Demon Slayer Releases New Poster, Teaser Video For Season 2

The new teaser video features more commentary from the Sound Hashira Tengen and gives fans another glimpse of Daki, who is one of the primary antagonists of the Entertainment District Arc. The promo poster for the second season features key characters like Tanjiro and Nezuko, as well as more of Daki and Tengen.  The Entertainment District Arc, sometimes referred to as the Red Light District Arc, is widely regarded as one of the better story arcs from the Demon Slayer manga, so anticipation for the anime adaptation of it is very high.

Ufotable, the animation studio that produces the Demon Slayer TV anime and that also recently made headlines after it and its president were indicted for over $1 million dollars of alleged tax evasion, also announced that the critically acclaimed and sales-record smashing Mugen Train movie will return to Japanese theaters for a limited time, from July 22 to July 29. Fans who attend screenings of the movie during this period will be given the opportunity to buy exclusive merchandise, such as a replica of the wind chime from the Rengoku household, and will be given a free art card depicting the show's cast celebrating the Flame Hashira Kyujuro Rengoku's birthday.

The first season of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba is available for streaming on Netflix, Hulu and Funimation. The Mugen Train movie, which depicts the story arc the takes place immediately before the events of the Entertainment District Arc, is streaming exclusively on Funimation.

KEEP READING: New Demon Slayer Attractions at Universal Studios Revealed

Source: Twitter, via Anime News Network

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Demon Slayer Season 2 Simulcast Confirmed by Funimation

Funimation has confirmed that it will provide an English simulcast of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba's second season when it premieres.

The streaming and localization company made the first official announcement regarding the next season's English release today. The second season of the immensely popular shonen anime series will adapt the manga's fan-favorite Entertainment District Arc. While a final release date still hasn't been announced, Funimation confirmed that it will simulcast the season in United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand whenever it does premiere sometime in 2021. The company also re-released the most recent trailer and poster for the series, now updated with English text.

Funimation was also the exclusive streaming home of the record breaking Demon Slayer movie, Mugen Train. The Entertainment District Arc features Tanjiro and company joining the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui as he investigates reports of demon activity within the city's red light district. The arc is setting directly after the events of Mugen Train and is widely regarded amongst fans of the manga as one of the best story arcs in the entire series.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba was created by Koyoharu Gotouge and tells the story of Tanjiro Kamado, a young man who takes up the sword and becomes a demon slayer after most of his family is slaughtered by demons and his only surviving relative, his younger sister Nezuko, is transformed into a demon. The anime series is produced by studio Ufotable, which recently got in hot water with the Japanese government after allegedly failing to pay over $1 million USD in taxes.

The first season of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba is available for streaming on Netflix, Hulu and Funimation.

KEEP READING: Demon Slayer's Tanjiro vs. One Piece's Zoro - Which Samurai Swordsman Wins?

Source: Funimation

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Demon Slayer: 5 Best 2-On-1 Fights

One aspect that Demon Slayer excels at is setting up believable tension between its heroes and villains. The Demon Slayers aren't on the level of the demons; they don't have special abilities like super-strength or advanced healing. They're equipped with unique blades that can harm demons and their own training, and as a result, every battle they face is difficult.

One of the ways the series proves that is by often having the heroes team up so they can stand a chance at winning their battles. Several episodes of the anime involve Tanjiro or one of the other Demon Slayers teaming up for the sake of defeating their opponent. The series excels at these combat sequences that show multiple sides desperately battling against one another — and makes for one of the best reasons to watch the show.

5 The Kamado Siblings Had To Work Together To Survive The Temple Demon

Before Tanjiro could learn how to become a Demon Slayer, he had to learn how to bring down one of their number with nothing more than his hatchet and the aid of his sister. To Tanjiro’s credit, he has a quick enough reaction time to instantly cut the Demon’s throat, but it manages to recover pretty much instantly.

Despite being freshly transformed into a Demon, Nezuko was still more devoted to her brother than to her Demon instincts. Rather than get distracted by the recently killed bodies, Nezuko rushes in to save her brother, literally kicking the other Demon’s head off. This was a fight that could have easily been the end of either of them, but fortunately, their ability to work together finally got the Demon down for good, leaving it pinned to a tree.

4 Tanjiro Needed Nezuko's Help To Battle The Swamp Demon's Multiple Selves

Fresh from his training and success in the Final Selection, Tanjiro is given his first mission...and it’s one he wouldn't have been able to complete as well without his sister. The Swamp Demon is three Demons in one, and its goal is hunting down young girls to consume. Tanjiro narrowly manages to save some humans from its grasp, and Nezuko proves necessary to defend the innocents while Tanjiro battles the Demon.

Tanjiro rushes headfirst into the Demon’s home turf in a swamp, and while it believes Tanjiro will be weakened there, by this point Tanjiro's several months of training in a harsh climate with thinner air makes this battle an easy victory for him. This battle showed the results of Tanjiro’s initial training to become a Demon Slayer, and just how powerful Nezuko had become after her months of sleep to recover her energy.

3 Tanjiro and Inosuke Only Narrowly Survived Rui's Spider Demon Mother

The Natagumo Mountain arc featured all three main characters in pitched battle on an assignment that would eventually be recognized as a top-tier Demon Slayer mission, with the inclusion of a Lower Demon Moon. Tanjiro and Inosuke found themselves up against the Mother of this family of Demons, a being who controlled every human who found their way into the forest with webbing.

Both Tanjiro's skill and Inosuke's unpredictable thinking were vital for this fight: Tanjiro proved capable of fighting on the level of these monsters, but it was only because of Inosuke that either of them survived. In the heat of the battle, Inosuke manages to toss Tanjiro into the air, free of all the potential webbing, to let him land a final move. This battle was a reminder of just how sad many of their enemies were, though, as the Demon gave up in her final moments just to be free of Rui, the Lower Demon Moon.

2 Tanjiro and Inosuke Were Helpless Against Rui's Powerful Father

Demon Slayer is unlike a lot of other shonen series in that their main characters are forced to accept the limitations of their abilities constantly. Despite narrowly defeating the Mother Spider Demon, neither Tanjiro or Inosuke prove capable of doing much of anything to the Father.

Working off pure brute strength and high defensive abilities alone, he's able to deflect Tanjiro’s attacks and knock Inosuke so far away that he's not even anywhere near the battle field anymore. Tanjiro’s Water Breathing techniques don't even make a dent, and it's only because of Giyu's timely arrival that either of them actually manage to survive. This is still a gorgeous fight, as Ufotable really started to amp up the detail in the second half of the show.

1 Tanjiro and Nezuko's Battle Against Rui Saw Both Siblings Reach Peak Performance To Survive

Tanjiro and Nezuko vs. Rui isn't just a great fight in Demon Slayer; it's one of the best fights of 2019. It works on multiple levels, as it's one of the most well-animated and skillfully-choreographed fights that any studio produced that year. But it also works to cap off the season as a whole — Tanjiro’s entire goal has been to prove that his bond with Nezuko means more than anything their enemies could do to them, even turning her into a Demon. Rui's goal upon seeing how much Nezuko cares is to destroy that bond, killing Tanjiro and making Nezuko his sister, but this desire proves to be his undoing.

