Facebook
Reddit
Email
When does Demon Slayer take place? Analyzing the elements in the animanga series to derive a rough timeline of the events.
The Demon Slayer series is, without a doubt, one of the most entertaining modern shonen titles. One of the reasons for this series’ success is the setting; it has a beautiful blend of magical and real-life elements. The fact that it’s set in a time when swords were used makes for interesting fight sequences that fans enjoy.
Furthermore, the architecture of the buildings flaunts Japan’s beauty during the early 20th century. This is an assumption fans make based on certain elements seen in the anime. This has resulted in various discussions regarding the series’s timeline and where it was set.
The location is quite obvious, as it is set in Japan. In fact, certain areas mentioned in the anime are popular places in the country. However, the real question is — when does the events in Demon Slayer take place? The events that transpire in Demon Slayer occur between 1920-1924, i.e., the Taisho Era. A closer look at the infrastructure, the clothing, and the use of trains allows us to narrow down to those years.
Demon Slayer and the Taisho Era
The Taisho Era lasted from 1912 to 1925, and the Demon Slayer series was set during this period. However, one might fail to understand how we narrowed it down to 1920-1924. It is important to note that the series would not be set in 1914-1918 because Japan participated in World War 1 in that period. Japan sided with the Allied Forces and declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary.
Men were drafted for war at this time, so the series was set after 1918. It could not have been set before that due to the presence of the Mugen Train. This resembles the Class 8620 Locomotive, a mass-produced steam engine train that was used in Japan. Therefore, it has to be set after 1918.
Some women in the background sported a bob-cut hairstyle, which was popular during the early ‘20s. It is important to note that the anime didn’t specify the exact timeline. However, elements in the anime and manga series suggest that the series was set in the Taisho period.
How Many Years Did Demon Slayer Cover?
As mentioned, the anime or the manga series didn’t particularly mention the exact period or the time that passed during the course of the anime series. However, it has been established that the animanga series was set in the Taisho Era. Therefore, one can assume that the anime and manga series covered about 2-3 years’ worth of content in the overarching story.
It is also important to note that the last chapter of the manga series was set in a different period. There was a massive time skip between chapter 204 and chapter 205. The final chapter was set in modern-day Japan, and we could see the descendants/reincarnates of the main characters.
Time Skip in Demon Slayer
There was a massive time skip between chapters 204 and 205 in the Demon Slayer manga. We were introduced to the descendants of certain characters in modern-day Japan who were alive by the end of the war. We also saw a few reincarnates of those who died before the Demon Slayer Corps defeated Kibutsuji Muzan. Tanjiro Kamado and Kanao Tsuyuri seemed to have gotten married since their descendants were siblings. Similarly, Inosuke and Aoi had a descendant while Zenitsu and Nezuko had their descendants.
We can see the reincarnates of Jigoro, Urokodaki, Rengoku, Obanai, and Mitsuri, among others. This was treated as the series’ epilogue as it showcased the state of the world now that demons weren’t running rampant. These characters were high school students, athletes, botanists, and restaurant owners. It was interesting to see the main characters’ lineage continue to the 21st century.
Conclusion
The setting and time period hold more aesthetic value and less narrative significance. The reason the timeline was not specified is that no real-world events were covered in the anime. Furthermore, the existence of demons depletes the realism aspect, resulting in no absolute historical accuracy. Having some sense of a timeline helps the author visualize the setting. This, in turn, helps with character design and the design of the landscape in which the story is set.
Therefore, mulling over the exact timeline isn’t particularly productive. That said, there are certain elements that allow fans to identify a timeline. By analyzing those elements, we can say that the anime is set in the Taisho Era.
Looking For More?
Thank you for reading the article. We provide the latest news and create guides for Baldur’s Gate 3, Starfield, ARK Survival Ascended, and more. Also, watch Deltia play games on Twitch or visit his YouTube channel!
