Demon

The Devil has Come to Elbaph

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

One Piece Episode 1180 Review

We finally made it. The moment that I’ve been dreading seeing in the One Piece anime has come. Imu, the Devil who sits atop the world and calls himself God, has come to Elbaph.

I had mentioned it at the end of my review of the last episode, but there is no other way for fans to describe the likes of Imu other than calling him the Devil. Oda has made it no secret that those were his intentions with the mysterious being who rules the world from the shadows. From his direct servants being summoned by a reverse pentagram, a symbol commonly associated with demons and the occult, to the fact that we saw the Five Elders become demonic creatures, the signs were all there. However, what happens at this point in One Piece pretty much confirmed that Imu was meant to be the Devil, and he had come to take Elbaph.

Want to know the scariest part? Some of us started thinking that Imu might be an actual demon.

Imu is the DEVIL

From the moment he chooses to possess Gunko, Imu shows that he is a no-nonsense kind of enemy. When the kids start crying to the adults trying to save them, he simply tells them all to “be silent,” and hits them with one of the strongest blasts of Conqueror’s Haki I’ve ever seen. The scariest part, though, was seeing how Sommers and Killingham react to the presence of their dark master. They are terrified and in fear for their lives! These guys have been running roughshod over Elbaph, the strongest nation in the world, and they are terrified of Imu. I don’t blame them, either. Do you know what happened to the last guy who failed Imu, Saturn?

And then we get to see the moment that sent shivers up fans’ spines. Imu summons a grimoire and, right before our eyes, he turns Dorry and Brogy into demons. Actual demons! And Toei doesn’t pull any punches with how terrifying the process is, either. It shows what happens in all its unholy glory as Imu utters the spell that the fandom has come to fear: Domi Reversi.

And then, he turns all of the Giant Warriors into demons.

I was starting to sweat at this point in the manga

Guys, I can’t even tell you just how terrifying this was for me when I was reading it in the manga. I have seen a lot of tight spots on One Piece before, but this? This might have been the toughest one to date. Not even Wano or Marineford got this bad! And do you know what the worst part was? The fandom had no idea how Imu was even doing this! His powers were so otherworldly, we weren’t even sure if they came from a Devil Fruit or if Imu was an actual demon. And this guy is supposed to be the ancient enemy of Joy Boy, someone that Luffy was going to have to fight in the future!

The episode, and by extension, the series run in 2026, ends on the bleakest note possible. The kids are being kidnapped, the Giants are injured or have turned into Demons, the school and library are on fire! It looks like everything has gone to Hell! I was ready to throw my remote at the TV in frustration when I saw it end on that! It was only thanks to a post-credits scene reminding us how the strongest players on the good guys side, Luffy, Loki, Sanji, Zoro, and more are still in the Underworld, that kept me from crashing out.

THIS. ISN’T. OVER.

At the moment, we don’t know when the anime will return beyond it being sometime in 2027. When it does, though, you can expect it to focus on one of the longest and most important flashbacks in the series history as Loki tells us the truth of what happened the day his father, King Harald, died. What we do know is that one of the most important portions of said flashback, the God Valley Incident, are going to be covered by its own movie. To be honest, that is exactly what fans were hoping for. If you’ve read the manga already, then you know just how important the God Valley Incident is to the lore of the series. If you’re an anime-only person, then you can expect some of the most intense action we may ever see in the entire series. Plus, it’s not like One Piece is going completely dark in between now and then.

At the time that this episode premiered, we were just two days away from a two-part LEGO One Piece special premiering on Netflix. Framed as stories that Usopp tells Chopper of the Straw Hats adventures before he joined them, it’s a comedic retelling of the first two seasons of the live-action series. A series which, I might add, will be returning for its third season sometime in 2027. In addition, the remake anime from WIT Studio will be dropping all seven episodes in February 2027. Not only that, but next year will mark the series 30th anniversary, so we can expect to see a lot of cool content to celebrate. Plus, the dub for this season is due to come out this fall.

In other words, don’t worry about One Piece, you guys. I think we’re going to be good for a while. It will be worth the wait!

