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Gyomei’s Training Makes Everything Before Look Weak in Comparison

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S4 Ep 6 Review

This Hashira Training Arc may have little action, but does it show how hard the Demon Slayers are working themselves! Even though he breezed through the earlier portions, the last episode of Demon Slayer saw Tanjiro starting to really exert himself. Mitsuri’s flexibility training made men scream. Obanai hated Tanjiro’s guts for being friends with Mitsuri. And Sanemi? Tanjiro got banned from training with him for standing up for Genya! However, all of that pales in comparison to the training under the strongest Hashira, Gyomei Himejima (the one who’s always crying.)

Can we go back to Mitsuri or Obanai? They weren’t trying to kill him!

This is Brutal!!

So, having made it to Gyomei’s training course, Tanjiro and Zenitsu realize two things. Firstly, its very simplistic, consisting of strength training exercises. Secondly, and this is the most important, they’re all brutal beyond belief!

Standing under a freezing waterfall until they pass out! Lifting gigantic logs over their heads!And pushing a massive boulder hundreds of feet! And they have to do that every day until they pass out!

The whole experience is so brutal that several of Tanjiro’s fellow trainees call it quits and bail. You could call them cowards, but knowing your limits is important. Yet Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu persist in it, with Tanjiro working the hardest, and unlocking a very important power: his Demon Slayer Mark.

Tanjiro is Unlocking His Shonen Transformation

Tanjiro has unlocked his Mark before when under extreme circumstances, but he’s never been able to control it. He doesn’t know how he activates it, but realizes that if he learns that trigger, it could be make all the difference. And thanks to some advice from Genya and Gyomei’s brutal training, Tanjiro starts to know what makes it work for him. The memories of his murdered family. The last words given to him by Rengoku. By remembering how he felt, Tanjiro starts to gain better control over his Mark. The episode ends before showing us the full extent of the results, but Tanjiro is on the right track.

Muzan is on the Move

And not a moment too soon, as Muzan is moving from amidst the shadows.

This season has seen a massive absence of the Demons that the Slayer Corps must fight, and for a good reason. Muzan is marshaling his dark army for the final battle. However, there’s more to it than that. He’s looking for two people: Nezuko and Kagaya Ubuyashiki. And he’s using one of his Upper Four, Namiko, to do so.

I had to watch a video on YouTube explaining this, but Namiko might be the most important of Muzan’s remaining minions. Firstly, she can create those little eye-monsters that he’s using to scout the location of the Corps to find Nezuko and Ubuyashiki. Secondly, those videos revealed that she’s the source of the Infinity Castle that he uses as his headquarters. So, taking her out will be an essential part of this final battle.

As I was watching this episode, I couldn’t help but feel bad for Tanjiro. I knew that the Hashira Training Camp would be brutal, but Demon Slayer has a way of making it even worse than we can imagine. Or that’s just me. Either way, the episode’s ending shows that Tanjro’s training under the strongest Demon Slayer (physically) is not done. Judging by the title to the next episode, I’m hoping to learn more about Gyomei’s past. Specifically, why is he always crying? It’s out there, even for the Hashira’s!

I Give “The Strongest of the Demon Slayer Corps” a 4/5

Now the Real Training Begins, Tanjiro!

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S4 Ep 5 Review

Citizens of the internet, I have been a fool. Since Tanjiro has done so well with Hashira boot camp until now, I thought he could handle the rest of it. Little did I know that he only handled the easiest parts of the whole thing. From here on out, he’s going through the meat grinder of three Hashiras.

I loved watching this, but I still feel bad for the poor guy.

Mitsuri Proves Ballet Isn’t Girly.

When I was a little boy growing up, I never understood the concept of guys doing ballet. I dont think I thought less of guys who did, but I just didn’t understand why they would do it, or wear the outfit required. Now that I’m an adult, I see that ballet is a physically intense dance that requires great physical strength, flexibilty, and stamina.

Why mention all of this? Because Mitsuri’s training is all about ballet. And increasing flexibility. It’s painful!

Obanai Iguro Needs to Chill!

Thats nothing compared to his next teacher, Obanai Iguro, though. He hates Tanjiro right from the start, mainly because hes in love with Mitsuri and is livid at how friendly she is with him. Though, he’s not any better with any of the other trainees. The man ties them posts for annoying him, then makes Tanjiro fight him while trying to avoid hitting them.

The point is pretty obvious: Obanai wants to make sure the Slayers do not hesitate to strike, or the demons will kill her. That being said, seeing him treat the trainees like punching bags is demoralizing. However, it does lead to yet another interesting duel between Tanjiro and a Hashira.

