Kimetsu no Yaiba Episode 26 Recap & Characters (Spoiler-Free)

Spoiler-free episode guide for Kimetsu no Yaiba: recap and characters up to Episode 26 — nothing past this episode.

Episode Summary

New Mission

Tanjiro and Kanao face off again in the reflexes test, and Tanjiro's mission team heads for the Mugen train. Muzan summons the Lower Ranks to a distorted fortress space, executes several of them for their weakness and disloyalty, and sends the survivor Lower One back to the surface. The Demon Slayers receive a new mission from Kagaya Ubuyashiki, Tanjiro encounters the muscular Final Selection survivor and speaks with Aoi and Kanao, the trio finishes the Constant Total Concentration test, and they board the Mugen train, where the Flame Hashira and Lower One are aboard.

Reflexes test rematch
Tanjiro and Kanao face each other again in the reflexes test, and Kanao wins by grabbing her cup first. Aoi notes the ten-to-ten record and Tanjiro asks his friends to keep Total Concentration while running with him.
Muzan summons the Lower Ranks
Muzan summons Lower Ranks Three, Four, Six, One and Two to a distorted fortress space. He questions their weakness, kills Lower Six and Lower Four, and then kills Lower Three and Lower Two as they try to plead or flee.
Lower One sent to the surface
Lower One welcomes his death and is injected with Muzan's blood. Muzan sends him to the surface with the instruction to kill the Hashira and the hanafuda-earring Demon Slayer for more blood.
New mission from Kagaya
Kagaya and Shinobu decide to send Tanjiro and his companions to the Mugen train mission, where missing persons are increasing and Kyojuro Rengoku is on site.
Farewells and the coin
Tanjiro meets the muscular Final Selection survivor, then talks with Aoi and Kanao. He tells Aoi, who blames herself for being unable to fight, that he will carry her feelings into battle, and flips Kanao's coin to encourage her to listen to her own heart.
Constant Total Concentration test
The trio breaks the largest gourd, Giyu Tomioka commends their mastery and tells Tanjiro to repay him by killing demons, and the girls see them off.
Boarding the Mugen train
At the station the trio sees the Mugen train, causes trouble by attacking it, and escapes police before boarding. Aboard are the Flame Hashira and Lower One.

Recent Timeline

Rehabilitation training and Shinobu's confession (Episode 24)
In rehabilitation training no one can beat Kanao, and Zenitsu and Inosuke stop coming. Tanjiro trains alone to keep up Total Concentration Breathing day and night; on the roof Shinobu tells him her anger has grown since a demon killed her sister and asks him to protect Nezuko.
Mastering Total Concentration, Constant (Episode 25)
With Naho, Kiyo and Sumi hitting him awake whenever he snores, Tanjiro learns to keep Total Concentration even in his sleep, bursts a gourd with his breath, and finally beats Kanao. Spurred by Shinobu, Zenitsu and Inosuke start the same training, and new swords arrive from Haganezuka and Kanamori.
Fully healed, and a demon on the train (Episode 25)
Shinobu declares Tanjiro fully healed and suggests his father may have used Fire Breathing, which differs from Flame Breathing. That night the sleeping Nezuko murmurs that she knows he can do it, while on a moving train a three-eyed demon kills and devours a woman.
Muzan's purge of the Lower Ranks (Episode 26)
Muzan summons the Lower Ranks to an endless fortress, condemns their weakness, and kills Lower Six, Four, Three and Two. He gives Lower One a large dose of his blood and sends him to kill the Hashira and the Demon Slayer with hanafuda earrings.
New mission and the Mugen Train (Episode 26)
On Shinobu's recommendation, Kagaya sends Tanjiro's group to join Kyojuro on the Mugen Train, where 40 people have vanished. After Tanjiro flips Kanao's coin and the trio breaks the largest gourd, they say goodbye and board the train, with the Flame Hashira and Lower One also aboard.

Character Graph

Tanjiro Kamado

Demon Slayer Corps

Eldest son of the Kamado family, a Demon Slayer fighting to turn his demon sister Nezuko back into a human. Having mastered Total Concentration, Constant, he flips Kanao's coin to encourage her to follow her heart, says goodbye at the mansion, and boards the Mugen Train with Zenitsu, Inosuke and Nezuko to join Kyojuro.

