Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Tanjiro Kamodo, a young warrior who turns to demon-slaying after the death of his family and the cursing of his sister, Nezuko. Tanjiro has made incredible allies and mastered unbelievable skills over the course of his adventures, which arguably reach their apex during the anime's action-packed third season.
Audiences don't need to worry about Demon Slayer going away anytime soon; a fourth season has already been confirmed, which will tackle the "Hashira Training" story arc. However, it's also the perfect time to reflect on Season 3 regarding which episodes stood out the most and the others that lacked impact.
11 "Someone's Dream"
Season 3, Episode 1
"Someone's Dream" is Demon Slayer's third season premiere, and it very much operates like more of a muted epilogue to the events of Season 2. Tanjiro spends most of the episode in recovery mode while his wounds from his clash with Gyutaro and Daki continue to heal.
Tanjiro makes his way into the mysterious Swordsmith Village with the hopes of getting a new sword, but "Someone's Dream" is more about awkward first impressions and the promise of what's to come this season. Surprisingly, the strongest material in "Someone's Dream" is when the episode gets away from the heroes and focuses on Muzan Kibutsuji's efforts to assemble his remaining Upper Rank Demons to secure his success.
10 "A Sword From Over 300 Years Ago"
Season 3, Episode 3
"A Sword from Over 300 Years Ago" is when Demon Slayer's Swordsmith Village arc really starts to get moving, but it's still an episode that's largely lost in exposition and table setting. The episode's eponymous sword that Tanjiro acquires is the episode's showcase, but this new blade turns out to be a work in progress.
The attack on the Swordsmith Village that's launched in the episode's final minutes by Hantengu and Gyokko is thrilling, especially when Hantengu begins to multiply into separate demons. Unfortunately, this surprise clash comes secondary to Tanjiro's uncomfortable and unsuccessful attempts to bond with Genya and Muichiro.
9 "Yoriichi Type Zero"
Season 3, Episode 2
"Yoriichi Type Zero" is a fascinating installment that could have been one of Demon Slayer's top entries under different circumstances. While still crucial to the season's immediate story, "Yoriichi Type Zero" does have a bit of a filler feeling as the narrative slows down to indulge in a curious concept: a six-armed swordsmith practice dummy.
It's a lot of fun to watch Tanjiro test his skills with this ancient teaching tool, especially due to the puppet's six-armed fighting style. "Yoriichi Type Zero" is smart to occur early on in the season before the plot gets too out of control. Despite the impressive action sequences, "Yoriichi Type Zero" feels largely disposable, even if it introduces Tanjiro to the young Kotetsu.
8 "Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji"
Season 3, Episode 10
"Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji" is the penultimate episode of Demon Slayer's third season. There's plenty to celebrate in this entry, but it arrives at a time when the prolonged battle against Hantengu and Gyokko feels more manipulative than exciting. These villains' continued survival tactics come across as narrative padding and not logical storytelling.
The titular Mitsuri Kanroji has been a popular Demon Slayer character since her first appearance, and audiences' reception of this episode will largely have a lot to do with their feelings for the Love Hashira. Mitsuri's combat in this episode is among her best work. However, her backstory reduces a compelling character to a bland hero who gets lost in tired gender dynamics and male approval.
7 "The Mu In Muichiro"
Season 3, Episode 8
Some of Demon Slayer's most powerful and emotional moments are those where individuals — demons and demon slayers alike — remember their pasts and the episode deconstructs their origins. Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, becomes a crucial Demon Slayer character during the Swordsmith Village arc, and "The Mu in Muichiro" is when this detached warrior finally gets his groove back, as well as his demon slayer marks.
Muichiro's upgrade during the episode's final moments is truly captivating. However, the majority of the installment is spent inside Muichiro's head as he tries to escape from Gyokko's Demon Blood Art.
6 "Awful Villain"
Season 3, Episode 7
Demon Slayer's third season is largely devoted to the relentless fight against Upper Rank Demon Hantengu's many unique and monstrous manifestations. Zohakuten emerges as the strongest of the bunch and a worthy adversary for the heroes in "Awful Villain." Zohakuten's reveal and what he brings to the table don't disappoint.
However, Demon Slayer's Swordsmith Village arc tries to create an exciting connection between Tanjiro and Muichiro's father right from the season's start. This hanging thread receives some payoff in "Awful Villain," but it's not Demon Slayer's strongest work; these clunky plot machinations hold back what's otherwise a thrilling installment.
5 "Aren't You Going To Become A Hashira?"
Season 3, Episode 6
So much of the tension from Demon Slayer's third season stems from the heroes' inability to locate all of Hantengu's demon offspring, all of which are necessary for the Upper Rank menace's execution. "Aren't You Going to Become a Hashira?" begins on a bittersweet note once Tanjiro and company learn that there's a fifth Hantengu demon, Sekido, who must be destroyed.
Genya's pursuit of Sekido triggers the tragic history that befell his entire family. It's easily the strongest Genya episode of the season, and the character's emotional journey effectively parallels Tanjiro's continued brawl with the rest of Hantengu's forms.
4 "Thank You, Tokito"
Season 3, Episode 4
Demon Slayer is dense in violence and bloody decapitations that emphasize the dire stakes of the Hashira's mission. "Thank You, Tokito" is early enough in the Swordsmith Village arc that Tanjiro and the rest of these warriors are still learning the ropes when it comes to Hantengu's many emotional demons. A full-fledged demon attack of this intensity is unprecedented in Demon Slayer, and each of Hantengu's counterparts feels distinctly dangerous.
In addition to this creativity, "Thank You, Tokito" might be the bloodiest episode from Demon Slayer's run. Even Nezuko isn't immune to these demons' brutality; she gets kicked through the chest and takes major damage.
3 "Bright Red Sword"
Season 3, Episode 5
Demon Slayer's third season is largely focused on one big battle, but it still manages to cover a lot of ground with its characters and themes. Nezuko's burgeoning powers get teased throughout the season until they reach a head in the season finale. "Bright Red Sword" is a crucial stepping-stone in Nezuko's development. She reveals her Demon Blood Art and applies it to Tanjiro's blade, which gives him a remarkably cool weapon that accomplishes a rare triple decapitation.
The only reason that this episode doesn't rank higher is because the following entries undercut Tanjiro's "victory." As much as "Bright Red Sword" celebrates Tanjiro and Nezuko, it also gives Genya and Mitsuri plenty of opportunities to shine.
2 "Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito"
Season 3, Episode 9
The battle against Hantengu is in full swing and continues to evolve in "Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito" as Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya do their best against this morphing menace. However, this episode is more concerned with Muichiro Tokito's attack on Gyokko.
Gyokko's twisted tactics make up some of the season's roughest material, and Muichiro's success is both justified and inspiring. There's more than enough chaos to consider in this episode, even before its dramatic finish, where Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji lends a hand and a whip-like sword.
1 "A Connected Bond: Daybreak & First Light"
Season 3, Episode 11
Demon Slayer knows how to create suspense and follow through with grandiose spectacles, whether it's a feature film or a super-sized season finale. "A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light" is an hour-long finish to what's been a very padded and manipulative season. So many Swordsmith Village arc episodes tease Hantengu's defeat, only to cheat their way out of this conclusion.
"A Connected Bond" finally delivers, and it makes for a cathartic finish to the season. Ufotable goes above and beyond with the animation here, and the final reveal regarding Nezuko and her invulnerability to the sun beautifully sets up Season 4.
