The full rebroadcast of the anime Kimetsu no Yaiba (Demon Slayer) series aired its twenty-first episode, “Tailitsu Ihan” (Violation of the Corps Rules), on August 30, 2026. Fans had been looking forward to the episode with comments like “Rui-kun’s past…” and “This is the episode where we get to see lots of Giyuu’s funny faces.”
Based on Gotouge Koyoharu’s manga, Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Kamado Tanjirou, a boy whose family is slaughtered by demons and whose sister Nezuko is turned into one. He joins the Demon Slayer Corps (Kisatsutai) to find a way to turn her back into a human. The series has become a massive hit, with the 23 volumes of the Jump Comics edition surpassing 220 million copies in cumulative circulation.
The anime, produced by ufotable, began with the TV anime Kimetsu no Yaiba: Kamado Tanjirou Risshi-hen in April 2019. The Hashira Geiko-hen aired from May 2024, and the theatrical trilogy Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugenjou-hen continues the story, with “Chapter 1: Akaza Futatabi” released on July 18, 2025.
Note: This article contains spoilers for those who have not yet seen the series.
Rui’s Tragic Past
Rui, the Juuni Kizuki demon of Natagumo Mountain, was born with a frail body when he was still human. Kibutsuji Muzan appeared before him, saying “Let me save you.” Rui gained a strong body, but could no longer withstand sunlight and was forced to eat humans. His parents were horrified, and his father tried to kill him while crying.
In Rui’s flashback, he initially believed their bond was never real, but he comes to understand his mother’s final words and his father’s feelings as he tried to die together with him, sharing the burden of sin.
Fans reacted with sympathy: “Rui’s parents were incredibly reasonable people,” “Why didn’t Rui’s parents say something to him before he became a demon?” “Don’t make me sad this early in the morning, Rui-kun…” “I feel sorry for Rui’s past.”
After Rui’s head is severed, his body collapses beside Tanjirou, who is protecting Nezuko. Tanjirou places his hand on Rui’s back, sensing the overwhelming sadness contained in his small body. Feeling Tanjirou’s gentle hand, like sunlight, Rui remembers the kindness of his parents and fades away.
Uchiyama Kouki as Rui
The official Kimetsu no Yaiba account has been posting cast comments each week to commemorate the full rebroadcast. This time, it was Uchiyama Kouki, who voiced Rui. Uchiyama is also known for Tsukishima Kei in Haikyu!!, Itoshi Rin in Blue Lock, and Inumaki Toge in Jujutsu Kaisen.
Looking back fondly on the 2019 recording sessions, he commented: “Looking back at it now, I can feel the differences from my current self, which was interesting. I’m very happy to have been involved in a work that so many people continue to watch over and over again, even as time passes.”
“I’m Not Hated”
Tomioka Giyuu, the Water Hashira, steps on the remains of Rui’s kimono. “Don’t show pity to a demon that has eaten humans. It doesn’t matter if they look like a child,” he says sternly. But Tanjirou can’t stay silent.
He swings his sword to avenge those who were killed, but declares, “I won’t trample on someone who suffers from being a demon and regrets their actions!” He asks Giyuu to move his foot. When Giyuu notices the sleeping Nezuko, the Insect Hashira Kochou Shinobu arrives.
When Shinobu attacks the demon Nezuko, Giyuu steps in to protect her. Frustrated, Shinobu asks, “You said you can’t get along with demons, so what is this?”
“That’s why everyone hates you.”
“I’m… I’m not hated.”
Tanjirou is taken aback by the exchange, and Shinobu smiles wryly, noting, “So you had no idea you were hated.” Tanjirou is shocked again by her response. Online, fans were delighted by the Giyuu-Shinobu banter:
“Tomioka Giyuu vs. Kochou Shinobu!”
“Early Shinobu really picks her words with poison, lol”
“Giyuu’s ‘I’m not hated’ is here!”
“I love this ‘I’m not hated’ part (laughs)”
“His mental strength is incredible, lol”
“Giyuu saying ‘I’m not hated’ with such conviction – he was definitely raised with love since childhood”
“Isn’t This a Violation of Corps Rules?”
Shinobu gently tells Tanjirou, “The one you’re protecting is a demon, little boy,” but Tanjirou insists, “She’s my sister.” Shinobu shows some sympathy but won’t budge: “Let me kill her with a gentle poison so she doesn’t suffer.”
When Giyuu tells Tanjirou to “run away with your sister,” Shinobu asks, “Isn’t this a violation of Corps rules?” and clashes blades with Giyuu. A Hashira protecting a demon is unthinkable, and Shinobu has no intention of going along with it.
Enduring the pain throughout his body, Tanjirou flees with Nezuko in his arms. He’s tripped by a surprise kick from behind – the attacker is a Demon Slayer Corps member. It’s Tsuyuri Kanao, one of the swordsmen who survived the Final Selection. She chases after Nezuko, who wakes up and runs away.