Nezuko Kamado (Family, Affinity)
Takes her on the mission, vowing they will never be apart again.
Kanao Tsuyuri (Colleague, Affinity)
Flips her coin so that she will listen to her own heart from now on.
Aoi Kanzaki (Other, Affinity)
Tells her he will carry her feelings into battle.
Giyu Tomioka (Colleague, Affinity)
Thanks him for staking his life on Nezuko; Giyu tells him to repay it by killing demons.
Kyojuro Rengoku (Colleague, Neutral)
The Hashira he is sent to join on the Mugen Train.

Nezuko Kamado (Nezuko)

demon

Tanjiro's younger sister, a demon who has never eaten a human. She travels in her box as Tanjiro boards the Mugen Train; when Zenitsu suggests headquarters would be safer, Tanjiro says they will never be apart again.

Tanjiro Kamado (Family, Affinity)
Her older brother, who keeps her with him wherever he goes.

Zenitsu Agatsuma (Zenitsu)

Demon Slayer Corps

A timid Demon Slayer who fights with Thunder Breathing once he passes out from fear. Having mastered Total Concentration, Constant, he sets out for the Mugen Train and explains to the others that the government does not recognize the Corps.

Tanjiro Kamado (Colleague, Affinity)
Worries whether it is wise to bring Nezuko along.
Inosuke Hashibira (Colleague, Mixed)
Explains to him that the 'creature' is just a train.

Inosuke Hashibira

Demon Slayer Corps

A boar-masked Demon Slayer raised in the mountains, who fights with two jagged swords. Mistaking the train for a giant creature, he headbutts it, bringing the police down on the trio before they board.

Tanjiro Kamado (Colleague, Mixed)
Sets out on the new mission with Tanjiro, eager to lead the charge.

Kanao Tsuyuri (Kanao)

Tsuguko · Butterfly Mansion

Shinobu's Tsuguko, who lets a coin decide what she cannot decide for herself. After narrowly beating Tanjiro in their last reflex match, she watches him flip her coin so that she will listen to her heart, and holds the coin close as he leaves.

Tanjiro Kamado (Colleague, Affinity)
Is moved by his kindness after he flips her coin.

Aoi Kanzaki

Butterfly Mansion

The head caretaker of the Butterfly Mansion. She tells Tanjiro she survived Final Selection only by luck and is too afraid to fight, and is moved when he says he will take her feelings into battle.

Tanjiro Kamado (Other, Affinity)
Wishes him luck on his mission.

Shinobu Kocho (Shinobu)

Demon Slayer Corps · Insect Hashira

The Insect Hashira, mistress of the Butterfly Mansion and Kanao's teacher. She recommends Tanjiro for the Mugen Train mission, praising his pure heart, and tells the Master that his father used Fire Breathing.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki (Hierarchy, Affinity)
Recommends sending Tanjiro to the Mugen Train mission.
Kanao Tsuyuri (Mentor, Affinity)
Her Tsuguko.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki (the Master)

Demon Slayer Corps

The blind leader of the Demon Slayer Corps, whom the Hashira call the Master. On Shinobu's recommendation he sends Tanjiro and his companions to the Mugen Train mission, believing it may be Tanjiro's destiny to defeat Muzan.

Tanjiro Kamado (Hierarchy, Affinity)
Sends him on the Mugen Train mission.

Giyu Tomioka

Demon Slayer Corps · Water Hashira

The Water Hashira, who staked his life on Nezuko. He meets the trio as they leave, praises them for mastering Total Concentration, Constant, and tells Tanjiro to repay him by killing demons.

Tanjiro Kamado (Colleague, Affinity)
Praises his progress and sends him off.

Kyojuro Rengoku

Demon Slayer Corps · Flame Hashira

The Flame Hashira, loud and confident. He is already on the Mugen Train mission, where some 40 people have vanished, and rides the same train as Tanjiro's group and Lower One.

Lower One (Other, Hostility)
Rides the same train as the newly strengthened demon.

Muzan Kibutsuji (Muzan)

demon

The Demon Progenitor, the first demon, whom Tanjiro is hunting to find a cure for Nezuko. After Rui's death he summons the Lower Ranks to an endless fortress, kills all but Lower One, and gives him more blood to kill the Hashira and the Demon Slayer with hanafuda earrings.

Lower One (Hierarchy, Mixed)
Fills him with blood and orders him to kill the Hashira.
Tanjiro Kamado (Other, Hostility)
Orders the Demon Slayer with hanafuda earrings killed.

Lower One

demon · Twelve Kizuki

Lower Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki, the only Lower Rank Muzan spares, because he welcomes death at Muzan's hands. Strengthened with a large dose of Muzan's blood, he sees a vision of Tanjiro and is now aboard the Mugen Train.

Muzan Kibutsuji (Hierarchy, Affinity)
Worships Muzan and is rewarded with more blood.
Tanjiro Kamado (Other, Hostility)
Plans to kill Tanjiro and the Hashira for more blood.

Kiyo

Butterfly Mansion

One of the three young helpers at the Butterfly Mansion, who helped Tanjiro master Total Concentration, Constant. She cheers as the trio breaks the largest gourd and sees them off in tears. She also bluntly tells Zenitsu to learn to respect girls.

Tanjiro Kamado (Other, Affinity)
Sees him off on his mission.

Naho

Butterfly Mansion

One of the three young helpers at the Butterfly Mansion, who helped Tanjiro master Total Concentration, Constant. She cheers as the trio breaks the largest gourd and sees them off in tears.

Tanjiro Kamado (Other, Affinity)
Sees him off on his mission.

Sumi

Butterfly Mansion

One of the three young helpers at the Butterfly Mansion, who helped Tanjiro master Total Concentration, Constant. She cheers as the trio breaks the largest gourd and sees them off in tears.

Tanjiro Kamado (Other, Affinity)
Sees him off on his mission.

World Memo

Demon power scales with victims eaten
Demons eat humans to gain strength, as humans eat food; a demon's power is proportional to the number of victims it has devoured, and a Demon Slayer's sharpened sense of smell can reveal that number.
Demon Slayer uniform fibre
The Demon Slayer uniform is made of a special fibre that is waterproof, flame retardant, and strong enough to repel the claws and teeth of a weak demon.
Only Muzan can turn humans into demons
Usually only Muzan can transform people into demons.
Only Muzan destroys demon cells
Demons are normally unable to harm each other, but Muzan alone is capable of destroying demon cells.
Demon Slayer rank and pay
Demon Slayers can climb the ranks, and higher rank brings better pay.
Nine strongest swordsmen
The Hashira are the nine most powerful swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Hashira status and treatment
The Hashira are phenomenally skilled, having survived hellish training and defeated Twelve Kizuki demons, and they receive special treatment within the Corps.
Butterfly Mansion as rehabilitation site
Injured Demon Slayers recuperate at the Butterfly Mansion under a head caretaker and helpers, who administer their medication. Recovered patients then go through a rehabilitation program of three stations: stretching, reflex training with medicated water cups, and full-body training played as tag.
Kasugai Crow relays messages
Demon Slayers receive messages through their assigned Kasugai Crow.
Breathing style names must be distinct
Each Breathing Style has its own name, and styles must not be misnamed as one another; Fire Breathing is distinct from the more familiar Flame Breathing.
Twelve Kizuki demon rank
The Twelve Kizuki are a group of elite demons that serve directly under Muzan.
Members of the Twelve Kizuki have a number engraved on their eyeballs; a demon lacking this eye marking is not a true member, regardless of claiming the rank.
A rank can be lost: Kyogai, once Lower Rank Six, hoped to win his place back by devouring Marechi blood.
For over a century the Upper Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki have not changed, and only they have succeeded in killing Hashira, while Lower Ranks change and are replaced very frequently.
Corps unrecognized by Japanese government
The Japanese Government does not recognize the Demon Slayer Corps, so Demon Slayers cannot expose their weapons in public, and their work goes unknown to the public.