Both Tanjiro and Nezuko dig deep within themselves and find new levels of strength: Nezuko awakens her own Blood Demon Art, while Tanjiro learns to use Hinokami Kagura techniques. This is the best fight of the season by far, as well as being the best two-on-one fight in Demon Slayer.

NEXT: Zenitsu Agatsuma & 9 Other Annoying Anime Characters

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Demon Slayer: 10 Questions That Season 2 Needs To Answer

Demon Slayer has blown anime fans away with its stunning visuals, epic storyline, and loveable characters, all in the span of one season and one movie. In that time, the story introduced Tanjiro's story and set up his mission to turn his sister Nezuko back into a human and slay some demons along the way.

Season 2 is now on the horizon, and it's gotten a lot of anime-only fans excited to see what else this series has in store. Hopefully, some of the most pressing questions and theories will be addressed when the second season of Demon Slayer drops later this year.

10 How Much Has The Main Trio Improved?

At the end of season one, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke are training at the Butterfly Mansion. They gradually get stronger and improve significantly over the course of the arc. They eventually master the Total Concentration: Constant breathing technique, and Tanjiro even begins to catch up with Kanao in their exercises together.

Viewers have had a chance to see the effect this training has had on them in the Mugen Train movie, but only briefly. Many fans can't wait to see the extent to which the boys have improved, hopefully as they do battle with more powerful demons.

9 How Strong Is Nezuko Now?

During the fight with Rui, Nezuko fully awakens to her demonic powers, using fire magic to help save Tanjiro from death. Nezuko's new power is called Blood Demon Art: Exploding Blood, and as the name suggests, it allows her to combust her own blood into powerful flames.

It's a deeply emotional and amazing moment in the first season, but it leaves many questions. How did Nezuko gain this power without consuming human flesh? Does it only cause her blood to burn, or is there more to it? Is this the extent of her powers, or will she continue to grow stronger? Hopefully, she will perform some more spectacular feats in the next season so fans can see just how powerful she can be.

8 Which Of The Hashira Is The Strongest?

The Hashira are all introduced together at the end of season one and command a strong presence on screen. All of them carry the air of seasoned veterans, and their status as the deadliest of demon slayers makes them all the more stunning. But which one of them is the strongest?

Viewers don't yet know if there is an official ranking system among the Hashira, or if there is someone among them who is the ultimate demon slayer. It could be Giyu with his stoicism and 11th water-breathing technique, Sanemi with his cocky attitude and overwhelming speed, or perhaps one of the others.

7 How Is Tamayo's Blood Research Going?

Partway through the first season, Tanjiro meets Tamayo, a doctor-turned-demon who is looking to find a way to transform demons back into humans. She asks Tanjiro to provide her with blood samples from overly strong demons to help her with her research.

Tanjiro collects some of these samples during his encounters but also misses opportunities to acquire some excellent samples as well. Have the samples Tanjiro provided been of any use to Tamayo? Is she any closer to finding a solution? Hopefully, she will provide Tanjiro with an update on her progress at some point next season.

6 How Strong Are The Upper Six Kizuki?

Fans who have seen the movie have already been treated to the ferocious power of one of the upper ranked Kizuki in what was an epic and climactic final battle scene. But what about the other five of the highest-ranked members? Are they as fearsome as Akaza, or potentially even more daunting?

Without the details from the manga, there is no telling whether or not more of the upper six Kizuki will show up next season. However, viewers will be in for some spectacular fight scenes of mind-blowing intensity if they do, especially if Azaka makes a reappearance.

5 What's The Deal With That Other Final Selection Victor?

During the final selection, this youth acts quite violently toward the hosts of the event, eager to get ahold of his Michurin sword. Tanjiro sets him straight by breaking his arm, and he isn't shown again until a rude and brief encounter between him and Tanjiro in the Butterfly Mansion.

Anime-only fans haven't even learned his name yet, and it begs a lot of questions as to who he is and what his role in the story will be. Is there a reason he's incredibly violent and ill-tempered?

4 Why Does The Master Look Like That?

When the Hashira are introduced at the end of season one, the revered master of the Demon Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, also makes his first appearance. Many fans might have been put off by his appearance or confused why he looks the way he does. Regardless of his appearance, all of the Hashira show nothing but bountiful respect toward him, so he is clearly a man worthy of their admiration.

It's clear from how he interacts with others that his problem causes him blindness, as he can only vaguely sense people and things that aren't immediately in front of him. Was it some kind of accident that altered face and caused this loss of vision? It would be nice to get some more backstory on the famed master of the Demon Corps and find out what happened in his life to result in his current appearance.

3 Why Does Muzan Have A Human Family?

Tanjiro is shocked to find out that Muzan Kibutsuji is pretending to live the life of a human, even having a human wife and daughter. It enrages Tanjiro greatly, but he never gets an answer as Muzan slips away and sends demons after Tanjiro.

Why does Muzan want to be a part of a human family? Is he fulfilling some deep-seated desire? Maybe it's the secret to how any demon can do the same thing, or go back to how they once were. Tanjiro and fans alike are eager to find out more about Muzan and his unique situation.

2 Why Can Zenitsu Only Fight While Unconcious?

It's made clear quite early on in the story that Zenitsu can only really fight against demons when he is unconscious in some way or another. However, when he is in this state, he performs some fantastic feats of demon-slaying, cutting down foes with razor-sharp precision and lightning-fast speed.

This could just be a quirk for his character, and fans may never get a proper answer for why Zenitsu can only fight when he's passed out. Some hints in his backstory in the show suggest it has something to do with his lack of bravery or when he was struck by lightning. Maybe the anime will provide some more information on exactly how it works or, at the very least, allow one of the other main characters to see him properly in action.

1 What Is The Secret Of The Hinokami Kagura?

Tanjiro gives a beautiful display of raw power during his fight against Rui in season one. When all hope seems lost and his death is inevitable, he is saved by Nezuko and proceeds to charge toward Rui. During this charge, he remembers the dancing his father taught him, and it awakens his ability to use the fire breathing technique he calls "Hinokami Kagura."

Tanjiro then proceeds to try and find more out about this technique but has so far failed to get any information, even from the legendary Flame Hashira. Why has no one heard of this technique, and what mysteries does it hold? Will it give Tanjiro an insight into the kind of man his father was before he died? Either way, Tanjiro will hopefully use this technique more in season two and maybe even uncover the root of its origins.

NEXT: Demon Slayer: 10 Most Emotional Scenes From Season 1

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Demon Slayer: Everything to Remember Before Season 2 Begins

October 10 can't come fast enough as the premiere of Season 2 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba draws closer. The popular series is still riding the high of the success of its first feature film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train. However, apart from the film, the core series has been on hiatus since September of 2019, so it's understandable if some fans out there could use a bit of a refresher before Season 2.

