ADVANCED REVIEW: ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba,’ Volume 23

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Volume 23 (Demon Slayer Volume 23) is an action-adventure fantasy manga written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge and published by VIZ Media. Set in Taisho-era Japan, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young man trying to support his mother and younger siblings. A demon slaughters Tanjiro’s family and turns his younger sister Nezuko into a demon. Now Tanjiro and Nezuko must set out to defeat the demon that killed their family and find a cure for Nezuko to regain her humanity.

Demon Slayer Volume 23 consists of chapters 197 to 205. In the final confrontation, Tanjiro and his fellow Demon Slayers have fought on through the night, suffering terrible losses against the King of Demons, Muzan Kibutsuji. Now dawn is finally about to break. If Tanjiro and his comrades can keep Muzan at bay for just a little longer, then it will be the end of the centuries-long struggle. However, Muzan will stop at nothing to destroy the Demon Slayers. In a desperate attempt, he unleashes his most terrible powers. Muzan decides that if he can’t defeat the Demon Slayers, he may be able to cause them to destroy themselves from within. All fates and destinies will be decided as the sun begins to rise.

If I had to describe this final volume in a few words, it would be emotional and satisfying. The mangaka, Koyoharu Gotouge,  truly delivers a tremendously written story with a satisfying ending that wraps up the series beautifully. I could not have asked for anything else from this series after this volume. The final volume is a culmination of all of the character and story development that has happened throughout the series to this point. Which greatly contributes to providing closure to its characters and the plot overall.

Throughout Volume 23, the mangaka references previously used themes such as camaraderie that plays an essential part in the series. For example, this volume touches on the theme of camaraderie, particularly when it comes to Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu. During the final battle with Muzan, it is clear that he is still too strong for any one individual Demon Slayer to defeat on their own. However, Inosuke, Tanjiro, and Zenitsu’s friendship, trust, and ability to work together helps them to gain an advantage against Muzan. Once again showing that camaraderie is an essential theme in the series.

Lastly, as I mentioned, this volume is packed with emotions, especially when it comes to the final showdown between Muzan and Tanjiro. I do not want to give any major spoilers away. However, I will say I was very impressed with how Koyoharu Gotouge chose the final confrontation to go down. It was not what I had initially expected for this series, but it did fit perfectly nonetheless.

Overall, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Volume 23 is a great read that brings this beautiful series to an emotional and satisfying end. This volume touches on essential core themes that have been touched on throughout the series. Additionally, I applaud Koyoharu Gotouge for the tremendous writing and for delivering one of the most satisfying manga endings that I have read in a long time. And while the final confrontation was one I did not initially expect, I still found it to be a perfect fit for this series final volume. 

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Volume 23 is available wherever books are sold on August 3, 2021.