Mount Natagumo Arc
The Mount Natagumo Arc is the fifth major story arc in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and one of the most important turning points in Tanjiro Kamado’s early journey. Tanjiro, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira are sent to Mount Natagumo, where numerous Demon Slayers have disappeared while investigating a family of deadly spider demons. The mission pushes the trio to their limits and introduces Rui, a member of the Twelve Kizuki, along with two powerful Hashira.
Story Summary
The Mount Natagumo Arc begins when Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke receive orders to travel to Mount Natagumo. Numerous Demon Slayers have already entered the mountain, but many have either disappeared or been mysteriously killed.
Upon arriving, the group discovers a terrifying scene. Demon Slayers are being controlled like puppets by invisible spider threads and forced to attack their own allies. Tanjiro and Inosuke enter the forest while Zenitsu initially remains behind because of his fear.
Deep within the mountain, Tanjiro discovers that the controlled Demon Slayers are being manipulated by the Spider Demon Mother. Rather than killing the puppets, Tanjiro and Inosuke attempt to disable them without causing further harm. Eventually, Tanjiro reaches the Mother and defeats her with Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought, giving her a peaceful death after she willingly accepts defeat.
Meanwhile, Zenitsu enters the forest alone and encounters the Spider Demon Brother, whose poison can transform humans into spider-like creatures. After being bitten, Zenitsu faces a race against time. Despite his fear, he uses Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, Sixfold to defeat the demon before collapsing from the poison.
Elsewhere, Inosuke faces the physically powerful Spider Demon Father. Despite his strength and Beast Breathing techniques, Inosuke is completely overwhelmed and nearly killed. Giyu Tomioka arrives at the last moment and effortlessly defeats the demon.
Tanjiro eventually encounters Rui, Lower Rank Five of the Twelve Kizuki. Rui is obsessed with creating a false family through fear and violence. After witnessing the genuine bond between Tanjiro and Nezuko, he becomes determined to take Nezuko for himself.
During their battle, Rui’s powerful threads overwhelm Tanjiro’s Water Breathing techniques. Facing death, Tanjiro remembers his father’s ritual dance and unleashes Hinokami Kagura for the first time. At the same moment, Nezuko awakens her Blood Demon Art, Exploding Blood.
Their combined attack appears to defeat Rui, but he survives by cutting off his own head before Tanjiro’s blade reaches him. Giyu then arrives and kills Rui with Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm.
Major Events
The Trio Enters Mount Natagumo
Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke are sent to investigate the disappearance of numerous Demon Slayers.
Tanjiro Defeats the Spider Demon Mother
Tanjiro gives the suffering demon a peaceful death, demonstrating his compassion even toward his enemies.
Zenitsu Uses Thunderclap and Flash, Sixfold
After being poisoned, Zenitsu pushes his Thunder Breathing technique to a new level and defeats the Spider Demon Brother.
Inosuke Faces the Spider Demon Father
Inosuke experiences overwhelming defeat for the first time before Giyu arrives and saves him.
Tanjiro Awakens Hinokami Kagura
During his desperate battle against Rui, Tanjiro uses the breathing technique connected to his father’s traditional dance.
Nezuko Awakens Exploding Blood
Nezuko develops her Blood Demon Art and uses her burning blood to assist Tanjiro against Rui.
Character Development
The Mount Natagumo Arc significantly develops all three members of the main trio. Tanjiro discovers Hinokami Kagura and gains his first glimpse of a power connected to his family’s mysterious past.
Zenitsu demonstrates that his courage exists even beneath his constant fear. Although poisoned and alone, he refuses to surrender.
Inosuke experiences his first devastating defeat, forcing him to recognize that there are enemies far stronger than him. This begins an important change in his competitive and reckless personality.
Nezuko also reaches a major milestone by awakening her Blood Demon Art, strengthening her ability to fight alongside Tanjiro.
Important Battles
Tanjiro vs. Spider Demon Mother
Tanjiro defeats the Mother with a gentle Water Breathing technique after sensing that she has surrendered and welcomes death.
Zenitsu vs. Spider Demon Brother
Despite being poisoned, Zenitsu uses Thunderclap and Flash, Sixfold to kill the demon before losing consciousness.
Inosuke vs. Spider Demon Father
Inosuke is physically overwhelmed by the powerful demon until Giyu Tomioka arrives and saves him.
Tanjiro and Nezuko vs. Rui
The arc’s most important battle features Tanjiro’s first use of Hinokami Kagura and Nezuko’s awakening of Exploding Blood.
Giyu Tomioka vs. Rui
Giyu effortlessly defeats Lower Rank Five Rui with Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Dead Calm.
Ending of the Arc
The Mount Natagumo Arc concludes with Rui and the spider demon family defeated. Shinobu Kocho arrives to eliminate the remaining demons and treats the injured Demon Slayers, including the severely poisoned Zenitsu.
However, a new conflict begins when Shinobu attempts to kill Nezuko because she is a demon. Giyu protects her, while Tanjiro tries to escape with his sister.
Soon afterward, Tanjiro and Nezuko are taken into custody and brought before the Hashira. This leads directly into the Rehabilitation Training Arc, where the Demon Slayer Corps must decide whether Nezuko can be allowed to live.
Why This Arc Matters
The Mount Natagumo Arc is one of the defining early arcs of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. It introduces the overwhelming power of the Twelve Kizuki and demonstrates the enormous gap between ordinary Demon Slayers and the Hashira.
Most importantly, the arc introduces Hinokami Kagura and Nezuko’s Exploding Blood, two abilities that become crucial later in the story. It also strengthens the bond between Tanjiro and Nezuko while pushing Zenitsu and Inosuke toward significant personal growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Mount Natagumo Arc in Demon Slayer?
The Mount Natagumo Arc is the fifth major story arc of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, where Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke battle the Spider Demon Family led by Rui.
2. Which anime episodes cover the Mount Natagumo Arc?
The Mount Natagumo Arc is adapted in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Episodes 15–21.
3. Which manga chapters cover the Mount Natagumo Arc?
The arc covers Chapters 28–44 of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga.
4. Who is the main antagonist of the Mount Natagumo Arc?
The main antagonist is Rui, Lower Rank Five of the Twelve Kizuki and leader of the Spider Demon Family.
5. Does Tanjiro defeat Rui?
Tanjiro and Nezuko nearly defeat Rui with Hinokami Kagura and Exploding Blood, but Rui survives by cutting off his own head first. Giyu Tomioka ultimately kills Rui.