The duels in Demon Slayer are some of my favorite parts of the anime, and for good reason. That animation is so incredible!

In the end, Tanjiro passes, but Obanai still hates him. However, the last Hashira is worse than all the others: its Sanemi! AKA, the Hashira who stabbed Nezuko and tried to tempt her with his blood! And he still hates Tanjiro.

Sanemi is Too Harsh on Everyone!

Now working with Zenitsu and Genya, Tanjiro spends the whole time-fighting Sanemi in brawl after the brawl. That alone is brutal, but its for the sake of training. However tbings take a tjrn for the worse when Tanjiro learns something: Sanemi is Genya’s older brother, and he makes it clear he doesn’t want Genya in the Corps.

As the older brother to Nezuko and his late siblings, Tanjiro can’t understand why Sanemi can be so cruel to Genya. When things escalate to an outright fight, Tanjiro starts defending Genya. Even if he can’t use breathing styles, his eating demons meant that they won in the swordsmith village.

No dice. Not only does Sanemi not lighten up, but Tanjiro gets banned from training with him.

If I had to guess, though, I think Sanemi has a good reason for being mean to his brother. He knows how being a Demon Slayer means a very short life, even with their skills. Since Genya can’t use breathing techniques, the likelihood of him surviving is even lower. The only issue I have is that he should come out and say it.

Tanjiro is In for Even Worse!

Either way, Tanjiro and Zenitsu head to their next Hashira camp with Gyomei. And it looks like its going to be even harder than all of them!

I dont know how much longer the Hashira Training Arc will be, but I’m really hoping that the season doesn’t end in the middle of the coming final battle. That would be so lame! In addition, I’m enjoying getting to see these light-hearted moments!

I Give “I Even Ate Demons” a 4.5/5

This Might Be the Worst Day of Rudeus’ Life

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Mushoku Tensei S2 Ep 22 Review

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…You know, there’s an interesting thing about spoilers some people dont get. Even knowing what happens beforehand only sometimes makes things easier to read or watch. The Red Wedding is still horrific. Watching Ace die at Marineford is still traumatic. And what happens in this episode of Mushoku Tensei is still horrifying. I held back on watching this episode until I finished it in the light novel, and I procrastinated on that despite knowing how it would end. It was just too traumatic to want to sit through. Even so, I knew that this was the climax of Turning Point 3 for Rudeus, so I steeled myself for what happened. Rudeus and Paul pull out all the stops to rescue Zenith, but even with their strength, they cannot win without great sacrifice.

The Ultimate Boss Fight

After locating the true circle leading to the teleportation labyrinth’s final floor, the group comes face-to-face with their ultimate goal: Zenith. She’s inside magic crystals, frozen in suspended animation, and it is not made clear if she’s alive or dead.

That’s the good news. The bad news? That hydra that appears in the opening is guarding it. And when Paul pulls a Leeroy Jenkins and charges right in, the party learns two bad things. Firstly, since its a hydra, it can regenerate. Secondly…its scales are immune to magic.

They have to knock Paul out and run before they get killed. As someone who’s played games with many tough bosses, I know this is the right move. Rushing into a boss fight without knowing everything can kill you. And Rudeus’ group doesn’t have the luxury of returning from death.

Rudy Has Never Considered his Parents…His Parents.

Even though they made the right call, Paul can’t help but snap at Rudeus for remaining calm. He points out how cold he’s being when his mother, the woman who gave birth to him, is in danger. Which brings up an uncomfortable subject. Paul and Zenith might be his biological parents, and Rudeus cares about them, but…he’s never seen them as his parents.

It’s not entirely Rudeus’ fault. He had lived a whole other life before being reincarnated, and from the way he talks about them, he wasn’t that close to his original parents. He regrets it, but at the same time, he’s never done anything to correct it. He mentally calls Paul and Zenith by their first names rather than “Dad” and “Mom,” highlighting the emotional walls he’s put between them. And not helping matters is the fact that Rudeus hasn’t seen Zenith in ten years. Its not like he’s as close to her as he is to Paul. And its going to be something he will regret before the day is out.

I Wish That Rudy had Brought More People With Him

At any rate, what Rudeus, Roxy, and the Fangs of the Black Wolf is the equivalent to the final boss of an MMORPG Dungeon. They’re all strong, but they’re at a disadvantage. Paul and (to a lesser extent) Elinalise are the only ones that can damage it. And those magic-proof scales mean Rudy, Roxy, and Talhand can’t even scratch. Even so, they do have a plan. Cut off the heads, cauterize the wounds with magic at point-blank range, rinse and repeat until they win. They do float around the idea of heading back to town and recruiting more adventurers, but Paul will have it later. His wife is finally in arm’s reach, and he’s so eager to rescue her that he won’t wait any longer.