I Give “Elbaph in Despair – Diabolical Covenant, ‘Domi Reversi'” a 5/5

The Miracle of Nezuko Against the Daybreak!

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

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba S3, Ep 11 Review

Full disclosure: I already knew going into this season that this would eventually happen. I read about it years ago online. That said, HOLY COW was this worth waiting for! Demon Slayer regularly blows up the Internet, but this time, so many people went onto Crunchyroll that it crashed the website trying to watch it. I would be mad if it weren’t a testament to the show’s popularity. Considering what happens to Nezuko in this episode, though, the Internet’s right to freak out. What Nezuko manages to do changes the game forever, and makes for what has to be the most emotional moment in all of Demon Slayer.

Hantengu Should Just Die Already!

While Gyokko was bad enough as he was, Hantengu proves to leagues above the deranged artist in levels of heinousness. No matter what Tanjiro, Genya, and Nezuko throw at the Demon, he refuses to die and keeps running. Even after Tanjiro beheads him, the Demon gets up and starts running after some swordsmiths hiding nearby while Tanjiro’s reaching his limit. Even when the Sun starts coming up and burning him, Hantengu keeps running to survive. If it were anybody else, that tenacity would be worthy of respect. For Tanjiro, though, he’s had it, and so have the fans.

The mangaka has always done a good job of showing how most Demons represent the worst of humanity made manifest, but even among them, Hantengu stands near the top. As Tanjiro uses his newly reforged sword from the machine doll, there’s a flashback to Hantengu’s life as a Human. Even then, he was a wretched, lying, despicable person. It got to the point where, even when it’s clear he’s guilty of whatever crimes he’s accused of, he says it’s not him. The man tries to blame it on everyone else or say his hands do it of their own will. He’s such a coward that he can’t admit to himself that he’s a worthless excuse for a person. As a result, when Tanjiro finally ends this wretched old man, it’s very cathartic to watch. 

Alas, it feels like victory is bittersweet. For in order to get to Hantengu, Nezuko forced her to stop protecting him from the approaching sunlight. The anime makes a point of giving us a look back on all the moments the two spend together trying to find a cure for Nezuko just to hammer home the tragedy: Tanjiro is about to lose Nezuko, his sole reason for joining the Demon Slayers.

It is then that a miracle occurs. Nezuko’s standing there, in the middle of the rising Sun, and she’s alright!

Nezuko Has Become An Apex Demon

I would like to reiterate that, having read the spoilers for the manga some time ago, I knew that this moment was coming. However, that did not make it any less emotional for me. When Tanjiro and the others see Nezuko standing in the sunlight, looking alright, no longer burning up, and now able to talk a little, everyone starts crying. Tanjiro’s crying, the swordsmith’s are crying, the fans start crying. In an anime that’s already give us moments capable of bringing us to emotional high’s that few can achieve, this ranks at the top. Nezuko manages to conquer the Sun, something not even Muzan, the original Demon, has done in the last thousand years.

As to how Nezuko has performed this divine miracle, there’s a theory by Lady Tamayo. Most Demons regain their sense of self after being a Demon for a while, but Nezuko hasn’t. That’s because while she’s been a Demon, she’s been subconsciously focusing her body on a more important priority: being able to survive during the day. The woman’s evolved her body to focus on the more important aspect of survival over power, and it has worked. As a result, Nezuko can walk under the Sun again, albeit her mental capacity’s akin to an infant still. It’s such an important moment for the series!

However, now there’s a bigger problem: Muzan.

The Wretched Origins of Muzan

A thousand years ago, in the Heian Era, Muzan was a sickly young man not expected to live past 20 years. Then a doctor came along with an experimental medicine that he said would make him strong, but when it didn’t work, he killed the man. However, it turns out it was, but since it was incomplete, the process turned him into the first Demon. He’s spent the last thousand years killing, murdering, and slaughtering his way across Japan in search of this rare flower needed to complete the medicine. Barring that, he created more Demons in the hopes that one of them would be strong enough to be immune to the Sun. And now, Nezuko has done exactly that.

