The next arc is here. That’s right. All those waiting for Kimetsu No Yaiba: Katanakaji No Sato-hen would be pleased that after that the series still has a long way to go and won’t just suddenly end at the entertainment district arc. More higher ranking demons to slay, more characters especially the Hashira to flesh out before we can put that evil Michael Jackson to rest for good! Another story, another arc to get one step closer to that goal. Swords, just like humans, they don’t last forever and will diminish faster with constant usage, wear and tear. And so we’re going to replenish and get new swords in this arc. But what if the demons strike the very heart of the Demon Slayer Corps’ weaponry source?
Episode 1
Well, Gyutaro is dead. Look who gets summoned to this twisting castle labyrinth. Yeah. The upper half of the Twelve Kizuki. Seriously, they should change the name due to dwindling numbers. Now we get to see the rest of the weirdoes that make up the upper half. As we all know Akaza is ranked third, the rest are Gyokko (5th), Hantengu (4th), Doma (2nd) and Kokushibo (1st). And now the main man is here. Mad. With the death of an upper half, he claims Gyutaro could have won had he fought himself. Daki held him back, he believes. He is angry that the Ubuyashiki family still lives and the blue spider lilies have yet to be found. He is starting to question their existence although he doesn’t expect anything from them. When Gyokko claims he has some info, he gets immediately decapitated (although not dead) and is warned by Kibutsuji that he hates changes because it means decay. Staying as it is means perfection. He gives them another warning although he thinks he has been lenient of them because of their status. He tells Gyokko to confirm this unfounded info and once so, head over there with Hantengu. Doma tries to be friendly with the rest but Akaza is not having this sh*t. Akaza is put into place by Kokushibo who warns about disrupting hierarchy. Doma can understand Akaza’s anger because Doma became a demon later than him but yet was promoted faster. All Akaza says is that he is going to kill Kokushibo. So be it.
Then we see this weird dream. I am not sure if this is the future not, is this Tanjirou holding his baby (where’s that face scar?) as we see him talking to a samurai. Tanjirou trying to be grateful to him for saving his family and perhaps pass down his name. However the samurai refuses all that and calls himself useless for being unable to protect the things he wants. Tanjirou wakes up from this sad dream. Kanao is in shock but is also happy because he has finally woke up after 2 weeks in coma! Goto, the Kakushi crew who picked Tanjirou back here is also surprised to see him awake. He chastises Kanao for not telling others so he screams at the top of his voice to everyone that our boy is back up. Yeah, everyone comes flying in and crying with tears of joy. Tanjirou soon learns Zenitsu was already up and sent on a mission (against his will of course). Inosuke is badly injured. In that case, who the heck is up there on the ceiling! Oh damn, it’s the real deal! Yeah, Inosuke coming to brag he was awake a week earlier. He was up there on the ceiling since yesterday trying to wake Tanjirou up?! But can everybody be quiet as Tanjirou needs his rest! Tanjirou continues his rehabilitation and wonders if he will get a replacement sword. Uhm, don’t look now but there are ominous letters from Haganezuka that he won’t be getting another sword! Oh sh*t. This is bad. It is suggested he head over to the swordsmith village where all the swordsmiths live to talk to him directly. Tanjirou is blindfolded all his senses as a Kakushi takes him there. In fact, the village is kept hidden so that demons won’t attack it. Hence several Kakushi crews are exchanged while being led by the crows.
Upon arrival, Tanjirou sees the village chief, Tecchin Tecchikawahara. Sorry but Haganezuka is currently missing. Claiming this child is a troublemaker, they claim it is not Tanjirou’s fault in breaking the sword but Haganezuka who forged a faulty one. Oh damn, are they going to beat him up once they find him?! Tanjirou will stay here until he has a new sword. If Haganezuka fails to do it by the time he heals up, they will assign a new swordsmith for him. Tanjirou hits the hotspring as it has good healing properties. Suddenly Mitsuri rushes towards him, complaining that a fellow demon slayer ignored her when she tried to say hi! Tanjirou manages to calm her down over dinner. That did the trick. He soon learns that person she is referring to is Genya. He too is staying here but he doesn’t want to talk and tells Tanjirou to STFU! Tanjirou and Mitsuri talk about Genya during dinner. It seems he has never eaten the village’s cooking. Tanjirou asks her about the reason she joined Demon Slayer Corps. Basically it’s to find a husband! Oh my. Are there any guys stronger than her? Mitsuri praises Tanjirou for surviving a head on battle with an upper rank. That itself is worth like 10 years of training as nothing beats first-hand experience. She hints there is a secret here that would make his weapon stronger and hopes he will find it. Next day as Tanjirou goes to look for it in the woods, he sees a local swordsmith kid, Kotetsu arguing with Muichiro. It seems he won’t be handing some key to this Hashira. Tanjirou then notices another figure standing behind the kid. Wow, this samurai dude sure looks familiar… Definitely seen him before.
