‘Demon Slayer’: 5 of the Most Heart-Wrenching Moments From the Anime’s Mugen Train Arc
Demon Slayer kicked off with tragedy during its very first episode, so it’s probably no surprise that the anime is still pulling at viewers’ heartstrings. In particular, its recent Mugen Train Arc left fans feeling emotional. What were some of the most heart-wrenching moments from Demon Slayer‘s Mugen Train Arc?
Tanjiro sees his family again during the Mugen Train Arc
Tanjiro Kamado’s family members perish at the hands of a demon during Demon Slayer‘s first installment, and the Mugen Train Arc reminds viewers of his loss.
Thanks to the spell cast on those riding the Mugen Train, Tanjiro wakes up in a false reality where his mother and siblings are still alive. Even sadder, he has no recollection of what actually occurred.
Watching Tanjiro embrace his heart’s desire and knowing it will be ripped away makes viewers feel the emotions from episode 1 all over again. And this time, it’s worse, because most of them have come to know and love Demon Slayer‘s lead even more.
‘Demon Slayer’ forces Tanjiro to leave his family behind
Worse than seeing Tanjiro happy and knowing it’s not real is the fact that Demon Slayer‘s Mugen Train Arc forces him to leave his family behind.
The anime’s main character already feels guilty over his absence when Muzan Kibutsuji attacked his home. Even if the images he’s conjured of his siblings aren’t real, forcing him to leave them behind brings that guilt to the surface all over again. And no one deserves that less than Tanjiro.
Nezuko is distressed over Tanjiro’s sleep
Tanjiro’s not the only one suffering during his sleep on the Mugen Train. During Demon Slayer‘s Mugen Train Arc, Nezuko tries her hardest to snap her brother out of his spell. She even headbutts him so hard that she bleeds.
Although they’re far from the most heartbreaking aspect of this storyline, Nezuko’s efforts to wake Tanjiro highlight how much they mean to one another. Combined with the memories of their family, they underscore how devastated either of them would be to lose the other. Really, they’re all they have left.
Those kids were doing Akaza’s bidding for a reason
The revelation that a group of young kids is doing Akaza’s bidding is a jarring one. That’s especially true when Tanjiro learns why. The children tasked with going into the Demon Slayers’ dreams have their reasons for obeying Akaza’s orders. They’ve each been manipulated using their own tragic circumstances.
It’s heartbreaking to see children younger than Tanjiro driven to such desperation. Fortunately, the anime’s lead greets them with as much compassion as possible. But their troubles during Demon Slayer‘s Mugen Train Arc leave a harrowing impact.
Even Inosuke cried over Rengoku’s death
Saving the saddest moment from Demon Slayer‘s Mugen Train Arc for last, we’d be remiss to forget Kyojuro Rengoku’s sacrifice. The Flame Hashira’s death left even Inosuke in tears. And Tanjiro is still thinking about it while on his mission with Tengen Uzui.
Demon Slayer had plenty of other tragedies before this one, but Rengoku’s death hit the hardest. It made the mortality of Demon Slayers that much more real for the viewers and the characters.
It also left Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu with a significant amount of survivor’s guilt. And that’s not to mention that the Hashira lost one of their kindest members.