If I seem misgivings about this, it’s because I do. I’ve had them since Rudy decided to join the rescue mission with only Elinalise. If he had asked any friends he made at Ranoa U for help, they probably would’ve gone with him. If Badigadi were still hanging around, that would’ve been even better since the guy’s immortal! Most of all, though, what I knew was coming next made me wish now more than ever that Eris hadn’t left. They could have prevented what comes next if she had stuck around.

The Fight that Fans Waited for.

The following fight is nothing short of the best in the entire season. I know there has been a limited amount of fighting in season two, but that doesn’t change the fact that it’s amazing. I’d even call it one of the best anime moments for 2024! The fluid animation, the music, the setting. Moments like this make Mushoku Tensei a cut above most isekai! Everyone was magnificent, and seeing Paul and Rudy fight alongside each other was a privilege.

This only makes the outcome even more difficult to consider. Rudy losing his arm would be bad enough, but Paul…

Paul…

I had known this moment for a long time. But, again, I needed more time to watch. Nor does the Drama CD detailing Paul’s final thoughts.

And the fact that this episode came out on Father’s Day 2024? Whoever distributes the anime in Japan intentionally did that to make it an even bigger tearjerker than it already is.

This Doesn’t Feel Like a Win

The rest of the episode is nothing but one massive tearjerker. Telling everyone back in town about Paul’s death. Rudy looking at the bloody stump where his arm once was. And the biggest kick in the pants? When Zenith finally awakens, she doesn’t remember anything. She can’t even speak!

I don’t know who feels worse: Rudy for knowing that his getting distracted led Paul to sacrifice himself, or the Black Wolves for not being fast enough. Lilia, knowing that the man she loves is dead and her best friend may never recover. This might be the worst day of Rudy’s life.

F in the Chat for Paul

The thing is, I don’t think that Paul regretted the choice he made. Despite all his flaws and self-deprecation, Paul was a good Dad. He made some mistakes, but so does everyone. And despite telling Rudy to save his mom even if it killed him, he still gave his life to save Rudy. Anyone who deserves to be called a parent would sacrifice themselves if it meant their child got to live. And if I ever have kids, I hope to God I can be that good.

And, since no one else is going to say it, I want to: think about how everyone that knew Rudeus would react if they learned he died? His friends at Ranoa University would be wracked with grief. Once she found out, Eris would likely never forgive herself for leaving Rudeus to train without saying goodbye. She might even take her own life out of guilt! And worst of all, imagine how utterly broken Sylphie would be? Her husband, her first friend, the man she loved, would be dead. Their child would grow up never knowing their father! That’s messed up!!!

This might be the worst day of Rudeus’ life. Almost dying at the hands of Orsted was traumatic. Having Eris leave him? Mentally scarring. But this? This is the sort of thing that would break a lot of people. All that he can do now is pick up the pieces. Next episode, we have the season finale. Then, we’ve got a long wait for the inevitable third season.

Please pay tribute to Paul Greyrat. He may not have been a perfect dad or a perfect human being, but he did well in the end.

I Give “Parents” a 5/5

Good Heavens, Roxy Has Got it Bad!

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Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation S2 Ep 21 Review

By decree of High Priest Rudeus, all Roxy stans are asked to report to their local Temple of Roxy to pay homage to her Roxyness. Their blue-haired goddess of wisdom/waifu has returned to bless the world with her teachings.

That’s just my way of saying that after more than ten years, Rudeus has reunited with his beloved Master Roxy. Having saved her from certain death in the labyrinth at the end of the last one, this episode of Mushoku Tensei focuses primarily on the reunion between Master and Student. And I know that I was pretty critical about last week’s episode and how it ended. However, seeing what happens this week, I’m glad they waited. Its all kinds of heartwarming.

I should probably mention this now: the group has a new problem. Roxy…is in love.

How I Met My Future Husbando

The episode starts with a brief look back at how Roxy has survived in the labyrinth by herself for so long. And while I’m glad that the anime did dive into it, I still think the light novels did a better job conveying how bad things were for her. However, that gets overshadowed by it jumping immediately to the reunion between master and student. And this moment is not just significant because it’s the first time Rudy has seen Roxy since childhood. He doesn’t know it, but he did something greater than he can imagine.

I didn’t mention it in my recap of Roxy’s journey throughout season one, but there’s a moment when she tells Elinalise what she’s looking for in a guy.