Part of Mugen Train's undeniable success is because it was based on material from the manga, which is highly unusual for anime films. Mugen Train covers the section of the manga that takes place directly after where Season 1 of the anime series left off, meaning that fans who missed the movie will have also missed crucial plot developments going into Season 2. However, it has recently been announced that Mugen Train will be re-edited into the first seven episodes of Season 2, so fans who didn't catch the movie won't be missing anything after all.

With that in mind, let's recap the premise of Demon Slayer and where things left off at the end of Season 1. Protagonist Tanjiro Kamado returns home to find his family slaughtered and his sister, Nezuko, turned into a Demon. He then sets off on a journey to find the Demon, or Demons, who murdered his family, as well as search for a way to turn Nezuko back into a human. He quickly joins the Demon Slayer Corps so that he can learn the skills necessary to survive his journey.

The Demon Slayer Corps is a group of swordsmen who specialize in the elimination of the Demons that roam the world eating humans. The Demons in this world possess superhuman strength and abilities, and they can only be killed by either decapitation with a special Nichirin Blade or exposure to sunlight. Demon Slayers use katanas and Total Concentration Breathing -- a technique that uses focused breathing patterns to maximize the user's strength, speed, stamina, reflexes and mental abilities for a short period of time.

Additionally, Demon Slayers use Breathing Techniques, which are sword-wielding forms that suit their bodies and styles, giving them even greater strength and skill in battle. There are five main styles: Water, Flame, Thunder, Wind and Stone, as well as several derivatives such as Beast, Mist, Serpent, Sound, Insect and Love. The show's hero, Tanjiro Kamado, uses Water-Breathing, although he recently remembered a technique taught to him by his father known as the Hinokami Kagura, which is immensely more powerful than other Breathing Techniques.

During his journey, Tanjiro has befriended and become travel companions with fellow Demon Slayers Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira. Zenitsu uses Thunder-Breathing; however, he can only do so while asleep, as he is too terrified by Demons to do much of anything while he's awake. Inosuke is a feral boy who uses Beast-Breathing and wears the head of the boar who raised him as a child in the mountains. Along with Nezuko, the group has become the best of friends after their travels and battles together.

When viewers last saw Tanjiro and the gang in Season 1, they were recovering from a brutal encounter with Rui, a powerful Demon who serves as Lower Rank Five of the Twelve Kizuki. The Kizuki are the most powerful Demons in the world, created by Muzan Kibutsuji, the original Demon. Tanjiro and the gang only survive this encounter because they are rescued by two of the Hashira, the most elite Demon Slayers in the Corps. Unfortunately, the Hashira subsequently demand the execution of Tanjiro and Nezuko, as it is against the Corps' laws to harbor a Demon, sister or not.

Luckily, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, allows Tanjiro and Nezuko to live and stay together, although the Hashira don't like it. Once Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke recover from their injuries, they master Total Concentration Breathing: Constant, a skill used by the Hashira to push their bodies to their limits for even greater strength. With this new skill, the boys are now far more powerful than during their previous encounter with Rui.

Tanjiro continues to search for the Demon who killed his family and a way to turn Nezuko back into a human. However, he now also seeks someone who can help him understand the Hinokami Kagura, a mysterious Breathing Technique that no one seems to have heard of. Season 1 ends with Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke boarding the Mugen Train, where they have been ordered to join the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, in investigating the many disappearances from it.

KEEP READING: Demon Slayer Movie Mugen Train Gets Blu-Ray Release Date

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Demon Slayer Season 2: News and Story Details

Koyoharu Gotouge's hit manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba may have come to a close, but the anime series continues picking up steam, with a second season releasing in 2021. The Demon Slayer anime was a runaway hit in Japan and abroad, featuring a kind and relatable protagonist in Tanjiro Kamado and his quest to save his Demon sister, Nezuko.

Season 1 left off with the promise of far more adventure and electrifying fantasy battle scenes, leading right into the Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie. Fans will undoubtedly want to see the film, as its canonical story has some significant ramifications, and Season 2 will pick up right after the movie's events. Here's what we know so far about Demon Slayer Season 2.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Updated Oct. 9, 2021, to include the new Demon Slayer Season 2 trailer.

Demon Slayer's Story So Far: Season 1 and Mugen Train

Tanjiro Kamado lived an ordinary life in the mountains until a Demon slaughtered his family and turned his beloved younger sister Nezuko into a Demon herself. Tanjiro will undergo hellish training to become a Demon Slayer -- an elite swordsman -- and find a way to restore Nezuko's humanity. But Tanjiro quickly realizes more people than Nezuko needed his help because the King of Demons, Muzan Kibutsuji, moves through a rapidly modernizing Japan, recruiting more Demons. So Tanjiro builds up his team, making friends with the Thunder Breath user Zenitsu Agatsuma and the boar-headed Inosuke Hashibira.

However, Tanjiro has more problems than the actual Demons, as the Hashira -- the ultimate Demon Slayers -- initially reject Tanjiro's quest and demand that his sister be killed. Ultimately, Nezuko proves she isn't merely a flesh-hungry monster, and the leader of the Demon Slayers, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, sides with Tanjiro. Now, Shinobu Kocho, the Insect Hashira, and her fellows train Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke for the road ahead.

In a bizarre alternative dimension, Muzan lashes out and slaughters most of the six Lower Moons -- the lower-ranked Demons in Muzan's forces -- in frustration, preparing the six Upper Moons for action. Elsewhere, by the end of Season 1, Tanjiro's party arrives at a train station, leading directly into the events of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train. The film pairs Kyojuro Rengoku (the Flame Hashira) with Tanjiro, Inosuke, Zenitsu and Nezuko to face the only surviving Lower Moon Demon, Enmu. However, an even graver threat lurks beyond Enmu and his sleep-inducing abilities, leading to Rengoku having one of the best fights in Demon Slayer to date.

The Demon Slayer: Mugen Train movie connects directly with Season 1, and the movie is an essential bridge between the anime's first and second movies. Plot-wise, it has a beginning, middle and end, like any feature-length movie, and it ultimately serves as a cinematic prologue for the upcoming Season 2. The movie isn't just a mediocre piece of extraneous material, though; it was a box-office smash hit in Japan and worldwide, and boasts top-rate animation, music and emotional impact, all courtesy of studio UFOtable.

Mugen Train is now available to stream on video platforms such as Amazon Prime, the PlayStation Store and Apple TV in either Japanese or English, depending on the platform.

Demon Slayer Season 2's Trailers & Release Date

Although a trailer has yet to debut for the English-language release of Demon Slayer, a teaser dropped earlier this year on Japanese streaming service Abema TV, and the official Demon Slayer Twitter account shared this trailer for the world to see.

On October 7th, Crunchyroll released another trailer, outlining the first sequence of Season 2, including the all-new material featuring Rengoku's adventures leading up to the Mugen Train movie. According to the trailer, 70 new cuts of material will be added, along with new music and new previews.

