Life is a box of chocolates. You never know what youโre going to get. One day, youโre minding your own business. The next, youโre being abducted by aliens for your privates. Or a ghost possesses you and steals your junk. For Momo and Ken, though, both happened in the first episode of Dan Da Dan! Now Momo has psychic powers and Kenโs going ghost against his will, and their troubles are far from over. To get Kenโs junk back, they have to first fight another alien, and the boy has to learn how to unleash that dawg in him.
And Momo? She has to deal with the fact that her new friend has the same name as her crush.
The second episode of the series starts where the first one left off: with Momo in denial that Ken shares the same name as her actor crush. Sheโs so deep into denial that she immediately decides to call him Okarun from now on, a play on his alien otaku interests.
One of the best parts of the premiere was seeing how quickly Momo and Okarun establish their dynamic and relationship, and that trend continues in this episode. One minute, theyโll go from arguing like cats and dogs, and the next, theyโll be going out of their way to defend the other. Itโs a very passionate and complex relationship, but thatโs what makes it so enjoyable to watch. And despite how much they push each others buttons, itโs easy to see how much they care for each other.
Of course, thereโs still the matter of Okarun being possessed by Granny Turbo. Momo canโt surpress the spirit forever, and sheโs already getting close to her limit. Then, to make matters worse, the two find themselves trapped inside some kind of Domain Expansion by this giant sumo alien thatโs working for the ones they met in the first episode. They still want the pairโs bananas!
And this is where the episode absolutely cooks as Okarun learns how to let the dawg off the leash.
— Daily Dandadan (ใใณใใใณ) + News (@DailyDandadan) October 10, 2024
When Okarun learns how to go ghost and use the curse to his advantage, he finds that dawg in him, and the resulting beatdown is amazing. Dan Da Danโs animators cooked with the animation throughout the entire episode, but the moment when Okarun found his inner dawg cranked things up to eleven. And despite the Sumo alien cheating, Momo and Okarun outsmart them in a way that I think would make Joestar family proud. Unfortunately, immediately after the fight, Momo finally loses steam, and the curse of Turbo Granny fully takes over Okarun.
Now the dawg really is off the leash. Unfortunately, this is also when the episode chooses to come to a close.
Gotta be my favourite sequence of the episode. The amount of effort & personality in every shot. The way each small detailed movement flows so seemlessly together. Even the shot with the glasses. I can't put it into words but the effect of the lens felt real enough to me. ๐๐ผโฆ pic.twitter.com/zlI8bW699k
I hate cliffhangers like this because I donโt want to wait another week to find out what happens. However, the fact that I want to know what comes next now just shows how good Dan Da Dan is. And while I could just read the manga to see what happens, I wonโt. I want to enjoy it as it happens! That being said, weโre only two episodes in, and Dan Da Dan has already become one of my favorite anime of 2024. Itโs likely going to be the series that everyone will be talking about for some time to come!
Well, itโs official now. The voice of Goku shall be forever immortalized.
In recent years, the use of artificial intelligence has become increasingly widespread and controversial. Many people are pointing out how programs like ChatGPT and the like can easily be used to replace the jobs of actual people. Worse, many voice actors fear that their voices could be replicated and reused without them getting any form of compensation for it. So, itโs pretty controversial in the entertainment industry.
Now it could get even more controversial. A few days ago, the management agency for Masako Nozawa, the legendary seiyuu for Goku, has teamed up with a company that specializes in AI voice technology. Nozawa will be among a group of people who will permit their voices to be used for various voice-related technology across multiple different languages. In other words, we could hear the Japanese voice of Goku being used for an Alexa in the future. More importantly, though, that would give the owners of Dragon Ball the means to keep voicing Goku even after Masako has passed on.
And you know what? Iโm okay with that.
