Best Tanjiro Episodes in Demon Slayer, Ranked

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From the get-go in the captivating tale of Demon Slayer, my life mirrored Tanjiro’s journey was awash with sorrow and despair. I can scarcely fathom returning home to find an entire family vanished, yet that was the grim reality he confronted. A haunting introduction indeed for such a powerful narrative.

Gradually, as he faced challenges and hardships in mastering the Demon Slayer’s code and wielding a sword, Tanjiro grew and excelled. Along the narrative of the tale, we discover more about his family background, which ultimately led him to transform his breathing method into an indomitable power.

Since Tanjiro is the central character in the anime titled “Demon Slayer“, there are countless noteworthy scenes brimming with impactful moments. This compilation will feature what I believe to be the top ten most significant episodes, explaining why they contribute to the narrative of Kamado Tanjiro.

10.
Mugen Train Arc, Episode 5

“Move Forward!”

Although the Mugen Train Arc was the shortest season yet in Demon Slayer, it left a lasting impression on its viewers. A key aspect that stands out is the exploration of characters’ desires and needs through the intriguing concept of being ensnared within one’s dreams. If you’ve watched it, you’ll understand.

In episode five, titled “Marching Ahead!”, Tanjiro resolves himself to advance despite his grief, setting his sights on defeating Enmu following a self-inflicted wound to break the curse. This is the scenario we witness.

This episode is particularly entertaining because of the camaraderie between Tanjiro and Inosuke Hashibara. Their unique interactions create a humorous atmosphere for me, but when it mattered most against Enmu, they harmoniously combined their skills, flipping the situation in an impressive display.

9.
Demon Slayer Season 1, Episode 4

“Final Selection”

At the start of Tanjiro’s career as a demon slayer, he encountered challenges at every step, making his progression to his current position incredibly tough. It wasn’t just about physical training and maintaining a balanced, well-tuned body; it was also about the fierce battles. The Final Selection test serves as a clear illustration of this.

The Final Test is a challenge every Demon Slayer must face, where they demonstrate their skills against lesser demons. For Tanjiro and his fellow students, this test was not just about battling harsh weather conditions but also confronting demons at an early stage, which proved challenging. To make matters worse, a demon transformed unexpectedly, seemingly appearing out of thin air.

At this stage, Tanjiro might have just two years of training under his belt, yet there was no room for second thoughts. Already, the shape-shifted demon had ensnared numerous Demon Slayers within its formidable body, compelling Tanjiro to move swiftly. This moment served as a glimpse into Tanjiro’s future character development, as he valiantly fought to save others at the risk of his own life.

8.
Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 3

“A Sword From Over 300 Years Ago”

Initially, the Swordsmith Village storyline unfolded tranquilly, as Tanjiro arrived at a hamlet teeming with expert blacksmiths. Moreover, Tanjiro engaged in combat against a puppet wielding a sword, possessing a 300-year-old blade within its form. This puppet was a reward for whoever managed to sever its head.

Just as tranquility reigned during the initial part of this episode, viewers were taken aback by a sudden shock when the demon, Hantengu, unexpectedly appeared on the scene. If you found one upper-rank demon challenging, imagine the chaos that ensues when that same demon is capable of dividing into numerous copies of itself?

It’s incredibly captivating to observe how every Hantengu sculpture embodies an emotion – there was one of Anger, another of Pleasure, followed by Sorrow and Joy. This sudden array not only poses a significant challenge for Tanjiro and the other demon slayers but also brings out the best in Tanjiro when his back is against the wall.

7.
Demon Slayer Season 1, Episode 9

“Temari Demon And Arrow Demon”

In the stories of both the Temari Demon and Arrow Demon, two pivotal moments occur that continue to influence the narrative significantly even today. One of these moments is when Tanjiro discovers from a gentle pair of demons that it is possible to transform demons back into humans. This discovery offers hope for Nezuko’s future.

Rather than proceeding with the story, Tanjiro and Nezuko are ambushed by Susamaru and Yahaba. The former possesses a power to hurl a ball at incredible speeds, capable of slicing through flesh and bone, while the latter has an ability that triggers PTSD in those who have knowledge about Pokemon’s Team Rocket hideouts.

In this installment, there are numerous thrilling action scenes and Tanjiro learning and adapting to the abilities of the two demons. Despite Nezuko losing her leg at the hands of Susamaru, they manage to outsmart Yahaba, transforming the battle into a two-versus-one encounter, leaving the story on a suspenseful note.

6.
Demon Slayer Season 1, Episode 22

“Master Of The Mansion”

Experiencing a meeting with the Hashiras from Demon Slayer seemed almost unreal, as it became apparent just how great the power disparity was between Tanjiro and these skilled sword masters. The Master of the Mansion episode delivers its most profound impact when it introduces the Master of the Hashira.

The episode seems to mark a significant change in the rules governing their world, with characters like Nezuko and Tanjiro being detained despite their virtuous nature and fighting against demons. However, the primary challenge they encounter is that Nezuko herself is a demon, which makes it necessary for her to be put down by a demon slayer’s sword.

