Demon Slayer Is Missing Something and I Finally Know What It Is

With its finale on the way in the form of a theatrical Infinity Castle arc movie trilogy, there is no doubt thatDemon Slayeris one of the best anime series out there. However, even the most enjoyable, genius pieces of media are not without their problems, and as Demon Slayer's ending creeps closer, its biggest issue has finally been illuminated.

Like so many other series,Demon Slayer has a pacing problem that affects the flow of the story. So much happens in Demon Slayer, including demon transformations, major deaths, and characters learning to harness mysterious new powers. Considering the sheer number of different arcs in Demon Slayer's story, it should have been much longer to flesh out characters and plot points further.

Demon Slayer's Complex Story Deserved More Chapters

Some Characters and Arcs Still Remain Mysteries, Even After the Manga’s Conclusion

Although 205 chapters may sound like a lot, it is not enough considering how complicated Demon Slayer becomes as it progresses. Especially in the final two arcs, the Infinity Castle Arc and the Sunrise Countdown Arc, the rushed nature of the story is felt, as the manga races to wrap up many different plot lines and battles all occurring at once during the fight against Muzan. With nine Hashira, a variety of demon slayers, and at least thirteen main villains, only counting the Twelve Kizuki and Muzan, there is a lot of story for Demon Slayer to tell, and unfortunately, not every character received enough development.

Characters like Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Muichiro, for example, receive extensive character arcs and their growth is depicted throughout the story, as they overcome both personal obstacles and external challenges to grow as demon slayers and as people. However, others, like Nezuko, Obanai, and Gyomei, to name a few, feel like major wasted opportunities because their brief appearances in Demon Slayer only offer a glimpse into who they are and leave viewers wanting more. Demon Slayer contains very little filler compared to some other series, but ironically, it could benefit from a few filler episodes here and there to clear up fans' burning questions.

Filler Is Usually Frowned Upon, but Demon Slayer Needs It

The Upcoming Infinity Castle Film Trilogy Will Likely Help the Pacing of the Story

For the most part, Demon Slayer's filler content is sparse, but it could actually be the solution that is needed to make the ending feel less hurried. So many of Demon Slayer's background characters need more time to shine, and filler provides a perfect avenue for the story to explore these less used but equally compelling heroes and villains. The final battle with Muzan is the culmination of all the conflict in Demon Slayer. As the most pivotal moment in the series, it should have received more chapters and a much slower pace, and the movie is taking steps to rectify this issue.

By splitting the final chapters of Demon Slayer into three movies, there will be ample time to unpack the final battle in its entirety, and perhaps even include exclusive content that is not in the manga to expand on plot points or character arcs that the manga did not have the time to. Demon Slayer will always be one of the greatest anime series of all time, but fans understandably cannot help wishing it was longer. At Demon Slayer's current length, not every character and arc can be given the careful level of detail necessary, but hopefully, the Infinity Castle trilogy will be a step in the right direction.

Source: Reddit