I normally do not approve of companies making AI copies of famous celebrities voices. Especially when they do it without their consent or deciding not to pay them. However, the difference here is that Nozawa has consented to this. Sheโs agreed to let it happen! And sheโs not the only celebrity Iโve talked about on here who has done so. A few weeks ago, I talked about how the late James Earl Jones, the voice of Darth Vader, had agreed to have his voice replicated by another AI company. He agreed to it, and so has Masako Nozawa. Thus, I have no right to complain.
If Iโm being perfectly honest, Iโm glad that sheโs agreed to this. Masako is 87 right now, and as much as we may want it, she canโt keep playing Goku forever. I think that she understands this, and so she doesnโt want to see the character of Goku die with her. By doing this, sheโs making sure that Goku can continue to be voiced by her for as long people want to keep making stuff for Dragon Ball. Some voices are too powerful to let them fade away, and this is a prime example.
When Dragon Ball Daima was announced last year at NYCC, fans were thrilled. For the first time in years, Dragon Ball would be getting a new series, and Akira Toriyama was the one who wrote it. It felt like a dream come true!
Then, in the spring of this year, the world would end up losing Toriyama. Dragon Ball Daima would be the final work that he would contribute to the world that he had created. Suddenly, it became more important than ever that Daima was a huge success. And so, the world waited with bated breath for the day when it would premiere, ready to honor the memory of a man who inspired millions of its people. Th
Iโm glad to say that Toriyama didnt disappoint with his final work. He cooked us a feast of thrills and laughs.
Since this is the first time Dragon Ball has had an anime in a while, a good portion of the premiere is devoted to getting everyone up to speed with events up to the defeat of Majin Buu. While some might see it as an issue, itโs essential for two reasons. Firstly, it establishes that this will take place before the events of Super, so no Super Saiyan God or Blue. Secondly, it introduces us to the leading antagonistic group.
Meet Gomah, Degesu, and Dr. Arinsu, the new King of the Demon Realm, the Supreme Kai of the Demon Realm, and a Core Person of the Demon Realm. While much of the rest of Universe 7 and parts of the other Universes have already gotten fleshed out, the Demon Realm has remained notably unknown until now. I think Toriyama wanted to correct that by making the primary setting of Daima, and if thatโs the case, Iโm glad he chose to do so before he died. He even gave them their own Dragon Balls and guardians to protect them, and retconned the Namekians point of origin to be from the Demon Realm. So, congrats Piccolo. Youโre now a slug alien demon!
The main plot of the episode is that Gomah has watched how powerful Goku and the others are and fears them to be a threat to his rule. So, he and Degesu (and another Namekian) travel to Earth to use the Dragon Balls to make Goku and everyone else kids so they wonโt be a threat. In essence, itโs the plot of GT but on a larger scale. By the time the credits start to roll, we can already hear everyone beginning to shrink down to the size of kids. And the kids shrinking down to the size of babies!
I know that this is supposed to be serious, but I still canโt help but find it funny. Toriyama took the plot of GT, the series that was made without his direct involvement, and made it ten times better. Thatโs essentially him saying โYouโre doing it all wrong, you guys. Let the master show you how itโs done!โ Given how Daima is meant to celebrate the franchise 40th anniversary, though, it makes sense why Toriyama would want to tell a story like this. He tried to get the series back to its roots, and it glad he got to do so before he died.
This was an excellent start to what will likely be one of the most giant anime of the year. I have no clue how long Daima will run, but I know that Iโm going to enjoy it every step of the way.
When I first saw the trailers for My Hero Academiaโs fourth film, Youโre Next, I had one thing on my mind: who the heck is this fake All Might? Was this Dark Might guy supposed to be an evil twin or clone of All Might? Did the series really need to resort to that for its next film? I was sure that there had to be some kind of explanation behind this faker, and that led me to go see the movie in theaters this past Friday. Iโm glad that I did, because while it doesnโt break new ground for the series, it does know how to deliver the spectacle. Plus, I got to see the anime version of Homelander get humiliated by the anime version of Spider-Man.
Anime Homelander Thinks he Can Be New All Might?
