Reviewing the Saddest Moments in Demon Slayer (2024)

Demon Slayer has become one of the most popular and exciting action shonen anime to appear in quite some time, easily rivaling the "Dark Trio" and other shonen must-watch series like My Hero Academia and Chainsaw Man. Among other things, Demon Slayer has gained a loyal following because of its hard-hitting drama and emotional resonance, with vulnerable, empathetic characters on both sides of the slayers vs demons war.

The Demon Slayer anime has plenty of goofy comedy to balance the tone and cheer up viewers, but when the story is ready to kick into high gear, all kinds of heartbreaking drama are sure to unfold. This anime's best story beats are usually the saddest, with bad things happening to good people and tragic deaths or betrayals shaking up the status quo. Those sad scenes help give Demon Slayer's best characters some serious personal stakes and gives them another reason to fight that much harder.

10 When Yuichiro Tokito Died, Leaving His Brother All Alone

In Season 3 of Demon Slayer, the Swordsmith Village story arc, fans were treated to several heartbreaking flashbacks, one of them focusing on the himbo Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito. Growing up, Muichiro lost both of his parents, leaving him alone with his older twin brother, the bitter Yuichiro. The brothers barely scraped by, and then Yuichiro was killed in a demon attack.

That left Muichiro alone, and he was traumatized to see his brother torn apart and bleed out like that. No innocent boy should have to experience what Muichiro did, but on the plus side, he was soon accepted into the Demon Slayer Corps so he could finally fight back against demons. From there, he quickly rose in the ranks as a prodigy, soon securing his place as the Mist Hashira.

9 When Kyojuro Rengoku Died Fighting Akaza

One of the saddest Demon Slayer scenes by far took place at the climax of the Mugen Train story arc. The Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, was introduced as a courageous, good-hearted hero who inspired Tanjiro's trio, and he boldly took on the Upper Moon 3, Akaza, so Tanjiro wouldn't have to. Kyojuro fought a fierce duel with Akaza, then suffered a fatal attack to the chest.

After Akaza fled the morning sun, Kyojuro sat there and allowed himself to die, but not before he shared some inspirational words with his fellow Demon Slayers. Kyojuro's passing was a serious emotional blow to all involved, but it also hardened Tanjiro's resolve, getting him ready for the even tougher battles that lay ahead.

8 When Shinjuro Rengoku Cried Over His Son's Fate

In the very first episode of the Entertainment District story arc, Tanjiro visits what remains of the Rengoku family, Kyojuro's father and kid brother. At first, Shinjuro Rengoku, the father, was hostile to Tanjiro and scorned the very idea of the Demon Slayer Corps. By the episode's end, though, Tanjiro's kindness got through to Shinjiro, who finally faced the reality of his eldest son's fate.

It was heartbreaking to see the stern, bitter Shinjuro break down in tears, proving that the man had a tender heart after all. Shinjuro had already lost people dear to him and was just drinking his life away, but then he had to grapple with intense feelings of grief. Demon Slayer fans can only imagine how or whether Shinjuro and his youngest son, Senjuro, will process their grief.

7 When the Hand Demon Died Remembering His Brother

Unlike most "monster hunter" anime, such as Fire Force and Chainsaw Man, the Demon Slayer anime makes many of its monsters sympathetic. An early example was when protagonist Tanjiro Kamado undertook the final selection exam to join the Demon Slayer Corps, which involved fighting a variety of captive demons, most of all the huge Hand Demon.

After a tough fight, Tanjiro slew the Hand Demon with his Water Breathing technique, and the Hand Demon starts to crumble away. The Hand Demon, meanwhile, thought back on his human childhood, when he and his dear brother would hold hands to make sure they were never apart. Even a twisted brute like the Hand Demon had a sensitive heart, and Tanjiro knew it, thus his prayer for the Hand Demon as it died.

6 When Daki and Gyutaro Died Together

Even the noxious brother/sister duo Daki and Gyutaro had their sympathetic sides buried under their insidious exteriors. When Daki was introduced, she was an arrogant predator hiding in plain sight, a cruel wannabe princess who openly cried when Tengen beheaded her. Then, Daki's brother Gyutaro emerged, a sad*stic demon who tormented anyone who crossed him.