It depicts the Yoshiwara Red-Light District as Tanjiro's team storms the place to find and destroy all Demons in the area. Mysterious, robed women watch as the Demon Slayers get to work, but based on one woman's wicked smile, a few of them may be Demons. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Nezuko can't afford to let their guard down. What's more, Tanjiro can no longer rely on Kyojuro Rengoku to watch his back, since the Fire Hashira met a grisly end in the climax of Mugen Train. Instead, Tanjiro will be in the company of the sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui. No doubt Season will be a fine opportunity to expand upon his character and abilities.

On Oct. 7, 2021, Crunchyroll released a new trailer outlining the first sequence of Season 2. According to the trailer, 70 new cuts of material will be added, along with new music and new previews.

Season 2 will premiere on Funimation on Oct. 10, 2021, beginning with a seven-episode adaptation of the Mugen Train arc. Then, the Red-Light District arc's episodes begin airing on Dec. 15. The season's first episode will feature never-before-seen material exploring Kyojuro Rengoku's adventures prior to Mugen Train's events. The Red-Light District arc will begin with a one-hour special episode featuring the Upper Moon Six demon, Daki.

KEEP READING: Demon Slayer's Mugen Train Was a Perfect Arc for a Movie

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Demon Slayer's Season 2 Premiere Includes a Touching Rengoku Tribute

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 2, Episode 1, "Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku," now streaming on Funimation, Hulu, and Crunchyroll, as well as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, now streaming on Funimation and Crunchyroll.

The Season 2 premiere of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is an anime-exclusive episode focused on Kyojuro Rengoku, the Flame Hashira. A major player in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train, Rengoku became an instant favorite. Fans have been desperate for any additional Rengoku content, even after his untimely demise in Mugen Train. Luckily, the Season 2 premiere is a Rengoku-centric episode that ends with a touching, albeit fan-servicing, tribute to his character.

Demon Slayer finds itself in an odd position as it re-covers the Mugen Train arc after its successful film adaptation. Because of this, even fans of the series who don't read the manga are aware of the fate that awaits Kyojuro Rengoku at the end of this storyline. However, Season 2 is taking advantage of this by adding more Rengoku content to help make his death even more tragic.

As word spread regarding the news of Rengoku's death in Mugen Train, the Hashira are mostly silent and stoic. The nine Hashira are popular characters, yet they don't spend a lot of meaningful time interacting with one another, leaving their various interpersonal relationships (if any exist) vague. As the credits roll on Season 2, Episode 1, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke make their first appearance in a cheeky, fourth-wall-breaking segment regarding how the other Hashira feel about Rengoku.

Thanks to a Kasugai Crow, the messenger birds of the Demon Slayer Corps, each Hashira makes a brief appearance in a montage complimenting Rengoku. Shinobu Kocho says Rengoku is a good person though they don't always agree, while Tengen Uzui agrees the Flame Hashira is a great guy who surpasses him in flamboyance. Muichiro Tokito strangely compares Rengoku to an owl with a comforting voice, while Gyomei Himejima praises his comrade's positivity, honesty, and lack of whining.

The more stoic Hashira in Demon Slayer -- Sanemi Shinazugawa, Iguro Obanai, and Giyu Tomioka -- each quietly agree that Rengoku is a good, talkative person. For these three, when speaking of Rengoku, a "love him" animation flickers on the screen, indicating they each hold Rengoku in high regard. This funny moment helps express their feelings without the segment forcing them to break character by openly saying how much their comrade means to them. Mitsuri Kanroji also reveals that Rengoku was her mentor, calling him a "super cool big brother" who doted on her.

It's a brief, delightful segment that illustrates how widely beloved Kyojuro Rengoku is as a Hashira. It also adds to his inevitable tragedy by reminding the audience that Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke won't be the only ones who will mourn when Rengoku meets his end at the hands of Akaza. Demon Slayer's Season 2 premiere is an open love letter to Kyojuro Rengoku, and this tribute is both a nice reprieve and a grim reminder of the impending tragedy that looms over the Mugen Train arc.

KEEP READING: Demon Slayer Season 2 Trailer Showcases New Content from Each Arc

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Demon Slayer Season 2: 10 Things Fans Are Looking Forward To

After the Mugen Train Movie's amazing success, fans expect to see the same high-quality treatment for Demon Slayer's Season 2. Season 2 covers the highly anticipated Entertainment District arc and features the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui.

The Entertainment District arc takes place right after the events of the Mugen Train Movie. This season also follows the story of Tengen Uzui and the gang on a mission in Yoshiwara. The gang will be helping Uzui look for his wives who went missing investigating a demon that duels within the district.

Warning: The following article contains spoilers for Demon Slayer Season 2.

10 The Return Of The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui

One character that fans can't wait to see more of is the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui. After only a couple of minutes of screen time in Season 1 and the movie, Season 2 centers around Uzui and his mission to save his wives.

Uzui is a very flashy and eccentric Hashira that wants everything to be flamboyant. However, despite his rambunctious attitude, Uzui cares deeply for his wives, even telling them that their safety comes first before anything, so they can always return home to him.

9 Highly Anticipated Debut Appearance of Tengen Uzui's Wives

Season 2 will be the debut appearance of the highly anticipated Uzui's wives. Anime-only watchers will be surprised to hear that it's not wife but wives, Uzui has a whopping total of three wives. Makio, Suma, and Hinatsuru are all married to Uzui, who cares deeply for all of them.

Each wife has their own unique look and personality, fans even suspect them to be parallel of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke personalities.

8 Tanjiro, Zenitsu, & Inosuke Going Undercover As Girls

A funny moment fans have been waiting to see animated is the gang getting gender-bent. In order to successfully go undercover in the Entertainment District, Uzui disguises Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke as girls.

After being disguised as girls, Uzui tries his best to get each one into the houses his wives were also going undercover in. However, due to their horrible makeup, it takes some conniving and Uzui's own good looks to get the boys into the houses.

7 Tengen Uzui's Buff Mice Workers's Appearance

Some other new characters that make their debut appearance in Season 2 are the Ninju. These funny creatures are Shino Buff Mice that work for Uzui. These mice are extremely intelligent and even resemble Uzui with the way they dress. Despite only being shown a few times in the manga, fans are very excited to see them finally get animated.

Because of their small role in the manga, there is a slight possibility of them not showing up in the anime at all. If this happens, fans have stated that they will go on a riot.

6 Season 2's Main Antagonists are The Upper Moon 6 Demons

With a new season comes new demons, and in Season 2, fans will be introduced to the Upper Moon 6 Demons. The Upper Moon 6 holder is the demon known as Gyutaro and his sister Daki. These two demons reside in the Entertainment District and were being investigated by Uzui's wives.

In the past, Tanjiro and the rest have been up against the Lower Moon Demons, so fans are excited to finally see the gang up against an Upper Moon after the events of the Mugen Train Movie.