Fans cheered: “Kanao-chan is here!!!” “Nezuko’s game of tag with Kanao” “I love running Nezuko-chan” “Little Nezuko running away is so cute” – viewers were delighted by Nezuko shrinking her body and scurrying away.
The Hashira Finally Appear
Meanwhile, Giyuu, holding Shinobu back to interfere with demon slaying, starts to launch into a long story: “That was about two years ago…” when a Kasugai Garasu (crow) flies in with a message.
“Detain Tanjirou and Nezuko! Bring them back to headquarters!”
Tanjirou is taken to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, and when he wakes up, unfamiliar faces are lined up before him.
“Finally, the Hashira are here!”
“The Hashira have finally appeared!”
“When Tanjirou woke up, the Hashira appeared, lol”
“Rengoku in the center!!!”
“At this point, everyone except Giyuu seems like the ‘bad guy’ Hashira”
The appearance of the Hashira, the core of the Demon Slayer Corps, had viewers unable to hide their excitement.
That concludes the summary of the twenty-first rebroadcast episode, “Tailitsu Ihan.” After the broadcast, comments included “The long battle at Natagumo Mountain is finally over…!” and “The long yet short night at Natagumo Mountain is finally dawning.”
The next episode preview features the Shinobu & Giyuu duo. When the quiet Giyuu opens his mouth, fans couldn’t help but comment: “Tomioka Giyuu has social anxiety, lol” and “He barely responds, but then he says unnecessary things in the Taisho Kosokoso Uwasabanashi segment and adds even more unnecessary comments… (laughs)”
The full series rebroadcast began on April 5, just before the 7th anniversary of the original broadcast on April 6, 2019. The next episode is “Oyakata-sama” (Episode 22), which will feature the Flame Hashira Rengoku Kyoujurou, the Sound Hashira Uzui Tengen, and the Love Hashira Kanroji Mitsuri!
Broadcast Information
TV Anime Kimetsu no Yaiba Series Full Rebroadcast
Start: April 5, every Sunday from 9:30-10:00 AM
On Fuji TV and other stations
Broadcast stations outside the Kanto region will be announced on the official website.
Cast
- Kamado Tanjirou: Hanazawa Natsuki
- Kamado Nezuko: Kitou Akari
- Agatsuma Zenitsu: Shimono Hiro
- Hashibira Inosuke: Matsuoka Yoshitsugu
- And others
* The “ne” in Nezuko’s name uses the character “ne + ni” (禰).
Staff
Common Staff (All Arcs)
- Original: Gotouge Koyoharu (Shueisha Jump Comics)
- Director: Sotozaki Haruo
- Character Design/Chief Animation Director: Matsushima Akira
- Sub Character Design: Satou Miyuki, Kajiyama Youko, Kikuchi Mika
- Script Production: ufotable
- Photography Director: Terao Yuuichi
- 3D Director: Nishiwaki Kazuki
- Color Design: Oomae Yuuko
- Editor: Kanno Manabu
- Music: Kajiura Yuki, Shima Gou
- Animation Production: ufotable
Per-Arc Staff and Theme Songs
| Risshi-hen | Mugen Ressha-hen | Yuukaku-hen | Katanakaji no Sato-hen | Hashira Geiko-hen | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prop Design | – | Koyama Masaharu | Koyama Masaharu | Koyama Masaharu | Koyama Masaharu |
| Concept Art | Etou Kouji, Yanaka Masaru, Takeuchi Kasumi, Kabasawa Yuuri | Etou Kouji, Yanaka Masaru, Kabasawa Yuuri | – | – | – |
| Art Director | – | – | Etou Kouji | Etou Kouji | Yanaka Masaru, Kabasawa Yuuri |
| Art Supervisor | – | – | – | – | Etou Kouji |
| Production Producer | Kondou Hikaru | – | – | – | – |
| OP Theme | LiSA “Gurenge” (SACRA MUSIC) | LiSA “Akeboshi” (SACRA MUSIC) | Aimer “Zankyou Sanka” (SACRA MUSIC) | MAN WITH A MISSION × milet “Kizuna no Kiseki” (Sony Music Records) | MY FIRST STORY × HYDE “Mugen” (Sony Music Labels / BEAT SEEKER MUSIC) |
| ED Theme | LiSA “from the edge” (SACRA MUSIC) | LiSA “Shirogane” (SACRA MUSIC) | Aimer “Asa ga Kuru” (SACRA MUSIC) | milet × MAN WITH A MISSION “Koikogare” (SME Records) | HYDE × MY FIRST STORY “Tokoshie” (Sony Music Labels / BEAT SEEKER MUSIC) |
(C) Gotouge Koyoharu / Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
