Demon Slayer: Stories of Water and Flame [Manga] Review - A Quick Dive into the Lives of Two Iconic Characters

12:00 PM January 19, 2022

Manga Review [Category]
Action Manga, Shounen Manga, Adventure Manga, Supernatural Manga, Superpower Manga, Historical Manga [Genres]

Honey's Manga/LN, Honey’s Anime Pickup,

Harry

Demon-Slayer-Kimetsu-no-Yaiba-Stories-of-Water-and-Flame-novel Demon Slayer: Stories of Water and Flame [Manga] Review - A Quick Dive into the Lives of Two Iconic Characters

A Quick Dive into the Lives of Two Iconic Characters

Mangaka : Hirano, Ryouji (Story & Art); Gotouge, Koyoharu (Original Concept)
Publisher : Viz
Genre : Action, Adventure, Supernatural, Shounen
Published : Jan 2022

It is not an exaggeration to say that Demon Slayer is one of the most popular shounen manga of this generation. There have even been times when one volume of Demon Slayer managed to outsell the entire American comic book industry.

Even now, after Gotouge Koyoharu-sensei wrapped up the story of Tanjirou and friends last year, avid fans still can't seem to get enough of the world and the story of Demon Slayer. This short story compilation is a way for the fans to enjoy a little bit more content on two of the most iconic characters in the manga. Here’s our review of Demon Slayer: Stories of Water and Flame!

Contains Spoilers

Discussion Time

Demon Slayer: Stories of Water and Flame centers on Giyuu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, and Kyoujurou Rengoku, the Flame Hashira. The first half of the book follows Tomioka and the newly-appointed Insect Hashira, Shinobu Kochou, as they try to extinguish the demon who lurks in the northern mountain range, while the second half of the book is about Rengoku and his struggle to fight a vengeful demon who also happens to be a member of the twelve Kizuki.

Why You Should Read Kimetsu no Yaiba Gaiden (Demon Slayer: Stories of Water and Flame)

1. New Adventures from Two Iconic Characters

Other than the main protagonists, Demon Slayer has numerous characters who have captured the hearts of countless readers - most notably, Giyuu Tomioka and Kyoujurou Rengoku. They may have limited screen time in the series, especially Rengoku, but everybody is dying to know more about them.

That is exactly what this series offers to every potential reader: a chance to see more of these two Hashira’s lives. These snippets are pretty exciting, too - we see Tomioka investigate a man-eating demon in the snowy mountains shortly after he encounters Tanjirou and Nezuko, and Rengoku engages in a fiery battle with a wolf demon in the middle of a bustling city right before he takes on the mantle of the Flame Hashira.

2. Faithful to the Original Series

Reading this book will make it clear to every reader that Hirano-sensei truly loves and respects the original Demon Slayer by Gotouge-sensei. You can clearly see the spirit of each character living on in these new stories, even though they are written and drawn by a completely different mangaka, and that’s something that can only be accomplished by a true fan of the series.

From the way Tomioka and Rengoku talk and behave in any given situation to the dynamic and chaotic action sequences, everything is extremely close to how they’re portrayed in the actual series. The plot, the art, the world, and everything else perfectly embodies the real Demon Slayer series, to the point where unaware readers will undoubtedly think that these side stories were written and drawn Gotouge-sensei.

Why You Should Skip Kimetsu no Yaiba Gaiden (Demon Slayer: Stories of Water and Flame)

1. Thin Content

It's true that we get to enjoy new adventures featuring two of the most iconic characters of Demon Slayer in this side volume, but other than that, there's not really anything new that you can find out about either character.

Tomioka is already a brooding man who can't communicate his thoughts and feelings properly and Rengoku is already a hot-blooded man with an unwavering sense of justice. In the end, these stories are just two of the past events in their daily lives as demon slayers.

Final Thoughts

Demon Slayer: Stories of Water and Flame is a book created by a fan and for the fans of the original Demon Slayer series. Hirano-sensei manages to embody the spirit of the main series and present an exciting adventure featuring two of the most iconic characters in the manga. Readers who are not familiar with Demon Slayer or who are just starting out with the series may not be able to feel the full impact of the stories, but for avid fans, this is a must read.

Have you read this new entry in the Demon Slayer franchise? What did you think of it? Please tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Writer

Author: Harry

Harry is a manga addict first and freelance writer second. While he hasn’t read every manga under the sun, he has read an unhealthy amount of Shounen and Seinen manga. When he’s not writing in Honey’s Anime, you can find him in his personal blog: MangaDigest.com.