Episode 2
Tanjirou ponders whether to get involved or not. He will be when Muichiro slaps Kotetsu! Despite Muichiro is of a smaller size, he can still overwhelm Tanjirou. Then he notes Tanjirou’s box and it’s the latter’s turn to tell not to touch it or else. Muichiro then lectures Kotetsu about his childishness and all and hence trying to guilt trip him that swordsmiths cannot fight and must be protected by those who can. Time for Tanjirou to virtue signal that although what he said is true, both swordsmiths and swordsmen need each other. Too bad Muichiro will not further listen to him and slaps him out! When he comes to, he learns Kotetsu has already given him the key. That samurai that was with them? It is actually a mechanical doll and Muichiro took the key to start it. Yes, he is training with it and is on par and perhaps even better than the doll. As it is modelled after an actual swordsman, this doll needs 6 arms or else it cannot replicate all the moves. Tanjirou understands why Kotetsu is worried since this doll AKA Yoriichi Type Zero is hard to repair due to its strange technology. His father was the only one who knew how to repair it but he passed away. Muichiro’s Kasugai Crow comes to further praise this prodigy and further adds this doll is based on that swordsman is also of the first breathing style AKA sun breathing. That is when Tanjirou remembers this dude from his dream but the crow scoffs him off as delusional. Because that person existed like 300 years ago. Kotetsu believes that sometimes memories of ancestors gets passed on too and thus Tanjirou’s dream must be his ancestors’ memories. Because Kotetsu still feels down that he can do no good, time for Tanjirou to lecture him about the things he can do but he needs to work hard for the future. Because Tanjirou’s goal is to defeat Kibutsuji and he might not be able to defeat the upper half right now but someday all the lives connected will help bring those demons down. This gives Kotetsu the much needed motivation to carry on his work.
At this time, Muichiro is done with his training. Yeah, he defeated the doll. Plus, his sword broke so he is taking one of the swords from the doll. Oh well, now it has 1 less arm… As they go check to see if this doll is working, thank goodness it is. But what’s this? Kotetsu wants Tanjirou to train with it now so he can be stronger and beat that Muichiro jerk! Oh my. Hey, didn’t Tanjirou himself said something about all that hard work thingy? Don’t you dare go back on your words now! And so his hellish training begins. Tanjirou takes a beating and heck, Kotetsu is now like his personal trainer, analysing all his moves and weaknesses. No wonder Tanjirou can’t beat this doll. And because of that, NO FOOD! GASP!!! This has become Spartan training! On the verge of death, Tanjirou thought he crossed over Sanzu River. He fell in and saw something shiny. After grabbing, it’s like he can move better and see the doll’s movements. He manages to land a strike albeit too weak to finish it. With that, Kotetsu now gives him food! How many days has it been? With Tanjirou getting better, however he still hesitates because he doesn’t want to damage the doll! Wow, the kindness of a different level? Well, Kotetsu gives his permission because he’ll try to fix it later. In the end, a killer move that has Tanjirou not only break his borrowed sword but the doll as well. That’s not the shocking part. As the doll comes apart, they see a sword inside it!
Episode 3
Tanjirou and Kotetsu can’t contain their excitement. Trying to be modest? Oh well, no harm in taking a look at a sword from 300 years ago… Well… It’s all rusty! What a bummer! Obviously. Suddenly Haganezuka pops up and wants to hand over the sword to his care. Tanjirou and Kotetsu fight back as they won’t. They have questions for him but he keeps dodging them. Until Kanamori tickles him as it is his weakness. He explains Haganezuka has been hiding in the mountains to train himself to forge a better sword for Tanjirou. Yeah, sorry for his lack of social skills. So as they give the sword to him to be restored in 3 days, Haganezuka lends Tanjirou a temporary sword. Back home, Tanjirou is bragging all this to Genya who doesn’t give a f*ck and kicks him out of his room. A swordsmith is returning from the hotspring. He sees a strange vase before him. Like how curiosity kills the cat, he gets devoured by Gyokko inside. Oh well. Looks like the demons are here. Next morning, Tanjirou is awakened by Muichiro as he is trying to find Kanamori who will be his new swordsmith. Tanjirou offers to go find him together so Muichiro is puzzled why he cares about others so much. Well, helping others will have good stuffs coming around to you eventually. Suddenly Hantengu crawls in. Tanjirou is shocked he couldn’t sense him and can only tell he is an upper half on sight. Muichiro instantly tries to attack but Hantengu dodges and even pleads to stop this torment. Tanjirou will not be fooled as he too takes up his sword to fight. With Nezuko’s help, Muichiro is able to decapitate him. But as an upper half, Tanjirou knows well such demons won’t die. In fact, Hantengu now splits into 2 beings, Sekido and Karaku! Muichiro is blown away by Karaku and Sekido’s electrical staff paralyzes Tanjirou. Luckily Genya is here as he shoots and decapitates them. However this makes things worse as now they split up and replicate more. Now there’s 4 of them. Tanjirou realizes this demon purposely wants them to decapitate it so it can split into many members that are younger and more powerful, each with different unique set of skills. As Tanjirou is taken away by Urogi, he tells Nezuko to help Genya. Well, better hurry, he got stabbed! By Aizetsu! Muichiro is on running back as fast as he can. He sees Kotetsu struggling against a demon. He places no priority to save him as his importance to save those with skill and the village. He can’t be bothered with the low survival probability of the inexperienced one. But of course, Tanjirou’s words suddenly resonate. Muichiro saves Kotetsu and prepares to fight this demon.
