If you have checked any anime charts recently, you might have definitely come across Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. The anime franchise has become one of the biggest anime phenomena worldwide since its release in 2019, thanks to Ufotable’s breathtaking animation, emotional storytelling, and unforgettable characters.

However, once you decide to watch the series as a first-time viewer, you come to know that it has a mix of TV seasons, theatrical movies, recap films, and story arcs, which were released in multiple formats. Currently, the anime comprises four seasons with 63 episodes, several movies, and, very recently, the Infinity Castle movie trilogy, which will conclude the series. Thus, if you want to experience Tanjiro’s journey in the best way possible, then this guide will take you through the perfect Demon Slayer watch order.

Best Demon Slayer Watch Order

If you do not wish to go through a detailed explanation but simply wish to know the perfect Demon Slayer watch order, then we recommend that you follow the release order to get the best experience of the series.

Tanjiro and Nezuko from Demon Slayer. | Credit: Ufotable

Here is the best way to watch the anime –

Season 1 – Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc (Episodes 1-26)

Mugen Train Arc – Watch the movie or the Season 2 TV series version (Episodes 27-33)

Season 2 – Entertainment District Arc (Episodes 34-44)

Season 3 – Swordsmith Village Arc (Episodes 45-55)

Season 4 – Hashira Training Arc (Episodes 56-63)

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Part 1 (2025)

Infinity Castle Part 2 (Upcoming)

Infinity Castle Part 3 (Upcoming)

That is the cleanest, simplest way to experience the story without repeating any of the story arcs. Now, let us break things down a bit more so you know what each part of the story is about.

Demon Slayer Chronological Watch Order

The good news is that Demon Slayer is very easy to follow chronologically as well. Unlike some long-running anime, it does not jump around timelines or rely on complicated spin-offs.

Rather, the story moves forward in a straight line. Let us look at the watch order while discussing what story arcs it covers.

1. Season 1 – Tanjiro’s Journey Begins (Season 1)

It starts in Taisho-era Japan with Tanjiro Kamado, a nice, hardworking guy who makes a living selling charcoal. One day, his whole family is slaughtered by demons, except for his sister, Nezuko. Unfortunately, Nezuko is also not exactly the same anymore. She has been turned into a demon.

Tanjiro is talking to Nezuko from Demon Slayer. | Credit: Ufotable

Instead of abandoning his sister, Tanjiro decides that he will find a cure for Nezuko and avenge his family, which gets him into the Demon Slayer Corps, a secret group dedicated to hunting demons.

Season 1 introduces us to the world of Demon Slayer, the mysterious Hashira, and Tanjiro’s companions, Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira, as well as putting Tanjiro into more and more difficult battles in its 26 episodes.

2. The Mugen Train Arc

After Season 1, Tanjiro and his friends receive a mission involving a train from which a number of people have gone missing for some unknown reason. This story is very popular and also available in different formats.

Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Rengoku from the Mugen Train movie. | Credit: Ufotable

You can either watch the theatrical film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train or the initial seven-episode Season 2 TV series version. Both tell the same story, but the TV version includes an extra episode that focuses on the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku before the train mission begins.

Both versions work perfectly fine, so just choose whichever format you want.

3. Entertainment District Arc (Season 2)

After all the emotional rollercoaster that was the train arc, the story of Season 2 shifts to a different atmosphere altogether – the colorful and lively entertainment district known as Yoshiwara. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke join forces with the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui to hunt down a demon hiding in the city’s nightlife.

Tengen Uzui from the Demon Slayer anime. | Credit: Ufotable

This arc really raises the stakes in a huge way by bringing in the Upper Rank demons, especially Gyutaro and Daki, elite servants of Muzan Kibutsuji, the main villain of the series. It is also one of the most beautiful-looking arcs in the anime.

4. Swordsmith Village Arc (Season 3)

After the deadly battle in the entertainment district, Tanjiro goes to a secret village where Demon Slayer swords are made. But, of course, peace does not last for very long.

Mitsuri Kanroji from the Demon Slayer anime. | Credits: Ufotable

Two powerful Upper Rank demons show up and challenge Tanjiro and the other Demon Slayers in yet another life-or-death battle. This arc highlights two Hashira in particular – Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji. In addition, it also reveals more mysteries surrounding Tanjiro’s abilities and his connection to the past.

5. Hashira Training Arc (Season 4)

Compared to the previous arcs, the Hashira Training Arc is a bit on the quieter side – though that does not mean it is not significant.

Muzan Kibutsuji from the Demon Slayer anime. | Credits: Ufotable

Instead of epic battles, the story now shifts to training scenes with the Hashira. The goal is straightforward – getting the Demon Slayer Corps ready for the final battle against Muzan. It is like the calm before the storm.

6. Infinity Castle Arc (Final Movies)

So, instead of doing a whole television season, the final arc of Demon Slayer is being adapted as a three-part movie finale known as the Infinity Castle trilogy.