Taking place in between the sixth and seventh seasons of the show, Youโre Next is set amidst the backdrop of a Japan thatโs struggling to stay afloat. The chaos that All for One and Shigaraki have unleashed has forced the students of Class 1-A to work overtime helping the pro heroes capture criminals. Then out of nowhere, a man who looks to be the spitting image of All Might shows up! Calling himself Dark Might, he claims himself to be All Mightโs successor, but nobody buys it. Especially not Deku and his friends. It doesnโt take long for the imposter to show his twisted ideas of heroism as he takes countless people hostage and forces Class 1-A into a fight for survival while the pro heroes scramble to provide aid. And at the center of it all is a young woman with a mysterious Quirk and this gun-toting butler version of Hajime from Arifureta.
Dark Might is Basically the MHA Version of Homelander
I was going into this film with no context or clue about who this Dark Might was. As soon as I saw him make his public debut by dispatching a villain with no consideration for collateral damage, something clicked for me. He reminded me of Homelander from The Boys. Both of them claim to be heroes, but in truth, theyโre bloodthirsty killers who only want to be worshipped and feared like gods. The main difference is that whereas Homelander continues to fool a good portion of America, no one in Japan buys what Dark Might is selling. Itโs pretty telling how messed up this man is when Midoriya openly hates his guts. And I donโt blame him, either. Much like Homelander, Dark Might is insufferable; a dark reflection of what it means to be a hero.
As for who Dark Might really is, that remains a mystery for much of the film, but the payoff isnโt that interesting. We all knew that he wasnโt going to be some clone or evil twin of All Might, but the reveal of his identity makes look even more pathetic than that. Heโs just a criminal who only cares about All Mightโs power and not his ideals. And as strong as he is, heโs still a chump compared to the real All Might, like how Homelander is a chump compared to Superman. And just like Superman would wipe the floor with Homelander, Deku and the others eventually wipe the floor with Dark Might like the chump he is.
Great Fights, Decent Story
As for the fights, that is the only thing that I can say remains consistently awesome in the MHA films. With this taking place right before the final battle begins, we get to see Deku and Class 1-A near their peak. Most of the heavy lifting winds up being done by Deku, Bakugo, and Shoto, though. During the filmโs climax, the three face off against Dark Might alongside their butler ally, Julio, and the animation is some of the best in the series. Wannabe All Might or not, Dark Might is still a strong opponent and hard for the heroes to beat. But he still loses.
As for the story itself, itโs decent. The main plot revolves around Dark Might using this girl whose Quirk amplifies others Quirks at her own expense. Deku and the others team up with her butler best friend, Julio, who, again, reminds me of a red-haired version of Hajime. Heโs got a cool cyborg arm, an eyepatch, and a motorcycle. It wasnโt hard for me to be reminded of Hajime from Arifureta. He also happens to be one of those movie characters thatโs had a lousy life and needs the main protagonist to regain his sense of optimism and hope. In other words, your standard Shonen film stuff.
Just a Lot of Good Fun
This film doesnโt really add much to My Hero Academia, but to be honest, it doesnโt need to. Whenever I see a movie for a popular anime, the majority of the time, I know that itโs not going to have any bearing on the plot. WHO cares, though? We get to see an anime hero inspired by Spider-Man beat up a guy who reminds me of Homelander. That alone is worth the price of admission. Plus, since thereโs a good chance this might be the last film the franchise will get (unless they decide to do an epilogue film), I want to enjoy it. Mainly since Justin Briner kills it as Deku once again!
Also, can you guys settle a bet for us: is All Might considered an expy for Superman? Aaron and I are debating about it.
We would like to interrupt whatever it is youโre doing today to let you something important. And itโs about Dragon Ball.
Paying attention now? Good.
Earlier this month, Dragon Ball Daima, the newest chapter in the long-running franchise and the final contribution of its late creator, Akira Toriyama, premiered in Japan and on Crunchyroll worldwide. Taking place after the defeat of Majin Buu and before Super, the series sees Goku and most of his friends being reduced to kids thanks to a wish by the new King of the Demon Realm. This prompts Goku to go on a quest alongside Supreme Kai Shin to the Demon Realm in the hopes of setting things right.
