After 205 chapters, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has come to an end. Fans are sorry to see Tanjiro and his companions depart, but the series conclusion shows them the bright future they toiled for.
The conclusion has two sections. The survivors of Muzan Kibutsuji's ultimate showdown with the series are the subject of the 204th chapter. The 205th chapter then skips ahead a few decades to examine major characters' reincarnations and subsequent generations.
How Does the Manga Series Demon Slayer End?
Picking up three months after Muzan's defeat, the penultimate chapter shows Tanjiro has recovered from his near-transformation into a demon. However, the injuries he sustained have lasting effects now that he is again human, with his left arm and right eye permanently damaged. During Tanjiro's recovery, the young Kiriya Ubuyashiki, current leader of the Demon Slayers Corps, holds a final Hashira meeting to disband the organization. After several heartfelt reunions, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke head to the Kamado family home, with the chapter ending on an image of modern-day Japan.
The 205th chapter, "Life Shining Across the Years," is a time skip that introduces a new generation of characters. Zenitsu's great-grandchild, Yoshiteru, reads a book titled "The Legend of Zenitsu," and discusses the idea of reincarnation with his sister Toko: "I believe that everyone who fought demons and died for a peaceful world was reborn into a happier life." This hopeful thought is the backbone of the final chapter of Demon Slayer, as the many descendants/reincarnations of our favorite characters make their debut.
Knowing the Demon Slayer Period Skip
Kanata and Sumihiko Kamado are the first to be introduced, and it's clear by their appearance that they are Kanao and Tanjiro, respectively. Kanata tries to get his brother out of bed for school, but the lazy Sumihiko continues to sleep. Kanata later meets up with Yoshiteru and Toko, the great-grandchildren of Zenitsu and Nezuko, and the three walk to school together. Just about every panel contains some sort of nod to other character's reincarnations, with former Hashiras Uzui, Kanae, Shinobu, Himejima, Tokito, Iguro and Kanroji all making cameos during the trio's journey to school.
Uzui has just won a gold medal for Japan in gymnastics, honoring his lineage as a shinobi. But, apparently, he has a bad-boy attitude. Kanae and Shinobu attend Sekirei Women's Academy, Himejima is a kindergarten teacher, and Tokito is seen with his twin as two babies in a stroller. As Toko and Kanata discuss what to do after school, they mention visiting a diner run by Iguro and Kanroji, meaning the two got their wish of being together in another life.
Meanwhile, Sumihiko finally wakes up and realizes that, if he doesn't hurry, he will be late and ruin his chance at a perfect-attendance award. As he leaps out his window and sprints to school, the reincarnation train continues with even more characters from the past making an appearance. As Sumihiko runs through a yard, we see Urokodaki and Kuwajima playing a game of Shoji. A TV in the background mentions Ubuyashiki as the longest-living Japanese person ever, breaking their family curse of short life-spans. Sumihiko continues his mad dash to school by jumping over the hood of a patrol car with the Shinazugawa siblings inside, likely playing out the buddy-cop comedy that fans deserve. He even runs past Giyu, Sabito and Makomo before eventually joining Tojuro, a clear descendant of Rengoku.
Inosuke's rebirth as a botanist, Aoba Hashibira, has found the Blue Spider Lily, which Muzan thought would give him the ideal everlasting body. Yushiro, a living artist who is renowned for painting stunning portraits of Tamayo, is also present. Even the swordsmith Haganezuka and common Demon Slayer Corps members like Murata and Goto appear in brief appearances.
Tojuro tries to persuade Sumihiko to join the Kendo club as they continue sprinting toward school and away from the Shinazugawa kids. Despite being on time at school, Sumihiko's mother gets a call informing her of what her son did. We can see Tanjiro's sword, earrings, and a picture of everyone who participated in the decisive fight against Muzan, whose loss brought about the prosperous future they had always longed for, as she chats on the phone.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba was a story steeped in the pain and loss suffered by its characters during their journey to make the world a safer place. While nailing a unanimously loved ending is difficult for any series, Demon Slayer's hopeful conclusion is a testament to the sacrifices made for a brighter future.
