Nezuko

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

‘Demon Slayer’ Returns for Long-Awaited Swordsmith Village Arc

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

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba S3, Ep 1 Review

Since its anime debut in 2019, Demon Slayer has risen to international superstardom. With a cast of memorable characters, incredible music, and animation so good it borders on otherwordly, Demon Slayer is one of the biggest names in Shonen anime. So when a new season drops, people pay attention to it, like they are right now.

During the events of the last season, Tanjiro and his comrades emerged from their toughest battle yet in the Entertainment District Arc. That battle reduced the location to rubble and left every Demon Slayer terribly injuries, but it was worth it. For the first time in a century, the Demon Slayers took out one of the feared Upper Six, AKA Muzan’s strongest Demons. The upside is that this could mark a shift in the war between the two factions. The downside? Tanjiro’s broken his sword for the umpteenth time, forcing him to get it repaired. With this as the backdrop, Demon Slayer heads into its third season and the Swordsmith Village Arc.

The Upper Six Demons Terrifying…ly Dysfunctional.

With the death of the Upper Rank Six holders Daki and Gyutaro, the King of Demons Muzan is not happy with his followers. Thus, he summons them to his lair in the Infinity Castle to remind them why they shouldn’t fail him. This marks the first time we see the rest of Upper Rank Six in person, and, in true Demon Slayer form, they’re all horrifying to look at. Their bodies are misshapen and distorted, with one Demon having mouths where his eyes should be and eyes where his mouths should be. They’re the stuff of nightmares!

At the same time, though, one thing becomes clear about the Upper Ranks: they’re on the same side, but they’re not a team. They make constant, mean-spirited jabs at each other…or flat-out try to kill one another. They’re at each other’s throats jockeying for power, and its only the power of Muzan and the Upper Rank One, Kokushibo, that keeps them in line. In short, they give off the impression of beings that, were it not for their powers, would be easy pickings for the Demon Slayers. That, or they would kill each other.

Tanjiro Awakens, and Hilarity Ensues

While all of this is going on, Tanjiro’s been out cold following the fight with Daki and Gyutaro, during which he has a strange dream. He seems a man who looks much like himself, minus the burn scar, speaking with a man wearing the earrings he now wears. Those who read the manga know who these two are and how important they are to the story. Anime-only people, though, have to wait for this to be revealed down the line. In the meantime, Tanjiro wakes up, much to everyone’s joy.

Especially Inosuke. He wouldn’t stop screaming at him to wake up from his spot on the ceiling.

Following yet another rehab session, though, Tanjiro hits a bit of a snag: his sword broke for the umpteenth time. Now the one who forged it is so mad, he’s refusing to make it again. As a result, Tanjiro and Nezuko have to go to the Demon Slayer Corps secret swordsmith village and get it fixed there.

Swordsmith Village: So Secret No One Can Know Where it is!

Calling the swordsmith village a secret is an understatement. It’s the Demon Slayer Corps most closely guarded secret. Without it or its swordsmiths, the Demon Slayer Corps would be unable to create the treasured swords that help them slay Demons. They pull out all the stops to keep its location a secret from everyone, even their own members. I would call this paranoia, but given how dangerous Demons can be, they have good reason to be paranoid.

As someone who takes an interest in historical facts and settings, it was fun seeing what this ancient, revered village looks like. The forging of swords is an art form in Japan, so getting to see it up close, even in an anime, was fun to watch. In addition, this episode also sees the return of the love Misturi Kanroji. Beyond the fanservice, I can see why people like her; she’s nice. In contrast, we also meet Genya, another Demon Slayer who’s rude and abrasive to everyone, including Tanjiro and Nezuko. Both are interesting contrasts.

The Demons Are Going to Find the Swordsmith Village, Aren’t They?

Now, I would normally say that this Swordsmith Village arc is going to be peaceful to counter how explosive the Entertainment District Arc was. However, the fact that this village is so important invites people to target it. In other words, the Demons are coming, and they’re out for blood.

Overall, this was a decent start to the new season. I’m not as devout a follower of Demon Slayer as I am with other anime, but I can see the appeal behind it, and the animation’s amazing. Given everyone’s expectations, I’m hoping that the new season can build on the hype of the last one as we ring in the Spring 2023 season of anime.

Also, Muzan’s a jerk.

I Give “Someone’s Dream” a 3.5/5