The latest installment of the gripping historical fantasy anime, Sword of the Demon Hunter, delivers a pivotal moment in the series with its 19th episode, titled “Ruten” (Flux/Change). Released on August 18 or 19, 2025, depending on the time zone, this episode plunges protagonist Jinya into a period of profound personal and societal transformation, challenging the fleeting tranquility he has found.
Episode 19: “Ruten” – A Precarious Peace Shattered
Episode 19 opens with a seemingly peaceful scene at the Miura residence, where Jinya engages in intense wooden sword training with Naotsugu. This domestic tranquility, shared with Nomari, Naotsugu, and his family, is deeply cherished by Jinya. However, the narrative swiftly establishes that such calm is inherently transient. As the world around them enters an era of significant upheaval and human lives prove fragile and fleeting, Jinya’s peaceful interlude is destined to be short-lived.
The episode delves into Jinya’s inherent duality, exploring how his time in Edo has made him more “human” while he remains bound by his demonic rage. This internal conflict is brought to the forefront as Miura, seemingly oblivious to Jinya’s unchanging appearance over a decade, innocently comments on it. This subtle observation acts as a stark reminder of Jinya’s extended lifespan compared to those he grows close to, emphasizing the painful reality that he is destined to outlive everyone he loves. The episode powerfully concludes with Jinya being forced to reveal his true demon nature, shocking Miura, his foster daughter Nomari, and the Edo citizens. This forced transformation leads to Jinya’s departure from Edo, the city that has been his home for much of the series, marking a significant turning point in his centuries-spanning journey.
The Broader Narrative of Sword of the Demon Hunter
Sword of the Demon Hunter, known in Japan as Kijin Gentōshō, is an anime adaptation of Motoo Nakanishi’s popular novel series. The story is set in a world plagued by demons, chronicling the extraordinary journey of Jinta, a demon slayer, who later adopts the name Jinya. His destiny is irrevocably altered after he encounters a mysterious demon who speaks of a distant future and the looming threat of a Demon God.
Jinya’s Time-Traveling Quest
The series follows Jinya’s epic journey through time, spanning approximately 170 years from the Edo period to the Heisei era, as he grapples with the profound question of why he wields his sword. This unique premise allows the narrative to explore themes of transience, humanity, and the relentless march of time against the backdrop of a fantastical, demon-infested historical Japan. The anime premiered on March 31, 2025, and is scheduled to run for two consecutive cours, signifying a substantial and in-depth adaptation of the original work.
Release and Streaming Information
Sword of the Demon Hunter Season 1 consists of 24 episodes, with Episode 19 marking a significant point in the second cour, also known as the Bakumatsu Arc. New episodes of Sword of the Demon Hunter are released on Mondays, with international streaming typically available on platforms such as HIDIVE. Episode 19, “Ruten,” aired in Japan on August 19, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. JST on Tokyo MX and other networks, making it accessible for streaming shortly thereafter.
Manga Counterpart: Chapter 19
While the anime series progresses, the source material, Motoo Nakanishi’s Sword of the Demon Hunter (Kijin Gentōshō) also has a manga adaptation. Manga Chapter 19 is titled “The Garden of Happiness 2.” This indicates that themes of fleeting joy or stability are present across both the anime and manga iterations, although the specific events and pacing will naturally differ between the two formats.