And guess who just checked all those boxes without even realizing it? The whole thing’s made even funnier because she doesn’t realize at first that her knight in shining armor was the boy she taught. That and Rudy puked from shock. I couldn’t stop laughing at that. Or the idea that Rudy somehow sensed her presence and charged through the walls like the Hulk to get to her.

The rest of the episode does show the party, Roxy now included, as they continue their efforts to reach the bottom of the labyrinth. However, beyond the smug grin Paul gets when Rudeus praises him (dads like to look cool in front of their kids), the main focus is on Roxy and Rudeus. It should be pretty obvious that Roxy has fallen head over heels for Rudeus. The side glances she gives him. Her acting more awkward than usual. The silent fist pumps when she asks him to go on a date in another labyrinth when this is over. Everyone can see that Roxy has got it bad for her former student.

The sad irony: Rudeus is oblivious to this.

I’ve noticed this has been a problem with every relationship Rudy has had with a girl up until now. Events from his first life left him with such low self-esteem, he’s unable to tell when someone’s actually into him. Thats part of why things went so bad when Eris left despite (in her eyes) making it clear she loves him. Now that I think about it, every girl he’s tried to date has had to make the first move! He thinks so badly about himself that he can’t understand when the women are into him!

Thankfully, Paul manages to give Rudeus some pretty good advice.

While the setting for the moment changes from the way they use the bathroom, I still liked Paul’s speech to Rudeus about his two swords. It’s pretty obvious to viewers that it’s a clever metaphor for his two wives. He may have only planned to marry Zenith, but that doesn’t change the fact that Lilia is just as important to him and needs them both by his side to be the best he can be.

Or, in simpler terms, Paul knows Roxy’s into his son, and he’s giving Rudy his blessing.

This might be one of my favorite episodes of the entire season, and for good reason. Roxy has been largely absent from the series until now, but that may no longer be true. However, if this feels like the calm before the storm, that’s because it is. The red, ominous-looking teleportation circle that the party finds within the sixth level of the labyrinth has all the hallmarks of a point-of-no-return. And since the anime opening already spoiled things, yes. They’re going to have to fight a Hydra. So, prepare for that!

I Give “Magic Circles of the Sixth Stratum” a 4.5/5

Tokito Needs to Lighten Up for Everyone’s Sake

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S4 Ep 4 Review

Now that Tanjiro is healed, he’s participating in the Hashira Training bootcamp. And apparently, that also means he’s helping the other trainees deal with their own issues. First, he got Giyu to join the camp, and then he gave the slayers under Tengen the fire they needed to get through their training. Now, he’s on to Tokito, and he’s not holding back on any of them! When Tanjiro becomes concerned, it falls to get Tokito to lighten up, or else none of the trainees will make it.

Tanjiro Helps Tokito Lighten Up

Ever since he regained his memories, Tokito has changed for the better. Whenever he talks to Tanjiro, Tokito is always smiling and showing real emotion. It’s clear that their shared experience fighting in the swordsmith village has changed Tokito for the better…to an extent.

As Tanjiro witnesses first-hand, while Tokito gets along well with him, he’s as cold and harsh as ever to everyone else. As a result, while he passed Tanjjro in five days, everyone else has to stay behind. And they’ve been training under him for two weeks.

Given how they’re fighting demons in what will be the final war, it’s expected for Tokito to be so harsh. He has to make sure they’re able to survive the final battle, so he can’t afford to go easy on them. However, he’s so blunt that its demoralizing everyone. And, once again, Tanjiro has to help.

His solution: paper airplanes.

Team-Building is Important for Morale

I never took Tokito as someone who was into paper airplanes, but its a pretty fun hobby. There are even actual competitions for paper airplane making and flying. And Tanjiro challenges Tokito to a contest to see who can fly the furthest. If he wins, Tokito has to be nicer to everyone.

He gets his butt kicked! But while he lost the battle, Tanjiro wins the war.

The sight of everyone laughing and making paper airplanes and throwing them into the air together is pretty inspiring. Its like a metaphor for how the Demon Slayer Corps can go further working together than they can alone. Or a symbol of the hope that they carry for all of Japan. Either way, Tanjiro breaks the ice between Tokito and everyone, and thus, he can go on his merry way.

I’m really enjoying this training arc. Its giving us plenty of chances to enjoy time with all the Slayers. Additionally, the anime even went out of its way to add a new scene to the story in the form of a three-way duel between Obanai, Sanemi, and Tokito. And it’s awesome!