In this particular episode, Tanjiro showcases his resolve when he defies the Hashira’s rules to save Nezuko, his sister, from being killed. Driven by his desire to transform Nezuko back into a human, Tanjiro vows to pursue that goal and safeguard her at all costs, ensuring she doesn’t use her demon abilities to harm anyone else.

5.
Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 5

“Bright Red Sword”

In this fifth installment of the Swordsmith Village Arc, the action is non-stop and exhilarating from beginning to end. If you were hoping for Demon Slayer to deviate slightly from its methodical environment-building episodes, then this episode certainly delivered on that front.

In the intensifying struggle among Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the Hantengu duplicates, they find themselves cornered with no relief in sight until reinforcements arrive in the guise of Genya and Tokito. However, the fight remains tough for everyone involved, as the Hantengu clones are far from a mere joke.

In order to devise a fresh strategy, Nezuko resorts to merging her demonic essence with Tanjiro’s sword. This fusion results in a breathtaking scene. With his flaming sword, and the spectral image of a past Demon Slayer who bears a striking resemblance to Tanjiro, we witness one of the most emotional scenes in all of Demon Slayer.

4.
Entertainment District Arc, Episode 6

“Layered Memories”

Even though the Mugen Train Arc was outstanding, it’s the Entertainment District Arc that really stirs up excitement when discussing season two of Demon Slayer. Characters like Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke truly shine in this 11-episode arc, and the formidable duo of Daki and Gyutaro presented a challenge that seemed almost insurmountable.

One notable trait of Tanjiro’s character that frequently earns praise is his capacity to remember his past, a factor that has significantly bolstered his standing as a Demon Slayer. Unlike many who might try to flee from it or avoid the suffering, it is precisely these hardships that fortify Tanjiro, making him resilient. In fact, he compels Daki, through his actions, to confront and overcome her own past challenges as well.

In contrast to Tanjiro, the traumatic events of Daki’s past have molded her into the demon she is today, along with her brother Gyutaro. The episode provides an intriguing look at how hardship can reshape a person, and how the scales tip towards either goodness or evil based on the situation.

3.
Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 11

“A Connected Bond: Daybreak And First Light”

This particular episode might seem to be placed higher on the list than some may anticipate, but let me assure you that there are numerous factors making it crucial for Tanjiro. Essentially, this episode revolves around Tanjiro juggling two vital tasks: shielding human lives from demons and safeguarding Nezuko’s existence.

At that moment, it seemed troubling that he couldn’t accomplish two tasks simultaneously: completing his mission and defeating one of the strongest demons yet encountered by the team. Tanjiro pursued Upper Rank Four Hantengu with the intention of fulfilling his duty and vanquishing this powerful demon. However, the looming challenge was the impending sunrise.

Following the defeat of Hantengu, Tanjiro focused his attention on Nezuko, who seemed to be affected by sunlight. What we didn’t realize was that Nezuko wasn’t hurt at all – she had actually adapted to withstand the sun’s rays. If you weren’t feeling as emotional as Tanjiro in this scene, were you truly engrossed in the story?

2.
Entertainment District Arc, Episode 10

“Never Give Up”

Episode 10 of the Entertainment District Arc is humorously titled “Never Give Up“, as the platforms streaming “Demon Slayer” unexpectedly malfunctioned upon its debut. Normally, an anime episode doesn’t cause such a stir, but this instance led to several services becoming unavailable for a while.

After managing to enter, it was definitely a moment of satisfaction. Recognizing that they needed to simultaneously behead Daki and Gyutaro wasn’t easy on Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Tengen, but when the deed was finally done, it was exhilarating.

Initially, things seemed under control for a brief moment, but then, with an actual explosion, the episode ended dramatically. Amidst Tanjiro’s fight against the poison’s grasp, Gyutaro’s severed corpse detonated, spraying blood shards towards the demon slayers. It was a shock so sudden that it left us all teetering on the edge of our seats.

1.
Demon SlayerSeason 1, Episode 19

“Hinokami”

It’s astonishing to consider that any single episode could surpass the emotional intensity felt by “Demon Slayer” fans, but the “Hinokami” episode demonstrates it can be done. If you’re a Tanjiro fan, this one will have you grabbing for tissues quicker than Tanjiro himself lunges for an attack.

In this situation, Tanjiro found himself facing an adversary who belonged to the spider clan, his elder brother no less. Not only was he out of his depth, but Nezuko, his sister, was also taken captive. To compound his troubles, Tanjiro’s sword had been broken, leaving him with a strong sense of futility in this fight.

Subsequent events showcased stunning artwork, interwoven with memories from Tanjiro’s childhood, in which he watched his father perform a fire dance. Emulating these actions, Tanjiro skillfully dodged his elder brother’s sharp traps and delivered the decisive blow. The entire sequence is filled with captivating combat, culminating in a melodious finale.

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2025-06-05 20:10