It’s official: Demon Slayer season 2 is just months away. The release date is currently set for 2021, but the months are drawing in and a new report suggests October could be the port of call for Tanjiro’s post-Mugen Train return on streaming services.
Surprisingly, we actually know a fair amount about the upcoming season: a new trailer has arrived, hinting at new characters, new abilities, and shadowy new villains, Meanwhile the dust from the Demon Slayer movie is likely going to settle in the new episodes - which is incredibly exciting and uncharted ground for such a major series.
Below, we’ve run down all the key essentials and confirmed details so far, as well as looking a little further afield to speculate on when season 2 is heading our way. Take a deep, steady breath… it’s almost here.
Demon Slayer season 2 release date speculation: all signs point to October 2021
As is the case with most anime, the Demon Slayer season 2 release date is decidedly vague for the time being. For now, the only official announcement says the new season will air sometime in 2021. A new report (H/T ComicBook.com), however, narrows it down to October 2021.
A Yahoo Japan article states that season 2 is expected to launch that month as part of the Fall anime season.
Traditionally, anime is divided up into several release windows throughout a calendar year. Spring, Fall, and Winter each see the premiere and return of several popular shows, though season 2 has missed any chance of debuting in Spring or Summer.. At this juncture, Fall 2021 or Winter 2021 are the only two possibilities, with the Fall season starting from September-November.
It’s worth noting, however, the Attack on Titan season 4 return date is this Winter. If that sticks, expect season 2 to drop beginning in September/October - if only to avoid a clash. That lines up with the recent new report, too, so we’re fairly certain it’ll land around then.
Demon Slayer season 2 story: do you need to watch Mugen Train?
The Demon Slayer season 2 story will adapt the ‘Entertainment District’ arc of the manga. In the source material that takes place after Mugen Train. So, yes, you will need to have watched the Demon Slayer movie before starting season 2 – unless you want to be spoiled. It’s a brave move to tie canonical events to a movie (a rarity in anime), but it’s worth knowing now, unless you want to miss out on a large chunk of the plot.
So, what can we expect from the story? Without diving too much into specific movie spoilers, the first season ended with Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke summoned to their first major assignment as part of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Rengoku, a member of the Hashira (elite Demon Slayer swordsman) is tasked with accompanying the trio – and with Tanjiro’s sister-turned-demon Nezuko in tow. The events of the movie surround Tanjiro and company’s attempts to take down the Lower One of the Twelve Moons, the demonic group led by original demon – and slayer of Tanjiro’s family – Muzan Kibutsuji.
After the dramatic events of Mugen Train, and the end of the Infinity Train saga, Tanjiro, the Hashira, and the Demon Slayer Corps will have to deal with the fallout of the movie, but also the emergence of dangerous new foes.
The second season, as shown by the trailer below, sees the group heading to Yoshiwara, a town with bright lights and dark desires. Fertile ground for demons, then, and with the Sound Hashira (Tengen Uzui) also in tow, expect Tanjiro to maybe come into conflict with an Upper Moon or two.
You can watch the first Demon Slayer season 2 trailer now. Detailing the Demon Slayer Corps’ excursion to the entertainment district in Yoshiwara, Inosuke is seen charging away in one scene, while there is a special focus on the Sound Hashira. Expect him to tag along and mentor the fledgling trio of Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu in much the same way Rengoku did during Mugen Train.
Don’t expect more trailers, however, until over the summer. There is a nifty new poster which you can see here, though.
Demon Slayer season 2 cast
Judging by the trailer, the core Demon Slayer voice cast all return for season 2 – at least in the original, subtitled version. No word yet on the English dub.
That means Natuski Hanae (Tanjiro), Akari Kito (Nezuko), Hiro Shimono (Zenitsu), and Yoshitsugu Matusoka (Inosuke) should all be back. Expect other secondary characters, including Tengen Uzui and Shinobo, to also crop up. The main villain, Muzan Kibutsuji (voiced by Toshihiko Seki), is also expected to make an appearance.
Where can I watch and stream Demon Slayer season 2?
Funimation has announced that Demon Slayer season 2 episodes will be available on the anime streaming service in 2021.
Expect Crunchyroll to also get the new subbed episodes shortly after they air in Japan. Netflix may also potentially snap up streaming rights further down the road, likely in 2022.