5 Fans Can't Wait For New Iconic Battle Scenes

The first season and the movie have iconic battles with amazing animations and fans are expecting the new season to have the same. Season 2 will be the first time fans get to see the fighting styles of the Sound Hashira Uzui and the Upper Moon 6 Demons.

This season will also be a first for Tanjrio and the rest to fight against Upper Moon Demons. Fans can expect to see a new iconic battle between the Upper Moon Demons and Tanjiro's crew.

4 Tanjiro Hopefully Uses Sun Breathing To Fight Against Demons

In the anime's first season, Tanjiro learns about Hinokami Kagura, aka Sun Breathing. This technique is the very first breathing style ever created that the other breathing styles derived from. Tanjiro's father used to use this breathing to perform a dancing ritual.

Since then, Tanjiro has used this breathing style only twice before in the first season and the movie. Therefore, fans are expecting to see him use this powerful technique again in Season 2 against the Upper Moon Demons.

3 Nezuko Unleashes Her Full Demon Form

During the battles in Season 2, something happens to Nezuko that will have fans on the edge of their seats. In the past, Nezuko has proved that she is truly a powerful demon with amazing powers and in Season 2 she takes it to another level.

During the battle between the demon Daki, something triggers Nezuko into becoming her new full demon form. While in this form, Nezuko isn't her usual self, in this form she is more powerful than ever and craves human flesh more than ever.

2 Nezuko Uses Her Blood Demon Art To Heal The Poisoned

After the battles are over, some members of the group are left severely injured and poisoned by the Upper Moon 6 demon. With no hope left to cure them, the rest of the group starts mourning the poisoned. However, out of nowhere, Nezuko uses her Blood Demon Art to set them on fire.

Nezuko's fire burns away all the poison and heals the group members from the brink of death. Although at first, some characters thought Nezuko was already cremating the dead instead of healing.

1 Muzan Holds An Upper Moon Demon Meeting

At the end of the first season, the Demon King Muzan held a meeting for the Lower Moon Demons and fans hope to see another at the end of Season 2 with the Upper Moon Demons. After the events in the Entertainment District Arc, Muzan holds an Upper Moon meeting that features some demons that fans have yet to see in the anime.

This meeting will also be the return of Akaza, the Upper Moon Demon that made a last-minute appearance in the Mugen Train Movie.

NEXT: 5 Ways Demon Slayer & Jujutsu Kaisen Are Similar (& 5 Ways They're Different)

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Demon Slayer Season 2 Can Meet the Naruto Standard - Here's How

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, one of the best-selling media franchises of all time, is estimated to be worth a total of $9.3 billion in total sales between merchandise, box office, home release, book and music single sales. The manga specifically is the eighth-best-selling series of all time with over 150 million copies in circulation. It also has the greatest average sales per volume of all time at 6.52 million. With regards to Shōnen Jump series in particular, it's only surpassed in manga sales by One Piece, Dragon Ball, Naruto and KochiKame: Tokyo Beat Cops.

At the rate things are going, Demon Slayer could soon reach Naruto levels of success. It certainly has the makings of a Shōnen Jump classic. Of course, there are plenty who will say the series is overrated and its popularity is undeserved. In order to truly ascertain the worth of Demon Slayer, it's necessary to look at its rise, positive and negative qualities and what's in store for the anime in the near future.

It's worth noting that much of Demon Slayer's success comes from domestic sales. The Mugen Train movie, for example, is the single highest-grossing anime film of all time at $500 million in box office sales, but less than 2/5 of that comes from overseas sales. According to Oricon polls, over 90% of the Japanese public is familiar with the series. There are even politicians who will reference their favorite characters and quote the series. Whatever Demon Slayer's standing in the rest of the world, Japan seems more than capable of ensuring the franchise is not soon forgotten.

Much of the franchise's popularity comes from its outstanding anime adaption, but it goes a little further back than that. In order to get a good adaption, the manga itself has to be popular. Sure enough, the Demon Slayer manga has a healthy number of color pages to its name, something artists are only supposed to draw when their manga consistently ranks highly in the weekly polls of Shōnen Jump. The Demon Slayer anime has as much effort put into it as is necessary to reflect the apparent quality of its source material.

As for the story itself, Demon Slayer has a good number of positive qualities to keep fans hooked. The characters are well-written, the action is intense and the comedy is surprisingly lighthearted under the circumstances. As far as stories go, it's certainly one of the Shōnen Jump catalog's better-told installments.

The anime not only faithfully adapts Demon Slayer but also significantly enhances it. The animation is beautiful, the music is moving and the voice acting is on point. An anime that surpasses manga is rare in the industry, which is part of what makes Demon Slayer so special.

It's worth noting that the anime's pacing is quick by many standards. Since it's a seasonal anime, it can focus on telling as much of the story as possible in as little time as needed. Furthermore, it doesn't have to pad the runtime or rely on filler to avoid catching up to the manga.

Naruto, in comparison, definitely has a problem with filler. For both the original anime and Shippuden, roughly 2/5 of the episodes contain material that doesn't happen in the manga. Between the two, a grand total of 426 of Naruto's 720 anime episodes are filler. When nearly 60% of an anime is made up of non-canon material, it can come off as a waste of valuable time.

Of course, as with any series, Demon Slayer has its own points of contention among viewers. The story and fights can be seen as somewhat generic by Shōnen battle series standards, but it gets a pass because it's still well-executed. A comparable series in this regard would be Black Clover, which heavily relies on the tropes of its genre but uses them to great effect. The character designs in the manga, while good, have varying levels of quality and can even dip below average. Luckily, the anime rectifies this mistake by making consistent character models with clean lines and proper detail. Such flaws are often emphasized by some who aren't as thrilled by the series as others, but they don't have to be what seals the franchise's fate.

If the Demon Slayer anime can maintain its quality from Season 2 onward, it will definitely go down as one of the biggest anime of all time. The series is already a cultural icon in Japan. It may have its faults, but they can generally be overlooked for how well it does everything else. If the franchise can rake in at least another billion dollars while it's still going, which seems more than likely, then that should successfully put it on par with the Naruto juggernaut in terms of success.

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Demon Slayer: Tengen Uzui's Chaotic Introduction Promises a Wild Season 2

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 2, Episode 8, "Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui," now streaming on Funimation, Hulu, and Crunchyroll.

Tengen Uzui makes quite the entrance in the first episode of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba's Entertainment District Arc. The Sound Hashira, Tengen has had a pretty minor role in the series to this point but that will surely change as this new story plays out. As Hashira go, Tengen is clearly on the sillier side and it will be interesting to see this fresh dynamic between Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke and a Hashira they clearly already don't like.

