Few anime have captured global attention like Demon Slayer, known for its stunning visuals, emotional depth, and thrilling action. But Demon Slayer Season 4, officially the Demon Slayer Hashira Training Arc, shifts gears. Instead of constant battles, it focuses on character development and sets the stage for the series’ explosive finale.
Whether you’ve just finished watching or want to know what’s ahead, this Demon Slayer Season 4 Review covers everything—from story and emotional arcs to Ufotable visuals and key episode highlights.
What Is the Demon Slayer Hashira Training Arc About?
Season 4 picks up right after the events of the Swordsmith Village Arc, following the amazing moment when Nezuko became immune to sunlight. This discovery sends a clear message to the Demon Slayer Corps: Muzan Kibutsuji, their greatest enemy, now knows Nezuko is the key to his quest for true invincibility, and war is coming.
To prepare the entire Corps for this inevitable fight, the organization launches an unprecedented, full-scale training program led by the Hashira, the organization’s strongest swordsmen. Tanjiro, now healed and more determined than ever, joins this grueling series of tests, physical challenges, and skill-sharpening sessions.
Demon Slayer Season 4 poster
What makes this arc special is its focus on introspection (looking inward) rather than large-scale combat. The fast-paced action takes a back seat so we can understand the fears, regrets, ambitions, and humanity of each Hashira. This shift works surprisingly well, especially as the story builds toward its shocking finale.
This short, meaningful arc sets the foundation for everything to come.
Key Details About Demon Slayer Season 4
- Total Episodes: 8 episodes
- Premiere Date: May 12, 2024
- Animation Studio: Ufotable
- Director: Haruo Sotozaki
- Music: Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina
Demon Slayer Season 4 Plot Summary
After recovering from his injuries, Tanjiro is summoned to take part in a Corps-wide initiative: he must train under every Hashira to prepare for the impending war against Muzan. The training is focused on more than just physical conditioning, it’s about unlocking the mysterious Demon Slayer Marks, enhancing reflexes through a technique called Repetitive Action, and forging mental resilience.
The stakes are higher than ever, as Muzan becomes increasingly desperate to find Nezuko and Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the Corps’ leader. He scatters spies across the land, quietly setting up a confrontation that no one is fully prepared for.
While the season doesn’t have a traditional main villain or battlefield setting until the end, it leans heavily into themes of:
- Guilt and Redemption
- Unity and Leadership
- Survival and Sacrifice
Tanjiro’s sincere interactions with each Hashira expose new, deeper sides of their personalities, and in turn, his pure intentions inspire and soften them.
The arc ends with a shocking twist: Muzan invades the Ubuyashiki estate. This triggers one of the season’s most devastating sequences, which ultimately pulls all the combatants into the legendary Infinity Castle dimension.
Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode-by-Episode Breakdown
This section provides a summary of all 8 episodes, detailing how the Demon Slayers were trained and the key emotional breakthroughs achieved by Tanjiro and the Hashira.
Episode 1 – “To Defeat Muzan Kibutsuji”
The season kicks off with a spectacular 55-minute premiere that sets a tone of urgent dread. The episode starts with Sanemi Shinazugawa (the Wind Hashira) and Obanai Iguro (the Serpent Hashira) stumbling into a surreal glimpse of the Infinity Castle, a major foreshadowing of the final conflict.
A crucial Hashira meeting follows, where the discussions center on awakening the mysterious Demon Slayer Marks and starting the intense training. Most importantly, Tamayo’s alliance with the Corps is announced, marking a bold and potentially decisive strategy against Muzan.
Episode 2 – “Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka’s Pain”
The focus shifts to Giyu Tomioka, the withdrawn Water Hashira. Tanjiro, driven by his natural empathy, confronts Giyu with pure honesty and compassion. This interaction leads to the season’s first major emotional breakthrough: Giyu finally opens up, sharing the heavy burden of survivor’s guilt he has carried since the death of his friend, Sabito. This quiet, reflective episode is one of the arc’s most beautiful moments of character healing.
Episode 3 – “Fully Recovered Tanjiro Joins the Hashira Training!!”
Tanjiro first official stop in the training circuit is with Tengen Uzui, the retired Sound Hashira. Tengen’s drill is pure physical intensity, pushing every muscle in the body to its limit, stamina, reflexes, and coordination are key. Tanjiro relentless kindness and stubborn work ethic quickly make him an unintentional role model for the other trainees. Meanwhile, the nighttime sparring sessions among the Hashira intensify the excitement and hint at the powerful battles to come.
Episode 4 – “To Bring a Smile to One’s Face”
This episode provides a blend of light-hearted comedy and speed-focused combat under Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira. Muichiro drills test agility, precision, and movement. Despite the Hashira’s usual stoicism, Tanjiro warmth breaks through the intense atmosphere. The episode culminates in a memorable, carefree paper plane contest, a wholesome fan-favorite moment that speaks volumes about Tanjiro’s influence.
Episode 5 – “I Even Ate Demons”
The training level ratchets up significantly under the strict guidance of Mitsuri Kanroji (Love Hashira), Obanai Iguro, and Sanemi Shinazugawa.
- Mitsuri flexibility training is deceptively gentle.
- Obanai swordplay drills are technical and unforgiving.
- Sanemi endurance tests are brutal and emotionally draining. Tension peaks when Genya Shinazugawa’s secret, that he literally eats demons to gain power, is exposed, sparking severe conflict with his brother, Sanemi. This episode seamlessly juggles humor, sibling rivalry, and tough lessons.
