Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is one of the most popular anime and manga series in recent years, with millions of fans around the world. The story follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young boy who becomes a demon slayer after his family is slaughtered by a powerful demon named Muzan Kibutsuji. Along with his sister Nezuko, who was turned into a demon but still retains some of her humanity, and his friends Zenitsu and Inosuke, Tanjiro embarks on a perilous journey to find a way to cure Nezuko and defeat Muzan.
Demon Slayer: How Well Do You Remember Season 1 ( Quiz)
The anime adaptation of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has covered the first ten story arcs of the manga, ending with the Mugen Train arc, which was also adapted into a blockbuster movie. The next arc to be animated is the Infinity Castle arc, which is the first half of the final battle arc and the eleventh story arc of the manga. Here is everything we know about this epic arc and what to expect from it.
What is the Infinity Castle Arc?
The Infinity Castle arc (無限城編, Mugen-jō Hen) is the name given to the events that take place in the Infinity Castle, a vast extra-dimensional space that serves as the lair of Muzan Kibutsuji and his Twelve Kizuki, the strongest demons under his command. The Infinity Castle is created by Nakime, a biwa-playing demon who can manipulate space and teleport anyone within her range using her Blood Demon Art.
The arc begins with the Demon Slayer Corps launching a surprise attack on Muzan’s hideout, the Ubuyashiki estate, where they encounter him and Nakime. Muzan orders Nakime to open doors that cause the Hashira (the elite demon slayers) and their allies to fall into the Infinity Castle, where they are separated and confronted by various Upper-Rank demons. The arc features some of the most intense and emotional battles in the series, as well as major revelations and character developments.
Who are the main characters in the Infinity Castle Arc?
The Infinity Castle arc features a large cast of characters, both old and new. Here are some of the main ones:
The Main Infinity Castle Arc Demon Slayers
- Tanjiro Kamado: The protagonist of the series, Tanjiro is a kind-hearted and determined demon slayer who wields Water Breathing and Hinokami Kagura techniques. He is also one of the few people who can use the See-Through World, a state of heightened perception that allows him to see his opponents’ movements and weaknesses. He fights against Akaza, the Upper Rank 3 demon, alongside Giyu Tomioka.
- Nezuko Kamado: Tanjiro’s younger sister, Nezuko is a unique demon who can resist her bloodlust and protect humans. She has various abilities, such as shrinking her size, regenerating her wounds, and using Blood Demon Art that involve fire and explosions. She accompanies Tanjiro in his fight against Akaza but later faces Muzan himself.
- Zenitsu Agatsuma: Tanjiro’s friend and fellow demon slayer, Zenitsu is a cowardly but loyal boy who specializes in Thunder Breathing techniques. He can unleash his full potential when he falls asleep or faints, becoming extremely fast and powerful. He fights against Kaigaku, his former senior and rival who became a demon and joined the Upper Ranks as number 6.
- Inosuke Hashibira: Another friend and ally of Tanjiro, Inosuke is a wild and boisterous boy who was raised by boars in the mountains. He uses Beast Breathing techniques that mimic animal traits and senses. He also has an unusually strong sense of touch that allows him to feel vibrations in the air. He teams up with Kanao Tsuyuri to fight against Doma, the Upper Rank 2 demon.
- Kanao Tsuyuri: A female demon slayer who belongs to the Butterfly Estate under Shinobu Kocho’s guidance. She is a quiet and emotionless girl who follows orders without question. She uses Flower Breathing techniques that are derived from Water Breathing. She also possesses a rare genetic trait called Total Concentration Constant, which allows her to maintain peak physical condition at all times. She joins Inosuke in his battle against Doma.
- Shinobu Kocho: The Insect Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Shinobu is a beautiful and cheerful woman who hides her hatred for demons behind a smile. She uses Insect Breathing techniques that involve poison and needles. She also developed various medicines and antidotes for demons and demon slayers alike. She confronts Doma alone at first but is overpowered by his immunity to poison and his ice abilities.
- Giyu Tomioka: The Water Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Giyu is a stoic and reserved man who was the first to encounter Tanjiro and Nezuko. He uses Water Breathing techniques that are similar to Tanjiro’s, but more refined and powerful. He also has a strong sense of justice and compassion for his comrades. He fights alongside Tanjiro against Akaza, who holds a grudge against him for killing his former partner.
- Mitsuri Kanroji: The Love Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Mitsuri is a bubbly and affectionate woman who has a crush on Obanai Iguro. She uses Love Breathing techniques that involve flexible and colorful sword slashes. She also has superhuman strength and durability due to her muscle density. She fights against Nakime, the Upper Rank 4 demon who controls the Infinity Castle, with Obanai’s help.