It’s moments like this that remind us why Demon Slayer has proven so popular. The animation is art in motion, and I love it. I wish that more anime could pull off what Demon Slayer manages to do! If we get more scenes like this, then I don’t mind waiting another season for the final battle. This stuff makes it worth it.

That, and now I wanna make my own paper airplane.

I Give “To Bring a Smile to One’s Face” a 3.5/5

Just Make Tanjiro a Hasira Already!

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S4 Ep 3 Review

Now that Tanjiro is healed, it’s time for him to commence his anime training arc! To prepare for the final battle against Muzan, the Demon Slayer forces everyone to endure training from the Hashira. The reason boils down to the idea of the chain only being as strong as its weakest link. Having the Hashira get stronger won’t mean anything if the rest of the group can’t fight worth a darn. However, it’s not until Tanjiro joins the training under Tengen Uzui that we see how far the Corps needs to go. That shows just how strong Tanjiro is compared to the regular Slayers.

Can they promote Tanjiro to Hashira already?

Tanjiro Aces Boot Camp

In the real world, many elite special forces are known for their skill and prowess on the battlefield. There’s a good reason for that: they have to be the best to survive, which means they have to train their bodies until they collapse from exhaustion. And the training camp the Demon Slayer Corps is going through is like that, but on steroids. When the audience catches up with the Slayers working under Uzui, they are pushed to their physical and mental limits. It’s like Hell for all of them.

Then Tanjiro arrives.

The series has made it no secret that Tanjiro is stronger than most Demon Slayers despite only being a rookie. Seeing how he outpaces all of them in Uzui’s boot camp demonstrates how big the gap is between him and the others.

It’s actually funny to see how much better Tanjiro is compared to most of the Corps. Whereas the others are winded, out of breath, and barely able to complete their exercises, Tanjiro is the opposite. He barely breaks a sweat and does everything with a big grin. That’s how far ahead he is of the rank-and-file. But it gets to the point where the other trainees feel disheartened by the gap in strength.

Strength Through Unity

I’ve never undergone a training camp like the one the Hashira are running, but even I know they’re not working everyone like this to be cruel. Any good military instructor knows that soldiers need to be tough to survive on the battlefield. And since they’re fighting actual Demons, the Demon Slayer Corps can’t afford to rely on a small handful of elites to win. They need everyone to work together to bring down Muzan.

Lucky for the trainees, they have inspiration in the form of Tanjiro. In a late-night training session with Uzui, Tanjiro shows everyone how strong he has to be to fight a Demon. And seeing him hold his own against a former Hashira lights a fire in everyone that refuses to go out.

The rank-and-file of the Demon Slayer Corps may never reach the same level as the Hashira and Tanjiro, but that’s not the point. They know they won’t reach that level, but they realize they don’t care. They can still support the Hashira and ensure that they’re ready for the final battle.

A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and thanks to Tanjiro, that link has gotten a little sturdier. His task done, Tanjiro moves onto the next part of his training with the Mist Hashira.

I don’t know how long this season of Demon Slayer will be, but I’m actually hoping that we don’t rush toward the final battle. The final battle against Muzan is going to need to take up an entire season on its own, its so big. So I don’t really care if we have to wait until next season to see Tanjiro wreck Muzan. This training will make it worth it.

I Give “Fully Recovered Tanjiro Joins the Hashira Training!!” a 4/5

Is Rudy Making a Mistake Leaving Like This?

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Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation S2 Ep 19 Review

Rudeus has made up his mind: he’s going to the Begaritt Continent to help rescue his Mother. It’s going to be a long and hard trip (and I know how it ends), but this soemthing he has to do. The good news is that he’s not going alone. The bad news? It’s an eight-month trek to his destination and back. Factoring in the time he’ll be in the Labyrinth, he’ll be gone for two years. In other words, he won’t be there when his kid is born; a hard pill to swallow. But, Nanahoshi has a solution that might work.

I haven’t been able to bring myself to read the volume the anime’s adapting yet, but I still know the major details of what’s about to happen. As a result, I can say a few things with confidence: Rudeus is making a mistake rushing into this.

Maybe He Should’ve Asked More People to Go With Him

After making his decision, the first two people Rudeus tells about his decision are Elinalise and Nanahoshi. The former tries to talk him out of going, but since she’s unable to persuade him otherwise, they’ll travel together. And thanks to Cliff upgrading the suppressor device, Elinalise can go longer stretches before her curse hits her! Which is good, because that would make things super awkward.

Nanahoshi, meanwhile, gives Rudy something that could help them get there and back faster. Orsted showed her these teleportation circles around the world that they used to fast-travel. Since Rudy helped save her life, she shows him one that will take them within a month or so from their destination of Rapan. And it’s not far from Sharia.

