Getting into Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, I didn’t really worry about the “right” order to watch it. I just pressed play and went along for the ride. But once the movie showed up (Darn Mugen Train), things got messy.
Suddenly, new fans were asking the same questions: Do you watch the movie or the anime series version? Does the story change depending on which one you pick? And where do all these arcs even fit in?
I’ve wrestled with those questions myself, and honestly, it’s not as straightforward as it looks. That’s why I want to break it down here; the chronological order, the release order, how the experience feels different depending on what you choose, and, of course, my own take on the best way to dive into it.
Also Watch As: Black Myth: My Master is Wukong
- Part 1: The Plot of Demon Slayer and Why Order is Important; How to Watch Demon Slayer in Order With Movies
- Part 2: Demon Slayer Chronological Watch Order (Including Movies); How to Watch Demon Slayer in Order With Movies
- Part 3: My Thoughts on the Best Watch Experience; How to Watch Demon Slayer in Order With Movies
- Part 4: How to Watch Demon Slayer in Order With Movies; Demon Slayer FAQs – Clearing Up the Confusion With a Tinge of Sarcasm
- Part 5: After Demon Slayer – What to Watch Next on Reelshort
Part 1: The Plot of Demon Slayer and Why Order is Important; How to Watch Demon Slayer in Order With Movies
One of the nice things about Demon Slayer is that the story itself is pretty straightforward. Unlike Naruto or One Piece, you don’t have to juggle timelines, side plots, and filler arcs. On paper, it’s linear. But the movies complicate things, because they aren’t “extra content.” They’re part of the main story, and that throws new fans off.
Here’s how it plays out. The anime starts with Tanjiro Kamado, a charcoal seller whose life shatters when demons wipe out his family. His sister Nezuko turns into a demon, and that sets him on his path to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
From there, he teams up with Zenitsu and Inosuke, faces off against Lower and Upper Moons, and slowly edges closer to Muzan. Easy enough to follow.
The confusion starts with how some arcs got released. Mugen Train dropped in 2020 as a full-length film. It’s not filler, it’s the direct continuation of season one. Later, that same arc was re-cut into TV episodes at the start of season two for streaming platforms.
Back in 2023, the Swordsmith Village Arc got billed as a “movie release.” In reality, it was just episodes 10 and 11 of the Entertainment District arc, stitched together with the new opening. If you didn’t know that, you might think you missed some secret chapter.
So what’s the right move? Watch the movie, the episodes, or both? Honestly, I don’t think clarity is the issue. The story’s the same. For me, it’s more about immersion. Demon Slayer works best when the momentum doesn’t break. Fights bleed into each other, emotions spike and carry through to the next moment.
That’s why I say stick with the order the creators laid down. The beats land harder that way. If you skip around or watch the same stretch twice, you risk dulling the edge of it. I mean, just think about how Tanjiro’s desperation at the end of Entertainment District rolls right into the start of Swordsmith. Break that flow and it doesn’t hit nearly as hard.
Part 2: Demon Slayer Chronological Watch Order (Including Movies); How to Watch Demon Slayer in Order With Movies
If you’re new to Demon Slayer and just want the clean, no-nonsense order, here’s how the story flows chronologically:
Season 1 (2019)
Start here. This covers everything from Tanjiro’s introduction and Final Selection to the Natagumo Mountain arc. It’s a full 26 episodes, and by the end, you’ll understand why fans fell so hard for the show.
Mugen Train (2020 Movie) or Mugen Train Arc (Season 2, Episodes 1–7)
This is where people usually get tripped up. Both the movie and the episodes cover the same ground: Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke, and Zenitsu hopping on the Infinity Train with Rengoku, fighting Enmu, and then that gut-punch of a clash with Akaza.
The difference is all about feel. The movie plays like one long, heavy hit—no pauses, no breaks, just tension stacked until it bursts. The anime version slows things down a bit, adds a few extra scenes, and gives you more room to breathe between the fights.
For me, it comes down to what you’re after. If you want the big emotional wallop, the movie wins. If you’d rather sit with the details and let the moments simmer, go with the episodes. Neither one is “better” in some absolute sense, it’s more like two different lenses on the same story.
Entertainment District Arc (Season 2, Episodes 8–18)
After the train arc wraps, the crew dives straight into the Entertainment District with Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira. At first it feels almost playful; Uzui’s flamboyance, the disguise setups, the over-the-top energy. But it doesn’t stay light for long. The fight with Daki and Gyutaro, Upper Rank Six, flips everything on its head.
For me, this is where Demon Slayer really leveled up. The animation is wild, yes, but it’s more than just pretty frames. The storytelling sharpens, the stakes feel heavier, and you can sense the show is no longer content with just being “good.” It wants to leave a mark..
Swordsmith Village Arc (Season 3, 2023)
Tanjiro heads to the hidden swordsmith village, where he meets Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Mitsuri Kanroji. Together they battle Upper Rank demons Hantengu and Gyokko.
The 2023 movie release, To the Swordsmith Village, was basically just an early theater preview of the final two episodes of Entertainment District plus the first episode of this arc. So don’t stress, you’re not missing exclusive content if you stick with the anime.
Hashira Training Arc (Season 4, 2025)
This one shifts gears a little bit, focusing on training that prepares the Corps for the final showdown. Think of it as the calm before the storm.
And that’s the straightforward timeline. You can stick entirely with the TV seasons or sprinkle in the movies depending on what’s easier to find. Either way, the story flows naturally without filler or detours, which is part of what makes Demon Slayer such a smooth watch compared to other long-running anime.
Part 3: My Thoughts on the Best Watch Experience; How to Watch Demon Slayer in Order With Movies
When it comes down to it, the “best” way to watch Demon Slayer depends on what you’re looking for. First-time viewer? I’d say stick to the straight path.