Episode 4
Muichiro decapitates the demon but it regenerates. Noting the strange vase power source on its top, he slashes it and now it’s dead. A grateful Kotetsu thanks him but needs his help to go help Kanamori. Kotetsu went to help but was stalled by this monster. Because Haganezuka has been working nonstop in his restoration work, any disruption may ruin it all. With Kotetsu begging, Muichiro remembers Ubuyashiki’s reassuring words that he will find back his lost memories. Muichiro decides to go help Kotetsu but wonders if this is the right thing to do as the village is now defenceless. Tanjirou is about to be killed by Urogi and instinctively slashes him in half. However he notes he clones himself with the same name and its attacks are weaker. He deduces that the 4 main body parts (each representing an emotion written on their tongue) are the strongest. Any more splitting will divide and weaken the powers. Genya refuses to die and blows off the head of Aizetsu although he still regenerates. Nezuko is having it tough with Karaku. His kick goes through her but she returns the favour with the same but this time with her flaming blood. Then she uses his fan and blows him away. She turns her attention to Sekido but he stabs her staff into her throat to paralyze her. As Tanjirou continues to battle Urogi, he is worried about getting back to help Genya and Nezuko. He makes a risky move by making it look like he is running away. When Urogi swoops in to attack, he dodges and stabs his sword through him although Urogi’s talons also pierce him. But this is all part of the plan to ride Urogi since he flies fast and back to the building. Then cutting off Urogi’s foot, he uses it as a shield against Sekido’s staff since it is immune to lightning attacks and slices off his tongue. This will take a longer time for the demon to regenerate as Tanjirou goes to save Nezuko. Just in time before Sekido makes mincemeat out of Tanjirou. Karaku returns and uses his pressure on the siblings. So great that they crash through the floor and pass out. Meanwhile the demons have invaded the village. Thankfully Mitsuri was stationed at a nearby village and is rushing her way back. Oh, so she knows where the swordsmith village is?
Episode 5
Kanamori is saved by Muichiro before he gets devoured. Meeting for the first time, Muichiro asks if he has a sword for him prepared. Indeed he has. In fact, Tanjirou also asked him to help take care of his needs. As Kanamori leads him to his shed, they are stopped dead in their tracks. Hi, it’s Gyokko. Before there are more swordsmith casualties, here comes Mitsuri to slice those demons with her whip-like sword. She also saves Tecchin in time. I bet the old geezer is fully healed after being saved by such a cute babe. Oh Mitsuri, do you want an old grandpa for a boyfriend? Our siblings manage to get up in time and run but Karaku’s fan blast is even greater this time so the whole building just get blown apart. Oh dear, Nezuko trapped under the rubbles and she won’t let herself go, clinging hard onto Tanjirou’s sword while bleeding profusely. Gyokko is going to show his guests his artwork first. A grotesque potpourri of 5 almost dead swordsmiths mashed together. As he further aggravates their pain and suffering (all in the name of art!), Muichiro tries to slash him but he can quickly teleport via his vase. Muichiro did slash one of his vase although more pops up and this makes Gyokko mad about this monkey who doesn’t know how to appreciate fine art. He then materializes goldfish demons that shoot poisonous needles. Muichiro has to rush to protect the swordsmiths and got some stuck in his body. Yeah, I think you swordsmiths better run and hide before you get in the way. As Gyokko laughs at how he could protect worthless lives, those words somewhat ring a bell. Someone said those words to him too. His memoires returning? Still hazy, though. Gyokko then imprisons Muichiro in his water cell. Can’t cut through. Beautiful death via drowning. Nezuko’s blood causes Tanjirou’s sword to be on fire. It is changing colour from pitch black to red. He then sees memories of his ancestors although he still doesn’t understand what is going on. With his sword now fully on raging flames, he gets ready to cut his adversaries. His stance and will frighten the demons because he looks like the swordsman who almost beheaded Kibutsuji. And then in a flash, Tanjirou beheads Sekido, Karaku and Urogi. Triple decapitation! He realizes this same feeling that had him manage to kill Gyutaro. He knows what to do know and hopes to kill all 4 simultaneously. But then he sees Genya decapitated Aizetsu. So the job’s done, right? Uhm, something not looking right. Is it me or does Genya look like he has turned into a demon!