After that, the episode segues into Rudy and Elinalise saying goodbye to everyone, with Cliff even asking Lise to marry him when she returns. Good on you, Cliff! You do have rizz after all!

As heartfelt as this moment was, I have to criticize the story at this point. There’s no easy way to say this, but Rudeus shouldn’t have left with just him and Elinalise. I understand the need to keep the circles a secret, but he could’ve asked any one of his super-strong friends to go with him as backup. Zanoba has super-strength; Luke is a pretty good swordsman; the Beast Girls have excellent hearing and smell. Badigadi is an immortal Demon God! Any one of them could be a big help in the rescue! Then again, they might not.

A Super Abridged Desert Journey

As for the journey across the Begaritt Continent, the anime leaves out much of the journey from the light novels. The one thing that they do end up focusing on is also the most unsettling. The pair get attacked by a succubus, a monster whose pheromones will drive men berserk with lust. And the only ways to cure it is by detoxification magic or…that.

Suddenly, I’m glad Eris isn’t around. I can only imagine the kind of beatdown she would have given Rudeus had that happened.

Joking aside, the anime leaves out some finer, world-building details about the Begaritt Continent. They don’t intend to stay for long, but since Mushoku Tensei is the kind of story that likes to build the world, it seems to be somewhat of a letdown. But that’s just my opinion.

In any case, the anime must not want to waste time on that, highlighting how urgent this mission is for Rudeus. By the time the ED roles, the two have already made it to their destination of Rapan. And this is where it leaves things off.

Rudeus Biggest Battle Yet is Just Beginning

Full disclosure: we are now at the end of volume 11 of Mushoku Tensei. The entire labyrinth arc will be the sole focus of volume 12 and the remainder of the season. And while I haven’t finished reading it myself, I can still attest to how big things are going to get. We need to prepare for action, drama, and probably a lot of pain and hardship. We have one week from the time I’m writing this, and for all I know, it could already be out by the time this goes out. Be prepared!

Quick plug, though: there’s a new Mushoku Tensei light novel out, Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation: Recollections. It’s an anthology collecting a bunch of different short stories of events that take place during the first ten volumes of the series. Or, in other words, the start of the series up to not long after Rudy and Sylphie tie the knot. See how Rudeus secured his “Holy Relic” of Roxy. Or some of the misadventures Dead End got up to on their great odyssey. It’s the kind of slice of life stories that I think really flesh out a good story, in my opinion! You can find it in book form or buy it as an Ebook!

I Give “Desert Journey” a 3/5

Tanjiro Annoys a Hashira Until He Starts Training

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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S4 Ep 2 Review

Before we get started, let’s make it clear that I have every intention of covering the new season of Demon Slayer. The only reason I didn’t cover the season premiere is because I saw it in theaters months in advance and reviewed it. So we’re jumping right into the Hashira Training Arc starting now!

At least, that what is supposed to be happening. However, for the training to work, the Demon Slayer Corps needs all of the Hashira present. And, as Kagaya explains via letter to Tanjiro, Giyu Tomioka isn’t particpating. His inferiority complex and past trauma is keeping him from doing so. Thus, it falls to Tanjiro to light a fire in him. 

Assemble the Hashira!

The episode picks up where the previous one left off, with Kagaya summoning Ms. Tamayo and Yushiro to Demon Slayer HQ. With Nezuko having conquered the sun, a cure for Demons is at hand. That makes Tamayo a target, and all the more imperative that she works with the Corps on this. It would seem that Tanjro and Nezuko’s efforts to prove their trustworthiness have paid off. 

The meat of the episode, though, focuses on the task that Kagaya gives Tanjiro: getting Giyu Tomioka to join the training. That proves easier said than done, even for someone as friendly as Tanjiro. However, it’s still funny seeing Tanjiro follow and annoy Giyu for days on end. 

There’s a good reason why Giyu refuses to join in on the training arc, though: he doesn’t consider himself worthy of being the Water Hashira. And the reason behind that is pretty tragic.

Giyu Has Some Serious Survivor’s Guilt

Back when Tanjiro was training to become a Demon Slayer, he was assisted by the spirits of his master’s students that died during the Final Selection. One of those students, Sabito, was Giyu’s best friend. According to Giyu, he almost single-handedly killed all the Demons during their year’s Final Selection. However, he still died fighting the Hand Demon that Tanjiro killed. Ever since then, Giyu’s been dealing with an intense case of Survivor’s Guilt.

It’s not hard not to feel bad for Giyu. This moment will hit anyone who’s watched someone die protecting them right in the feels, but Tanjiro especially knows what Giyu’s going through. He still feels guilt over how Rengaku died protecting him, even thinking to himself how, had he lived, he could’ve taken down Muzan. It’s hard to keep going when someone you think was more deserving to live dies in your place. However bad he might feel though, Tanjiro understands something that Giyu’s forgotten: the importance to keep on living.

Don’t Give up on Life. Ever!

Before Giyu trained to become a Demon Slayer, his older sister was murdered by a Demon. Even though she was going to get married the very next day, instead of saving herself, she chose to save Giyu by hiding him, sacrificing herself in the process. That left Giyu with his first feelings of survivor’s guilt, until Sabito told him not to think like that. Thinking he should’ve died instead would be an insult to the memory of his sister. And by that logic, it would also be an insult to the memory of Sabito.

Finding the means to keep going in life when you lose someone trying to protect you can be one of the hardest things anyone can endure. However, the lesson that Demon Slayer teaches Giyu is that no matter how painful it is, he needs to keep living. Maybe if he does, he’ll find a reason why he was spared. 

Oh, and Giyu and Tanjiro get into a speed-eating contest, which was funny.

Now We Have to Learn about Shinobu

That’s one more Hashira that’s joining the training, but as the episode ends, another one is shown to be sitting things out: Shinobu Kocho, AKA the one that’s supposed to be working with Ms. Tamayo.

Uh-oh. That’s not good. 

As I said in my review of the compilation movie, I don’t know how long this season will be. However, I’m still going to enjoy it. Demon Slayer is one of the best Shonen series in the post Big-Three generation, and I’m looking forward to seeing the ending get animated. If the studio is smart, then it will air the final battle as a movie!

I Give “Giyu Tomioka’s Pain” a 4/5

‘Turning Point 3’ is the Biggest Change In Rudy’s Life Yet

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews , , , , , , , ,

Mushoku Tensei: Jobless Reincarnation S2 Ep 18 Review

If you’ve been paying attention to Mushoku Tensei, you should remember what a Turning Point is. A Turning Point is a moment in the story where things in Rudeus’ life get upended. It’s the series way of reminding us how fast a person’s life can change without warning. The first time it happened, the Mana Displacement Incident sent Rudeus and Eris to the Demon Continent. It took them close to three years to make it back home. The second time it happened, Rudeus ran into Orsted and almost died at his hands. That Turning Point was so traumatizing that it led Eris to run off for a training arc, breaking Rudy’s heart. 

The bottom line is that a turning point is always trouble for Rudeus, and the fact that they happen right when Rudy has things worked out in his life only makes it worse. And this next Turning Point will be the biggest one yet! 

Rudy Gets the Biggest Surprise Ever.

The first third of the episode focuses on how great life is for Rudeus and his loved ones. Rudeus is well-respected at school, has plenty of friends, his own house, and is married to his best friend, Sylphie. And to top it all off, he’s patched things up with Norn, with the two now acting like siblings. 

As the episode shows, the rest of his friends and family are doing well. Nanahoshi, Cliff, and Zanoba are all making great strides towards their goals. Zanoba found a way to make his own figurines, Nanahoshi’s experiments to get home are going well, and Cliff even made a rudimentary girdle to help suppress Elinalise’s curse. Life is pretty much perfect for Rudy. And that his life gets upended when he finds Sylphie waiting for him at home and…well, see for yourself.

I knew this moment was coming, but it’s one thing to read about it in a manga or light novel and see it animated. Rudeus is going to be a father. He’s only 16-17, but he’s going to be a father!

I know that Rudeus has plenty of critics in the anime community, and he does have plenty of faults. However, watching this moment, I couldn’t help but get a little teary-eyed. Rudeus let any chance at a happy life go to waste in his first life, and now, he’s married and expecting his first child. And it’s the image of the life that he’ll have when Paul finds his Mom that hammers home how happy he is. Life couldn’t be better for Rudeus!

Then, reality brings him crashing to the ground. With one short letter from his Geese, the real Turning Point begins. 

The Real Turning Point Begins

Oh, and the Man-God appears to him again. 

Having been told by the Man-God that he’d regret going to find his mom in the Begaritt Continent, Rudy is understandably mad at him. However, the Man-God does make some good points. Firstly, going to Ranoa reunited him with Sylphie. He got married, made plenty of friends, and created a home for his family. In addition, the Man-God tells him that if he stays in Ranoa, Linia and Pursena will try and pursue him romantically. He’s…not exactly thrilled about that. 

