You know, I was talking with a friend at work about Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc and she mentioned she was enjoying the season but found it a little too slapstick. Too light and funny for her taste.
I have a feeling this episode might have made her reconsider her view a bit. Not that it didn’t have its share of funny moments (I particularly liked Nezuko’s streamlined introduction to Genya!) but overall this was one of those deeply sentimental episodes that Demon Slayer occasionally blindsides you with.
We’ll get to all that of course but first: how are you Crow?
Doing well, thanks! I hope you’re doing well, too! Just 10 minutes ago, I finished writing the first draft of my fifth novel, and I actually feel pretty good about it! And, I get to review this Demon Slayer episode with you – so, it’s a great week so far!
Before we dive into the episode proper, I’m a little curious, did you also find this season a little too, for lack of a better word, flighty so far?
The humor has been front and center, that’s for sure. It’s not that I mind humor, but Demon Slayer has always had a straight-forward sense of humor. When I start thinking there’s too much this season, I think back to the early days of Zenitsu. At least we’re past that. For now. I hope.
Alright, let’s get to the actual, hummm, action!
I’m not sure how many episodes this arc is going to have but we are at episode 6 and so far, it’s essentially been one big fight. Although you could kind of count it as 2 and a half, since Muichirou is taking part in a completely different fight as is Kanroji but we really haven’t seen her so far (that’s why she just gets a .5!).
I should warn you all right now, I’ve restarted this paragraph a few times. I’m not sure how to organize this post. Let’s try this.
I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve grown used to it or because the pacing is better, but I don’t mind the one long confrontation as much anymore. I’m still a bit disappointed that this demon will still simply get defeated by getting bashed on real hard but otherwise, I find it a fun fight to watch. Maybe it’s because it doesn’t look as hopeless and painful as well.
How about you Crow?
I think I’ll need to see the whole season to put it into perspective. By that, I mean right now, I want to know a lot more about Muichirou. I want to know more about Kanroji. I think that’s intentional, from the narrative’s perspective, so that feeling is probably a net positive.
That is, unless we don’t find out more. In which case, I’ll be bummer.
Before we talk about Genya, I’m just going to mention Muichirou for a bit. Last episode, we left him trapped in a water vase and he’s in pretty much the exact same predicament this week. I’m not sure how much time has passed but he doesn’t seem all that concerned about it so far.
I wish we had seen a bit more of him. I’m looking forward to the show switching to his POV. What are your thoughts on it, Crow?
I’ll second that. Dude must have astonishing lung capacity to not have expired by now. He’s righting the demon I actually find more interesting of the two, both from a personality and a visual design perspective. I’m looking forward to him remembering more and giving Gyokko a sound beating.
So Genya… Where to start, where to stop.
I guess the brother! No wait, the origin story, or maybe the motivation.
Ok, so obviously Tanjirou has a heck of an origin story. He’s the one we have been following all along and the show naturally made sure we would sympathize. But MAN, Genya has him beat. Well, Genya and Sanemi to be more precise. That was a tearjerker and I should know, cause I cry a lot!
And the events themselves, although horrible, were not that unusual. I feel like I’ve heard similar backstories before. An abusive dad, a kind and protective mom that is sadly, ultimately ineffective and siblings who despite the horrible circumstances, or maybe because of them, bind together extra tightly for survival and comfort. And then, they have to turn on one of their own. In this case their protector which makes it even worse.
But you know, that’s not what got to me. It did, I’m not a monster, but it’s not what drove the emotion home. It was seeing Genya and Sanemi as optimistic and innocent kids. Seeing them smile and cry and vow to protect their family. And contrasting that with the utterly hardened men they’ve become.Genya’s 16 which by anime standards makes him a senior citizen!
And you know, now I want us to see the Wind Pillar again. I’ve been wracking my memory to really remember all their interactions. But I guess we have to root for the guys to become Hashiras so they can be reunited!
Did this also resonate with you Crow or did you find the sentimentality hollow? What do you think of the Shinazugawa brothers?
Demon Slayer often impresses me with how well it delivers powerful emotional beats. This was another example. I think the events you mentioned, plus Genya seeing almost all of his brothers and sisters die right in front of him, set up that contrast between their hopeful and their realistic selves. The fact I can’t call them cynical makes it even more poignant. This is Demon Slayer, and with someone like Muzan calling the shots, it’s hard to expect too much pain.
Adding Sanemi to the mix affected me a lot more than just seeing Genya deal with the situation. Genya’s pain at having hurt his brother – his sole surviving brother – felt authentic to me.
And Genya is like half demon or something, isn’t he? He’s not fully human, that’s for sure. Do you think we’ll see an explanation about that? What are your thoughts on his nature? How do you think it happened? He was fine as a kid from what we saw!
Good question! I’m just guessing, but I suspect it has something to do with his chanting. Whether the chanting restrains his demon half in a way Nezuko never learned, or it awakens it in a controlled way. I hope they explain it!
The episode really flew by. But there was enough time for Genya to learn to trust others just a little bit. Well Tanjirou at least. And honestly, at this point, the boy is just a puppy stereotype. He even sniffs out demons like a puppy would!
So Genya tried to go after the main body of the upper demon which, if he managed to take him out, could land him his much desired Hashira appointment but it seems, he couldn’t quite do it alone.
I still like how different this demon is. And I have to admit, having the main body not only be a coward but also TINY, is a really nice contrast with all the other demons. Were you a fan of this choice, Crow?
I was. Like you said, the contrast made it interesting. It was also cool that the tiny demon’s body was so dense that Genya’s sword could not slide through its neck.
And Tanjirou – in my notes, I’ve started calling it the Tanjirou Effect. I still say he’s the combat form of Tooru Honda!
Of course, they are keeping the actual denouement for next week, so you’ll have to come back and see us over on Crow’s blog to find out what we thought about how it all plays out. Unless they stretch it out even longer! I guess they could switch to the Hashiras for a couple of episodes. That would be both horrible and great!