Episode 6
Tanjirou realizes that despite all 4 demons decapitated at the same time, they are still alive albeit taking a bit longer to regenerate. Then he ponders if their head is their weak spot. No, because he smells there is a 5th demon hiding out there. Yes, it is Hantengu as Tanjirou tries to sniff him out but what’s this? Genya being mad at Tanjirou and thinks it was fluke that he defeated an upper half? Tanjirou is willing to support Genya’s dream to be a Hashira. Hey, after seeing his innocence, you think he is lying. Too bad the other demons regenerate and begin their attack. Tanjirou has adapted to the battlefield and can fight even faster. He has Genya look for Hantengu as well as cover for him. When Genya finds him, he is small like a mouse! No wonder he couldn’t find him despite Tanjirou’s directions! Genya chases him and when he slashes, his sword breaks! Even his bullets didn’t do damage. At this point, Sekido is right behind him. Genya realizes it is too late to do anything and he will die. He fears he will die without getting to apologize to his brother. Life flashing before your eyes? Flashback time. Genya narrates his mom is petite size and was always working. Dad was abusive and beat up his family and it was amazing how mother protected them all despite her small stature. Of course he got killed by someone else with some grudge. One night as mom was late from returning home, Genya got worried so Sanemi will go look for her alone. Just when the other siblings thought mom is home, they were all killed off instantly in what Genya thought was a wolf. Sanemi tackled it while telling Genya to run away. But then he saw Sanemi killing mom and cursed him for this heinous act. Of course then he didn’t realize mom turned into a demon and attacked her children. It was Sanemi who saw this and protected them. Genya has always wondered how he had felt when he killed mom and the brother who cursed him for not knowing anything. How were they going to live out their promise now? When father died, it brought a huge relief to the family so Sanemi and Genya made a promise to protect the family from now on. Now Genya fears he is too useless to even become a Hahira. But never say never because Tanjirou saves the day. Don’t give up! He will protect him. Now it’s Tanjirou’s turn to be in harm’s way of Aizetsu. However Genya uses his body to protect him. Damn, his body is full of holes now! He tells Tanjirou to get Hantengu as he can’t do it and just this once, he’ll let him have it.
Episode 7
Tanjirou starts beheading Hantengu but his neck is just freaking hard! Then he realizes a demon behind him. No time to react but he has Nezuko to thank as she saves him from his doom. Tanjirou fears this could be the 6th demon but then smells something amiss. Uhm, I thought Genya was riddled with holes but now his body is back to normal?! Anyway, Genya saw the whole thing. While Tanjirou was beheading Hantengu, Sekido swiftly absorbed the others and they all fuse into this new demon, Zohakuten. He calls them all vile villains because they tried to attack a weak and small being. However Tanjirou is not buying it since they have killed hundreds of humans who did nothing to them. They are the true villains. Zohakuten asks if those humans they devoured were his family. No? Then it has nothing to do with him. Of course Tanjirou will not allow their fiendishness to carry on. Muichiro uses his final breath to slash out but he fails. His sword is too blunt anyway. So he is going to accept fate and die? Yeah, seeing hallucinations of Tanjirou telling him not to accept such sad fate. But he is puzzled because Tanjirou never said those words. Kanamori tries to protect Haganezuka from Gyokko but gets slashed. Haganezuka so concentrated in his work that he doesn’t even know what is happening and is so devoted while awed at whoever made this great sword. Even when Gyokko slashes him, he still doesn’t stop. This makes Gyokko mad because he has never been so concentrated like this and as an artist, it makes him feel inferior! Of course he can kill this human easily but his pride and jealousy wants him to break Haganezuka’s concentration! More Muichiro’s hallucinations of Tanjirou assuring him with comforting words. Muichiro realizes he over appraised himself and is not strong as he thought. He is surprised Kotetsu is trying to free him. Shouldn’t he have other priorities? Muichiro tries to warn him of a demon approaching. Kotetsu takes a fatal stab but still won’t give up. He breathes some air into Muichiro. Uhm, so oxygen can go through this water prison? This gives Muichiro the much needed strength to use his mist breathing form and break out. Now he fully remembers that mysterious person who is no other than his father. Because Tanjirou has the same red eyes as him.
Episode 8
After saving Kotetsu and killing the small fries, we peek into Muichiro’s past. A son of a woodcutter, he enjoyed helping his father who was a kind person himself. But one stormy night, mother was so sick and dad went out to get herbs. Unfortunately, he slipped to his death. On that very same night, mother died. All alone? Well, Muichiro had an older twin brother, Yuichiro. However he seems to be harsh with his words despite being a realist. For instance, calling dad foolish to go out that night. There was nothing that would’ve guaranteed the herb would worked. Had he stayed in, they would’ve only lost their mother. Worst, he claims the ‘mu’ in Muichiro’s name means useless. One day, Amane (Ubuyashiki’s wife came to visit) but was chased away by Yuichiro. Muichiro became excited with the thought that they were descendants of the first breathing technique swordsman and that she was here to invite them to become swordsmen to fight demons. Yuichiro snapped at his brother for such dreams. He claimed the woman was going only to use them. Remember, Muichiro is supposed to be useless and can’t even cook rice! Although Amane continued to visit, Yuichiro still chased her away. Until one hot summer night, a demon came and attacked Muichiro. Yuichiro jumped to protect him and lost an arm. Muichiro became so enraged, he blacked out and couldn’t remember what happened next. All he remembered was the demon dismembered and suffering. He died via sunlight.
Muichiro crawled back to Yuichiro whose dying words were praying to God and to save Muichiro. Because unlike him, he is a kind hearted kid who wants to help others. Hence only he is to blame and to be punished. He also revealed the real meaning of ‘mu’ in his name meant infinity. We return to the somewhat comical situation of Gyokko still trying to break Haganezuka’s concentration. He almost got killed but dodges Muichiro’s slash. He is puzzled of his escape and thought he would’ve surely died. But guess what? Thinking he avoided Muichiro’s attack means he is fully concentrated! Whatever you say… Though, Gyokko is confused because now Muichiro shows the same markings on his face like Tanjirou. Nevertheless, Gyokko will deal with this Hashira first as he uses his octopus vase to attack. Muichiro slashes them all as he thanks Kanamori for forging his sword. Humble guy claims he was just following Muichiro’s previous swordsmith, Tetsuido who recently died from a heart disease. Flashback shows Tetsuido was worried about Muichiro’s busy and reckless lifestyle that broke many swords. He has not long to live but still can’t help worry about him. Muichiro is now faster than ever as he could now put some scratches on Gyokko. More last words of Yuichiro. He believed no matter how virtuous Muichiro is, God cannot protect him. That was why Yuichiro acted like a strict dick to protect him. Because he does things for others, he can exert infinite strength. He is one of the chosen ones.
