Some anime series take a while to ease into the action, ramping up gradually before the series' most exciting, heart-racing moments occur. Other popular shonen series, likeJujutsu KaisenandMy Hero Academia,for example, model this slow escalation, taking their time before portraying serious death, violence, and gore. The same cannot be said aboutDemon Slayerthough. In the very first episode, aptly titled “Cruelty,“I was caught off guard by the sheer brutality and sorrow that unfoldedin the first few minutes alone.
The first episode ofDemon Slayerwas phenomenal at capturing my attentionand immersing me in the story. Rather than introduce the characters in a lighthearted manner, episode one pulls no punches, thrusting viewers directly into the horrors to come inDemon Slayer’sworld that is plagued by violent and bloodthirsty creatures called demons. Before I even knew any of the characters' names, who they were, or what their goals were, I was confronted with the most horrifying and traumatic moment of the protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado’s, life, unveiled in front of the audience in all its emotional, catastrophic detail.
Demon Slayer’sShocking Opening Scene Is Unlike Any Other Anime’s First Episode
Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji, Murdered Tanjiro’s Family and Turned Nezuko Into a Demon Like Himself
The episode opens with some briefbackstory on the Kamado family, revealing main character, Tanjiro Kamado, his parents, Tanjuro and Kie, and his five siblings, Hanako, Takeo, Shigeru, Rokuta, and Nezuko. The family was very tight-knit, close, and loving, and in this episode, they were experiencing an ordinary, happy day together like any other,that would soon unexpectedly shift into a nightmare.Tanjiro left his house briefly to go sell charcoal in town to earn money to support his family, but by the time he returned shortly afterward, irreversible tragedy had struck that would change Tanjiro’s life permanently.
There’s One Reason Tanjiro is Demon Slayer’s Real Hero, & It’s Not What Fans Think
Instead of strength or courageousness, there is a very unique quality that sets Demon Slayer’s hero Tanjiro apart from other shonen main characters.
While Tanjiro was gone, a demon, later revealedto be Muzan Kibutsuji,the Demon King, murdered Tanjiro’s entire family.Not only did he commit this atrocity, he turned Tanjiro’s one surviving sibling, Nezuko, into a demon like himself. I still vividly recall the feeling of absolute shock and horror I felt watching this first episode because of how suddenly and violently Tanjiro’s family lost their lives. I was also truly amazed by the risks the series was willing to take in just the first episode, since for many animes, it takes longer for the story to delve into such dark topics as death.
The Shocking Tragedy in Episode One Sets the Tone, Revealing the True Threat of Demons
Not Only Was Tanjiro Introduced, the Episode Also Revealed the True Evil of Lord Muzan and the Demons
Most anime series would be hesitant to kill main characters or show extreme violence in the first episode, but this bold move worked out inDemon Slayer’sfavor. In my opinion, it was necessary for a disaster such as the death of Tanjiro’s family to happen early on toprove just how significant of a threat demons are to humanity.Rather than just stating this fact and telling the audience that demons are dangerous and ending thousands of innocent human lives, this first episode showed just what demons are capable of firsthand by depicting such a nauseating sequence of merciless murder.
Lord Muzan is the main villainofDemon Slayerand the major conflicts and plot twists later in the story center around him.By introducing him so early on in the series in such a petrifying way, it was made clear that he is willing to go to any lengths to accomplish his villainous deeds. Tanjiro did not realize Muzan was responsible for the murders until way later, and once he made this connection, his rage and disgust towards the Demon King only intensified. Not only did this pivotalDemon Slayermoment summarize Tanjiro’s past, it provided him with a reason to become a demon slayer.
The Episode Gives Tanjiro Heartbreaking Motivation To Enroll in the Demon Slayer Corps
The Murder of His Family and Nezuko’s Transformation Drove Tanjiro To Become a Demon Slayer
There are many members of the Demon Slayer Corps with various reasons for choosing this profession, butTanjiro Kamado’s motivation is arguably more compelling and understandablethan anyone else’s. After coming across his family’s corpses on that fateful day, he swore to avenge them and kill as many demons as possible so no one else suffered the same grim fate. There was also another component to this promise: since Nezuko was now a demon too, Tanjiro swore to her that he would restore her humanity at all costs, and he hoped to find a cure during his work as a demon slayer.
25 Saddest Demon Slayer Deaths, Ranked
Deaths are unavoidable in Demon Slayer, as characters constantly fight for their lives. Some deaths are sadder than others, though.
These early scenes are so effective becausethey allowed me to understand Tanjiro better as a character, learn his origin story quickly, and realize the driving factors that pushed him to join the Demon Slayer Corps. Tanjiro’s burning hatred of demons also makes more sense considering everything Lord Muzan and demons have taken from him. His commitment to turning Nezuko human again is also very admirable and meaningful, since she is his last remaining relative alive and losing her too would be a greater blow than he could possibly bear after everyone else he ever loved was killed in one fell swoop.
The Episode Also Illustrates the Close Sibling Relationship Between Tanjiro and Nezuko
The Kamado Siblings Grew Even Closer Out of Necessity, With No Family Members Left To Turn To
Episode one ofDemon Slayerunpacked the relationshipbetween Tanjiro and Nezuko. As the only two survivors of a disturbing tragedy, they had to depend on each other even more. Nezuko was weakened by her demon state and, thankfully, Tanjiro safeguarded her from those who were violent towards her because she was a demon, as well as external threats like the sun. The first episode of the series is a shock to watch, but because of how well it introduces Tanjiro’s character, explains the threat of demons and Muzan, and establishes his bond with Nezuko,it was the perfect way to beginDemon Slayer.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Cast
Set in Japan’s Taisho Period, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Tanjiro, a young boy whose family is killed by demons. With his sister Nezuko transformed into a demon, Tanjiro embarks on a quest to become a demon slayer, seeking vengeance and a cure for his sister’s condition.