Returning from a successful mission, Tanjiro happens upon quite a scene when he witnesses Tengen carrying Aoi and Naho over his shoulders as Kanao is dragging behind him, while Kiyo and Sumi are clamped to various parts of the Hashira's body. Though he first assumes -- correctly -- that a struggle is taking place, Tanjiro pauses to consider that these girls are affectionately swarming Tengen. Kidnappings aren't usually played for laughs, but the cartoony shouting and absurdist facial expressions of everyone involved turn the whole thing into a farce.

Tengen briefly flashes his Hashira prowess as he seemingly vanishes into thin air to avoid Tanjiro's patented headbutt attack, which had clobbered Kyojuro Rengoku's father earlier in the episode. The Sound Hashira reveals he is a former shinobi (aka ninja) and angrily demands everyone obey him, as he needs Naho and Aoi for a mission. Yet once it is pointed out to him that Naho is not a demon slayer, he casually tosses her away. Tanjiro is aghast and refuses to acknowledge Tengen as a Hashira because of his cruelty, a far cry from the hero worship he lavished on Rengoku.

Prone to furious screaming not wholly dissimilar to Zenitsu and even Tanjiro from time to time, Tengen is a hard guy to get a read on. It's not clear how much he actually needs a girl for this mission, considering he trades in Naho and Aoi for Tanjiro, Inosuke and Zenitsu, who are decidedly not female, without complaint. While the mission's destination couldn't be further from what the heroes are used to, all indications are that Tengen will be right at home, meaning his flashy shenanigans have only just begun.

It will certainly be exciting to see how his Sound-Breathing translates from the Demon Slayer manga to the anime. While Tanjiro, Inosuke and Zenitsu have been training constantly in the four months since the events of Mugen Train, it's unclear how their power will stack up against Tengen's, and whether this arc will be another instance of a Hashira saving the day. But even more interesting than Tengen's skill with his massive blades will be how his relationship with the heroes evolves, considering he is more on their level intellectually than any of the other Hashira so far.

Tengen Uzui might have ground to make up with some Demon Slayer fans after his actions in his introduction. Slapping Aoi on her rear end just to show that he could, even though he'd already agreed to let her go, could easily rub people the wrong way. Coupled with his treatment of all the girls in that scene in the first place, Tengen is the least sympathetic Hashira the series has introduced so far. After the sheer chaos of his entrance, Tengen might have a little redemption to seek, but one thing that's certain is that the Entertainment District Arc is going to be a wild ride.

KEEP READING: How Demon Slayer Put Studio Ufotable on the Mainstream Anime Map

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Demon Slayer: Mugen Train's Most Significant Moments - & Their Effects on Season 2

WARNING: The following contains spoilers from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train.

Demon Slayer's first film, Mugen Train, covers Chapters #54 through #66 of the manga, making it official canon. As such, the events of this unbelievably well-animated film will have palpable repercussions for Tanjiro and his friends in the anime's second season, which has just kicked off.

After a tremendous first season ended with Tanjiro, Inosuke, Zenitsu and Nezuko arriving at the train station that Mugen Train picks up at, the group is geared up for their greatest challenge yet with two of Muzan Kibutsuji's Demons lurking. The film also showcased the most action of a Hashira that the franchise has seen so far, and the fiery Kyojuro Rengoku left fans wanting even more of his soothing confidence. However, the world of Demon Slayer is rarely so kind.

Mugen Train Raises the Stakes for the Demon Slayer Corps

Mugen Train begins with Tanjiro, Inosuke and Zenitsu boarding a train together as they've been instructed to join the Flame Hashira, Rengoku, investigating the disappearances of citizens and fellow Demon Slayers who have boarded this particular locomotive. Tanjiro hopes to strengthen his own unique Hinokami Kagura technique -- which seems to have ties to Flame Breathing -- by studying under the Hashira, whom the boys quickly idolize after seeing Rengoku in action.

When a suspicious conductor comes through to punch their tickets, the proud Hashira and his new young apprentices are immediately enchanted into a deep sleep. Enmu, Lower-Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki, uses his Blood Demon Art to send the passengers into an unbreakable sleep, allowing his disciples to enter the dreams of his victims. If the invader destroys the target's spiritual core, the victim will never wake again.

While Inosuke's and Zenitsu's dreams are outlandish fantasies played for laughs, Tanjiro's dream is everything he's ever wanted. The young Demon Slayer finds himself in an alternate reality where his family was never slaughtered, and Nezuko is still human. He is skeptical of minor inconsistences, but he ultimately dismisses signals from the real Nezuko who is trying to wake him.

The Danger of Demon Slayer's Lower Moon, Enmu

When Nezuko's blood finally forces Tanjiro to acknowledge that his dream is not real, he determines that he must end his life in the dream to wake up. Steeling his resolve, Tanjiro leaves his family behind, accepting that the past cannot be changed, and once he wakes, he engages Enmu in battle. Tanjiro consistently breaks through the villain's Blood Demon Art by repeating the daunting task of turning his blade on himself to awaken again.

After the whole team snaps themselves out of their respective dreams, Rengoku, Zenitsu and Nezuko protect the sleeping passengers, while Tanjiro and Inosuke work to find and kill Enmu. With some near-flawless teamwork, Tanjiro and Inosuke defeat Enmu, even after the Demon reveals that he's fused himself into the train. Unfortunately, Tanjiro is stabbed in the process, leaving him unable to fight when more trouble arrives in the form of Akaza. Upper-Rank Three of the Twelve Kizuki, Akaza is one of the most powerful Demons in existence.

With Tanjiro severely wounded and Inosuke completely outclassed, Rengoku battles this new threat alone. After a prolonged and spectacular clash, the Flame Hashira is mortally wounded by the Upper-Rank Demon. Still, with the sun quickly rising, Akaza flees to save himself as Tanjiro angrily screams that Rengoku is the rightful winner of the battle since he saved everyone while the Demon ran away as soon as the advantage of the night began to vanish.

In his final moments, Rengoku offers Tanjiro and his friends some words of encouragement. The dying warrior instructs his would-be apprentice to seek out the previous Flame Hashira -- Rengoku's father -- if he wants to learn more about Hinokami Kagura. Tanjiro struggles with feeling helpless against such a powerful enemy as Inosuke encourages him to keep moving forward.

Season 2 Will Be the Start of a New Era for Demon Slayer

The events of Demon Slayer: Mugen Train were a harsh dose of reality for Tanjiro and his fellow Demon Slayers. A seemingly invincible Hashira was brought down by an Upper-Rank Demon who is not even the most powerful in Muzan's forces. The boys must get stronger in a hurry because they may not have a Hashira to protect them the next time Akaza or another Upper-Rank appears.

Now carrying the weight of Rengoku's legacy and guilt over his death, Tanjiro has a lot to prove. Expect the young hero to fulfill his honorary master's last wish by visiting his family. Unfortunately, the father of the deceased Hashira is an intense and callous man who may not feel inclined to help another Demon Slayer, much less the one his son died protecting. Still, Tanjiro will be eager to master his unique technique to honor Rengoku, save Nezuko and defeat Muzan -- who put a target on Tanjiro's back.