- Obanai Iguro: The Serpent Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Obanai is a serious and loyal man who wears a snake-like mask over his mouth. He uses Serpent Breathing techniques that involve snake-like movements and venom. He also has a pet snake named Kaburamaru that assists him in combat. He fights alongside Mitsuri against Nakime, and later faces Muzan with the other Hashira.
- Muichiro Tokito: The Mist Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Muichiro is a calm and detached boy who lost his memories due to a demon attack. He uses Mist Breathing techniques that involve creating illusions and cutting through anything. He also has a twin brother named Yuichiro, who became a demon and joined the Upper Ranks as number 5. He fights against Kokushibo, the Upper Rank 1 demon, with Genya, Sanemi, and Gyomei.
- Genya Shinazugawa: A demon slayer who is Sanemi’s younger brother. He is a hot-headed and rebellious boy who hates demons and his brother for killing their family. He has the ability to eat demon flesh and gain their powers, such as regeneration and Blood Demon Art. He fights against Kokushibo with Muichiro, Sanemi, and Gyomei, using his gun and sword.
- Sanemi Shinazugawa: The Wind Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Sanemi is a fierce and abrasive man who has a strong hatred for demons. He uses Wind Breathing techniques that involve slicing through wind currents and creating shockwaves. He also has a rare blood type that attracts demons and makes them go berserk. He fights against Kokushibo with Muichiro, Genya, and Gyomei, using his katana and throwing knives.
- Gyomei Himejima: The Stone Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, Gyomei is a gentle and devout man who was once a monk. He uses Stone Breathing techniques that involve crushing and smashing with brute force. He also wields a unique weapon called a flail, which consists of an iron ball attached to a chain. He fights against Kokushibo with Muichiro, Genya, and Sanemi, using his flail and axe.
The Main Infinity Castle Arc Demons
- Muzan Kibutsuji: The main antagonist of the series, Muzan is the first and most powerful demon in existence. He is the one who turned Nezuko into a demon and killed Tanjiro’s family. He can manipulate his shape, size, color, and gender at will. He can also create new demons by injecting them with his blood, which also allows him to control them telepathically. He is the target of the Demon Slayer Corps’ final assault in the Infinity Castle.
- Nakime: The Upper Rank 4 demon of the Twelve Kizuki, Nakime is a mysterious woman who plays a biwa (a Japanese lute). She can create and manipulate the Infinity Castle using her Blood Demon Art. She can also teleport anyone within her range using her biwa strings. She fights against Mitsuri and Obanai in Infinity Castle.
- Doma: The Upper Rank 2 demon of the Twelve Kizuki, Doma is a charismatic and sadistic man who leads a cult called the Eternal Paradise. He can use ice-based Blood Demon Art that involves creating various shapes and forms of ice. He is immune to poison due to his cold body temperature. He fights against Shinobu, Kanao, and Inosuke in his palace within Infinity Castle.
- Akaza: The Upper Rank 3 demon of the Twelve Kizuki, Akaza is a violent and arrogant man who seeks strong opponents to fight. He can use martial arts-based Blood Demon Art that involves enhancing his physical abilities and creating shockwaves with his fists. He hates blades and refuses to use them
- Kaigaku: The Upper Rank 6 demon of the Twelve Kizuki, Kaigaku is a former demon slayer who trained under the same master as Zenitsu. He is a selfish and cowardly man who betrayed the Demon Slayer Corps and became a demon to gain more power. He can use Thunder Breathing techniques that are similar to Zenitsu’s, but more corrupted and unstable. He fights against Zenitsu in a tower within the Infinity Castle.
- Kokushibo: The Upper Rank 1 demon of the Twelve Kizuki, Kokushibo is the strongest demon under Muzan’s command. He is a former samurai who lived during the Sengoku period. He is also the older twin brother of Yoriichi Tsugikuni, the legendary swordsman who created the first Breathing Style. He can use Moon Breathing techniques that involve creating crescent-shaped blades with his sword and eyes. He fights against Muichiro, Genya, Sanemi, and Gyomei in a hall within Infinity Castle.
The Infinity Castle arc is a thrilling and action-packed arc that showcases the skills and personalities of the main characters and their enemies. It also reveals some of the secrets and mysteries behind the origin of demons and the history of the Demon Slayer Corps. The arc ends with the collapse of the Infinity Castle and the beginning of the Sunrise Countdown arc, which is the second half of the final battle arc and the climax of the series.
If you are a fan of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, you don’t want to miss this arc. You can read it in the manga or watch it in the upcoming second season of the anime, which is expected to air in 2025. Stay tuned for more updates and news about this amazing series!