With the Hashira Training arc of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba arriving in spring 2024, now would be a great time to watch older episodes on Netflix.
This shonen anime series can be watched in a lot of Netflix regions — including the United States, South Korea, Singapore, and Japan.
However, not all Netflix libraries are the same. Depending upon your location and language preferences, you may want to use a VPN for anime to unlock other libraries.
What is Demon Slayer?
In Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Tanjiro Kamado goes on a quest to save his sister from demon transformation. Tanjiro trains, gains allies, and battles powerful demons. The series takes place in the Taisho Era.
Koyoharu Gotouge created the manga, which began in Weekly Shonen Jump in 2016. The manga concluded in 2020. The anime started in 2019. After four major story arcs and three seasons, it is still a couple of arcs away from the ending.
Where is Demon Slayer Available on Netflix?
Demon Slayer is available on Netflix in many countries. However, some countries have better viewing options than others. Different regions offer different seasons and languages.
So, which version of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is right for you?
United States, United Kingdom, Taiwan, Thailand
- All four story arcs are available, but not the movie.
- For the first arc, audio: Japanese, English, Latin American Spanish, French, German, Catalan, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, and European Spanish. Subtitles: English, Arabic, German, Latin American Spanish, French, Catalan, Brazilian Portuguese, European Portuguese, Polish, Russian, European Spanish, and Turkish.
- The language list shrinks for season 2 (Mugen Train and Entertainment District arcs). The Swordsmith Village arc includes: Audio: Japanese, English, Latin American Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. Subtitles: English, Latin American Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese.
Singapore
- All four story arcs, and the Mugen Train movie
- Language options: Season 1 Audio: Japanese, Mandarin, Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese. Subtitles: English, Malay, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Indonesian, Thai, and Vietnamese. Season 2 adds Filipino.
- Season 2 Audio: Japanese, Mandarin, Thai.
- Season 3: Audio: Japanese, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese. Subtitles: Same as season 1.
- The movie: Japanese with English, Malay, Simplified Chinese, Filipino, Indonesian, Khmer, and Vietnamese subtitles
Japan
- All four story arcs
- Language options: Japanese only
South Korea
- Has the first three arcs, in Japanese with Korean subtitles
- Has the movie, but only in Japanese with Korean subtitles
This is not a complete list, but other areas should be similar to these examples.
Price (U.S.): Standard with Ads, $6.99/ month. Standard, $15.49/ month. Premium, $22.99/ month. (Note: Some countries block ad-supported subscriptions.)
Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on Netflix.
How to get past Netflix’s Geoblocking
As you can see, you can find Demon Slayer in quite a few countries. However, you will run across issues if you want to watch the third season in some countries, or if you want English translation in Japan.
That’s because Netflix “geoblocks” content (i.e., makes it unavailable in some regions). To get around this problem, you will need a VPN.
How to Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on Netflix if The App Isn’t Available in your Country
As of this article, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is available on Netflix in the United States. However, if the anime series is geo-locked in your area, a VPN can help.
The following method works on both desktop PCs and mobile phones or tablets:
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- Purchase (or start a free trial) of a VPN. I can confirm that NordVPN works for this purpose.
- In the settings, choose United States as your location.
- Fire up the VPN and wait for it to do its magic
- Once you’re connected, navigate to Netflix (browser or app
- Search “Demon Slayer” in the Netflix search bar and you should see the anime pop up.
Enjoy! Please note that if your Netflix library doesn’t update to reflect the country you selected in your VPN, you may have to clear the Netflix cache first and try again.
To do this on mobile, go to settings -> apps -> Netflix -> clear cache.
To do this on PC, you have to clear the cache in your web browser.
Why is the Demon Slayer Movie Not Available in All Countries’ Libraries?
Netflix doesn’t block content out of cruelty.
The real culprit is licensing. Animation companies make money by selling licenses to streaming companies. Basically, these licenses give companies permission to stream content. But they are typically limited — for example, to one region, or one language.
International streamers must follow the terms of these licensing agreements. So, they geoblock content.
A VPN is a legal way for paid subscribers to “unlock” that content. If you don’t want to use a VPN, you can also try using another streaming platform.
Other Platforms Where Demon Slayer is Available
Netflix has a license to stream Demon Slayer in the United States, but it’s not exclusive. Here are some other places you can watch it:
1. Crunchyroll
While Netflix uses a “binge” model, Crunchyroll prefers to “simulcast” anime when it comes out in Japan.
In other words, there’s a good chance that season 4 episodes will show up at Crunchyroll ahead of Netflix.
Crunchyroll also has the Mugen Train movie, and the comical Kimetsu Academy spin-off.
Languages: Audio: Japanese, English, Latin American Spanish, and Brazilian Portuguese. Seasons 1-2 subtitles: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Latin American Spanish. Season 3 subtitles: English, German, Latin American Spanish, European Spanish, French, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, and Hindi.
Price: Free with ads. 14-day premium free trial, then $7.99/ month for “fan” level; $9.99/ month for “mega fan”; and $14.99/ month for “ultimate fan.”
Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba at Crunchyroll.
2. Apple TV
In the U.S., Apple TV has the first season and the Mugen Train movie. You have to buy episodes, but the movie can be rented.
Languages: Japanese with English subtitles, or English dubbed (sold separately)
Price: $2.99 an episode, or $62.99 a season. Mugen Train movie: $3.99 to rent; $19.99 to buy.
Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba at Apple TV.
3. YouTube
YouTube’s version is very similar to Apple TV. You can buy season 1 episodes. Or you can buy or rent the movie.
The main difference between this and Apple TV is that YouTube offers a cheaper, “Standard Definition” version.
Languages: Japanese with English subtitles, or English dubbed (sold separately)
Price: $2.99 an episode (HD); $1.99 an episode (SD). $62.99 a season (HD) or $49.99 (SD).
Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba at YouTube.
Other options include Hulu (season 1), Amazon Prime Video (season 1, with Crunchyroll subscription), and Google Play (same as YouTube).
Conclusion
With plenty of choices, where to watch Demon Slayer is a matter of personal preference. Crunchyroll may get Season 4 earlier in the U.S. But in many regions, Netflix remains the best option.
