Why I Couldn’t Make It Past Demon Slayer

Why I Couldn’t Make It Past Demon Slayer

The anime that looked like a masterpiece but felt like a chore

Let me get one thing out of the way before the pitchforks come out: I really wanted to love Demon Slayer. I went in with an open mind, snacks ready, blanket wrapped around me like a cocoon of trust, and eyes wide with anticipation. Everyone I knew had either raved about it or demanded I drop everything to watch it.

“You have to see it. It’ll change your life.”“The animation is god-tier.”“It’s the best anime in YEARS.”

So naturally, I thought I was about to be swept off my feet. And for a moment, I was.

But somewhere between episode 5 and episode 19, my enthusiasm wilted like a forgotten houseplant. I didn’t hate the show — I just... didn’t care enough to keep going. And honestly? That surprised me. So I started reflecting on why.

Here’s what made me quietly tap out of one of the most hyped anime in recent memory.

The Animation Was Gorgeous, But That’s Not Enough

Yes, let’s start with the obvious: Demon Slayer is a feast for the eyes. Ufotable outdid themselves. The lighting. The effects. The water-breathing forms. That episode where Tanjiro and Nezuko fight Rui in the forest? Jaw-dropping. Even I, the dropout viewer, have seen clips from that scene and had to admit — it’s stunning.

But good visuals alone aren’t a meal. They’re the seasoning.

I need character depth, tension, meaningful plot progression. I need the storytelling to move. Unfortunately, Demon Slayer felt like a beautiful painting that just wouldn’t change frames. The story lingered too long in its own beauty and forgot to push forward.

The Pacing Was a Drag — And I Don’t Mean the Slay Kind

Anime pacing is always a delicate balance. You need enough breathing room for character growth and emotional beats, but not so much that the audience checks out.

In Demon Slayer, the first few episodes promised action and urgency. A boy loses his family to demons. His sister is cursed. He vows to become a demon slayer and save her. That’s a compelling hook.

But what followed was one of the slowest training arcs I’ve ever sat through. I kept waiting for something to happen. There were multiple episodes where Tanjiro was just… training. For weeks. For years. For… ever? It felt like the show was stretching time, elongating every trial, every climb, every swing of the sword.

And I get it. Tanjiro had to train. He had to struggle. But it wasn’t just slow — it was emotionally stagnant. We weren’t learning new things about him. He wasn’t changing. He was just repeating the same formula over and over:

1. Struggle.

2. Try hard.

3. Succeed through sheer willpower.

4. Monologue.

5. Cry.

6. Repeat.

The Emotional Beats Weren’t Earned (At Least Not Yet)

This might be controversial, but I didn’t cry during the first few episodes. I wanted to — they tried so hard to make me feel something. But it all felt rushed and overwritten.

Tragedy struck within minutes of meeting Tanjiro’s family, and instead of letting that grief breathe naturally, the show threw us into vengeance mode. It was a checklist of loss → motivation → mission.

Contrast this with something like Attack on Titan or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood — where emotional moments are earned through consistent, layered storytelling. I just didn’t feel connected enough to the characters yet to be fully invested.

By the time we got to later episodes with demon backstories that were meant to be heartbreaking, I found myself emotionally detached. I kept thinking, “If you’d paced this better, I might’ve cared.”

Too Many Monologues, Not Enough Movement

One of Demon Slayer’s stylistic choices is to have its characters constantly narrating their inner thoughts — especially mid-battle. Now, I’m not opposed to this in theory. Anime does it all the time.

But in Demon Slayer, it felt excessive.

Characters pause, mid-fight, to remember their trauma, reflect on the meaning of life, or offer play-by-plays of what they might do next. Sometimes they do this while they’re literally flying through the air. I couldn’t help but laugh. “My body is broken. I cannot feel my limbs. But if I aim at the demon’s neck just right, and Nezuko uses her blood art while I spin—”

By the time the actual move landed, I’d forgotten what we were fighting for.

A Protagonist I Couldn’t Click With

Tanjiro is a good boy. A kind boy. A very polite boy.

Too polite, maybe?

There’s nothing wrong with a gentle protagonist, but Tanjiro never gave me anything else. He’s always compassionate, always determined, always soft-spoken. That makes him admirable, but also… flat.

There were no real flaws, no shades of moral conflict. I never worried he might make the wrong decision. I knew he’d always do the “right” thing. And that made his journey feel less dynamic to me.

Characters like Edward Elric, Yuji Itadori, or even Gon from Hunter x Hunter have layers. They struggle with morality, anger, fear, revenge. Tanjiro is just good. And good doesn’t always make for compelling.

So… Will I Ever Try Again?

Honestly? Maybe.

I’ve heard the Entertainment District Arc and Swordsmith Village Arc are much better. I’ve heard things pick up. That the character dynamics improve. That the Hashira get their moments to shine.

But to get there, I have to be willing to sit through more of what already lost me once. And right now? That’s a tall order.

Maybe one day, when I have more patience. Or when the final season drops and I want to see what all the fuss is about. But for now, Demon Slayer is my beautiful, boring ex. It wasn’t toxic. It wasn’t cruel. It just… wasn’t for me.

Final Thoughts

If you love Demon Slayer, I respect it. Genuinely. It clearly resonates with people. And I don’t think it’s a “bad” show — I think it’s a show that’s not built for every type of viewer.

Some people want slow-burn emotional stories with vibrant visuals and soft protagonists. Others want action, complexity, and storytelling momentum.

I happen to fall into the latter camp.

But hey — maybe that’s the beauty of anime. There’s something for everyone. Even if Demon Slayer wasn’t for me, I know there’s someone else out there waiting to tell me, “Okay, but have you seen Jujutsu Kaisen?”

And to that, I say: Let’s go.Bottom of Form