4 Demon Slayer Arcs That Outshine the Manga in the Anime (& 4 Arcs Where Ufotable Disappointed Fans)

As of now, numerous Demon Slayer arcs have been animated, and the anime adaptation is nearing its conclusion with only two arcs remaining. One of these arcs is currently underway, while the movie adaptations are scheduled for release soon.

In the meantime, fans have decided to revisit some of the earlier Demon Slayer arcs. Certain segments of the story captivated audiences, while others fell short of expectations. The arcs that resonated with fans stood out, thanks to the exceptional animation of the fight sequences and the creative direction from the studio.

Conversely, the arcs that didn’t meet fan approval often suffered from the limitations of the original source material, coupled with some rare technical mishaps from Ufotable.

Disclaimer: This article contains spoilers.

Demon Slayer Arcs That Fans Loved

1) Mount Natagumo

Tanjiro vs Rui was one of the defining moments of this series (Image via Ufotable)

This arc, released towards the end of the first season, is among the most enjoyable Demon Slayer arcs. The season boosted the series’ popularity dramatically, largely due to the intense battle involving the formidable Lower Moon demon, Rui.

Rui nearly defeated the protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado. Nevertheless, Tanjiro employed a variation of the Breath of the Sun forms during this exhilarating fight. The fluidity and vibrancy of the fight animation set a benchmark for future arcs, showcasing Ufotable’s potential early on.

2) Mugen Train

Rengoku's death in Mugen Train had an impact on the subsequent Demon Slayer arcs (Image via Ufotable) — Rengoku’s death in Mugen Train had an impact on the subsequent Demon Slayer arcs (Image via Ufotable)

Mugen Train stands out as one of the most unforgettable arcs due to the impactful death of Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku. Although he had limited screen time, Rengoku quickly became a fan favorite, thanks to his compelling character development. His death was poignantly executed, making it one of the most significant moments in modern shonen anime.

This arc also introduced Akaza, the Upper Moon 3 demon, whose backstory later won over many fans.

3) Entertainment District

Ufotable put on an animation masterclass with the Tengen vs Gyutaro fight (Image via Ufotable)

The Entertainment District arc is arguably the best among these highlighted arcs. Ufotable showcased its animation prowess as Tengen Uzui and his allies battled Daki and Gyutaro. Many fans consider this arc to feature some of the finest fight sequence animation ever created.

With intricate choreography, dynamic camera angles, and a vibrant color palette, plus moments of humor from Inosuke Hashibira, this arc was truly a highlight of the series.

4) Hashira Training

Ufotable's experiment with anime-original scenes paid off (Image via Ufotable) — Ufotable’s experiment with anime-original scenes paid off (Image via Ufotable)

This arc took fans by surprise, as it contained minimal action. Ufotable usually sticks closely to the manga, but this time it opted to add several anime-original scenes.

The studio excelled in using these original scenes to enrich the narrative without resorting to irrelevant filler. Viewers enjoyed the character interactions and the enhanced animations of Sanemi Shinazugawa and Obanai Iguro’s Breathing Techniques, making this a standout arc.

Demon Slayer Arcs That Didn’t Hit the Spot

1) Kidnapper’s Bog

The fight against the Swamp demon was underwhelming compared to the fight sequences in other Demon Slayer arcs (Image via Ufotable)

This story arc primarily suffered from a lack of engaging content. While the animation quality was reasonable, it did not stand out or excite fans as other Demon Slayer fight sequences did. Set in the swamp, the muted color palette did not captivate audiences, making this arc feel lackluster in terms of action and story progression.

2) Asakusa

Muzan was introduced in this story arc (Image via Ufotable)

The Asakusa arc featured a few interesting moments, such as the introduction of Kibutsuji Muzan and Tamayo. However, when placed alongside other Demon Slayer arcs, its impact was notably weaker.

The pacing felt slightly sluggish compared to the other arcs. Although the character introductions were enjoyable, the overall content failed to leave a lasting impression.

3) Rehabilitation Training

This arc lacked the action that most other Demon Slayer arcs featured (Image via Ufotable)

This was yet another slow-paced arc focused on the demon hunters recovering from their previous battles. While there were interesting interactions between Tanjiro Kamado and Kanao Tsuyuri, it did not have the same level of excitement as other arcs.

Additionally, the humor was minimal, and many fans found Zenitsu’s antics more annoying than entertaining. Despite not resonating well overall, this arc included a pivotal moment for the protagonist, hinting at a developing love interest.

4) Swordsmith Village

Swordsmith Village arc was a letdown despite being great on paper (Image via Ufotable)

This arc proved to be one of the more disappointing segments of the series, despite its potential. Featuring characters like Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji, it promised excitement; however, the Upper Moon 5 and 4 demons failed to deliver the same level of impact that Daki and Gyutaro did.

Although they are technically superior to the Upper Moon 6 demons, their presence—and consequently, the fight sequences—lacked the intensity fans expected. The use of CGI during Muichiro’s fight scene also drew negative feedback, and poor pacing diminished the overall viewing experience.

Stay tuned for more updates on anime and manga as 2024 unfolds.

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