Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 1 (2019)

When Demon Slayer first arrived, anime fans around the world were floored by a single episode — Episode 19. This series, based on the original manga by Koyoharu Gotouge and animated by ufotable studio, was special from its 2019 broadcast, and looking back now, the reasons remain entirely clear. Season 1 runs 26 episodes and covers Tanjiro’s journey joining the Demon Slayer Corps and completing his first missions. It is the starting point of a series that continues with the theatrical film Mugen Train and then the Entertainment District, Swordsmith Village, Hashira Training, and Infinity Castle arcs.

What it’s about — Tanjiro’s journey to bring Nezuko back

Taisho-era Japan. A charcoal-selling boy named Tanjiro (Natsuki Hanae) one day comes home to find his family slaughtered by demons. His only surviving sister Nezuko (Akari Kito) has been transformed into a demon. Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps and trains, seeking a way to turn Nezuko back into a human. The 26-episode first season covers Tanjiro’s entry into the Corps and his first missions.

Direction — Episode 19’s animation depicting the breathing techniques

ufotable’s animation quality redefines the limits of TV anime. The breathing technique depictions — sword strikes visualised as water, fire, and lightning — form the visual identity of this series. Episode 19 in particular stands as one of the most celebrated episodes in anime history; many viewers reportedly shed tears at the peak moment where the battle choreography and background music converge. Yoichi Umeda’s score and LiSA’s opening theme “Gurenge” also complete the drama’s atmosphere.

Performance & characters — the pure-hearted Tanjiro and the silent Nezuko

Natsuki Hanae’s Tanjiro stands out even among shonen protagonists. His performance throughout conveys the purity of a boy whose sole goal is not to become strong but to protect his sister. His ability to express wide emotional swings without going over the top is also impressive. Akari Kito’s Nezuko is a character with almost no dialogue, yet she projects enormous presence through small changes in expression and movement alone. Hiro Shimono as Zenitsu and Yoshitsugu Matsuoka as Inosuke complete the team chemistry.

What the work says — family love and the tragedy of demons

The core of Demon Slayer Season 1 is family. The organisation, the battles, the fight against the demon responsible — for Tanjiro, all of it is a means to return Nezuko to human form. That simple, pure motivation warms the entire drama. The series also treats its demons not as one-dimensional villains but as beings who carry the tragedies of the humans they once were, making the battles something more than a straightforward contest of good and evil.

Ratings & reception

IMDb score: 8.6. At broadcast it set all-time high Blu-ray sales records in Japan, and the theatrical Mugen Train film seized the number-one spot at the worldwide box office, rewriting anime film history. It was named the best anime of 2019 by countless outlets.

Weaknesses

The pace of the first 10 episodes is considered slow by some. Tanjiro’s training process is fully rendered, but the more distinctive supporting cast and the full-scale Corps action are concentrated in the back half, making it harder to stay engaged early on. Season 1 also represents only the beginning of the story, with the narrative continuing in subsequent seasons and the theatrical film, so viewers expecting a fully self-contained conclusion may be left wanting.

Verdict

Demon Slayer Season 1 is proof of how beautiful a shonen anime can be. Excellent animation, clear emotional throughlines, and a simple but powerful narrative of protecting family — these elements combine to compelling effect. Episode 19 alone is reason enough to watch. Many fans remember the tears it produced as something different from any other anime — and to understand why that one scene hits so hard, you need to watch the whole first season. My rating is ★4.0.

Recommended for

• Those who want action and emotion in equal measure
• Those who want to experience ufotable studio’s exceptional animation
• Those looking for a shonen anime with family love at its centre