With the recent release of the Hashira Training Arc, the Demon Slayer anime is gradually approaching the ultimate showdown against the Demon Slayer Upper Moons. Yet, considering the current pacing of the story, viewers can anticipate that the season featuring the final battle will be delayed.
Nevertheless, the same cannot be said for manga enthusiasts, as they have already experienced the climactic showdown and are eagerly anticipating its animated adaptation. This is due to the fact that the last two arcs of the series will contain numerous fatalities, particularly among the powerful Demon Slayer Upper Moons.
This article includes spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga.
Daki and Gyutaro to Nakime: Rankings of the Upper Moon demons in chronological order
Former Upper Moon Six: Daki and Gyutaro
The battle against Daki and Gyutaro in the Entertainment District Arc marked the demon slayers’ first encounter with the unique conditions for defeating a demon. Instead of the usual method of beheading a demon, the former Upper Moon Six demons could only be killed if both were beheaded at the same time.
Therefore, the demon slayers engaged in a simultaneous battle against the two demons. Tanjiro was able to decapitate Gyutaro with assistance from Tengen, while Inosuke and Zenitsu successfully beheaded Daki through combined efforts. As a result, the former Upper Moon Six demons met their demise. However, before their deaths, the two demons affirmed their sibling bond and entered hell together.
Upper Moon Five: Gyokko
During the confrontation with Upper Moon Five Gyokko, Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito became the first and only demon slayer to face an Upper Moon alone.
Despite being able to defeat the Mist Hashira quickly, Gyokko’s attention was diverted by Haganezuka’s unwavering commitment to polishing Tanjiro’s Nichirin sword. This gave Muichiro the opportunity to rejoin the battle and ultimately defeat the Upper Moon Five demon using Mist Breathing: Seventh Form: Obscuring Clouds.
6) Hantengu – Former Upper Moon Four
Hantengu, the Upper Moon Four of Demon Slayer, proved to be a formidable opponent as Tanjiro, Genya, Nezuko, and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji had to join forces to defeat him.
The battle witnessed Tanjiro almost succeed in killing the demon multiple times, yet he would always discover that the Upper Moon’s primary form was located elsewhere.
In the final moments, Tanjiro had no choice but to avert his gaze as his sister was engulfed by the scorching sun. With the Nichirin Sword Haganezuka had been tirelessly sharpening, he swiftly decapitated Hantengu. Thankfully, the demon was vanquished and Nezuko emerged triumphant over the sun’s deadly rays.
Upper Moon Six: Kaigaku
Kaigaku, the Upper Moon Six of the Demon Slayer Corps, has not yet made an appearance in the anime. Similar to Zenitsu Agatsuma, he was once a pupil of Jigoro Kuwajima, the previous Thunder Hashira. Kaigaku harbored resentment towards the cowardice of the demon slayers. However, as the story progressed, he ultimately became a demon and took the place of the former Upper Moon Six, Gyutaro and Daki.
During their fight in the Infinity Castle Arc, Zenitsu Agatsuma kills Kaigaku with his signature move, Thunder Breathing Seventh Form: Honoikazuchi no Kami. While Kaigaku was taken aback by the unfamiliar breathing technique, he stubbornly refused to acknowledge his defeat, even in death.
Upper Moon Three: Akaza
Despite being the first Upper-Rank demon to make an appearance in the anime, Akaza, also known as Demon Slayer Upper Moon Three, met his end during the Infinity Castle Arc when he battled against Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira.
Tanjiro and Giyu faced difficulties in defeating the demon because of his regenerative powers. The demon was still able to move around even after being beheaded.
Luckily, the act of the demon slayers beheading the demon caused Akaze to trigger his memories. Upon recalling his past, he felt remorse and proceeded to destroy his freshly regenerated head, ultimately taking his own life.
Upper Moon Two: Doma
During her initial encounter, Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho was swiftly defeated and consumed by Demon Slayer Upper Moon Two Doma. However, her selfless act ultimately proved beneficial for Kanao Tsuyuri and Inosuke Hashibira, as Shinobu had cleverly laid a trap for Doma. She had ingested a large amount of Wisteria poison, intended to kill Doma from within.
Shinobu’s reasoning for her actions was that Doma appeared to be emotionless. This was evident when the demon began to dissolve from within, displaying no sense of fear. Shortly after, the manga depicted Doma being decapitated. Interestingly, this was the first time Doma expressed any emotion, developing a crush on Shinobu in the afterlife.
Upper Moon One: Kokushibo
Despite being the strongest of the Twelve Kizuki, Kokushibo, Upper Moon One of the Demon Slayer Corps, was not the last Upper-Rank demon to fall. In his fierce battle against the demon slayers, he managed to kill both Muichiro and Genya. However, it was Muichiro’s final attack that ultimately led to his defeat.
The intense heat of Muichiro’s red blade disintegrated Kokushibo’s body, triggering a flood of memories. He recalled his past life as Michikatsu Tsugikuni, the twin brother of Yoriichi. This flashback shed light on how Michikatsu had always felt inferior to his brother because of his lack of skill in the Sun-Breathing Technique.
Therefore, he transformed into a demon with the goal of perfecting his Moon-Breathing Technique. Ultimately, Kokushibo confessed that his true desire was to reach the same level of strength as his brother.
Upper Moon Four: Nakime
After Hantengu’s demise, Demon Slayer Upper Moon Four became the last Upper-Rank demon to perish in the series. Kibutsuji Muzan then appointed her as the new Upper Moon Four.
Yushiro’s manipulation of Nakime’s vision during her battle against Mitsuri and Obanai was crucial in preventing her from using her abilities to retaliate against the Hashira. His own abilities to manipulate the insides of the Infinity Castle and generate portals were also instrumental in the fight.
Despite Yushiro manipulating Nakime, Muzan Kibutsuji ultimately decides to kill her in order to prevent her abilities from further impacting the Infinity Castle.
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