The highly anticipated 2024 Demon Slayer movie has generated a lot of excitement among fans who greatly enjoyed the first three seasons of the anime series. While the main characters have received significant focus so far, this upcoming film will shift attention to a storyline that does not include a central antagonist figure.
In contrast, previous story arcs like the Swordsmith Village, Entertainment District, and Mugen Train arcs all featured specific villain characters.
This has led fans to wonder – will the series’ main villain Muzan make an appearance in the 2024 Demon Slayer movie? It seems Muzan will actually not be featured in the upcoming Demon Slayer movie.
Instead, the new storyline to be explored serves as a bridge to the next section of the overarching narrative, where the stakes and intensity will reach new highs.
Taking a closer look at the Hashira Training arc provides more insight into the direction of this movie. The film looks to set the stage for the final confrontation, rather than focus on fights with a singular foe.
Anime-Original Scenes in the 2024 Demon Slayer Film
The recently announced runtime for the highly anticipated 2024 Demon Slayer film is 1 hour and 44 minutes. Looking at the typical pacing and faithfulness to the manga exhibited in the anime series so far, this movie will likely adapt to the first episode of the next season, which is generally about an hour long.
Animation studio Ufotable has demonstrated a commitment to accurately translating the source material instead of taking liberties by adding many anime-original scenes, allowing fans to enjoy the intended flow.
However, the Hashira Training arc that will be covered only spans eight chapters in total. If the full-hour runtime covers nearly half of this concise story arc, some added content seems probable.
There is good reason to believe we may see some exclusive anime-only scenes in the movie. Since this arc signifies the lead-up to a full-scale war between the demons and demon slayers, Ufotable has an opportunity to expand on this with some extra footage.
These additions could spotlight character interactions and relationships, playing to one of Demon Slayer’s greatest strengths. The enriched perspective promises to further immerse fans in the next thrilling saga.
In terms of pivotal narrative events, this Hashira Training arc will center on the Hashira demon slayers devising an intense training regimen designed to help other demon hunters unlock their special Demon Slayer Marks.
The 2024 Demon Slayer movie may spotlight the initial Hashira assembly where this plan is formed, as well as some character interactions between fan favorites like Inosuke, Zenitsu, Tanjiro, and select Hashira mentors.
Setting the Stage for Muzan Kibutsuji’s Return
As for the primary antagonist Muzan Kibutsuji, he will not actually appear in the 2024 Demon Slayer film itself.
However, fans can expect him to resurface towards the climax of the Hashira Training arc season, as he plays a pivotal role in catalyzing the transition into the next monumental Infinity Castle storyline.
While absent for most of this setup arc, the demon overlord Muzan continues hatching his sinister schemes, exploiting Nakime’s powers to pinpoint Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s location.
Muzan then infiltrates the household of the debilitated Demon Slayer Corps leader, who suffers from a wasting illness leaving him barely conscious.
The season will likely conclude on a suspenseful cliffhanger as Muzan and Ubuyashiki come face-to-face just as the Hashiras and other demon slayers race desperately to reach their venerable chief’s residence in time.
This intense confrontation will pave the way for the long-awaited, all-out war to determine humanity’s fate against the demons.
More About Demon Slayer
Tanjiro Kamado is a kind-hearted, intelligent protagonist who lives a humble yet happy life with his family in the isolated mountains. After his father’s passing, young Tanjiro took over as breadwinner, regularly traveling to the village to sell the charcoal they produced.
Upon returning home one tragic day, he discovered his entire family viciously slaughtered by a demon, all except his sister Nezuko, who had been transformed into a demon herself yet remarkably still displayed human emotion and rational thought.
After a providential encounter with Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, Tanjiro was sent to train under Sakonji Urokodaki, Giyu’s former teacher, to join the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps and one day cure Nezuko.
Enduring years of intense “Water Breathing” sword training, Tanjiro qualified for the perilous Final Selection exam, emerging among the only five survivors to officially become a Demon Slayer.
During this time, Sakonji had also hypnotically induced Nezuko not to harm humans.