Introduction

I have become accustomed to anime-based fighting games being on one of two extremes—they can be incredible like CyberConnect2’s Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series, or they can be disappointing like Jump Force, which had a great concept but poor execution. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles was quite good, even if not perfect. CyberConnect2 and SEGA clearly paid attention to fan feedback, so it was no surprise when a sequel was announced. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 attempts to capture the magic of the first game again, but does it prove that not all anime fighting game sequels fall flat—or has CyberConnect2 finally missed the mark? Let’s find out in my review of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 for the Nintendo Switch.

Gameplay

If you’ve played the original Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles from 2021, you’ll feel right at home here. The game doesn’t start with generic menus—you’re immediately thrust into a major battle from the anime/manga. From there, you’ll play through part of the prologue before gaining access to other modes. I love this approach because it makes the game feel more like an interactive anime rather than a standard fighting game.

The story mode covers seasons 2 through 4 of the anime. You play as Tanjiro Kamado, stepping once more into a world filled with human-eating demons and the warriors who fight them. Without spoiling plot points, I can say that the game does a great job adapting the source material. While some moments are shortened or missing—similar to the anime—it’s not a dealbreaker. I was impressed that the game includes a fair amount of side stories and scenes, even if some are presented using still images or audio.

Story mode gameplay falls into three main categories: exploration to find items and collectibles (often boosting your characters like in an RPG), side missions that expand the story and reward you with items or dialogue, and the core fighting sequences. Combat borrows heavily from the first game and the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm series but enhances the mechanics. Auto combos, special attacks, dodges, grapples, and the tag-out system return—allowing allies to join combos, create distractions, save you from chains, or switch control to them entirely. While the system isn’t tournament-focused, it’s simple, effective, and mirrors the feel of the anime battles.

Battles in story mode are flashy, cinematic, and filled with anime-style flair. The inclusion of QTEs during major fights keeps them engaging, and the visual presentation is stellar. Completing the nearly 20-hour story unlocks offline versus matches and online play. Offline works flawlessly, while online matches performed surprisingly well with minimal lag. That said, the game likely won’t hold my attention for hundreds of matches like Tekken or Street Fighter, but it’s fun while it lasts.

Graphics

CyberConnect2 has a reputation for delivering top-tier visuals, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is no exception. Even on the Nintendo Switch, the game looks incredible. Story mode cutscenes have expressive characters that feel like they’ve been lifted straight from the anime, and battles feature fluid animations with jaw-dropping ultimate/special attacks. I can only imagine how good it looks on more powerful consoles.

Sound

Audio design is another strong point for CyberConnect2. While the soundtrack isn’t an exact copy of the anime’s, it shares similar motifs and fits perfectly with the action. The voice acting—both in English and Japanese—is excellent, and the overall sound design enhances immersion. Fans will have no complaints here.

Story

As mentioned earlier, the story mode does an excellent job capturing the anime’s essence. While the use of still frames and simplified side stories can feel a bit cheap, the overall narrative flow is strong. Considering how much of the anime is covered in this installment, the adaptation is handled well.

Nintendo Switch 2… Any Differences?

The game only officially released for the original Nintendo Switch, but I tested it on the new Switch 2 out of curiosity. Performance was noticeably smoother during large-scale battles, but there were no major graphical improvements. While I’d love to see a native Switch 2 version, you won’t need the new hardware to enjoy the game at its best.

Overall Impression

While Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 plays similarly to the first game, it delivers notable improvements. Story mode feels like an event in itself and faithfully follows the anime’s plot. The expanded roster offers diverse playstyles, and online play is more stable than before. The fighting mechanics could still be deeper, but they work well for an anime fighter. I’ll likely spend most of my post-story time online, where the game truly shines compared to its predecessor.

Conclusion

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 is a strong step forward for the series. Story mode offers an impressive amount of content for a fighting game, and the visuals are stunning even on the Switch. While the combat still feels reminiscent of the Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm games, it’s undeniably fun. Fans of the series will find plenty to enjoy here, and newcomers will appreciate its accessibility. CyberConnect2 is clearly moving in the right direction with this franchise.

—Aaron