The 13 best episodes (and THE worst one) of Demon Slayer, ranked

12 – “A Forged Bond” – Season 1

Slashing its way to the number 12 spot, we’ve got “A Forged Bond,” an adrenaline-pumping episode from the show’s freshman season. This episode offers up an intense and vivid battle royale featuring our determined duo, Tanjiro and Inosuke, locked in a ferocious face-off against the Father Spider Demon of Mt. Natagumo. The fight sequences are an absolute spectacle, with the high-stakes action keeping viewers glued to their screens.

But it’s not all swords and strikes; the episode also delves deep into the concept of familial bonds. Specifically, it’s the warped perception of what constitutes a family as presented by Rui that’s the thematic highlight of this episode. This twisted take on familial ties manages to enrage our normally composed protagonist, Tanjiro, setting the stage for an unforgettable showdown. The combination of dramatic narrative and intense action in “A Forged Bond” makes it a standout episode, firmly deserving its spot on our ranking.

11 – “Azaka” – Season 2

Carving a bloody path into our 11th ranking, “Akaza” from the thrilling second season sends our battered heroes, Tanjiro and Inosuke, spiraling into yet another life-threatening confrontation. This fiery encounter comes right on the heels of their hard-fought triumph over the menacing Enmu aboard the eerily atmospheric Mugen Train. The thrilling rollercoaster of a narrative doesn’t miss a beat, landing a sucker punch of suspense just when our heroes, and we viewers, could do with a breather.

The episode expertly twists the knife of anticipation with the introduction of a new, decidedly more formidable menace. Just when we thought the stakes couldn’t get any higher, we’re served this tantalizing tidbit that threatens to explode our suspense meters. The sense of impending doom and the relentless pace keeps us gnawing at our nails, eyeballs practically glued to the screen, eagerly awaiting the saga’s next pulse-pounding installment.