Even if it wasnโt Toriyamaโs last gift to the world, this series would still be hotly anticipated. Itโs been years since the original Super anime ended, and it has yet to cover the events in the ongoing manga. So, itโs a pretty big deal. But many might be wondering when we can expect to hear the dub.
Guess what? Not only is the dub coming sooner than you think, but itโs also coming to the big screen.
In a recent press release, Toei Animation announced that it had teamed up with Fathom Events for something special. From November 10-12th, the first three episodes of Daima will be shown in theaters in all their dubbed glory. For three days at participating theaters, fans will get to hear the voice actors they grew up with playing their iconic roles once more. After that, it will likely be available on Crunchyroll.
Now, I donโt know about you, but Iโm probably going to go see it in theaters if itโs in my area. Iโm not passing up to see the dubbed anime on the big screen! If you want to see it, then I recommend checking Fathom events in the next few weeks.
Summer’s over, so it’s time for the cozier part of the year to begin. Fortunately, when we’re not outside enjoying the changing weather and prepping for Halloween (and Thanksgiving), we can enjoy plenty of anime beneath the comfort of a warm blanket. And this year, it looks like the anime community is going to feast! And since I enjoyed talking about what I was looking forward to watching in the summer, I decided to make that a trend here at the D&A Anime Blog. That being said, I’m RJ Writing Ink, and here are all of the anime I’m looking forward to watching for the Fall 2024.
As was the case with my list for summer 2024, this will only include anime that premiere in the fall. Anything that premiered before then will not count. I would also like to note that there will be big anime coming out that I will not be covering by me not being interested in them. In other words, no Bleach: Thousand Year War, even if it’s going to be one of the big ones.
Something is not right with the town of Kurouzu-cho. These mysterious spirals are starting to appear on everythingโfirst on objects, then the environment, and then on people. As people start wondering what the heck is going on, paranoia and fear begin to set in as the curse of the Uzumaki threatens to devour all.
Up until Toonami and Adult Swim aired the first teaser for this a few years ago, I had no idea that Uzumaki and its mangaka, Junji Ito, even existed. The repeated delays haven’t helped, as I haven’t been particularly motivated to read the manga. That being said, I’ve heard people sing its praises and call it this masterpiece of Japanese horror. And with Halloween coming up, I’m going to need some scary shows to watch, and something tells me this will be perfect for that. Here’s hoping I’m not traumatized!
Re:Zero-Starting Life in Another World Season 3 (10/02/24), Crunchyroll-
After three years of hiatus, one of the Seven Summits of Isekai is coming back! With Mushoku Tensei on break until its next season and Reincarnated As a Slime winding down its latest season, it’s time for Re:Zero to step up to the plate with that high-quality isekai goodness.
I wish that I could say more about this anime, but the hard truth is that I’ve never watched it before. I know it’s one of the all-time greatest isekai, so I consider it part of the Seven Summits. But beyond reading the synopsis for the episodes on Wikipedia, I’ve never had time to watch it. However, with the new season premiering with a 90-minute special, this fall might be the perfect time for me to get into it. Given how it was one of the series that helped kickstart the isekai craze we live in, it will be good.
Dan Da Dan (10/04/24) Crunchyroll-
A girl who believes in ghosts but not aliens, and a boy who believes in aliens but not ghosts. When both make a bet to see who’s right, it turns out that they’re both right. A spirit possesses the boy, and aliens abduct the girl and discovers she has psychic powers. Now they both have to deal with the paranormal together while navigating the pressures of being in high school. And I’m not sure which is easier.
I know almost nothing about this series, but from what I’ve seen in the trailers and heard about online, it sounds like complete and utter chaos. And I love it! I’m a big fan of paranormal things such as ghosts and aliens, so having a series dealing with both sounds like a good way to create some interesting stories. Additionally, the series is being produced by Science Saru, who made last year’s Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. Given how much I liked that series, I’m willing to give this one a look. Also, with Nokotan now over, I’m going to need a new source of vitamin crazy in my anime diet.