What this means is that the entire war between the Demon Slayers and the Demons is about to get worse. The Demon Slayers now have a member, a Demon, with the ability to withstand the Sun. If Muzan kills her and takes her powers for himself, he’ll be unstoppable. In other words, the final battle is now approaching. And as Tanjiro and Nezuko depart the Swordsmith Village to great fanfare, this fact hangs over everyone’s heads.

Demon Slayer Proves Once More Why it’s one of the GOATS

This episode proves yet again why Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is among the Shonen greats. This hour-long finale was one of the biggest highlights of a year already full of some great anime. While the season as a whole had its ups and downs, this final episode made it all worthwhile. 

And we don’t have to worry about getting the anime renewed. UFOtable’s already released a promo showing that a fourth season is coming. When that will happen remains unknown. However, as we get closer to the final battle with Muzan, fans excitement remains as high as ever.

I’m Not Even Bothering to give “A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light” a Rating. It’s Beyond that.

Battle for the Swordsmith Village! Demon Slayers and Demons Clash!

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

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S3, Ep 4 Review

How did the Demons find the Swordsmith Village in the first place? That’s what I’m asking myself as I watched the new episode of Demon Slayer. The fact that it’s under attack by two members of the Upper Four, though, is just as concerning. However, for all their power, the Demons have themselves a tough time against the likes of Tanjiro, Nezuko, and their allies. What follows is a rather interesting series of battles that sees all the Demon Slayers get a chance to show off their skills. And that includes Nezuko!

Muichiro Does Have a Heart, After All

Despite having a personality akin to sandpaper at first, the last episode proved that underneath all that, Muichiro’s a decent person. He wound up taking Tanjiro’s words about kindness to others to heart. As a result, he saves Kotesu from the fish Demon. What’s more, despite wanting to prioritize the safety of the village over a single person, he agrees to help Kotetsu save Hotaru and his comrade. 

So, Muichiro’s not a bad person. However, this episode also revealed something interesting: he has amnesia. He doesn’t remember much about his past, so the head of the Demon Slayer Corps has been telling him to talk to others. Sometimes, minor moments can trigger a person’s memories. Thus, he jumps back into the fight to save Hotaru, AKA the guy fixing the sword that Tanjiro’s going to need to win.

Speaking of which…

Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya vs. the Quadruplet Demons

I’ve seen a number of Demons with bizarre powers in this series, but I wasn’t expecting one that could split into more Demons like Hantengu can. As a result of this ability, now the three are facing off against four Demons, each representing a different emotion of Hantengu: Urogi, Sekido, Karaku, and Aizetsu. At first glance, they all appear to be tougher than them, but that’s usually the case with Demons. Yet thanks to some good old-fashioned swordsmanship and inegunity, Tanjiro still manages to come out on top. Thanks to his wits, Tanjiro discovers that there’s a limit to how many times the Demons can split themselves. In addition, despite being separated from his sister and Genya, he uses Urogi to quickly reunite with his comrades. This is why Tanjiro’s one of the best the Demon Slayer Corps has to offer.

Nezuko, meanwhile, starts struggling against her opponent. On paper, she should be fine, but the more she uses her Demon powers, the greater the risk she has of succumbing to them. Thankfully, Genya manages to cover for her well enough, despite taking a beating himself.

I don’t know that much about Genya, but his fighting style’s unlike any Demon Slayer we’ve seen thus far. He doesn’t use breathing techniques, he uses a shotgun, and he can heal from bad injuries. He’s an interesting character, to be sure. I hope we learn more about him as the arc progresses.

The War has Come to the Swordsmith Village

It doesn’t matter how you slice it, the war against the Demons has come to the Swordsmith Village. Worse, since it’s location is a secret even from the Demon Slayers, there’s no surefire way to get people there in time to help. It’s fortunate that the Love Hashira, Misturi, happens to be nearby and rushes to help. Beyond that, the villagers and the Demon Slayers there are on their own.

I don’t know the full details of what happens, but I do know that something very important happens at the very end of this arc. As such, I’m going to be paying close attention to what happens. Given how this is Demon Slayer, we’re bound to get some jaw-dropping action in the coming episodes. It will be worth it!

I Give “Thank You, Tokito” a 4/5