Demon Slayer's finale will be one of the best in shonen anime history

Demon Slayer is a series that is constantly part of anime discussions, with many believing it is one of the best shows ever made, while others argue that it is “overrated” and mainly elevated by stellar visuals. Both sides make equally valid points, but one aspect that most fans agree on is that the series has one of the best endings in shonen history.

Anime, in particular those tending to the shonen demographic, have a poor reputation when it comes to their conclusions. They often rush through the storyline, forget key themes of the story, or are unsatisfying. Demon Slayer’s manga finale avoids these issues, and when the anime adaptation comes out, it will likely set a new standard for shonen endings.

Demon Slayer is a manga created by Koyoharu Gotouge that ran from 2016 to 2020, spanning a total of 205 chapters. The source material already fascinated many fans, but it achieved new heights of popularity through Studio Ufotable’s anime adaptation.

The show, which began airing in the Spring 2019 anime season, has rapidly gained a following, with each new season surpassing its predecessor. Fans have been outspoken about how masterful the adaptation is, featuring stunning animation, memorable sound effects, exhilarating fight scenes, and emotional voice acting.

Due to this, there is good reason to be excited about the upcoming movie trilogy that will cover the finale of Demon Slayer. These movies will adapt the Infinity Castle Arc and the Sunrise Countdown Arc, widely regarded as the best part of the story. This saga of chapters is the culmination of everything that the preceding arcs have built up to.

Firstly, the Infinity Castle Arc covers the biggest rise in stakes in the entire series, as all the main characters and the Hashira fight Muzan’s Upper Rank Demons. Paired with demons they share personal history with, every battle is filled with intensity and drama. However, the main reason why this arc is so good is that Gotouge does not pull any punches in showing just how dangerous the situation is.

Shonen anime can often rely on “plot armor”, where writers refuse to kill off characters no matter how hopeless the situation seems. Demon Slayer itself has been accused of this, as there has been no major death among the heroes since the Mugen Train Arc. However, the Infinity Castle Arc proves that the creator always had a vision in mind and wished to deliver an impactful punch within these chapters.

Most of the beloved cast is killed off during the final battle, showcasing that the series’ world has always been dark and unforgiving. The unceremonious nature of their passing is fitting given the claustrophobic nature of the fight, but also leaves an indelible mark as it motivates the survivors to continue their efforts.

Along with the stream of exciting fights and deaths, anime fans will get to experience the backstory of every Upper Rank Demon. While the history of characters like Doma and Kaigaku only makes them more hated, Akaza and Kokushibo’s past makes them tragic figures who connect with fans on a deeper level.

Consequently, fans’ hearts will be broken regardless of whether danger befalls the Demon Slayers or the demons. Nevertheless, the uphill battle faced by Tanjiro and his friends only underlines the series’ core themes yet again, where humanity relentlessly struggles against overwhelming darkness.

Demon Slayer finally concludes with the Sunrise Countdown Arc, where the bruised and beaten main cast confronts the Demon King, Muzan. As they attempt to end the history of oppression faced at the hands of the antagonist, they will face the fight of their lifetime, where their resolve will constantly be tested.

The manga still has readers buzzing to this day about the various iconic scenes that occur during the final arcs. Whether it be Zenitsu’s battle against Kaigaku, Kanae’s sacrifice to gain her revenge, or Tanjiro’s monumental growth, the ending is bittersweet, unforgettable, and a modern shonen epic.

Expectations for the Demon Slayer anime’s finale

While there have been mixed reactions about the Demon Slayer anime concluding through movies, fans are glad that the global release date is not far away from the home release. For reference, the first Infinity Castle movie will be released in Japan on July 18, 2025, and will begin releasing internationally on August 14 in select countries.

Since it’s a movie and anime-only fans have been hyped up by manga readers on how good the finale is, most are expecting the studio to take its animation to a whole new level. We’ve already seen Ufotable’s great work on the Mugen Train movie, and yet another visual spectacle is expected for the big screen.

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Additionally, Ufotable has excelled at adding anime-original scenes in the past, most notably during the Hashira Training Arc. Due to this, viewers are also hoping for fights to be longer and extended choreography during the finale. Scenes like Zenitsu and Kaigaku’s history, as well as Doma’s influence on Kanae can be fleshed out more to enhance their dynamic.

Given that Studio Ufotable has gone above and beyond to do the manga justice and has greatly elevated the source material so far, there is little doubt that the finale will be among the best in shonen anime history.

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