respectively. Kanata tried to get his brother out of bed for school, but the lazy Sumihiko continued to sleep. Kanata later met up with Yoshiteru and Toko, the great-grandchildren of Zenitsu and Nezuko, and the three walked to school together. Just about every panel contained a nod to other characters' reincarnations, with the former Hashira Uzui, Kanae, Shinobu, Himejima, Tokito, Iguro, and Kanroji all making cameos during the trio's journey to school.

Uzui won an Olympic gold medal for Japan in gymnastics, honoring his lineage as a shinobi (although he apparently had something of a bad-boy attitude). Kanae and Shinobu attended Sekirei Women's Academy, Himejima became a kindergarten teacher, and Tokito was seen with his twin as two babies in a stroller. As Toko and Kanata discussed what to do after school, they mentioned visiting a diner run by Iguro and Kanroji, meaning the two got their wish of being together in another life.

Meanwhile, Sumihiko woke up and realized that, if he didn't hurry, he would be late and ruin his chance at a perfect-attendance award. As he leaped out his window and sprinted to school, the reincarnation train continued with even more characters from the past making an appearance. Sumihiko ran through a yard, and Urokodaki and Kuwajima played a game of shogi. A TV in the background mentioned Ubuyashiki as the longest-living Japanese person ever, breaking their family curse of short lifespans in the best way possible. Sumihiko continued his mad dash to school by jumping over the hood of a patrol car with the Shinazugawa siblings inside, likely playing out the buddy-cop comedy fans craved. He even ran past Giyu, Sabito, and Makomo before eventually joining Tojuro, a clear descendant of Rengoku.

The botanist Aoba Hashibira, Inosuke's descendant/reincarnation, discovered the Blue Spider Lily, the flower Muzan believed would grant him the perfect immortal body. Also seen was Yushiro, still alive and known as a mysterious artist who paints beautiful portraits of Tamayo. Even the swordsmith Haganezuka and rank-and-file members of the Demon Slayer Corps, like Murata and Goto, made small cameos.

As Sumihiko and Tojuro continued running to school and away from the Shinazugawa siblings, Tojuro tried to convince Sumihiko to join the Kendo club. Although the two make it to school on time, Sumihiko's mother receives a phone call, notifying her of what her son has done. As she speaks on the phone, readers see Tanjiro's sword, earrings, and a photo of all those who assisted and survived in the great battle against Muzan, whose defeat brought about the bright future they always hoped for.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba was a story steeped in the pain and loss suffered by its characters during their journey to make the world a safer place. While nailing a unanimously loved ending is difficult for any series, Demon Slayer's hopeful conclusion is a testament to the sacrifices made for a better future.

Demon Slayer

TV-MA

Animation

Action

Adventure

Fantasy

When Tanjiro Kamado returns home to find his family was attacked and killed by demons, he discovers his younger sister Nezuko was the only survivor. As Nezuko slowly becomes a demon, Tanjiro sets out to find a cure for her and become a demon slayer so he can avenge his family.

Release Date

April 6, 2019

Creator

Cast

Zach Aguilar , Abby Trott , Aleks Le , Bryce Papenbrook , Brianna Knickerbocker , Zeno Robinson , Johnny Yong Bosch , Erika Harlacher , Ray Chase , Kira Buckland

Seasons

3

Studio

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll