Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba continues to enjoy immense popularity even after the end of its serialization. The series is based on a manga published in Weekly Shonen Jump and has also been adapted into an anime, but did you know that there is also a spin-off novel? In addition to stories about Tanjiro and friends that were not told in the main story, it also includes the past of the Pillars and scenes from Kimetsu Academy. Three volumes have now been revamped, and this article will focus on summaries of each episode before the Mugen Train Arc, without including spoilers.
"Flower of Happiness"
Five episodes focusing on the Kamaboko Squad
After a mission, while resting at Fuji House, Tanjiro and his friends are invited to a wedding ceremony. This episode follows Zenitsu's first battle with a demon. This episode also includes four interludes not depicted in the main story, such as an episode about the signs of trouble with women that appeared on Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu, and the humble daily life of Aoi and Kanao, as well as one episode about Kimetsu Academy.
Episode 1 "Flower of Happiness" Synopsis
The story begins after defeating Hibikigai, when Tanjiro is resting at the Wisteria House. While stopping by a village, he witnesses a wedding ceremony and, upon seeing the bride, thinks about Nezuko's future. Worried, Tanjiro hears a story about a flower called ground vine, which is said to bring happiness to those who find it. Tanjiro enters the dark mountains to search for ground vine for Nezuko.
Episode 2 "For Whom" Synopsis
The story begins during rehabilitation training at the Butterfly Mansion. One night, Zenitsu is taking a walk with Nezuko. Spotting a flower along the way, Zenitsu is reminded of the first time he decapitated a demon, before meeting Tanjiro and Inosuke. After escaping from rigorous training, Zenitsu meets a girl named Sayuri and falls in love. She is sacrificed and offered to the demon, so Zenitsu heads off to the demon instead.
Episode 3: "The Fortune-Telling Incident" Synopsis
The story takes place immediately after the Mugen Train arc. This is a spoiler alert, as the story takes place a little later in the anime. While walking through town, Tanjiro and his friends are approached by an old woman and have their fortunes read. The result is that they will have trouble with women. This is a comical episode revolving around the fortune-telling. It also depicts an unexpected exchange between Inosuke and Aoi.
Episode 4 "Aoi and Kanao" Synopsis
The story is set in the Entertainment District Arc, a sequel to the Mugen Train Arc. This episode also contains spoilers. Aoi and Kanao go out together on an errand for Shinobu. This episode offers a glimpse into Aoi's lingering feelings and Kanao's state of mind, which has changed since meeting Tanjiro and the others.
Episode 5 "Kimetsu Academy Story: Junior and Senior High School!!" Synopsis
The story takes place in the spinoff, Kimetsu Academy. Exhausted from dealing with the school's problem students, Zenitsu considers quitting the discipline committee. However, the advisor, the terrifying and violent Mr. Tomioka, won't let him quit. Zenitsu consults with Tanjiro and comes up with various strategies. Will Zenitsu be able to quit the discipline committee?
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"One-Winged Butterfly"
Five Episodes Related to the Pillars
The reason why the Kocho sisters aspired to join the Demon Slayer Corps and the feelings of Himejima, who watches over them. The love and hidden feelings sealed away by Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Pillar. The story of a dream seen by Genya Shinazugawa, whose brother is the Wind Pillar. In addition to three serious episodes, the Sound Pillar Uzui Tengen, Inosuke, and Zenitsu go on a search for a hot spring together. It also includes some humorous episodes, such as an incident where the Pillars somehow make Giyu Tomioka laugh, and a commotion at Kimetsu Academy.
Episode 1 "One-Winged Butterfly" Synopsis
This is the story of the young Kocho sisters, whose parents were killed by demons. While the story is set in the past, spoilers abound as it connects to episodes from the Mugen Train Arc onward. The story is told from the perspective of Gyomei Himejima, the Rock Pillar who saved them, and he expressed his desire for the young girls to find happiness. However, the Kocho sisters secretly harbored a desire to join the Demon Slayer Corps. Himejima, moved by their resolve, imposes a certain challenge on them.
Episode 2: "The Right Recommendation for Hot Springs" Synopsis
The timeline takes place after the Mugen Train Arc, so spoilers ahead. After many twists and turns, Zenitsu is ordered by the Sound Pillar, Uzui Tengen, to dig a hot spring. Zenitsu is initially reluctant, but for some reason, he becomes motivated and sets out in search of the hot spring with Inosuke.
Episode 3: Mitsuri Kanroji's Secret Synopsis
Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Pillar, harbors secret feelings for Shinobu Kocho. This causes her to become unwell, and her pen pal, Obanai Iguro, the Snake Pillar, is the first to notice. He passes the tale on to Shinobu, and Mitsuri and Shinobu end up talking it out.
Episode 4: "The Aftermath of the Dream"
Genya Shinazugawa, a fellow student of Tanjiro and his friends, has a certain dream. It is a dream about an incident that occurred when the Shinazugawa brothers developed an unresolved feud when they were young. Genya's full appearance takes place before the Mugen Train arc, so this would be a spoiler, but it depicts a brotherly relationship that is different from that of the Kamado siblings.
Episode 5 "To You Who Doesn't Smile" Synopsis
This is a comical episode in which Oyakata-sama, concerned about Tomioka Giyu, who has distanced himself from the other Hashira members and is isolated, consults with Gyomei to try to make Giyu laugh. We also get a glimpse into his relationships with and impressions of the other Hashira members, excluding Shinobu. Will the Hashira be able to make Giyu laugh?
Episode 6: "Kimetsu Academy Story: Junior and Senior High School Consolidated!! ~Paradise Lost~" Synopsis
In this episode of Kimetsu Academy, Tanjiro, Inosuke, Zenitsu, and Uzui form a band for the school festival. However, their performance is so horrible it destroys the minds of those who hear it. The school festival committee, including Shinobu, tries every trick in the book to disband the band. Will Shinobu and her friends be able to protect the students?
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"Wind's Guidepost"
An episode revealing Sanemi Shinazugawa's past
This episode reveals the corps member who led Sanemi Shinazugawa to join the Demon Slayer Corps when he was a boy, unaware of the existence of the Nichirin sword or the Demon Slayer Corps, and the reason why Sanemi hates demons. Three other episodes include a secret story about Inosuke and Aoi that ties into the events after the Mugen Train arc. The episode also includes a Kimetsu Academy episode, a ghost story that begins with a celebration for Kocho Kanae, who is starting her new teaching position. Here, we'll introduce the synopsis of Episode 1, "Wind's Guidepost," and Kimetsu Academy.
Synopsis of Episode 1, "Wind's Guidepost"
This is a story about the past of Sanjiro Shinazugawa, the Wind Pillar. It begins with the encounter between Sanjiro, who was fighting demons unaware of the existence of the Demon Slayer Corps and Nichirin swords, and a Demon Slayer Corps member named Masachika Kumeno. One day after joining the Demon Slayer Corps, the two are sent on a mission to investigate a mansion where someone has gone missing. This is a prequel, but spoilers abound as it's not yet revealed in the main story. It also depicts a conversation between the still-surviving Kanae Kocho and Sanemi.
Episode 5: Kimetsu Academy: Midnight Parade - Synopsis
This episode of Kimetsu Academy begins with a welcome party for Kanae Kocho, a graduate who has been appointed as the new biology teacher. The conversation suddenly turns to ghost stories, and the teachers head to school at night to find out the truth.
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Summary
So, what did you think? This is a rough summary of the currently published Demon Slayer spin-off novels. Many of the novels connect to events after the Mugen Train Arc, so spoilers are a must-read. However, they also serve as a supplement to each of the other chapters, so if you have the chance, please pick them up and read them. Thank you for reading this far!
