Which Period Does Demon Slayer Take Place In? Timeline Explored

In the captivating Heian era, I found myself enthralled by the chilling tale of Muzan, a character who initially walked among us humans, struggling with an untreatable malady. After cold-bloodedly ending his physician’s life, this enigmatic figure transformed into a demon and started preying on humanity, shuddering at the thought of sunlight’s touch. The roots of Muzan trace all the way back to 794-1185 AD, a time when Japan’s imperial capital was moved from Nagaoka-kyō to Heian-Kyo – an epoch that witnessed the decline of Chinese influence and the blossoming of our unique Japanese culture. The Heian period also marked the introduction of another beautiful script, Katakana, further enriching the tapestry of our literary heritage.

2. Sengoku Period

In Japanese history, the Sengoku era, often referred to as the ‘Age of Warring States’, was a time marked by frequent civil wars and societal turmoil during the 15th and 16th centuries. The Kyōtoku incident (1454), Ōnin War (1467), or Meiō incident (1493) are often cited as its starting points, while the end could stretch from 1568 to 1638, blending into the Edo period. This tumultuous era overlaps with the Muromachi period (1336–1573).

During this time, the long-standing hierarchy between lords and their vassals began to crumble, leading to instances where vassals overthrew their lords, power struggles among clans and vassals over leadership, and constant rebellion and manipulation by subordinate families against the ruling family. This era was characterized by a decline in samurai tradition, as individuals born outside of the samurai class often rose to prominence as warriors, thereby earning the title of samurai.

During the Sengoku era, the characters Yoriichi and Michikatsu Tsukiguni were featured in the Demon Slayer series. Notably, Yoriichi – a master swordsman – crafted breathing methods to aid the Demon Slayer group in combating ruthless demons. He came close to slaying Muzan himself, while his sibling, Michikatsu, was lured by Muzan and ultimately transformed into a demon.

As a historian specializing in Japanese studies, I have spent countless hours poring over ancient texts and artifacts to better understand the rich history of this fascinating country. One period that has always stood out to me is the Sengoku Jidai, or “Warring States Period,” which began with the Onin War in 1467.

3. Taisho Period

The Taisho Era refers to a specific time frame in Japanese history that spans from July 30, 1912, to December 25, 1926, marking the reign of Emperor Taisho. This period is noteworthy because the new emperor was not in good health, leading to a power shift from the traditional group of elder statesmen towards the Japanese Imperial Diet and democratic parties. Consequently, this era is often associated with the liberal movement called Taisho Democracy, which stands out as a contrast to the tumultuous Meiji Era that preceded it and the militaristic-oriented initial phase of the Showa Era that followed.

Most of the action in Demon Slayer takes place during the Taisho Era (1912-1926), a time when the main characters such as Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu were born, and it was during this era that Muzan was ultimately defeated.

In this particular timeline, both the Upper Moon and Lower Moon demon forces were vanquished, marking the end of a prolonged struggle between these supernatural beings and the Demon Hunter Corps. The hard work and perseverance of countless generations of demon hunters finally bore fruit during this era. This period can be seen as the culmination of their long-fought battle. Interestingly, the Taisho period in Japan’s history fell under Emperor Taisho’s reign. During this time, Japan experienced a shift towards liberalism and democratic parties gained significant political power.