KEEP READING: The Demon Slayer Movie Has Paved the Way for Canonical Anime Films

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Demon Slayer Drops New Sound Hashira Art for Season 2 Blu-ray

The Entertainment District arc is scheduled to air its final episode on Feb. 13. The 11th and last episode in the arc will have an extended run-time of 45 minutes. The series' tenth episode was released on Feb. 6, and featured the conclusion of the lengthy battle between the Upper Rank demon duo Daki and Gyutaro, and their opponents: the Sound Hashira, his three ninja wives, and the show's central quartet of demon slaying warriors, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke and Nezuko. The episode has been praised for Ufotable's feature-quality animation and action choreography, with many calling it the best episode in the entire series.

The hype for the climax of the Entertainment District arc has also been followed with a sense of melancholy from fans of the series, as the show's producers have yet to announce how they plan to continue the show following the conclusion of the series' slightly truncated second season. While rumors have swirled about a possible new movie or the immediate announcement of a third season for the show, there has yet to be any official confirmation about what format the animated adaptation of the Swordsmith Village arc will take, and when it will be released.

Kotoharu Gotouge's Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba is one of the most popular manga series of time, with a circulation of over 150 million copies worldwide. The complete manga series is now available in English from VIZ Media. The first season of the anime is available on Netflix, Hulu, Crunchyroll and Funimation, while all currently released episodes in the second season are available for streaming from the latter two services.

KEEP READING: Demon Slayer Fans React to the Sakuga-Filled Conclusion to the Daki and Gyutaro Battle

Source: Twitter, Ufotable

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Demon Slayer's Most Burning Questions After the Season 2 Finale

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Season 2 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, now streaming on Funimation, Crunchyroll and Hulu.

Demon Slayer Season 2's "Entertainment District" arc recently ended on a relatively positive note. Not only were Upper-Rank demons killed for the first time in a century, but the Hashira whom Tanjiro and co. were helping didn't die; Tanjiro was able to pull his weight in this fight and save the day. With all that said, there are still plenty of loose ends left to tie up.

Naturally, the Demon Slayer Corps will still have to deal with Kibutsuji Muzan and the rest of the Kizuki, but there's more. Several hints about what to expect later down the line were dropped throughout Season 2. There are also events that seem like they'll be exclusive to this season but left fans scratching their heads. With these hints in mind, here are some of the biggest questions that have Demon Slayer fans chomping at the bit for answers.

How Exactly Did Tengen Uzui End Up With Three Wives?

Whether it's out of jealousy or curiosity, Tengen Uzui's wives spark a lot of questions among Demon Slayer fans. He was somehow able to win the hearts of three very different women and marry them all. Unless he's some sort of harem protagonist, it's hard to understand how this is possible.

On one hand, there are questions of how Tengen met all these women, how they each fell for him or if it's even legal to have a polygamous relationship in Japan (it's not). On the other hand, his situation is highly enviable to other characters, as shown by Gyutaro clawing his own face out of jealousy. Viewers, meanwhile, are left wondering just how Tengen's situation manifested itself.

Who's the New Mystery Demon Bearing the Upper-Rank Six Title?

Apparently, Daki and Gyutaro aren't the first Kizuki to bear the title Upper-Rank Six in Demon Slayer. Back when they were humans dying in the street, they were stripped of their humanity by a passing demon. A closeup on this demon's eyes revealed that his pupils are shaped like the kanji for "Upper Rank" (上弦 Jogen) and "Six" (陸 Roku).

Not only is this a new Kizuki, but there's a question as to where he is now. Since he was the Upper-Sixth when he turned Daki and Gyutaro into demons, it's possible he has since been either deposed or promoted. Considering the big deal Demon Slayer made of his introduction, it's likely the latter. If that's true, then Tanjiro and co. can be expected to go up against this powerful demon sometime in the near future.

Who Was the Mysterious Man Daki Saw?

While fighting Tanjiro, Daki received a mysterious vision. As he was berating her for all of her killing and wanton destruction, it "reminded" her of another demon slayer with similar questions. The only problem was that Daki had never actually met this mystery person, so she shouldn't have any memories of him. She surmised that these memories weren't her own, but instead those of Muzan. This makes sense as the Upper-Rank demons all receive copious amounts of Muzan's blood to acquire their power. Since Daki is one with Muzan in this sense, it's reasonable to assume she shares his memories.

Who this demon slayer is, however, remains a mystery. It's likely he's an impactful person from Muzan's life if he's bothered to remember him like this. Whatever this man did, learning about him should be a highly anticipated event in Season 3 of Demon Slayer.

How Can Tanjiro & The Others Get Stronger in Season 3?

Despite their growth, Tanjiro and the heroes have shown they still have plenty of room for improvement. In Season 2, Tanjiro was able to mix Sun Breathing with Water Breathing to reduce the strain of the former. However, this is a crutch for him; if he's looking to fight stronger Kizuki and eventually Muzan himself, he'll have to learn how to use Sun Breathing in its pure form.

Tanjiro's allies also show how they can improve. Zenitsu's singular attack, while effective, is beginning to reveal its upper limits. If he means to be helpful in future confrontations, he may have to broaden his arsenal. On the opposite end, Inosuke's flexibility, while versatile, doesn't change the fact that he can't fight high-level demons without help. Nezuko's demon powers, however, seem to be evolving at a steady pace.

Who Is Iguro Obanai, The Serpent Hashira?

The Serpent Hashira's appearance at the end of Demon Slayer Season 2 is bound to raise questions. Iguro Obanai arrives on the scene and gives Tengen the most backhanded compliment imaginable; he repeatedly emphasizes how bad it is that his fellow Hashira ended up in his current state fighting the "weakest" of the Upper-Rank demons. On a more serious note, he chastises Tengen for choosing retirement over fighting until his dying breath. This value he places on the Demon Slayer Corps' duty is also hinted at during Tanjiro's trial.

Iguro is also surprised to find that Tanjiro survived the battle. According to Tengen, the Serpent Hashira has a particular interest in Tanjiro. In any case, his surprise appearance leaves viewers wondering who he is, what he wants with Tanjiro, why he holds the Demon Slayer Corps in such high regard -- and what the deal is with the snake around his neck.

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Is Demon Slayer the New Fullmetal Alchemist - or Did Season 2 Blow Its Chance?

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Demon Slayer Season 2, now streaming on Funimation, Crunchyroll and Hulu.

Although there have been several breakout hits over the past decade, Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood remains an undisputed champion of starter anime, perfect for beginners to sink their teeth into and veterans to enjoy as well. Upon the premiere of Demon Slayer, the explosive positive response raised the question of whether Ufotable's production would rise to become one of the anime greats -- especially following the financial success of the Mugen Train film.

However, Season 2 of Demon Slayer saw a trend that veered away from the formulaic safety of Season 1, and may eventually cost the series in ratings. While introducing the Hashira was a nice move to expand the cast -- especially when each has such a strong personality -- putting them out of action again so quickly makes their appearance almost worthless, as if played entirely for tragedy. This, among other reasons, raises the question of whether Demon Slayer remains an ideal starting anime like Fullmetal Alchemist.

