Demon Slayer It took the world by storm with its blockbuster release from 2025, titled 'Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 – Akaja's Return.' This movie kickstarted the final trilogy in the series, and we're eagerly awaiting the release of the second installment, which we expect to arrive sometime in 2027. Infinity Castle Part 2 will be a rollercoaster ride, but the real climax is expected in the third and final movie, which will have a final showdown with Muzzan.
Muzan is known as the Demon King, and while he stands as the strongest villain in the entire story for now, the final movie will introduce an even stronger new villain – the Demon King Tanjiro. Tanjiro's Demon King transformation would eclipse both Muzan and Yorichi in terms of power, if it succeeded.
The final movie release of Demon Slayer officially reveals the Demon King Tanjiro to be stronger than Muzan
Demon Slayer is a shonen story by Koyoharu Gotuge, and for the first time in Weekly Shonen Jump issue #11 on February 15, 2016, we were shown the story's final antagonist, Muzan Kibutsuji, a powerful demon who massacred Tanjiro's family in his absence. Muzan does not fully appear until Demon Slayer Chapter 13, which was released in WSJ Issue #24 on May 16, 2016. Immediately afterwards, he immediately established himself as a powerful enemy, known as the Demon King and the progenitor of all demons, and who was not easy to defeat.
Despite Muzan's overwhelming power, the Demon Slayer Corps was determined to defeat him, leading to the Infinity Castle attack at the end of Season 4, and debuted in 2025 in Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. Due to the surprise explosion, Muzan was momentarily completely nerfed in the final battle, but he eventually regained his final form. He got infected due to anti-muzan medicine. As the story continues, Muzan is finally defeated at the end of the story. He is held back until sunrise and finally dies in Demon Slayer Chapter 200, which was published in Weekly Shōnen Jump issue #18 on March 30, 2020.
“My body will soon hang in the sunlight… But, my memories are also eternal and indestructible. I will also transfer my memories to this boy. My breath and heart are leaving, but all my cells are not destroyed. There is still time. I will pour all my blood and strength into him. Thus, I will not lose, I will not lose to the sun, I will be with Tanjiro. Because of your blood, you can use demonic breathing techniques, I believe that all my dreams will come true with you. – Muzan to Tanjiro in Demon Slayer Chapter 201
Muzan's death at the end of Demon Slayer brings great relief, but not for long. Soon after, the most shocking revelation happens, as Demon Slayer Chapter 201 is about to give birth to an even stronger enemy. In this chapter, it is revealed that Tanjiro was given all of Muzan's blood, and his final transformation begins. Muzan planned to turn Tanjiro into the ultimate monster, surpassing him in power as well. For that, Tanjiro's eyes became monstrous, and he gained regenerative powers with a Muzan-like appearance.
As another Demon King, Tanjiro's power eclipses everything else we've seen in the story. Like Nezuko, he develops a resistance to the sun, which was Muzan's only real weakness that the army had to exploit in order to kill him. On top of that, the Demon King Tanjiro also has access to the breath of the sun, making him an ultimate being. As a villain, no enemy demon king even comes close to Tanjiro, as he is impossible to kill, even if breathing styles are used on him. Not only was Tanjiro more powerful than Muzan, but he probably even surpassed Yorichi, making him the strongest character in the entire series.
How Demon King Tanjiro's final transformation failed at the end of Demon Slayer
Demon King Tanjiro's transformation was a disaster that was set to stop before everyone fully realized it. At that time, the Demon Slayer cores were at their limit, most of the Hasira had already been destroyed, but they still took up arms and tried to kill Tanjiro before everything was ruined. Fortunately, the conversion failed, thanks to some key characters.
In Demon Slayer Chapter 202, Nezuko finally returns to the story after being absent for a good part of the last arc. She immediately hugs Tanjiro and tries to stop him. Although this does not completely stop her demonic nature, as a distraction to Nezuko, Kanao Tsuyuri uses the ultimate form of Flower Breathing: Equinoctial Vermillion Eye to maximize her perception and injects Tanjiro with a vial of anti-demon antidote that both Shinobu and Lady Tama had created before their deaths. Kanao goes completely blind, but his efforts are appreciated.
“I guess that's why I still have one eye left. Right, Shinobu? He turned into a monster just moments ago. So now, even with one eye, I can squeeze in one attack on Tanjiro. Flower Breathing Ultimate Form: Equinoctial Vermillion Eye.” – Kanao in Demon Slayer Chapter 202
Soon after, the antidote begins to take effect, and although Muzan tries to try and convince Tanjiro to go through with his transformation, it inevitably fails in Demon Slayer Chapter 203 on April 27, 2020. In this same chapter, Tanjiro is officially freed and awakens to human-power once more. Sincerely, thanks to the efforts of everyone involved.
Demon King Tanjiro will make his debut in Infinity Castle Part 3, expected to be released in 2029
Demon King Tanjiro will be a force to be reckoned with, and we can't wait to see him finally brought to life in anime by Ufotable Studios. Unfortunately, the Demon King Tanjiro won't be showing up anytime soon. At the moment, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 2 is the next movie in line, and it's set to cover the battles against Upper Rank 1 Kokushibo and Upper Rank 2 Doma.
In order for the Demon King Tanjiro to appear, Muzan's battle must be finished first, which will only happen in the final movie of the trilogy, tentatively titled Infinity Castle Part 3. Demon King Tanjiro will appear towards the end of the movie as a shocking plot twist. At this time, we don't have a release date for Infinity Castle Part 2, let alone Infinity Castle Part 3, but we expect these movies to be released in 2027 and 2029, respectively.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 will be available to stream on Crunchyroll starting July 28, 2026.