What makes this Turning Point harder than the first two is the fact that Rudy has a choice. If he goes to help his Dad, there’s no guarantee he can make a difference. Not to mention leaving his wife and family for months. If he doesn’t, then things could go wrong for Paul. 

This is what makes this Turning Point so important. Rudeus is learning a bitter truth: sometimes in life, we have to make decisions and not know if they’re the right ones. But not making any decision can be as bad as making the wrong one. And even though I know what will come next, I still can’t tell if Rudeus makes the right choice. It’s maddening!

Ultimately, Rudeus makes his decision: he’s going to ignore the Man-God’s advice and go save his Mom.

All the anime-only people who haven’t liked the school setting, congrats. Mushoku Tensei will bring back all the action we got from Rudeus’ globe-trotting adventure. As for anyone who has read the light novels…take this time to prepare. This is going to be…emotional. 

I Give “Turning Point 3” a 4.5/5

Kaiju No. 8-Like MHA, but With Giant Monsters

Aside Roderick J "Jay" Friz Anime, Anime Reviews , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kaiju No. 08 initial review

What’s the one thing cooler or scarier than giant monsters? Getting to fight giant monsters, that’s what! For decades now, Japan has been enamored by the idea of giant monsters, or Kaiju. From the early days of Godzilla and Gamera to Attack on Titan, Kaiju has been a big part of Japan, and so are series that revolve around fighting them. And with Japanese culture becoming more popular than ever worldwide, now is the perfect time for a new anime about fighting Kaiju to come out. And that’s where the newest Shonen anime, Kaiju No. 8, steps in to fulfill all our monster-fighting needs. Or does it?

Yes. Yes it does.

I’m RJ Writing Ink, and after watching the first two episodes of the new Shonen series, Kaiju No. 8, here’s my initial review.

An Unconventional Power-Up

The premise behind the series is similar to that of My Hero Academia. In a world where Kaiju regularly attack and destroy everything they can, some people stand up to fight back and protect those who can’t. In Japan, that task falls to the Anti-Kaiju Defense Force. But while they fight the Kaiju and get all the glory, others have to haul the guts and parts away. And unfortunately for him, that’s where our protagonist, Kafka Hibino, is stuck. 

As a kid, Kafka and his friend, Mina Ashiro, promised to join the Defense Force and fight Kaiju together. While she got in and became Captain of an entire division, Kafka failed several times, like Naruto or Deku. Then, just as Kafka decides to give it another try before it’s too late, he swallows this parasitic Kaiju, and it turns him into a Kaiju.

A Kaiju with super-strength, transformation, and can pee out of his nipples. 

No, really. I’m not making this up.

Despite all of this, though, Kafka also discovers that he’s kept his human mind intact and, with effort, can transform back-and-forth between Human and Kaiju. 

So, despite the massive target on his back, Kafka and his new friend/junior, Reno Ichikawa, still decide to try and join the Defense Force together. And that’s where the anime stands at the time of this writing. 

Kaiju No. 8’s Subversion of Shonen Tropes is What Makes it Good

Right off the bat, Kaiju No. 8 sets itself apart from other Shonen series by subverting a big trope: the protagonist. Instead of starting off as a young boy or teen like Goku, Denji, Luffy, Yuji and more, Kafka is 32. He’s already experienced what it’s like to have your youthful ambitions turn into letdowns, and as someone whose closer to him in age than I’d like to admit, that hits pretty close to home. I don’t want to give up on any of my dreams, but as you get older, you can’t help but wonder if you’ve met your limits or are living your life to the fullest. Kafka was going through that when the anime starts, and right when he decides to give things one more shot, he becomes a Kaiju! A humanoid Kaiju with super strength and speed, but one that will get hunted by everyone except for Ichikawa. The brutal irony.

Speaking of which, Ichikawa is also a bit of a subversion himself. At age 18, he’s closer to the Shonen demographic. He has both the never give up attitude you’d expect from a Shonen protagonist and the coldness of a typical rival (at first), yet he’s not the hero. It’s a strange sight to behold, made even stranger when you consider that his English VA is Adam McArthur, the voice of Yuji from JuJutsu Kaisen! 

I don’t really know if this series is going to be any good, but given what I’ve seen in the first two episodes, it looks pretty solid. It balances the comedy with the action quite well, and the premise itself is interesting enough to give it a shot. Alas, due to time constraints, I won’t be able to review it episodically. I simply have too have much on my plate as it is. Having said that, I do think that this show is worth watching. This looks to be one of the heavy hitters for the Spring 2024 season!