Episode 6 – “The Strongest of the Demon Slayer Corps”
Training reaches its emotional and physical peak under Gyomei Himejima, the Stone Hashira, who is widely regarded as the Corps’ strongest warrior. His exercises, which involve pushing massive boulders and enduring waterfalls, test not only physical strength but also clarity of mind. Tanjiro eventually breaks through this final challenge, unlocking a deeper mastery of Repetitive Action and edging closer to awakening his Demon Slayer Mark. Meanwhile, Muzan’s spies are increasingly active, amplifying the sense of looming disaster.
Episode 7 – “Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima”
We are given Gyomei’s heartbreaking backstory, a past filled with compassion, betrayal, and loss. This tragic tale cements his trust in Tanjiro, forming one of the most vital relationships in the arc. Elsewhere, Zenitsu receives an unsettling letter that reveals a personal tragedy, an event that will dramatically shape his future battles. The calm preparation ends abruptly as Muzan infiltrates the Ubuyashiki mansion.
Episode 8 – “The Hashira Unite”
The finale is explosive and tragic. Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the Corps’ leader, weakened but resolute, makes the ultimate sacrifice: he destroys himself and his family in a devastating attempt to take out Muzan. It is a defining moment of tragedy and power.
Tamayo injects Muzan with a mysterious, powerful drug, and Gyomei arrives with righteous fury. The fight is cut short as the floor collapses, and the Demon Slayers are pulled into the legendary Infinity Castle, officially kicking off the climax of the entire series. This final episode is considered one of Ufotable’s most stunningly animated sequences.
Demon Slayer Season 4 Animation, Visuals, & Music (OST)
Ufotable continues to prove why they are regarded as one of the world’s top animation studios. Even though the arc is centered on training rather than full-blown fights, the animators treat every sprint, sword swing, and combat stance with the precision of a major battle sequence.
The visual quality is consistently breathtaking: fluid motion, rich background art, and atmospheric lighting ensure everything feels polished and intentional.
Visual Highlights:
- The beautiful, misty landscapes used during Muichiro’s sessions.
- The dramatic waterfalls and massive boulders featured in Gyomei’s training.
- The haunting, blood-red skies and the chaotic camera sweeps during Muzan’s invasion in the finale.
The Original Soundtrack (OST) is equally exceptional. Composers Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina deliver orchestral intensity to the quiet, reflective moments and powerful, emotional gravitas to the flashbacks. Music plays a huge part in elevating the arc’s overall emotional weight.
Standout Tracks:
- Opening: “Mugen” by MY FIRST STORY × HYDE , energetic, fierce, and symbolic of the coming war.
- Ending: “Shōri no Uta (Toki wo Koete)” by millet, soft, reflective, and beautifully melodic.
Demon Slayer Season 4 Character Development
The Hashira Training Arc shines brightest in its character work. Without constant demon fights to overshadow them, the audience finally gets to understand the Hashira on a much deeper, more human level.
| Character | Key Development in Season 4 |
| Tanjiro Kamado | His empathy becomes his biggest weapon. He doesn’t just train, he connects, heals, and uplifts every Hashira he interacts with. |
| Giyu Tomioka | He overcomes his crippling survivor’s guilt after finally sharing his pain with Tanjiro. This is his most important transformation. |
| Gyomei Himejima | We learn his heartbreaking backstory, transforming the misunderstood giant into one of the story’s most compassionate and trusted leaders. |
| Sanemi Shinazugawa | Beneath his rough exterior, the arc reveals a wounded interior and provides him with more emotional nuance, particularly concerning his brother, Genya. |
| Zenitsu Agatsuma | A crucial letter from his master shifts his attitude dramatically, planting the seeds for the fierce and disciplined warrior he is set to become. |
| Genya Shinazugawa | His unique, risky abilities are exposed, revealing his desperate desire for Sanemi’s acknowledgement. |
Together, these developments significantly deepen the entire story and successfully prepare viewers for the immense emotional and physical storm ahead in the final arc.
Final Verdict: Is Season 4 Worth Watching?
Demon Slayer Season 4 is not a high-action arc, and that is its strength. Its primary focus is on preparation, transformation, and building anticipation.
What It Does Exceptionally Well:
- Rich, meaningful character development for the Hashira.
- Consistently stunning animation quality, even during training.
- Crucial lore expansion and strategic setup for the ending.
- A finale that tragically and powerfully sets up the Infinity Castle arc.
Where It Falls Short:
- Pacing is noticeably slower compared to previous, battle-heavy seasons.
- It is only 8 episodes long, making it a very quick watch.
- Some beloved characters (like Nezuko) are severely underused.
- Limited major battles until the final episode.
Overall Rating: 8.2 / 10
Conclusion
Demon Slayer Season 4 may not be the most action-packed chapter, but it is one of the most emotionally and narratively important. It serves as a necessary bridge, a chance to truly understand the Hashira and witness the profound influence of Tanjiro Kamado on the Demon Slayer Corps.
With breathtaking visuals, heartfelt character moments, looming dread, and a devastating finale, the Hashira Training Arc beautifully sets the stage for the saga’s greatest battle yet: the war against Muzan Kibutsuji inside the Infinity Castle. If you haven’t watched it yet, now is the perfect time to dive in and prepare for the series’ unforgettable ending.
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