Episode 9
Oh well, Muichiro and his deadpan sarcasm! Is this him reborn?! Gyokko won’t fall for such cheap insults until Muichiro points out his vases aren’t that beautiful. Time to get pissed! Gyokko avoids another fatal blow but this time he shreds his skin and shows his true form. Some scaly fish, huh? Yeah, Muichiro doesn’t even have words to describe the ugly mother he is! So as Gyokko continues to brag about himself, Muichiro further remembers watching Yuichiro die and maggots eating his rotting flesh. Had not Amane and her daughters came to his rescue, Muichiro would’ve met the same fate since he was gravely injured. After he was taken in as a Demon Slayer Corps member, he continue to train harshly and endlessly. The trauma made him lose his memories but his body never forgot the fury he felt that day. This was how he became the youngest Hashira in history. Gyokko gets played as Muichiro moves seamlessly in his mist. Did Jason Voorhees copy this move?! Gyokko is shocked he got decapitated. As he throws insults of this unthinkable defeat, Muichiro slices him to bits. STFU and go to hell already! You said it! That’s another upper half demon gone! Now Muichiro can collapse from exhaustion. This makes Kanamori panic on what to do. Making him even more panicky is the ghost of Kotetsu! Oh wait. He is still alive. Thanks to the hilt for Tanjirou protecting his vitals. This hilt looking familiar? Yeah, it belonged to Kyojuro. Muichiro sees a vision of his family, happy that things turned out okay. Now we return to Tanjirou’s fight. He think he has got some info in fighting Zohakuten’s dragons but there are always surprises on what this monster can still spring. With his ear drums burst and sustaining injuries, Tanjirou then gets swallowed up by one of the dragons. He is about to be crushed inside when it is cue for Mitsuri to come slice him out of his wooden doom. It’s about time. A fresh new Hashira in the fray should turn the tables as she shows us her swift ballerina-like move sets.
Episode 10
Mitsuri is able to blast through any direct attacks Zohakuten throws at her. When she finally has her sword around his neck and is about to decapitate him, Tanjirou screams to her a little too late because that’s not the real body and decapitating him will not kill him. She takes a direct blow from Zohakuten’s sound waves. Although knocked out, her body is still intact. I THINK HER BOOBS ABSORBED THE BLAST!!! Time for her turn for a flashback. We see her getting rejected by a potential marriage suitor because he doesn’t want his kids to have such weird hair colour! JERK! Since young, Mitsuri displayed great feats of strength and even ate a lot, putting those sumo wrestlers to shame. It was all fun and games until the thought of that strength made her worry she will never find her husband. Her dad was fine with it, though. She can stay home forever. So in order to have a chance at marriage, she died her hair black, restrained herself from eating and acted weak. However this made her worry and realize if she would have to live this way for the rest of herself. This is not who she is. Will there be anyone who will love her for who she is? Mitsuri wakes up to see Tanjirou and co protecting her from Zohakuten. Tanjirou claiming she is their best hope in defeating this demon and thus they have to protect her. This makes Mitsuri very happy as she vows to protect them. When she got inducted into Demon Slayer Corps, she was enlightened by Ubuyashiki that all those who speak ill of her were only jealous as they wished they had such strength. For every demon she killed, those she saved thanked her in tears. She has always wondered if a girl should be this strong. Well, now you know the answer. Mitsuri is now faster, slicing up all attacks Zohakuten can throw at her. He notices a strange mark on her chest. Like Tanjirou’s mark? Because of Mitsuri keeping him at bay, Tanjirou and the rest go off of to find Hantengu. Yes, pretty much protected in this thick layer of wood. Genya bites off the wood?! Oh, he can use his ability to temporarily gain demonic traits if he devours them. By the time Nezuko burns open the wood, the little bugger has escaped. Mad Tanjirou tells him not to run away from his responsibilities. But Hantengu continues to cower and run away in fear. He remembers he never lied and was just an honest weakling, yet he was accused of lying and nobody showed him sympathy.