What makes a great starter anime? A structured plot helps viewers stay engaged and able to keep up with the storyline in a manner similar to the stories they grew up learning, with heroes and villains and a clear end goal. Second, anime that avoid an excess of references to Japanese culture are easier for someone outside that culture to understand and connect to. Lastly, elements such as fan service being kept to a minimum make it easier for many to enjoy a show.

Going through these standards, it's clear why certain anime have succeeded so. FMA:B sets the clear goal of Edward and Alphonse Elric getting their bodies back. The story takes place in the land of Amestris, which is based on a vaguely European culture. Besides Lust embodying her sin in a manner that makes sense in the story, there are only minimal instances of fan service when Winry Rockwell briefly has parts of her breasts exposed. FMA:B's winning formula has earned it a first place spot on MyAnimeList and a ranking of 9.15, which doesn't seem bound to change anytime soon.

Similar to the Elrics, Demon Slayer's Kamado siblings Tanjiro and Nezuko have the goal of turning Nezuko from a demon back into a human and killing Kibutsuji Muzan to avenge their family. Though the show does take place in historical Japan, the fact that Tanjiro is as bewildered by the Taisho Era as anyone else evens the playing field. Season 1 didn't feature much fan service, mostly arriving with Kanroji Mitsuri -- the Love Hashira.

Demon Slayer does have a shock factor when it comes to gore -- but nothing more emotionally distressing than the fate of Fullmetal Alchemist's Nina Tucker -- and even becomes humorous by the second episode when Tanjiro begins his training. As the show continues and introduces stylish villains and amusing allies, the similarities to how FMA:B progressed by introducing the Homunculi and eventual Team Elric are clear. By the time Season 1 wraps up, the fact that Demon Slayer has a current rating of 8.56 and ranks at 84 on MyAnimeList is no surprise.

Killing Rengoku Kyojuro and having Tengen Uzui retire in such quick succession would be the parallel to Fullmetal Alchemist incapacitating Roy Mustang the season following Maes Hughes' death; it's too much, too fast. Not only that, but the fan service in Season 2 of Demon Slayer increased dramatically. One of the main antagonists, Daki, spent most of her time in an incredibly revealing outfit, while Tengen's wives all wore very revealing outfits as well.

Nezuko's demon growth spurts had her practically bursting out of a kimono built for a young girl. Official art teasing the series' "Swordsmith Village" arc only promises the fan service getting worse, with Mitsuri's skirt flying up as she looks back over her shoulder. This sexualization was entirely unnecessary in Season 1, as proved by its popularity, and every instance moves the series further from the recipe for a great starter anime.

Of course, some of the blame for character design lies with the manga, but Ufotable has the ultimate authority as to how a scene is animated and what elements are focused on. There could have been minor changes made to clothing to make it stretch with Nezuko's body instead of revealing her legs and cleavage, or less close-up shots of Daki while she fought. These were all conscious choices made by the staff to sexualize women's bodies in a way they didn't in Season 1, and the way Mitsuri was drawn to promote the "Swordsmith Village" arc was entirely up to Ufotable.

However, Season 2 of Demon Slayer scored even higher with fans than Season 1, with a MAL rating of 8.91 at 19th place. Part of this is certainly due to the fact that this arc just aired. Anime in the spotlight tend to attract attention and votes, but that doesn't entirely explain the jump from 84th to 19th place between seasons. While the story might have become less newbie-friendly, fans don't seem to mind.

After all, Demon Slayer still maintains a solid plot and helps keep the viewer secured in its world while introducing fun new characters and holding tight to the importance of Tanjiro and Nezuko's sibling bond. Season 2 also successfully upped the stakes by killing or maiming the Hashira while introducing more difficult opponents in a logical manner. Also, like Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood -- and something that differentiated Fullmetal Alchemist '03 from FMA:B -- Demon Slayer is working from a completed manga and can plan accordingly.

While Season 2 increased the fan service and has started a disturbing headcount of fandom favorites, Demon Slayer has hardly ruined its chances of becoming the next anime classic, as evidenced by its high ratings and enormous grossing for the Mugen Train movie. However, only ten years will tell if it's still spoken of on the same level that Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood remains at today as the ultimate starter anime.

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Attack on Titan Teased Its Big Marley Reveal as Far Back as Season 2

WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Season 4 of Attack on Titan, now streaming on Crunchyroll, Funimation, Hulu and Amazon Prime.

The final season of Attack on Titan has been busy filling in many of the gaps that the story has created over the years. This makes the foreshadowing in some of the earlier seasons extremely rewarding. Looking more closely at the past, there's even a big clue to the reveal of Marley and the outside world all the way back in Season 2. At the time, the clue definitely seemed like some sort of hint, but to what fans could only speculate. Now, with all the new information that has been pouring out from Season 4, it is clear that this hint was far more revealing than we ever realized.

In Season 2, Episode 4 "Soldier," we get the first major clue that there is a world outside of the island and, potentially, people who know about it. The revelation comes when one of the Scout squads takes refuge at Utgard Castle for the night while they look for the breach in Wall Rose. Among the senior members of the Scouts, there is also Reiner, Ymir, Bertholdt, Connie and Christa (before she reclaimed the name Historia). Looking back, it's almost nostalgic seeing them all together again, especially given the current set of circumstances in Season 4.

They start to rummage through the castle's old supplies for things to eat or drink. Ymir, taking a moment by herself to search for food, is stumbled upon by Reiner. As they talk, Ymir pulls out a can of herring -- a seemingly innocuous item. But the fact that she can read the writing on the can gives her away to Reiner. Reiner instantly recognizes that the canned item cannot be from the island, especially given that the label is in a language that only Ymir can read.

It's just when Reiner is starting to put two and two together that they are interrupted by an attack on the castle. But for those of us rewatching the anime, this is a huge moment of foreshadowing. It clues us in to the fact that foreign languages and foreign people exist in the series, something that, at the episode's time of airing, was totally unknown and unthought of. The fact that Reiner seems to know more than he lets on makes it even more of a pivotal moment.

Though it was unclear at the time, Reiner must have pieced together then that Ymir isn't from inside the walls. In the process, Reiner's own backstory comes to light. After all, without his own outside knowledge from Marley, he wouldn't have been able to understand how and why Ymir is able to read the can -- or the significance of it. Plus, he also recognizes that canned food isn't something that people should have within the walls. He knows what canned food is, he's just surprised to see it there.

While this moment seemed vaguely mysterious at the time, the knowledge we have now makes it downright explosive. Perhaps more in-depth rewatching will reward even more moments of intense foreshadowing. With the final season of Attack on Titan winding down, it's easy to look back with even greater fondness on the early seasons. Hopefully when the series is wrapped up, returning to its earlier seasons will make each moment in the anime's epic conclusion even more fruitful as every loose end is finally tied up.

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