The Demon Slayer anime just wrapped up its adaptation of the Manga's ninth arc, Swordsmith Village, leaving fans clamoring for an outlet. The Demon Slayer Manga concluded in 2020, and the property's sole video game adaptation, Demon Slayer: The Hinokami Chronicles, was released nearly two years ago. With various seasons having aired since the game was released, some fans believe that Demon Slayer is due for another video game adaptation. While The Hinokami Chronicles was a fighting game akin to Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm, its sprawling map and deep mythos set the stage for adaptation on a much larger scale. The world of Demon Slayer is ready for an MMORPG.
Demon Slayer follows Tanjiro Kamado, a young man dragged into the dark reality of demon slaying. Following the death of much of his family, and the transformation of his sister, Nezuko, into a demon, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corp. The Corp is an elite organization that protects the world from Demons, though much of humanity is unaware of the existence of either party. The Demon Slayer Corp is led by Kagaya Ubuyashiki, with its highest-ranking slayers, the Hashira, serving as its primary force. The Demons share a similar hierarchy, led by Muzan Kibutsuji, whose Twelve Kizuki act as the Manga and Anime's primary villains.
Demon Slayer's Mythos Is Perfect for an MMORPG Adaptation
The Demon Slayer property is prime for an MMORPG adaptation, as its mythos includes a variety of ranks, styles, techniques, and unique abilities. The Demon Slayer Corp itself includes 10 basic ranks, which could be translated into prestige levels or experience-derived ranks in-game. While some special ranks, such as Tsuguko and Hashira, exist beyond the base 10, they are reserved for. a chosen few, who could act as quest-giving NPCs or allies in-game. Each Demon Slayer can use a unique "Breathing Technique" which allows them to utilize unique attacks based on certain core characteristics or elemental factors.
Demon Slayer's Demons also feature ranks, as the 12 Kizuki are divided into upper and lower factions, based on the numbers one through twelve. Much like members of the Demon Slayer Corp, Demons wield unique and powerful abilities called Blood Demon Arts. However, Demons must reach a certain level of strength to possess such as skill, which could be used in an MMORPG to distinguish elite enemies from those commonly encountered across a game's open world or early locations. The 12 Kizuki themselves could appear as an MMORPG's strongest raid bosses, but a Hashira would have to be there to make the clash conceivable in-universe. Even then, 12 Kizuki are so rarely defeated that besting one in-game would likely not spell the end of that given enemy.
Demon Slayer's World Features A Wide Array of Unique Locations
The Demon Slayer Anime features a wide array of iconic locations, many of which serve as the site of a specific arc in the series. An MMORPG based on the anime could be divided into specific narrative regions, starting with the site of the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Exam, Mount Fujikasane, which could serve as its prologue and tutorial location. Demon Slayer Corp assignments, which could serve as the game's missions, would see players explore different regions and cities, while raids happen at major battle sites from the anime. Minor arcs, such as the Mugen Train, could be released as seasonal or expansion content, following the base game's initial launch period.
The world of Demon Slayer is perfect for an MMORPG. Not only are its mythos and locations primed for translation into RPG mechanics, but the significance of its settings to its battles and ranks are uniquely built for squad-based camaraderie. Currently, no new video game adaptation has been announced for Demon Slayer. However, fans continue to anticipate a title that can adequately adapt the sheer breadth of complexity that Demon Slayer has to offer.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles is now available for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S.