Episode 11
The chase continues but Tanjirou is falling behind because of his injured leg. But then he remembers Zenitsu telling him on how to breathe properly for that extra push in your legs. Yup, how convenient. With this breathing technique, he is able to spring forward and then slash Hantengu’s head. However Hantengu becomes mad and grows big! He starts to crush Tanjirou’s head. Genya tries to unhand the demon but only with Nezuko’s fiery blood kick did the trick. Genya also catches fire but did this revert him back to his human self? Hantengu falls off the short cliff. He realizes his regeneration is slow due to Zohakuten using a lot of his power. Besides, sunrise is near. He needs to devour some humans to replenish. Ah look, a few swordsmiths ahead. And so another round of chasing! Tanjirou hears Muichiro calling to him. He throws him a sword to be used to decapitate the demon. Apparently Haganezuka has not completed it and is mad about this and wants it back. Don’t listen to him. Just cut the demon! Tanjirou does so and the head goes off. But wait. Hantengu is still running! OMG! Uhm, how the heck can he devour those swordsmith even if he catches them? But at this point sun is up. Tanjirou tries to warn Nezuko to hide but she instead runs towards him. Then she starts getting burnt up even though he tries to shield her. Hantengu is getting away. What will he do? He cannot decide! Genya is still stuck and Muichiro is passed out! What can he do?! That is when Nezuko kicks him away. She decided for you. Oh damn, snippets of Nezuko scenes. Is this her death flag!? Time to get out a box of tissues! Tanjirou is forced to focus to find the real body which is thankfully inside the heart of this chasing body. He is able to slice this mini Hantengu inside.
Now for a little Hantengu flashback. He was accused of stealing from the people he trusted. He denied and said it was his hands who moved on its own. When he is about to be reported, he killed that man. Even before the magistrate who was putting up crocodile tears and vouching he is innocent but the magistrate did not buy it and will sentence him to death. That was when Kibutsuji came to his rescue. And so with his life flashed before his eyes, Hantengu is dead for real. Thank goodness. The game of tag is finally over after lasting half this episode!!! Tanjirou laments that this victory came at a great cost of Nezuko’s sacrifice. Time for the tears to flow. But a different one. Because the swordsmiths point out she is still alive! OMG! An illusion? A ghost? Nope. The real Nezuko in the flesh?! So is she human!? Oh wait. Is she a hybrid demon because she still exhibits demon traits. Just that she can now walk in the sun. But do forgive her retarded speech. She hasn’t been talking for a while. Tanjirou can now cry his heart out. Meanwhile so as not to forget about Mitsuri, we see her in trouble. She is about to die! Thank goodness for the sun and Tanjirou’s victory, Zohakuten vanishes just like that! Wow. Save us all the trouble.
Now we see Kibutsuji. Is he mad that he trashed his room? Yeah, mom and maid thought he couldn’t find some book. However Kibutsuji cannot contain his happiness. He has finally found a demon who can withstand sunlight. Because of that, he doesn’t need to do any more research on blue spider lilies or increase his kind. He kills off mom and the maid as he plans to devour Nezuko. Flashback shows Kibutsuji was dying of some illness 1000 years ago. He viewed his doctor who served him as inept and killed him, believing his medicine he was administering wouldn’t work anyway. But after that, he realized it really did work. Other than superhuman strength, the downside was that he cannot be exposed to the sun. He also craved for human blood and stated killing all those who got in his way. Because it was humiliating he couldn’t go out in the sunlight, he started examining the doctor’s medicine. It was perhaps in experimental stage and it did contain those blue spider lilies. Apparently the doctor is the only person in the whole wide world who knew about his secret ingredient but now he’s dead. Thanks a lot, Kibutsuji. He couldn’t replicate them nor find them throughout Japan. Hence his quest to research that to gain immortality. Now that Nezuko has appeared, he shifts his attention to absorbing her to conquer the sunlight.
Muichiro thanks Tanjirou for helping him regain something important. But look who isn’t happy? Haganezuka blaming Tanjirou for breaking his sword despite clearly it is still intact. Won’t accept reality, huh? Oh God, do we need another tag game?! Thankfully it ends quickly as Mitsuri joins the celebration. We see Tamayo writing a letter for Tanjirou about the results of Nezuko’s blood sample. Not really sure about this vague explanation but it seems her blood can change properties. It could also help others release from Kibutsuji’s control. She also speculates about Nezuko will become human soon. It’s going to be a big clean-up operation as the swordsmith pick up the pieces to rebuild their village. Tecchin sees off Tanjirou and thanks him for what he is done. Is that Haganezuka hiding at the corner? Come out, please. Please say to Tanjirou what needs to be said. Still blaming him for using an unfinished sword? Well, he is going to finish it and send it to him. Thanks a lot. As he is blindfolded and leaves, the Kakushi soon takes it off just to let him see the entire village cheering and thanking him. We all should know better Tanjirou isn’t the one to rat out this secret, right?
Don’t Leave Home Without Your Sword
It goes without saying. You know the drill already. There is another season coming up so fans can anticipate another great season! Oh yeah. Can’t end it just like that, right?! Surely we’re carrying on the story, right?! Strike while the iron is hot! After all, we all know that the manga has already ended back in 2020 but as far as the adapted anime of the series, we are about halfway there so there is still quite a bit of content to animate. So we can expect a few more years of this series to grace our screens.
I still find this arc and season to be as exciting as before. Although, I have read a few comments that many have found this series to have fallen from its grace ever since it debuted. Am I missing something? Or did everybody evolve into some sophisticated being. What were they expecting? It’s supposed to be some action battle genre so obviously the focus is there on the fighting. But anyway, thank goodness I’m such an oddity so I don’t agree with those who have started to dislike the series. As long as it can entertain me and retain my attention, I definitely would mark the series as good, excellent, brilliant, superior, and all the other synonyms you can possibly describe. Sure, still not a 100% masterpiece (somehow I still prefer Shingeki No Kyojin) but it did its job in making me glued to the screen for most of the time. Yeah, didn’t realize the episode ended until the credits showed up. Unlike boring animes were I keep wishing for the end credits to just come sooner! Yeah. That.
