Episode 11 of *Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba* Season 3, titled "A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light," opens with Genya, Nezuko, and Tanjiro fervently scouring the terrain for Hantengu. Tanjiro’s mind is plagued with concern for Mitsuri, imagining how weary she must be as dawn approaches. His broken left leg hampers his progress, but a sudden flash of memory strikes him—Zenitsu’s words about the crucial role legs play in Thunder Breathing.
Determined, Tanjiro channels every ounce of his being, utilizing Total Concentration to pour all his strength into his remaining leg. In a burst of speed, he races past Genya and Nezuko, closing in on Hantengu. With a fierce swing, he aims for Hantengu’s neck, but just as he’s about to deliver a clean cut, Hantengu doubles in size, his grip tightening around Tanjiro’s throat. Genya springs into action, trying to pry Hantengu’s hands loose.
Nezuko unleashes her Blood Demon Art, engulfing Hantengu in flames, and Genya finally manages to free Tanjiro. However, Genya finds himself ablaze too, realizing with horror that he has ingested demon flesh. Through the flames, he catches sight of Tanjiro, who continues to slash relentlessly at Hantengu’s neck.
Hantengu, desperate, plunges off a cliff with Tanjiro still clinging to him. Nezuko leaps after them, and they plummet downward. With his arms torn asunder, Hantengu frets over his sluggish regeneration, Zohakuten having siphoned off much of his power. He craves human flesh to restore his strength. As he staggers away, Tanjiro’s sword lodged in his neck, he senses a human presence nearby—only to discover it’s Tanjiro, ensnared in a tree yet defiantly threatening him.
A panicked Hantengu spots three swordsmiths and gives chase. Tanjiro wriggles free and rushes to Nezuko’s side, finding her unconscious. Suddenly, Tokito hurls a 300-year-old sword at him. Haganezuka erupts in fury, striking Tokito as he bellows a warning to Tanjiro—he’s only sharpened the first half of the blade. But Tokito, fading into unconsciousness, urges Tanjiro to capture Hantengu before sunrise.
Drawing on Zenitsu’s Total Concentration once more, Tanjiro dashes after Hantengu and succeeds in severing his neck. As the sun begins its ascent, Tanjiro’s heart pounds with fear for Nezuko. He strains to speak, to warn her of the lethal danger posed by the sunlight, but no words escape his lips. Nezuko starts running towards him, and Tanjiro’s terror mounts.
As he catches her in his arms, she keeps gesturing behind him, perplexing him. He spins around to witness Hantengu’s severed body still in pursuit of the swordsmiths. Tanjiro notes the kanji for "resentment" inscribed on the head, deducing it’s a clone—the true body bears the mark of "cowardice."
Just as he prepares to strike, the sunlight claims Nezuko. Genya remains stranded atop the cliff, while Tokito lies senseless. Tanjiro knows he can’t reach Hantengu with Nezuko in his arms, even as the cowardly demon succumbs to the flames.
He cannot bear to let his sister perish, but Nezuko, with a determined kick, sends him hurtling towards Hantengu. Memories of their time together after Nezuko’s transformation flood Tanjiro’s mind. Her eyes flutter shut, and tears stream down Tanjiro’s face as he vows to honor her sacrifice.
Drawing on his heightened senses, he detects the original body lurking within the Resentment Clone’s heart. The Clone ensnares the swordsmiths just as Tanjiro accelerates, slicing the clone to shreds. As the original body tumbles out, Tanjiro delivers the final blow.
Is Hantengu truly a figure to be pitied? In that fateful moment, Hantengu's entire life flickers before his eyes like a fleeting dream. A blind individual, once a kind benefactor to him, questions why Hantengu would stoop to stealing from those who have shown him kindness. A human version of Hantengu, feigning blindness, wails that he is not the culprit, but rather his hands that have led him astray. Before the blind man can summon the authorities, Hantengu, in a fit of desperation or perhaps malice, ends his life.
The Magistrate delves into the matter, uncovering that Hantengu is a wanted man, accused of theft and murder in other towns as well. He also discerns that Hantengu's eyesight is far from impaired. Declaring that if his hands are to blame, then they shall be severed, the Magistrate sentences Hantengu. Just then, Muzan appears, offering Hantengu a lifeline. The scene shifts to a bleeding Magistrate, vowing that Hantengu will atone for his sins.
Hantengu regains consciousness and attempts to thwart Tanjiro, but the slayer's blade finds its mark, cleaving Hantengu's head from his shoulders. The remnants of his body are consumed by the sun's fiery embrace, and Tanjiro collapses, spent.
Is Nezuko lost to the world? Tanjiro's heart wrenches as he cries out for his sister. Suddenly, the swordsmiths urge him to turn around. To his astonishment, Nezuko stands before him, not only alive but her burns miraculously healed. The bamboo piece that once muffled her voice tumbles from her mouth, and she manages a faint "Good morning." Struggling to articulate her words, she assures him she is fine. Overwhelmed with relief, Tanjiro embraces her, tears streaming down his face. The swordsmiths, too, are moved to tears, while a stunned Genya can't help but smile. Tanjiro's joy is short-lived as he faints, but his heart is at peace knowing Nezuko is safe.
