The recent hint of an update for the upcoming season of the Demon Slayer anime has stirred up excitement among fans. However, unlike before, the upcoming season has not generated much hype. This has left fans wondering about the underlying reason behind this. Some loyal fans may attribute the drop in excitement to the absence of a new teaser. However, there is more to it than meets the eye. In fact, the charm of the Demon Slayer anime already began to fade during the third season. So, has the anime already reached its peak and started to decline?
Why Demon Slayer anime may have already gone past its prime?
The initial release of the Demon Slayer anime did not attract a significant audience. However, it wasn't until episode 19 of the first season premiered that the series caught the attention of anime fans. This was primarily due to the online circulation of clips showing Tanjiro's victory over Rui using his Sun Breathing Technique. The success of the animation sequence in that specific scene allowed Ufotable to gain a substantial audience for the Demon Slayer anime, which they further capitalized on in their film, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train.
Demon Slayer movie introduced the character Kyojuro Rengoku (Image via Ufotable).
Later, the film was divided into episodes and incorporated additional scenes for the second season of the television anime. Despite fans expressing dissatisfaction with the Mugen Train Arc in the anime series after watching the movie, Ufotable successfully regained the audience's attention with the Entertainment District Arc.
The Entertainment District Arc served as a significant turning point in the series, bringing together all the key characters, including Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, to confront the formidable Gyutaro and Daki, two powerful Upper Moon Demons. The battles were beautifully animated and visually stunning, providing fans with an extraordinary and captivating experience.
Daki as depicted in the Demon Slayer anime (Image via Ufotable)
Unfortunately, the anime took a significant downturn after that. Fans were initially excited for the Swordsmith Village Arc because of the introduction of Mitsuri, Muichiro, and Genya. However, their enthusiasm quickly waned when they discovered that popular characters Zenitsu and Inosuke would be largely absent in the season. Additionally, fans were not impressed with the antagonists, Hantengu and Gyokko.
The only standout moment that fans truly enjoyed from the third season was when Nezuko Kamado regained her ability to speak. Overall, the characters failed to captivate fans enough to continue watching the anime regularly.
Nezuko Kamado is featured in the Demon Slayer anime (Image via Ufotable).
Similarly, rumors have circulated about the remaining parts of the series, apart from the Hashira Training Arc, being released as movies. As a result, there is a high probability that the standout arcs of the anime, namely the Infinity Castle Arc and the Sunrise Countdown Arc, will be unveiled in cinematic form.
Hence, if Ufotable were to release the same anime episodes in the future, it is doubtful that they would have a similar level of impact. Consequently, fans speculate that Demon Slayer season 2 might have represented the pinnacle of Ufotable's television anime.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of the Demon Slayer anime, I have mixed feelings about the recent news regarding its potential decline in popularity. On the one hand, I am disappointed that the excitement and hype surrounding the upcoming season seem to have diminished compared to previous seasons. The absence of a new teaser and the lackluster reception of the third season have certainly contributed to this decline in enthusiasm.
On the other hand, I understand that maintaining the same level of excitement and quality over multiple seasons can be challenging for any anime series. The Demon Slayer anime had a strong start with the first season, and it reached its peak with the Entertainment District Arc in the second season. The beautifully animated battles and captivating characters in this arc truly captivated fans and left them wanting more.
However, the Swordsmith Village Arc in the third season failed to live up to the expectations set by the previous arcs. The absence of popular characters like Zenitsu and Inosuke, combined with underwhelming antagonists, resulted in a decline in fan engagement. The focus on the Hashira Training Arc and the rumors about future arcs being released as movies have further added to the uncertainty surrounding the anime's future.
Despite these concerns, I remain hopeful that Ufotable can turn things around and deliver a satisfying conclusion to the Demon Slayer anime. The upcoming Infinity Castle Arc and Sunrise Countdown Arc have the potential to be epic and emotionally resonant, and I believe that Ufotable has the talent and expertise to bring them to life in a visually stunning way.
Overall, while I am disappointed with the recent decline in popularity and the mixed reception of the third season, I still have faith in the Demon Slayer anime and its ability to regain its former glory. I will be eagerly awaiting the upcoming season and hoping for a strong and satisfying conclusion to the series.