After the epic conclusion to the Swordsmith Village arc, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is preparing for its most important storyline yet. The fourth season, called the Hashira Training Arc, adapts chapters 128-136 of the original manga to prepare for the grand finale against Muzan Kibutsuji and the other Upper Moons. All fans are being told it will arrive on May 12, 2024, on Crunchyroll.
An Early Premiere at the Movies
The full season premieres in May but keen fans may have already spotted an early look. “To the Hashira Training” film event opens in U.S. and U.K. theaters in February 2024 for limited slots only. This package contained episode 11 from season 3 (the Swordsmith Village finale) along with the premiere episode of season 4.
For those who missed it, don’t worry. The extended first hour-long episode airs when weekly episodes start on May 12th. It serves as a natural transition into the Hashira Training storyline.
What is the Hashira Training Arc?
In the previous arcs, our main trio of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke got much stronger by taking on massive opponents. However, with Muzan now directly targeting Nezuko due to her immunity to sunlight, they’ll need to take their training to an even higher level under the tutelage of the Hashira – the highest-ranking members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
As the name suggests, this arc will follow Tanjiro and crew being put through grueling regimens by elite swordmasters like Tengen Uzui (the recently fallen Sound Hashira), Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima, Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa, Serpent Hashira Obanai Iguro and more. The Hashira will push the heroes’ limits with specialized training for confronting Muzan’s forces.
Intense Power Growth and Backstories
While primarily an extended training arc leading up to the final battle, the Hashira Training storyline also promises some major character development and power growth for our heroes. We’ll see Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko test themselves to new heights of strength and power like never before.
The arc will also explore the personal lives and motives of the individual Hashira. These monstrous, shadowy sword masters will open up and share what drives them. It will allow fans to understand their respective contributions to the Demon Slayer Corps in a much more detailed way.
Expect the gorgeous, kinetic animation fans have come to expect from Ufotable– especially when it comes to showcasing visually stunning new combat techniques and abilities. The arc covers training challenges and Hashira backstories, providing narrative substance.
Is This the Final Season?
Given that the Hashira Training arc runs for just 9 chapters (128-136) of the original manga, it certainly doesn’t seem like enough material for a full 26-episode season. Most predictions point to this having a relatively short 6-8 episode run.
However, this lines up perfectly for Demon Slayer to then go straight into an extended final season later in 2024 to wrap up the story once and for all. The manga could easily split the Final Battle/Infinite Castle Arc, its last remaining substantial storyline, across multiple courses.
The story revealed Nezuko’s immunity, Muzan bent on capturing her, ramped up the heroes’ training under Hashira, setting everything for an epic payoff. The Hashira Training arc serves as a deep breath before the narrative plunges into an all-out war against Muzan and his last Upper Moons.
Demon Slayer’s team seems to ensure this climactic arc receives lavish treatment between the movie release, extended premiere, and weekly drops. Fans with Tanjiro since the beginning have much to anticipate in coming months!
