Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is one of the biggest, most beloved manga of the past decade, sitting proudly among the top ten best-selling series of all time, and fans are always eager to see more content from its creator. Koyoharu Gotouge, the series' acclaimed writer and artist, has kept fans happy with additional glimpses into their early work that blossomed into the Weekly Shonen Jump smash hit. Koyoharu Gotouge Before Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has been available since 2019 in Japan, but for fans in English, the collection of one-shots is available as of October 8, 2024.

Before Demon Slayer is a collection of four one-shot manga stories by Gotouge, with clear glimpses of characters and aesthetics that'd be used later in the franchise. While the one-shots have a decidedly more urban fantasy setting than what would be the subsequent long-running weekly series, there are multiple subtle glimpses into a proto-Demon Slayer conceived by its author. Before Demon Slayer is a fascinating introspective glimpse into Gotouge's creative mind, drawn independently, "without any input from anyone else."

Before Demon Slayer Outlines a Prior Vision of the Series

Koyoharu Gotouge's One-Shots Are a Time Capsule of Demon Slayer Concepts

Koyoharu Gotouge Before Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba cover

Readers diving into Before Demon Slayer will quickly be enticed by the cover, featuring what resembles Giyu Tomioka wearing a piano key-striped shirt, before diving into an array of fantastical and thrilling stories. While none of the stories in the anthology are meant to connect, glimpses such as the first story, Overhunter Hunter, with Tamayo fighting an early inspiration for Muzan Kibutsuji, Michael Jackson-style outfit included, show clear inspirations for the future successful series. Before Demon Slayer even explores demonic characters, as it also includes creatures like vampires and Japanese folklore critters like kappas.

Before Demon Slayer collects four one-shots written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge between 2013 and 2015:

  • Overhunter Hunter (Kagarigari)
  • The Monjushiro Brothers (Monju Shirō Kyōdai)
  • A Man Named Ribs (Rokkotsu-san)
  • Zigzag from Haeniwa (Haeniwa no Zigzag)

The overlapping fantastical themes aren't all, with characters from other one-shots like The Monjushiro Brothers offering a glimpse of the fashion aesthetics and bold pattern choices in what would be Demon Slayer's style. Character designs were largely human-centric, aside from a traditionally cartoonish rendition of kappas in A Man Named Ribs.

Demon Slayer's main cast
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Yet, the unusual weapon choices in Zigzag from Haeniwa and the eclectic blending of traditional and contemporary garb would open doors to the creator's future. In the Before Demon Slayer anthology, Gotouge speaks about this, briefly addressing each story.

Koyoharu Gotouge's History Is Celebrated in Short Stories Collection

Demon Slayer's Author Speaks Frankly on Their Previous Work

In addition to multiple characters from these one-shots certainly serving as the basis for Demon Slayer's conception, including Tamayo, Muzan, Giyu, and Yushiro lookalikes, Before Demon Slayer is an unfiltered collection of Koyoharu Gotouge's previous work. As stated in the afterword, some stories were planned for serialization, such as The Monjushiro Brothers. Zigzag from Haeniwa was a one-shot as the result of compromise after initial serialization attempts didn't happen. A Man Named Ribs's afterword includes Gotouge's anxiety about the story's performance. Given the Demon Slayer anime adaptation's enthusiastic following, this may surprise some readers.

Before Demon Slayer's author commentary speaks similarly to how other contemporary smash hit mangaka, like Tatsuya Endo adjusted to career setbacks before landing a worldwide bestseller. It's inward-looking and amusingly self-deprecating, with entertaining glimpses of each character from the one-shots redrawn in Demon Slayer garb to corresponding characters, including Shizuka with Inosuke's boar mask.

With the author planning a science fiction romantic comedy as their next creative venture, perhaps Koyoharu Gotouge Before Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba could also bear clues for concepts in the future while fans wait for the Infinity Castle movies.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2019) anime poster
Demon Slayer
Created by
Koyoharu Gotouge
First Episode Air Date
April 6, 2019

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline, Demon Slayer is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.

Cast
Natsuki Hanae, Akari Kitō, Hiro Shimono, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Kengo Kawanishi, Kana Hanazawa, Toshihiko Seki, Saori Hayami, Tomokazu Sugita
Video Game(s)
Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- Sweep the Board!, Demon Slayer -Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Hinokami Chronicles