In its first season, Demon Slayer achieved instant popularity and a huge following among shonen fans for its relatable characters and excellently animated action scenes. The storyline throughout was dark and cruel. However, it was also punctuated by moments of humor that helped fans become invested in the series.

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Fans looking to catch up on previous events should pay particular attention to these episodes that delved into the lore and characters the most before diving into the new season.

10 Episode 1: "Cruelty" - Tragedy Sparks The Siblings' Journey

kamado family demon slayer

The first episode of Demon Slayer doesn't pull any punches, and many anime fans will very quickly realize that the happy family presented in the first few scenes is doomed not to last. Those fears are justified, as, very soon, the dark nature of the series is displayed in brutal fashion.

The show begins by introducing viewers to the Kamado Family, who live in the mountains burning charcoal for a living after the death of the father. When eldest son Tanjiro returns from a trip down to the village, he discovers his family has all been brutally killed except for his sister Nezuko who survives despite terrible injuries. Seeking help, he meets the mysterious swordsman Giyu, who informs him that his sister is doomed to become a demon and sets the two on the path to find a cure for Nezuko's condition.

9 Episode 3: "Sabito and Makomo" - Tanjiro's Training Begins In Earnest

Sabito and Makomo from Demon Slayer

With his training under former Water Hashira Sakonji Urokodaki commencing, Tanjiro has eventually been taught all he can by the old swordsman and is given one final task - to cut through a giant boulder with his sword. He tries in vain for several months but is unable to accomplish this monumental task, all while Nezuko sleeps through a mysterious slumber.

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One day, when Tanjiro is beginning to despair that he will never complete his goal, he is attacked by a strange young man in a fox mask with a wooden sword, who overpowers him easily. He also meets a girl wearing a fox mask and learns that their names are Sabito and Makomo and that they were raised by Sakonji. The two help Tanjiro train until he is finally able to beat Sabito, who smiles before disappearing, revealing that Tanjiro had actually cut through the boulder.

8 Episode 4: "Final Selection" - The Heroes Face Their First True Test

Tanjiro walking towards the Final Selection

After completing his training with Sakonji Urokodaki, Tanjiro leaves his slumbering sister and travels to Mt. Fujikasane, where the trials known as the Final Selection are held. It is here that he meets his fellow Demon Slayers in training, including Zenitsu and Inosuke, both of whom he would later go on to form fast friendships.

It is in this episode that fans learn just how dangerous a task Tanjiro has before him. Though he makes quick work of many of the lesser demons he faces, when he is confronted by the horrific Hand-Demon, his skills are truly put to the test as he learns that this was the monster responsible for the deaths of Sabito and Makomo.

7 Episode 5: "My Own Steel" - Exploring The Nature Of Nichirin Swords

Tanjiro wielding the black sword in Demon Slayer.

In the fifth episode, "My Own Steel," the four survivors of the Final Selection are greeted by the twins, who inform them that they are now Demon Slayers of the lowest rank. They are issued new uniforms and their own Kasugai crows as messengers. They will also soon be given their own Nichirin Swords.

More details surrounding the nature of the Demon Slayers Corps are given in this episode, particularly in regard to the swords they wield. Each of the new Demon Slayers chooses their own tamahagane ore, and when their sword is forged, it changes color. Tanjiro's sword becomes black, which is remarked to be a rare but somewhat inauspicious variety.

6 Episode 8: "The Smell of Enchanting Blood" - Nezuko Is Not The Only Renegade Demon

Demon Slayer Lady Tamayo

In "The Smell of Enchanting Blood," viewers are given a great deal of information regarding demons and, in particular, the progenitor of them all, Muzan Kibutsuji. After encountering Muzan and his "family" in Tokyo, Tanjiro is accosted by a demon, but before the situation can spiral out of control, he is saved by the arrival of a strange woman, who turns out to be a demon herself.

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The woman's name is Tamayo, and she informs Tanjiro that, despite being a demon, she too wants to kill Kibutsuji. Along with her young companion Yushiro, another demon, the two take Tanjiro and Nezuko to her magically hidden abode, where she explains how she has managed to survive as a demon without killing humans.

5 Episode 9: "Temari Demon and Arrow Demon" - The Siblings Discover Hope For A Cure

Susamaru and Yahaba attack Tamayo's house on Demon Slayer

Having learned from Tamayo that there might be a way to cure Nezuko, the two siblings are understandably elated. However, before they can learn more, they are interrupted by the arrival of two powerful demons who have tracked them down despite the magic hiding them.

It is discovered that these two demons, who claim to be part of the Twelve Kizuki, Muzan's most powerful demon cabal, have been tasked with hunting down the Demon Slayer with the hanafuda-like earrings. When they find Tamayo, the two demons seem excited to have found the "fugitive," giving more insight into the story of this rogue demon.

4 Episode 17: "You Must Master A Single Thing" - Tanjiro Hunts One Of The Twelve Kizuki

Rui looks up at his threads in Demon Slayer.

During the events on Mt. Natagumo, the young Demon Slayers come face to face to face with some of the most dangerous enemies they've yet to encounter. For Tanjiro, the rumor that one of the Twelve Kizuki could be found here, which may be the key to curing Nezuko, urges him to fight on despite the odds against them.

Fans are also given more insight into the story of his companion Zenitsu, who seems to be the least likely person to become a Demon Slayer. The dark and cruel nature of the demons is also further explored in this episode, demonstrating that, while terrible, they are also pitiful creatures as well.

3 Episode 22: "Master of the Mansion" - The Master Of The Demon Slayers Is Revealed

Kagaya from Demon Slayer.

Following the events with the Spider Demon Family, Tanjiro and Nezuko are brought to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, where fans are introduced to the other Hashira. This episode gives viewers one of the most in-depth looks into the workings of the Demon Slayer organization thus far.

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The Hashira plan on putting Tanjiro on trial for working with a demon, Nezuko, despite her being his sister. It is here that the Master is introduced, the blind leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, who tells the Hashira that he has sanctioned Tanjiro and Nezuko's situation. It is also here that it is revealed that no Hashira has seen Muzan and lived, something Tanjiro has done.

2 Episode 23: "Hashira Meeting" - The Greatest Demon Slayers Are Introduced

The Hashira from Demon Slayer.

Though the Master has sanctioned Tanjiro and Nezuko joining the Demon Slayer Corps, not all of the Hashira immediately accept this decision. The Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, taunts Nezuko by cutting his own arm, trying to force her to reveal her true demonic nature, though she is able to resist.

After sending Tanjiro and Nezuko away, the Hashira continue their meeting, discussing the recent activities of the demons and their difficulty in recruiting new Demon Slayers with the skills to succeed, giving viewers a deeper insight into the dire situation the Demon Slayers are facing.

1 Episode 26: "New Mission" - Muzan Kibutsuji Shows His True Nature

Muzan in his female form

In the final episode of Season 1, fans are given a greater look into the nature of the Twelve Kizuki and their leader, Muzan Kibutsuji. After the death of Rui, one of the six Lower Moons, the others are summoned to Infinity Castle to explain themselves to Muzan. The scene ends with a massacre, as Muzan kills all of the remaining Lower Moons except for Enmu, who submits to Muzan unconditionally.

After recovering from their wounds, and completing their additional training with Kanao, the episode ends with the young heroes getting their next task; investigating strange disappearances aboard the Infinity Train, which leads into the Mugen Train Arc and the events of Season Two.

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