Meanwhile, Mitsuri continues her valiant struggle against the dragons. Believing her end is nigh as one of the beasts engulfs her, she suddenly realizes that Zohakuten and the dragons have vanished. It dawns on her that Tanjiro has vanquished Hantengu.
What is it that Muzan seeks with such fervor? In another corner of the realm, a woman and her maid inquire after her son Toshikuni, concerned by the chaos in his room. They offer to assist him in finding a book he has been searching for. To their horror, the boy reveals himself to be Muzan in disguise, having learned from Hantengu that Nezuko can withstand the sun's rays.
With a chilling laugh, Muzan slays the mother, exulting that he no longer needs to scour the earth for the elusive Blue Spider Lily flower. The maid, paralyzed with fear, watches as Muzan reverts to his true form and declares with glee that by devouring Nezuko, he can finally conquer the sun. As her screams for help echo through the air, Muzan silences her forever and departs, leaving a trail of terror in his wake.
Muzan's memory drifts back a millennium. In a vivid flashback, he seethes with irritation at the presence of a charlatan doctor, the sole beacon of hope in his battle against a debilitating illness. Initially, Muzan heeds the doctor's advice, but as his condition fails to improve, frustration boils over, culminating in the doctor's untimely demise at Muzan's hands. Yet, in a twist of fate, he discovers that the doctor's concoction has transformed him into a formidable demon. Consumed by an insatiable hunger for human flesh, he devours without restraint. However, this newfound power comes with a dire consequence: exposure to sunlight means certain death. Delving into the doctor's research, Muzan learns of the elusive Blue Spider Lily flower, crucial for his survival, but is left clueless on how to locate it. Regret washes over him as he laments the loss of the doctor who held the key. Since that fateful day, Muzan has relentlessly pursued the flower or a demon capable of withstanding the sun's rays. With Nezuko now in his grasp, his quest to create more demons ceases.
Back in the swordsmith village, Tokito sprints towards Tanjiro, who is cradled gently by Nezuko. The reunion is filled with warmth as Tokito expresses his gratitude to Tanjiro for his aid, his demeanor surprisingly amiable. He inquires about Nezuko's well-being, leaving Tanjiro bewildered by this newfound friendliness. Their moment is shattered by the arrival of Haganezuka, blazing with fury and demanding answers about the 300-year-old sword. Tanjiro, uncertain, braces for the worst as Haganezuka threatens retribution for the perceived transgression.
"Nezuko, run!" Tanjiro urges, as Haganezuka gives chase. The group scrambles to intervene, insisting that the sword remains unscathed. Mitsuri rushes in, enveloping everyone in a joyous embrace, elated by their victory. Nezuko's voice, soft yet clear, echoes her relief, prompting Mitsuri's astonishment at her ability to speak. Overwhelmed with emotion, Mitsuri hugs Nezuko tight, relieved that she is safe and sound.
Meanwhile, Tamayo extends her heartfelt thanks to Tanjiro for procuring the blood of the Twelve Kizuki and Nezuko herself, vital components in her quest for a cure. She shares promising news: the last demon created by Muzan has broken free from his control, sustained solely by a mere drop of Nezuko's blood.
Yet, despite Nezuko's blood undergoing constant transformation, Tamayo puzzles over her inability to revert to her human form. She hypothesizes that Nezuko may be prioritizing another aspect of her being over her human nature. Her theory is validated when Nezuko demonstrates an extraordinary ability to withstand sunlight, a feat previously deemed impossible.
As the battered swordsmith village slowly stitches itself back together, Tanjiro stands at the gates, bidding a heartfelt farewell to the village Chief. Behind him, Nezuko slumbers peacefully in her wooden box, her exhaustion from the recent battles weighing heavy on her tiny form. Nearby, Haganezuka lurks in the shadows by the exit, unable to resist one last glimpse of Tanjiro—though his gruff exterior remains intact. When he dares to poke Tanjiro’s cheek in a half-hearted scowl, Kotetsu leaps to his friend’s defense, only to be shrugged off as Haganezuka mutters under his breath.
The Chief, ever observant, chuckles softly. “Even now, he couldn’t stay away,” he remarks, earning a grumble from Haganezuka. Tanjiro, ever polite, thanks the swordsmith for his craftsmanship, prompting a reluctant nod from the fiery blacksmith. “I’ll repair that 300-year-old relic and bring it to you,” Haganezuka huffs, though his voice lacks its usual edge. Kotetsu, spotting the faint blush creeping up Haganezuka’s neck, scowls and begins roughly shoving him aside in mock frustration.
With a final wave, the Kamado siblings depart—but the journey is interrupted when the Kakushi escort halts abruptly. Puzzled, Tanjiro is granted permission to remove his blindfold. As his eyes adjust, he gasps in wonder: the entire village lines the streets, cheering and waving banners in gratitude for his bravery. The usually stern Kakushi softens, allowing Tanjiro to keep his blindfold off until they vanish beyond the village gates, leaving him to bask in the warmth of a community united by survival and hope.
