Demon Slayer ending explained: What happens - and who survives - in the manga's final chapters?
Onward to a brighter future.
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The story of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has been building toward a final battle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji, but manga readers have already seen how Tanjiro’s journey ends. Because the Demon Slayer manga ended in 2020, we already know how the inevitable battle between demons and humans will play out.
If you’re wondering what exactly happens in the final chapters of the Demon Slayer manga, we’ve got the entire ending explained below. Of course, there are plenty of spoilers ahead so if you’ve been following the anime, read on with caution.
What happens at the Demon Slayer ending in manga?
After his intense training to become a Hashira, Tanjiro and the rest of the Demon Slayer Corps battle against the remaining Upper Ranked demons and Muzan himself within the endlessly winding halls of Infinity Castle. Tamayo sacrifices herself to deliver a poison to the Demon King that severely weakens him. Still, it takes the efforts of multiple Hashira just to bring him to a standstill.
As the sun rises and threatens to kill Muzan, Tanjiro moves in to deliver the final blow. However, he is fatally wounded. In a last-ditch effort to keep demon-kind alive, Muzan injects all of his remaining blood into Tanjiro, transforming him into the most powerful demon. Fortunately, the combined efforts of the remaining Demon Slayers and Nezuko, who has been turned back into a human, are enough to reverse the transformation.
Following the death of Muzan, every demon that had been under his control is killed, leaving Tamayo’s assistant, Yushiro, as the sole demon left alive. Tanjiro loses sight in his right eye and most mobility in his left arm as a result of the battle, but returns to his family home with Nezuko, Inosuke, and Zenitsu.
Who dies (and who survives) at the Demon Slayer ending in manga?
When you’re battling against the king of demons, there are going to be some casualties. While not every death is shown, we know that the Demon Slayer Corps was nearly wiped out during the battle. The surviving members of the Corps are:
- Tanjiro Kamado
- Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Inosuke Hashibira
- Kanao Tsuyuri
- Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Giyu Tomioka
- Tengen Uzui
What happens next in the Demon Slayer manga?
That's a lot of death at the end of the manga, but there is a happier future for everyone. In an epilogue chapter, we see the descendants of many of the main characters in modern Japan, living a peaceful life free from the threat of demon attacks. The epilogue starts with Nezuko and Zenitsu’s great-grandchild Yoshiteru reading a book called The Legend of Zenitsu and discussing the idea of reincarnation with his younger sister Toko. Yoshiteru states “I believe that everyone who fought demons and died for a peaceful world was reborn into a happier life.”
What follows is confirmation that they did. We meet the descendants of Kanao and Tanjiro who are still friends with the descendants of Zenitsu and Nezuko. As they walk to school together, we are shown the reincarnations and descendants of many of the Hashira. Tokito’s reincarnation also has a twin brother and both are being pushed in a stroller. Tengan’s reincarnation won a gold medal in gymnastics thanks to his shinobi ancestry. Himejima became a kindergarten teacher. Kanae and Shinobu’s descendants attend a women’s academy together. Finally, Mitsuri and Obanai finally get their happy ending as their reincarnated selves are married and open a restaurant in modern Japan.
Urokodaki and Kuwajima play a game of Shoji together. Genya and his brother Sanemi become police officers while Inosuke’s descendant is shown as an herbalist. Sumihiko is joined by Tojuro, the reincarnation of Flame Hashira Rengoku, as he tries to make it to school on time. A handful of other smaller cameos from characters like the swordsmith Haganezuka and Goto pass by before the manga closes with a photograph of Tanjiro and the other Demon Slayers on display in the Kamado household.
Slay on, Demon Slayer. As we prep for new installments of the Demon Slayer anime, here's a survival kit to help you. First, a guide to all the major Demon Slayer characters. Second, recommendations for how (and where) to watch all of Demon Slayer. Third, context of why Demon Slayer is so popular. Fourth, when we think Demon Slayer season 4 is coming out. And also, how Demon Slayer ends (at least in the manga).
And as a bonus, you can watch the full NYCC Demon Slayer panel with the voice cast.
