EDIT: Since the site I used to post the original pictures is no longer allowing the pictures to be posted here, enjoy Filthy Frank instead.
If you're triggered by someone liking the series, you shouldn't read this review.
Normally when I write reviews, I enjoy taking every chance I get to shit on the series. That will not be the case here, since I really like Demon Slayer. Demon Slayer, despite many saying otherwise, is actually a good series. Great even. What people tear it apart for would normally be something I agree with (and did agree with when I first started the series):
Demon Slayer is as simple as it gets, but takes that simplicity and uses it to its advantage. If you haven't read or watched it, be prepared for a simple, yet effective series. Don't expect Berserk or Hunter X Hunter, it doesn't even pretend to try and be more than it is.
Story - 8.5
If for some reason you don't know the plot, I'll run through it. Tanjiro is the oldest of a large, poor family. He leaves his house to sell coal in town, and returns to find his entire family killed, except his sister, Nezuko, who has been turned into a demon. Tanjiro resolves to turn Nezuko back into a human, and kill the big bad, Muzan Kibutsuji (AKA, MJ).
The story follows a simple structure where Tanjiro must face a progressively stronger demon every arc. It starts off with minor demons, to false "moons," all the way up to the strongest demon himself, MJ. It's as simple as that. There's absolutely no filler or detours, every arc progresses along this strict course of fighting stronger demons to get to the top. It's cut and dry and gets straight to the point.
I only have two negatives for the plot: the initial arc, and the last two chapters.
Reading the beginning makes me feel like I'm having a fucking stroke.
The moment early on where Tanjiro looks like he took 50 hits of acid, to the middle panel, he climbed the mountain. Hot damn, if that isn't insane pacing and an example of a terrible establishing shot, I don't know what is. It's clear Gotouge did not give a rat's ass about the initial training stuff typical in shounen and wanted to blast through this boring shit as fast as humanly possible. While the series stumbles right out the gate, everything between now and the end is absolute gold.
MAJOR SPOILERS & WALL OF TEXT BELOW
Spoiler, click to viewclick to hide
Everything the first season of the anime covers is child's play compared to everything after it. Each arc from the Infinity Train Arc to the Sunrise Arc are 9's and 10's for me.The Infinity Train shows how insignificant all the demon's that have been fought up to this point are nothing compared to the Upper Moons, and the fact that characters actually fucking die. Bet you didn't expect Rengoku to die after one arc with him! I give kudos to Gotouge for being a chad and killing off major characters, including the waifus. Have fun arguing whether Mitsuri or Shinobu are better, BECAUSE THEYRE BOTH DEAD MOTHERFUCKER.
In all seriousness, I feel like Demon Slayer actually surpassed Berserk in this aspect. Spoiler for Berserk, you should not be surprised when the Eclipse happens and all those characters die. Demon Slayer actually managed to kill many characters I totally expected to survive the series, and spared others I 100% believed would die. Slow clap for that.
The Red Light District Arc is good, but slightly inferior to the Infinity Train Arc simply due to the impact Rengoku's death left. Also, the main demons were good, but not remarkable, especially when compared to MJ, Douma, Kokushibo and the legitimately wonderful Akaza. It does establish Nezuko's powers, which is interesting, but nothing major came from this arc. Uzui is a fun character and I love him, but he was taken out of commission in this arc, which is a shame.
The Sword Smith arc has the best supporting cast with Genya, Mitsuri, Tokito and Haganezuka. Holy shit are these characters amazing. The training is good, they establish important lore that will come in to play in the final arcs, and Tanjiro gets an upgrade to his sword. The demons are probably the most boring since dodgeball girl and arrow-man, but it still works because this one arc where the antagonists themselves aren't important, unlike later arcs. We also have the reveal that Nezuko is immune to the sun despite being a demon. Lot's of good stuff here.
The Training Arc is great for all the establishing of previously minor characters like Himejima, Sanemi and Obanai. We also have great development for Zenitsu, who finally breaks free from the coward trope that enveloped his character up to this point. The ending is fantastic, Ubuyashiki blowing himself to kingdom-come to try to kill MJ is a big-dick energy moment. It also flows wonderfully to the final arcs.
I'll lump the final arcs into one considering it's one massive battle with a series of battles throughout nonstop until the end. Ending aside, this arc is flawless. The perfect example of a boss-rush in any series I've seen. Every character that isn't dead or out of commission get's a fantastic moment in this arc.
- Shinobu's brief fight and resolution of her plot is so sudden, but satisfyingly executed. Her quick death by Douma and giving Kanao and Insouke a fighting chance against him is so well done.
