Demon Slayer Chapter 196

Demon Slayer Chapter 196, titled "I Am," witnesses the miraculous return of Nezuko Kamado to humanity and Muzan Kibutsuji's chilling discovery of Tamayo's final, cell-destroying poison, escalating the climax of the Sunrise Countdown Arc. Nezuko, panting towards the battle, experiences vivid flashbacks: Muzan's attack on her family, Giyu Tomioka sparing her, Sakonji Urokodaki, Tamayo, Zenitsu Agatsuma's affections, Inosuke Hashibira's acorns, the Hashira Meeting, and her time at the Butterfly Mansion, including Shinobu Kocho. Collapsing, she sees memories of Kyojuro Rengoku, Tengen Uzui, the Swordsmith Village, and the smiling faces of Genya Shinazugawa and Muichiro Tokito. Rising, her hand transforms back, and she declares, "I am Nezuko Kamado," as she fully reverts to human form, remembering Tanjiro's vow to save her.

Meanwhile, Muzan rages, frustrated by Tanjiro Kamado's continued resistance. He senses the Hashiras slowly reviving, cursing the Demon Slayer Corps as a relentless rosary of linked beads. A crow announces 35 minutes until dawn, prompting Muzan to attempt splitting himself into fragments, as he did against Yoriichi Tsugikuni. Tanjiro recognizes the technique and warns Obanai Iguro, fearing Muzan's escape. However, Muzan finds himself unable to split, realizing this is another side effect of Tamayo's medicine. He then coughs blood, and Tamayo's menacing voice echoes in his head: the medicine contains a fourth ingredient, designed to destroy his cells after the first three weakened him. Tamayo grimly states that the death he so abhorred is now terrifyingly close, setting the stage for Muzan's ultimate demise and the desperate final struggle in the climactic Sunrise Countdown Arc of the Demon Slayer manga.