Clue Board

Muzan's feared hanafuda-earring enemy (Episode 8)
Muzan suddenly becomes terrified while alone, recalling a past figure standing before him, a feared enemy who raised a sword while wearing hanafuda earrings. The identity of this enemy is not revealed.
Possible reversal of transformation (Episode 9)
Giyu says a transformation is irreversible, yet also suggests demons may know how to reverse it, though he doubts they would help.
Tanjiro's question about returning Nezuko to a human went unanswered; the demons on Mount Fujikasane attacked him instead, so the question stays open.
Tanjiro asks whether a demon can be turned back into a human. Tamayo says a way exists but does not yet know how, and she and Yushiro are working on a method that may succeed. She needs blood samples from Nezuko and from demons closest to Muzan's powers to make an elixir.
Tanjiro resolves to extract blood from the Twelve Kizuki demons, and charges at Yahaba aiming to extract his blood to produce the treatment. Susamaru invites him to try.
Source of the rattling sound (Episode 15)
A strange rattling sound travels through the air, unsettling Tanjiro; the surviving Demon Slayer says the massacre began after this sound, and its source is unexplained.
Muzan's revealed contact with Tanjiro (Episode 22)
The Master reveals that Tanjiro has met Muzan Kibutsuji, a fact the Hashira had not known; Muzan sent demons after Tanjiro, and his first self-revelation is considered significant, though the purpose may simply be to kill him.
Unexplained event surprising Muzan (Episode 22)
The Master believes something happened to Nezuko that even surprised the Demon Progenitor, but the nature of that event is not revealed.
Possible Upper Rank demon (Episode 24)
Kyojuro suspects the demon that killed several Demon Slayers could be a Twelve Kizuki, possibly even an Upper Rank, but no identity is confirmed.
Hinokami Kagura origin (Episode 25)
Shinobu knows nothing of Hinokami Kagura and only suggests Tanjiro's father may have used a different breathing style, Fire Breathing, which is not the same as Flame Breathing; the nature of Hinokami Kagura remains unexplained.
Three-eyed train demon (Episode 25)
A giant, three-eyed demon kills and devours a woman on a moving train; its identity and connection to the other demons remain unknown.
Nezuko's words while asleep (Episode 25)
Nezuko says "I know you can do it, Big Brother" while apparently still asleep, so it is unclear whether she is truly aware of her surroundings.
Muscular young man's identity (Episode 26)
A tall, now heavily muscled young man who shoved Tanjiro in the hallway is recognized as the quarrelsome Final Selection survivor, but his muscular change in such a short time is left unexplained.
Muzan's order to kill the hanafuda-earring Demon Slayer (Episode 26)
Muzan tells Lower One he will receive more blood if he kills the Demon Slayer with hanafuda earrings; why Muzan singles out Tanjiro is still unexplained.
Lower One aboard the Mugen Train (Episode 26)
Lower Rank One of the Twelve Kizuki is revealed to be on the same train as the Flame Hashira, setting up a future confrontation that is not yet resolved.

Deduction Board

Facts

Shinobu knows nothing of Hinokami Kagura
When Tanjiro asks Shinobu about Hinokami Kagura, she knows nothing about it.
Shinobu knows nothing of Fire Breathing
When Tanjiro asks about Fire Breathing, Shinobu gives the same response.
Father used Fire Breathing
Shinobu says Tanjiro's father used a Fire Breathing style.

Evidence

Vision of Tanjiro
Lower Rank One sees a vision of Tanjiro as Muzan's blood changes him.
Father's influence described to Shinobu
After Tanjiro tells Shinobu what happened to him and how his father influenced him, she responds to the question about Hinokami Kagura.
Kagaya surprised
Kagaya Ubuyashiki is surprised to hear that Tanjiro's father used a Fire Breathing style.

Inferences

Tanjiro's destiny
Hearing of Nezuko's change and Tanjiro's encounters with Muzan, Kagaya believes it may be Tanjiro's destiny to defeat Muzan.
Coin as a tool for choice
The coin is used to help Kanao decide, which links it to her inability to make her own choices.
Kyojuro as a guide
Shinobu thinks Kyojuro may be able to guide Tanjiro, whose father used Fire Breathing.

Suspicions

Plan to take more blood
Lower Rank One surmises he can attain more blood by killing the Hashira and Tanjiro.
Flame Hashira may know more
Shinobu says Tanjiro could perhaps ask the Flame Hashira, who is away on a mission, so the answer remains open.
Link to Hinokami Kagura
Whether the father's Fire Breathing style is the source of Tanjiro's Hinokami Kagura is not stated in this episode.

Battle Record

A three-eyed demon kills and devours a woman on a moving train.

Tanjiro vs Rui in the forest of Mount Natagumo

Rui's defeat · Episodes 18–20

Location: Mount Natagumo forest

Trigger: Rui's pursuit of the siblings

Demon Slayers vs Rui

Demon Slayers — combatants: Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, Giyu Tomioka
Rui — combatant: Rui

Outcome: Rui escapes Tanjiro and Nezuko's attack by severing his own head, then is beheaded by Giyu Tomioka.