- Tokito and Genya sacrificng themselves to help Himejima and Sanemi kill Kokushibo is heartbreaking, but executed so fucking well. Not gonna lie, I actually cried at Genya's death.
- Tanjiro and Giyu vs Akaza is easily one of the best fights/moments in the series. Two exhausted Demon Slayers vs Akaza, arguably the strongest demon besides MJ and Kokushibo, is such a tense and emotional fight. Akaza's backstory is so well done, I actually like him more than some of the Hashira / Pillars.
Then we get to the final fight with MJ. I will say, I did not like the two fake out deaths Tanjiro has, but the one where it's revealed he turned into a demon was masterfully done. Everyone joked or made fanfiction long before that about Demon-Tanjiro, I don't think a lot of people actually expected it to happen.
The fight's good, glad we got to see the main trio vs the big man himself. Not much more on that.
Honestly, there's so much more I could talk about, but overall, I really feel like everything about the plot is amazing, despite how fucking simple it is. Then there's the last two chapters:
Sometimes, showing too much can be a detriment to a series, and the penultimate chapter is a great testament to that. They should have showed all the characters licking their wounds and moving on. Showing Tanjiro's life with everyone months after the final fight is fine, but wasn't really satisfying. It could have ended more satisyingly if they cut if off before showing his life with the others, maybe have him say "Let's go home, Nezuko" in reference to what she said to him when he was a demon.
The series really fizzled out in the end, lacking any impact with the ending. The final chapter was interesting, but really should have just been an omake or bonus chapter down the line. Not the final chapter of such a great series. It was ok, but nothing amazing. It did solidify the idea that there were no major themes of the series. It's hard to explain that bit without you just reading the chapter.
Also, people bitched about the Blue Spider-Lily, the McGuffin that became obsolete as soon as it was mentioned. At least it was addressed in the final chapter, but it really never mattered. I don't know why it was brought up other than to explain how MJ become a demon. It had no importance overall, unless it was mentioned for a possible modern-day Demon Slayer sequel series.
Overall, there's issues with the beginning and the end, but the plot is almost always great, even if it's simple.
Visuals- 9
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As I say in almost all of my reviews of manga, it isn't Berserk. Regardless, the manga's art is solid overall.
It starts off surprisingly good in the beginning. Nothing remarkable, but solid. It does improve over time, but it's not the obvious difference that you'll find in say, Beastars or Attack on Titan. The art style is unique, which I'm a fan of. Characters don't look like they're from any other manga or anime I've seen, which is a plus. Original designs are the strongest points of the art.
The demon designs are great, but not on the level of something like Chainsawman. Again, Demon Slayer isn't the best in some aspects, but is at least solid in everything.
Characters - 10
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The characters are easily the highlight of the series. Tanjiro is the first good-hearted Shounen protagonist I've ever loved. Normally I find characters like this (Midorya from MHA, Naruto, etc.) to be insufferable little shits who are nowhere near the best. Tanjiro is a beast though, which I never expected. All it takes is having one simple trait to make this trope good: Not being naive. That elevated him to being my favorite character. He is kind, but is willing to kill because he knows it's necessary. Shit, he even says to MJ that he has empathy for all demons except MJ, who he hates unconditionally and refuses to forgive. He's such a great character, it isn't like Naruto where fanboys love him because he's the main character. He's actually well-written.
I'm not going to write an essay on every character due to lack of energy, but it really comes down to this: Every character is introduced as a one-dimensional trope, only to develop and become much more than they appear. I love Zenitsu, Inosuke, Genya, Kanao, every single Hashira and most of the demons in the series. As I've already said, I adore Akaza despite his "transgressions" against a certain other favorite character of mine...
I don't get the love for Nezuko, besides the fact that she's cute. She's a non-character who serves as the main McGuffin for the series. Other than that, she's extremely bland.
Enjoyment - 10
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Despite not being a masterpiece for most, I would personally give it a 100 for executing such a simple concept so well. It's not deep, which can be an issue for some people, but it can be nice to just read something that isn't trying to be deeper than it needs to be. Demon Slayer is the John Wick of manga/anime: solid, but not revolutionary. I'll give it a 98 overall due to the beginning and ending, but it's easily a 100 for me otherwise.
There's this toxic mentality I've seen some people have that if you like Demon Slayer, you're a normie or basic bitch for liking something "undeservedly" popular. For those of you who have read Demon Slayer, don't be ashamed for liking it. It's perfectly fine to like it and your opinion isn't invalid. Demon Slayer is a good series.
Don't skip it because it's simple. I highly recommend the series if you're looking for a fun and emotional series with great fights, and great characters.
Thanks for reading.