- Start with Season 1 (episodes 1–26). That’s where you really sink into the world and get to know the cast before the bigger arcs start piling up.
- Then watch the Mugen Train movie. It was made to be a film, and honestly, the emotional punch of Rengoku’s arc just hits harder on the big screen.
- From there, dive straight into the Entertainment District Arc (episodes 8–18).
- And then keep rolling into Swordsmith Village Arc (Season 3).
- Finally, Season 4.
That’s the smoothest ride; no confusion, no downtime, just story momentum.
Now, if you’re the type who loves every detail, you might actually prefer the Mugen Train TV episodes. They don’t radically change the plot, but they add small backstory beats and some breathing room in the pacing. Watching those can feel a bit more fleshed out emotionally.
Personally, I recommend doing what I did: experience the movie first for maximum impact, then revisit the TV version later for those extra touches. It feels like the best of both worlds.
Where it gets messy is the Swordsmith Village “movie.” To be blunt, it’s not essential. It was more of a special theater preview than a true film adaptation. If you’re streaming at home, just stick with the series. But if you’re like me and love seeing Demon Slayer’s animation explode on the big screen, it’s a fun bonus.
The question I hear most from friends is: Do I even need to watch the movies? And my answer is yes… at least for Mugen Train. Skipping it would mean missing one of the most important arcs in the entire series. It’s not filler. It’s canon.
It defines Tanjiro’s growth, raises the stakes against the Upper Moons, and delivers one of the show’s most unforgettable emotional gut-punches.
So whether you go for the streamlined approach or double-dip into both versions, don’t skip Mugen Train. That’s the one experience every fan should have.
For me, watching Demon Slayer in order, with the movies slotted in where they belong, wasn’t just about organization. It was about rhythm. Anime thrives on emotional pacing, and if you skip or shuffle arcs, you risk dulling/ruining that impact.
That’s why I tell new fans: embrace the intended flow. Start with the series, let Mugen Train hit you as a movie, and then ride the momentum through each arc.
Will there be a Season 5? Almost certainly… Almost.
Infinity Castle and Sunrise Countdown are too massive to fit into a single season (or even just one movie). Expect more anime seasons to finish the story.
Which Hashira die in the Infinity Castle Arc?
Spoilers ahead — yes, multiple Hashira don’t make it out. (You could’ve skipped this if you wanted to stay unspoiled!)
Part 4: How to Watch Demon Slayer in Order With Movies; Demon Slayer FAQs – Clearing Up the Confusion With a Tinge of Sarcasm
Even after sorting out the watch order, new fans still bump into the same handful of questions. Let’s settle them once and for all:
How many Demon Slayer movies are there?
Technically, just one real movie: Mugen Train (2020). The other theatrical releases (To the Swordsmith Village and To the Hashira Training) are more like special screenings — episodes stitched together for cinemas, not stand-alone films.
Do I watch Season 2 or the Mugen Train movie first?
Mugen Train comes right after Season 1. You can either watch the movie version or the TV adaptation (Season 2, Episodes 1–7). They cover the same arc. After that, jump straight into the Entertainment District Arc (Season 2, Episodes 8–18).
Can I skip the Mugen Train Arc?
No way. Rengoku’s story is one of the emotional gut-punches of the series.
It shapes everything that follows — skipping it would be like tearing a chapter out of your favorite book.
What about Season 4?
Season 4 adapts the Hashira Training Arc. It’s not all-out war, but it’s crucial setup for the Infinity Castle Arc. Think of it as the deep breath before the plunge.
Is the Demon Slayer anime finished?
What do you think? After Season 4, the story heads into the Infinity Castle Arc. It’s one of the biggest climaxes of the manga.
When will Infinity Castle come out?
Now, this is just…
IT RELEASED ALREADY. 2025, people.
What comes after Infinity Castle?
What??
So, what’s the “correct” order?
Easy: Season 1 → Mugen Train (movie or TV arc) → Entertainment District → Swordsmith Village → Hashira Training. That’ll have you fully caught up when Infinity Castle finally drops.
So grab your nichirin sword, stock up on snacks, and binge with confidence. Demon Slayer only gets bigger, bloodier, and more beautiful from here.
Up next, watch The Hidden Big Shot.
Part 5: After Demon Slayer – What to Watch Next on Reelshort
Once I finished catching up with Demon Slayer in the right order, I found myself craving more anime with big arcs, emotional payoffs, and sometimes even movies that fold directly into the main storyline. Luckily, there are plenty of options that scratch the same itch.
My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising – Much like Mugen Train, this film is canon. It’s not just a side story, but a high-stakes battle that feels essential to the timeline. If you loved how Demon Slayer seamlessly blended TV arcs with a cinematic moment, you’ll get the same energy here.
Okay, so these aren’t technically “movies,” but they kind of are. The last part of Attack on Titan got released as long, movie-length episodes. Watching them felt like sitting in a theater; huge set pieces, crazy pacing, and all that raw emotion.
I remember binging one late at night thinking, I’ll just finish this tomorrow, but nope… two hours later, I was still glued to the screen. If you’re chasing that mix of spectacle and heartbreak that Demon Slayer gave you, this comes close.
Jujutsu Kaisen (Movie) – If you want something that mirrors Mugen Train’s role in the story, this is the perfect example. It’s canon, it sets up major characters, and it provides an emotional backbone before season two. Watching it alongside the series makes the whole experience more impactful.
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood – This one doesn’t weave theatrical films into its main narrative, but what it does share with Demon Slayer is clarity. No filler, no side detours. Just a tight, rewarding storyline where the order is simple and the pacing is perfect.
When you’ve scratched the anime itch, check out the next crazy series on Reelshort.