Aftermath

Rui's severed head falls while still wanting to kill the siblings
Daughter continues to run away from the battle

Giyu and Shinobu clash on Mount Natagumo

Shinobu's attack on Nezuko halted · Episode 21

Location: Mount Natagumo forest

Trigger: Shinobu tries to kill Nezuko, a demon, and Giyu blocks her blade

Sides

Giyu Tomioka's side — Hashira: Giyu Tomioka
Shinobu's side — Hashira: Shinobu Kocho

Outcome: When a Kasugai Crow relays headquarters' order to take the siblings into custody, both sheathe their swords and leave the mountain.

Demon attack on a moving train

Moving train · Episode 25

Location: Moving train

Trigger: A giant, three-eyed demon attacks a passenger on board

Sides

Demon — Attacker: giant three-eyed demon
Passengers — Victim: unnamed woman

Outcome: The woman is killed and devoured

Ability Table

User	Ability	Description
Biwa Demon	Biwa strum room manipulation	Strumming the biwa summons demons into a distorted fortress-like space of many rooms, places them on the floor before the user, and shifts the space so that it can transport people and manipulate its doors.
Tanjiro Kamado	Total Concentration Breathing	A breathing technique taught by Makomo that accelerates blood circulation and heart rate, raising body temperature so the user can match a demon's strength while remaining human. It works by expanding lung capacity to flood the body with air, strengthening bones and muscles. Refined into a sustained Constant form that can be kept up all day, including while asleep, it greatly boosts stamina; the user must push to hold it at first but later maintains it without slowing down.
Giyu Tomioka	Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm	Ceasing all movement, after which the rotating blood web breaks apart before reaching him.
Tanjiro Kamado	Hinokami Kagura, Dance	A breathing pattern recalled from his memories of his father's ceremonial kagura, which ignites his Water Breathing into fire; used in the Dance form to slice through the blood threads.
Tanjiro Kamado	Opening Thread	A scent Tanjiro detects and follows to align the path of his sword with its target.
Tanjiro Kamado	Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux	Used to parry the threads by gathering momentum in each swing, slicing through the blood threads and giving him the drive to press the attack.
Inosuke Hashibira	Beast Breathing, Seventh Form: Spatial Awareness	Plants both blades in the ground, crouches and spreads arms to scan the surrounding forest, detecting trees, vegetation and the landscape far around him in order to locate a demon.
Inosuke Hashibira	Beast Breathing, Third Fang: Devour	A self-taught breathing technique. He slashes off the demon's arms, then lunges forward with both blades to slice off its head.
Tanjiro Kamado	Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash	Used to decapitate the morphed demon, killing it.
Tanjiro Kamado	Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide	Used to slash two demons in one stroke after he finds the Opening Thread.
Tanjiro Kamado	Water Breathing, Second Form: Improved, Lateral Water Wheel	An improved version of the Second Form, used to decapitate the Arrow Demon despite the heavy weight of the combined attack.
Tanjiro Kamado	Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel	Used to counter an incoming attack from behind by turning around and cutting.

Season Summary

Season 1 — Season 1

Episodes 1–26

Charcoal seller Tanjiro Kamado finds his family slaughtered by a demon and his sister Nezuko turned into one. Spared by Giyu Tomioka, he trains under Sakonji Urokodaki, passes Final Selection, and hunts demons with Nezuko while searching for a way to cure her. He crosses paths with Muzan Kibutsuji, the first demon, in Asakusa, allies with the demon doctor Tamayo, and is joined by Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira; on Mount Natagumo, Lower Rank Five Rui nearly kills the siblings before Giyu beheads him.

After Rui's death the siblings are put on trial before the Hashira; the Master, Sakonji and Giyu stand behind Nezuko, and she proves she will not attack humans by resisting Sanemi Shinazugawa's blood. Told to prove himself by defeating a Twelve Kizuki, Tanjiro recovers at Shinobu Kocho's Butterfly Mansion, where he, Zenitsu and Inosuke master Total Concentration, Constant.

Muzan summons the Lower Ranks, kills all but Lower One for their weakness, and sends him out with more of his blood to kill the Hashira and the Demon Slayer with hanafuda earrings. On Shinobu's recommendation, the Master sends Tanjiro's group to the Mugen Train, where some 40 people have vanished; after encouraging Kanao Tsuyuri to follow her own heart and saying goodbye to Aoi and Giyu, the trio boards the train, where the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku and Lower One are also aboard.

Music Releases

Gurenge (OP)