Despite its dramatic and satisfying conclusion, Demon Slayer Season 2 left a number of issues for Season 3 to address.
After the thrilling end of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, it’s time to speculate on what new hell Tanjiro and his company may face in Season 3’s “Swordsmith Village” storyline. After the first death of a high-ranking demon in 100 years, the “Entertainment District” storyline ended on a happy note. The Demon Slayer Corps’ leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, forecasts that fate is about to take a drastic turn, implying that the worst is yet to come in the struggle against Muzan Kibutsuji’s demons.
Season 2 of the Demon Slayer Corps left a lot hanging in the air, despite being dominated by the war against Gyutaro and Daki. After Tengen Uzui retired, the victory against Upper Six was costly, as the Corps is now down to two Hashira. Given that the war against the “lowly” Upper Six wrecked a whole city and lost the Corps another Hashira, it is evident that the actual battles have yet to begin as the Demon Slayer prepares for his next inevitable confrontation, according to Iguro Obanai. Here’s a summary of the major loose ends that Season 3 will undoubtedly have to resolve.
Tanjiro needs a new sword (again)
Tanjiro Kamado‘s inability to take care of his swords might get the better of him, as he’ll have to ask Haganezuka for a new one. He broke his first sword when confronting Rui, lost his last when throwing it at Akaza, and then chipped his new sword when confronting Daki.
Haganezuka’s habit of going into a murderous rage due to Tanjiro ‘s lack of care for the swordsman’s work means that the Demon Slayer protagonist could face more than a forest chase this time- this. Tanjiro could be in significant trouble for repeatedly losing and/or destroying his swords, given that the plot Season 3 is confirmed to be adapting is dubbed “Swordsmith Village.”
Hashiras need to start working together
If Tengen Uzui’s reinforcements had arrived sooner, he could have gotten through his battle with Gyutaro uninjured. Tengen had requested the Serpent Hashira’s assistance some time ago, judging by Makio and Suma’s angry reception of Iguro Obanai. Iguro seemed to dismiss the fact that he was just Upper Six, although being impressed that they had defeated an Upper-Rank. If Iguro is so much stronger than Tengen, he would have been an invaluable asset during the fight.
Going up against a High Rank 1v1 is a horrible decision, as Kyojuro Rengoku’s death and Tengen’s forced retirement shown. The Hashira are critical to the Demon Slayer Corps’ survival, and they’ll have to start cooperating if they want to stand a chance against the remaining Upper-Ranks. Luckily, if the Season 3 teaser is to be believed, the Hashira intend to start doing that.
The Demon Slayer’s top brass are going to face a litmus test
The last time Muzan Kibutsuji called a Kizuki meeting was after the death of Rui (lower fifth echelon), and he decided to eradicate the lower echelons. Now that Gyutaro (Upper Six) has been killed, it looks like he’s called another meeting. Muzan ‘s elite demons disappointed him a lot in Demon Slayer Season 2. Akaza failed to locate Blue Spider Lily and proudly announced his defeat of a Hashira – despite leaving Tanjiro and the others alive.
On the other hand, Muzan specifically warned Daki not to get arrogant, but Gyutaro and herself’s arrogance is exactly what got them killed. It seems less likely that Muzan will eliminate the high-rankings like he did the low-rankings, but he will no doubt have new instructions for his elite demons. The higher-ups are sure to start Season 3 on eggshells with Muzan, which means they could jump into the action against the Demon Slayer Corps with excitement.
A Cure For Demonism Is Being Developed
Tanjiro‘s quest to return Nezuko to a human state took a big step forward in the Demon Slayer Season 2 finale. In Season 1, Tamayo, the only other demon to escape Muzan’s control, tasked Tanjiro with collecting blood from a demon with a high concentration of Kibutsuji cells. Only a member of Kizuki’s blood could do the trick, and Tanjiro eventually kept his word by sending Gyutaro ‘s blood back for study.
Tamayo now has everything she stated she needed to find a treatment, thanks to a sample of Nezuko’s blood. It’s uncertain how long it will take, but a cure for demonism would completely transform the Demon Slayer Corps, and it would undoubtedly attract Muzan Kibutsuji’s notice (and wrath).