In the end, Tanjiro's team narrowly wins a painful victory, with Daki's and Gyutaro's severed heads facing each other as they slowly die. Neither Daki nor Gyutaro could be forgiven for all they did, but it was still saddening to see their vulnerability and fear, especially Daki's, as they finally faced their deaths. They had been reduced to such pitiful creatures by then, their demonic glamor gone.

5 When Enmu Pressured Frightened Children Into Doing His Bidding

It wasn't sad to see the Lower Moon 1, Enku, die in the Mugen Train story arc. He didn't have any sob story to share, and he was rightfully punished for all he did. Enmu didn't have a sad scene of his own, but he did cause one when he manipulated a team of sick, vulnerable children on the Mugen Train.

Enmu trapped Tanjiro's team in dreamland to make them vulnerable, then pressured a few children into finishing off the Demon Slayers and Nezuko as amateur assassins. It was pretty dark and sad to see those four desperate kids clinging to any hope of salvation by obeying Enmu when they had nowhere else to turn.

4 When Genya Remembered His Mother's Gruesome Fate

At first, the punkish demon slayer Genya Shinazugawa was an annoying side character in Demon Slayer, but in Season 3, anime fans got to see his sympathetic side as a scarred young man who just wanted to do what was right. In his youth, Genya lived with his siblings and mother, scraping by in a modest lifestyle day after day. Then, one tragic night, Genya's mother became a demon and attacked.

After his mother died in that flashback, Genya felt like his family was broken forever, and his harsh older brother Sanemi wasn't exactly a substitute father for all his younger siblings. The Shinazugawa family practically fell apart, leaving Genya to fight his way toward becoming a strong warrior who can defend the weak — and without the benefit of a formal Breathing style.

3 When Nezuko Became a Demon

One of Demon Slayer's saddest scenes happened in the very first episode, the key event that transformed Tanjiro's life forever. One day in 1913, Tanjiro departed to sell charcoal in town, and when he returned the next day, he found a bloody massacre scene. His mother Kie and four of his siblings had been butchered by Muzan Kibutsuji the demon king, but at least Nezuko, the eldest daughter, had survived.

Tanjiro tried to get Nezuko somewhere safe, only for Nezuko to show her demonic side and attack her brother. Tanjiro was traumatized all over again as his sister assaulted him with claws and fangs, but fortunately, after Giyu Tomioka intervened, Nezuko got hold of herself. That inspired Tanjiro to begin his quest to cure Nezuko of her demon status.

2 When Tanjiro Thought He Was Leaving Nezuko to Die

Season 3 of Demon Slayer forced Tanjiro to make an incredibly difficult decision. He fought all night long against the Upper Moons, but as the sun rose, Hantengu was still active. Tanjiro knew that the morning sun's rays would incinerate Nezuko, so he needed to evacuate her. However, that would mean allowing the fleeing Hantengu to escape.

Tanjiro was torn, and in the end, he reluctantly decided to finish off Hantengu and do his duty. It broke Tanjiro's heart to leave his sister to her fate, and after slaying Hantengu in the morning light, Tanjiro wept at the idea of Nezuko's death. Fortunately, that sad scene soon gave way to a joyous one, where Tanjiro beheld his sister standing safely in the sunlight.

1 When Mitsuri Kanroji Thought Back On Her Many Insecurities

Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, had a relatively tame upbringing compared to Genya and Muichiro, but she still faced some personal woes in her girlhood. A flashback showed a conflicted Mitsuri struggling to figure out her identity and self-worth as a growing girl since her immense physical strength scared off any would-be suitors. She also felt insecure about her hair color, and not even dying it black helped much.

It was a refreshing change of pace for Demon Slayer to show a character struggling with something different from violence and grief, reminding fans that a person might suffer from comparatively gentle experiences as well. It was grim watching a wonderful, well-meaning person like Mitsuri having such a rough time trying to find her place in the world and get some self-acceptance, but fortunately for her, a solution soon presented itself.

Demon Slayer

TV-MA

Anime

Action

Adventure

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

Cast

Natsuki Hanae , Zach Aguilar , Abby Trott , Yosh*tsugu Matsuoka

Main Genre

Anime

Seasons

4

Studio

ufotable