But I have to admit that if you look in another context, this arc itself can be said as draggy. After all, the entire arc is set in just one night in this village. At least a big chunk of it. By the third episode, the gang has already started to fight demons. And yes, they really drag out the fights till the last drop too. Thankfully for me, it is kept interesting so no worries there from me. I believe the fights are satisfactory paced since in this single cour, they have thrown not 1 but 2 upper rank demons into the fray. Thus you can’t expect the fight to last just for a single episode as we need to show their prowess and why they are even more powerful than the 6th ranked dude FKA Gyutaro. It could be a good think having 2 villains to fight in this arc not because they needed to trim the numbers and rush towards the finale but to stave the boredom. What I mean is that imagine if this was just a single fight with a single upper half, that would be just mundane. Now they get to keep it fresh by switching in between both sides fighting both demons until we reach a (predicted) happy ending.
Obviously the fights have been dragged out and making this arc draggy is because in between the fights, you have character flashbacks. Yes, time to see the tragic past that these characters have. So before we all finally cast Genya as some angry guy and Muichiro as some emotionless guy and Mitsuri as some dense slut, here, have a peek at what they went through. So have your thoughts about them changed? Well, at least we won’t see them the way when we were first introduced to them. Thankfully, this season seems to take a break from having tragic side effects. Oh you know, I’m sure we’re still reeling from the death of Kyojuro from that Mugen Train arc as well as the tough battle at the entertainment district has put Tengen on early retirement. Yeah. So this arc breaks that combo as we don’t see any side of the heroes dying or permanently incapacitated and they even gave us a sweet bonus of Nezuko becoming a step closer in regaining her human self. Wow. Don’t we all love such happy endings. Though, the unbelievable part is how much damage Tanjirou has taken and the punishment he puts on his body but yet he heals up back to normal. I wonder if he has got some hidden mutant healing power.
I’m going to have to ask if characters who share the similar characteristics as Tanjirou would be the ones who would slay the upper half. For instance, take a look at Muichiro. After we see his past, he turns into some kind of weird deadpan sarcastic character! I mean, Muichiro this way isn’t so bad and is a lot more amusing but definitely this makes him strange! Like as though he turned into a different character! Sometimes I don’t know whether to cringe because of those deadpan comebacks but he definitely made the situation more amusing. And now to think he has that similar mark as Tanjirou, could they be related? Though, I still don’t understand how he came to master the mist breathing technique. Son of a woodcutter, I thought he would be using some wood breathing technique. So how he got to be a mist master anyway? Am I missing something?
The same liveliness and positivity can be said for Mitsuri. Not only she shares that mark but her ditzy behaviour too rings similar with Tanjirou’s. Only, she is more outgoing and because of those humongous racks. Yeah. After all, can’t let Tanjirou be the one who will slay the entire upper half and Kibutsuji himself. Score card of higher demons slain: Tanjirou = 2 and Muichiro = 1. Or if you like, Tanjirou = 1.5, Muichiro = 1 and Mitsuri = 0.5. Though, that Mitsuri fight with Zohakuten ended in such an anti-climactic fashion that it took a bit of enthusiasm off there. I mean, Demon Corps fight hard to defeat a demon especially a tough one and although Zohakuten is just one of the many emotions and versions of Hantengu, I can’t believe the fight just ended like that. Oh well, maybe that’s the surprise for us? On a side note, I wonder if Mutsuri’s name was derived from Mutsurii, meaning closet pervert. Hmm…
The thing that surprises me about Haganezuka is that he is actually a young man!!! Oh damn, here I thought he was actually an elderly man and thus that is why he is always in a seemingly perpetual state of grumpiness and stubbornness. So I guess that is why all the swordsmiths wear a mask so as not to only cover their faces but their true emotions? Wow. So young and so angry already? Don’t tell me this is his way of being shy! Yeah, can’t blame anybody to think that he might be one of those psychotic killers! Thank goodness he is one of the good guys. On second thought, maybe he should attend some anger management classes…
And as we have seen, Nezuko overcoming this sun problem that has me think demons are the vampires of the series. Isn’t that why the first breathing technique is the sun technique, the ultimate weakness to the demons? Anyway, Nezuko now evolving into this state might sound a bit convenient because now she can fight better alongside Tanjirou without having the biggest drawbacks. I initially though she is completely human and wondered how Tanjirou will use the fire blood techniques if she is no longer a demon but I guess this hybrid or evolved version works. Good in that sense because Kibutsuji will now be even more desperate to get his hands on her. Yeah, from the outside it looks like he is trying to get his hands on somebody’s sister! No way in hell Tanjirou is going to give his sister to a man like that! Holy sh*t! This is also a great excuse so that there would be no more demons created by him because the cocky bastard now thinks he is the only one who need such immortality and thus we can have the final battle concentrated on the few demons that are left. So Tanjirou, better protect your sister even more than before. Somebody’s literally trying to get her inside of him! Holy sh*t! On the same topic, it is never mentioned about Genya and his demonic abilities because that was a real curious one as he was in this mode during the battle and then just like that in the end, he reverted back. Did Nezuko blood do something about it?