Akaza from the Infinity Castle Part 1 movie. | Credits: Ufotable

The first movie, titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Part 1, was released in 2025 and starts off the climactic battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan Kibutsuji and his demon army inside the surreal and ever-shifting Infinity Castle.

The first Infinity Castle was mostly focused on Tanjiro and his crew’s clash with Akaza. The following two movies will continue with more epic battles and complete the anime adaptation of the final manga arc. Once the trilogy finishes, it will serve as the true ending of the entire Demon Slayer story.

So here is the ultimate Demon Slayer watch order based on the story timeline, along with the IMDb rating (as of March 13, 2026).

Watch OrderTitleTypeEpisodes / YearIMDb Rating (Out of 10)Notes1Season 1TV AnimeEpisodes 1-26 (2019)8.6 rating for the overall anime series Introduces Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the Demon Slayer Corps2Mugen Train / Season 2 Movie / TV ArcMovie (2020) or Episodes 27-338.2Both versions tell the same story – the TV arc adds an extra episode3Season 2TV AnimeEpisodes 34-44 (2021-2022)8.6 rating for the overall anime series Tanjiro teams up with the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui4Season 3TV AnimeEpisodes 45-55 (2023)8.6 rating for the overall anime series Features Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji5Season 4TV AnimeEpisodes 56-63 (2024)8.6 rating for the overall anime series Focuses on training before the final battle6Infinity Castle Part 1Movie20258.4Begins the final battle against Muzan7Infinity Castle Part 2MovieUpcomingNAContinues the final arc8Infinity Castle Part 3MovieUpcomingNAConcludes the Demon Slayer story

Demon Slayer Watch Order Based on Release Date for New Viewers

If you are watching Demon Slayer for the first time, the release order is honestly the easiest way to go.

A still from the Demon Slayer anime. | Credits: Ufotable

Here is how the anime has been released so far:

Season 1 (2019)

Mugen Train Movie (2020)

Season 2 – Mugen Train Arc + Entertainment District Arc (2021-2022)

Season 3 – Swordsmith Village Arc (2023)

Season 4 – Hashira Training Arc (2024)

Infinity Castle Part 1 (2025)

Infinity Castle Part 2 (Upcoming)

Infinity Castle Part 3 (Upcoming)

Because the series follows a linear story, watching it in release order gives you the exact same experience fans had when the episodes first premiered.

Demon Slayer Movies and Episodes You Can Skip

One of the coolest things about Demon Slayer is that it barely has any filler. Most of the episodes are fairly faithful to the actual manga. That being said, there are a few places where you can skip if you want to avoid repetition.

Giyu Tomioka from the Infinity Castle movie. | Credits: Ufotable

For example, movies like Demon Slayer: To the Swordsmith Village and Demon Slayer: To the Hashira Training are really just a collection of episodes from the television series with very little new content.

If you are already watching the entire seasons, then these movies are completely optional. The only other potential duplication is the Mugen Train arc. Since it exists both as a movie and a TV series, you only need to watch one version.

Where to Watch Demon Slayer

If you want to stream Demon Slayer, then Crunchyroll is the best place to get the whole series. The platform hosts all seasons of the anime and usually gets new releases first. In some countries, the Demon Slayer anime series is also available on Netflix as well.

Shinobu Kocho from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. | Credits: Ufotable

Meanwhile, the Infinity Castle movies will be available in theaters first before they are made available on any streaming platform later. Ultimately, the Demon Slayer watch order looks a little complicated at first glance because of the movies and TV arcs mixed together.

Here is the breakdown of where you can stream the TV seasons (including the Hashira Training Arc) :

RegionPrimary Streaming Platform(s)United States (All Time Zones)Crunchyroll, Netflix, HuluAustraliaCrunchyroll, NetflixIndiaNetflix, Crunchyroll, JioHotstar, Prime VideoEuropeCrunchyroll, NetflixMiddle EastCrunchyroll, StarzPlayJapanNetflix, Hulu Japan, Amazon PrimeChinaBilibiliSingaporeNetflix, Crunchyroll, Viu

But once you understand the flow, it is actually pretty easy to follow. Start with Season 1, pick your preferred version of the Mugen Train arc, and then continue through the following seasons. After that, you are left with the huge finale of the Infinity Castle movies.

So, what is your favorite Demon Slayer arc so far – Mugen Train, Entertainment District, or Swordsmith Village? Let us know in the comments section below.

How many episodes of Demon Slayer are there?

As of the Hashira Training Arc, the anime currently has 63 episodes across four seasons.

Do I need to watch the Mugen Train movie?

Not necessarily. You can either watch the movie or the first seven episodes of Season 2. They tell the same story, although the TV version includes some additional scenes.

Is Demon Slayer finished?

The anime is nearing its conclusion. Instead of another season, the story will wrap up with the Infinity Castle movie trilogy.

Demon Slayer anime is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
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