Speaking of the villains and in particular the 2 upper half of the Twelve Kizuki (can we already change the name due to its dwindling number?), however unlike Gyutaro who has a considerable screen time of fleshing out his past with Daki, Gyokko and Hantengu were literally close to none. I guess they don’t want us to feel sympathy about these demons who are going to die anyway. Thus there was no need to know about their past. Sure, Hantengu in his final moments showed us briefly about his pathetic life but I’m sure that won’t be pulling any heartstrings (is he bipolar?). But as for Gyokko, we don’t even know his origins. It would’ve been a bit better why this fish guy has ‘exquisite’ taste in art but oh well, I suppose he isn’t that important to take notice of.
At this point, the series has already a lot of characters and many were obviously omitted from this arc (Shinobu baby, where were you? And still remember Giyuu?). I’m pointing this out because the absence of Zenitsu and Inosuke were greatly felt. After all, I thought they would be some sort fraternity bros since they have been somewhat together from the start on important missions. So at first it was kinda weird to not have them being featured in this arc and they even make a joke out of it in one of the next episode previews. And that seemed to be their last appearance for this arc! Except for that flashback in the final episode. But yeah, it does feel odd without them by Tanjirou’s side (how’s Genya for replacement this season?) although I gradually didn’t come to notice this as I became engrossed in watching the action and all. Oh well, at least the good news is that we don’t have to hear Zenitsu complain or Inosuke being haughty. Phew.
One aspect that was a hot debate for viewers this season was the CGI. Especially those employed on those lesser fish demons and those dragon heads of Zohakuten. Many felt they looked horrible and weird, thus killing their vibes and excitement of this show. Well, I do have to admit that those demons actually look very weird. However I am still contemplating whether it is bad CGI. Well, Ufotable continues to animate this series and they’re very well known for their great visual and art quality. They can’t be lazy and going downhill, right? So perhaps it is my bias that prevents me from calling them out about this ‘horrendous’ CGI. Because for other aspects like the background sceneries and effects, they still look quite awesome and breath-taking while the series’ trademark 2D visuals and art style are also maintained. So this weird looking CGI demons (even if they were intended to look so) could be that little blot spot on what could’ve been a slightly more amazing season. On a trivial note, is it me or does Gyokko look like an uglier version of Frieza and Zokuhaten a way angrier Vegeta? Why do I see Dragonball guys here?!
This season has a few new seiyuus joining. Most notable Rie Kugimiya as Muichiro’s Kasugai Crow. Oh yeah. Back to that very familiar trademark squeaky voice that I am accustomed and so in love with. So that made my day. I heard Yui Horie did a cameo as Kasugai Crow but it wasn’t that obvious. Yuichiro Umehara as Sekido is slightly surprising. Yeah, I’ve pigeonholed this guy to voice boring monotonous characters like Goblin Slayer and Spy Kyoushitsu’s Klaus. But here he exudes a lot of emotions as the angry embodiment. Of course a talented guy like him could but I guess when you pigeonhole somebody so hard to a particular role…
The other new casts debuting this season are Ayumu Murase as Kotetsu (Menel in Saihate No Paladin), Toshio Furukawa as Hantengu (Piccolo in Dragonball series, Ataru in Urusei Yatsura), Kousuke Toriumi as Gyokko (Nozel in Black Clover), Kouichi Yamadera as Zokuhaten (Spike in Cowboy Bebop), Souma Saitou as Aizetsu (Tatsumi in Akame Ga Kill), Kaito Ishikawa as Karaku (Iida in Boku No Hero Academia), Shunsuke Takeuchi as Urogi (Yamato in Nanbaka), Ryotaro Okiayu as Kokushibo (Byakuya in Bleach), Yuusaku Yara as Tecchin (Chin in Toriko) and Kengo Kawanishi as Yuichiro (Rei in 3-gatsu No Lion).
This season’s opening theme, Kizuna No Kiseki by Man With A Mission x Milet is your typical lively anime rock to get you into the groove of this series’ action. But is it me or do I find the duet of both singers to be a bit weak in their vocals? The same band sings the ending theme, Koi Kogare which is another rock version although faring slight better than the opener even if it feels it has somewhat similar vibes. But the song that touches everyone’s hearts the most is probably the insert song, Kamado Nezuko No Uto by Go Shiina featuring Nami Nakagawa. It is a slow and beautiful ballad as well as it is sad. But the weird part is that I thought a kindergarten child sung this song but oh damn, she’s a full grownup? Sounds could be deceiving…
Overall, I still find this season to be amazing and exhilarating. Nice action scenes and satisfactory character development made my day even if many would like to beg to differ. Can’t wait for the next season to come because boo hoo, Shingeki No Kyojin has already ended! Yeah, time for this series to fill in those big shoes as my next #1! As the series inches closer to its finale, I’m expecting a lot more characters to be fleshed out as well as a whole lot of demon slaying and beheading action. This season gave Tanjirou a whole new sharpened sword so he can cut more stubborn demon heads and make them roll. Hopefully enough to make those dissenting disbelievers’ head roll too. See you soon, next season!
Chua Tek Ming~*Anime Power*~ !LiVe FoR AnImE, aNiMe FoR LiFe! 