Is it Wrong to Try and Pick up Girls in a Dungeon Season 5 (10/04/24), HiDive-
With how much the founders of this blog love Hestia and think she’s bestia (and she’s up there in my book), I would be remiss to not include the new season on here.
It’s the time of the Goddess Festival in Orario, AKA the time when people pay respects to the Goddesses of fertility that bring the city and its labyrinth to life. And it just so happens that Bell receives a letter from his friend Syr asking him out on a date to the festival. And with Bell’s track record of getting involved in big events, there’s a good chance that things are bound to get nuts.
I wish I could say I would watch this since I do like DanMachi, but there are two problems. First, I haven’t kept up with anything past season two. Second, my schedule for the fall is already pretty booked, as you can see. The fact that it’s only on HiDive and not Crunchyroll doesn’t help matters, either, but with the Internet being what it is, that’s more of a nuisance than a problem.
Ranma 1/2 (10/06/24), Netflix-
Urusei Yatsura made a modern-day comeback with its own remake a few years ago. Now it’s Ranma 1/2‘s turn. For those who don’t know, never watched the previous anime or read the manga, the series revolves around Ranma, a young martial artist thrown into an arranged marriage with the daughter of a man his dad trained alongside. There’s just one catch: Ranma’s cursed. When he’s splashed by cold water, he turns into a girl. And when he’s splashed by hot water, he goes back to being a boy. Hilarity ensues.
I’ve never seen the original anime or read the manga, but I have heard that the former gets flak for all the filler due to outpacing its source material. However, there are two reasons why I’m giving this a shot. Firstly, the manga finished back in 1996, so there’s no chance for history to repeat. Secondly, I’m a big fan of the mangaka, Rumiko Takahashi, thanks to her other works like Urusei Yatsura and Inuyasha. The art style and the way she utilizes exaggerated facial expressions are both entertaining to look at.
Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest Season 3 (10/14/24) Crunchyroll-
Hajime Nagumo and his team of overpowered women have returned for another season. As the now strongest man in the other world continues his quest to find a way home, they get sidetracked by a mission to the neighboring Hoelscher Empire. With his friend Sheaโs people being threatened by the Empire, Hajime teams up with the Rabbit Men to put them in their place.
First, I am well aware of Arifureta’s shortcomings, especially regarding the pacing in its first season. Secondly, Iโm also aware that itโs a power fantasy where the protagonist gets OP abilities and a harem of girls that all love him for one reason. But it’s a guilty pleasure because I like how badass Hajime is. And unlike most of his fellow summons, he sees their task of saving the world for the nonsense it is and refuses to be used like that. Here’s hoping the anime keeps doing a better job of adapting the light novels!
And now, the best for last!
Dragon Ball Daima (10/11/2024) Crunchyroll-
The next chapter in Dragon Ball is coming this fall, and it looks to be taking the franchise back to its roots. Taking place sometime between the defeat of Kid Buu and the end of Dragon Ball Z, Daima centers around a conspiracy that shrinks Goku and his allies down to the size of kids. With no other alternative, Goku retrieves his old Power Pole and goes on a quest to the Demon Realm to set things right.
This is likely going to be the anime that people are going to be focusing on this fall, and for good reason. Outside of the additional movies (and the anime based on Dragon Ball Heroes), this is going to be the first anime in the franchise since Super finished its run. Secondly, with series creator Akira Toriyama’s passing earlier this year, Daima will be his final contribution to the world he created. With many fans still mourning the legendary mangaka’s passing, odds are we’re going to throw our full support behind it.
It’s also coming out the same day as the highly anticipated new game, Dragon Ball: Sparking Zero. That can’t be a coincidence, and it’s going to make that weekend all about Dragon Ball.
Bonus-Naruto x TMNT Crossover Comic (11/13/24)-
Starting in November, VIZ Media and IDW Comics are teaming up to bring the Ninja Turtles and the Hidden Leaf’s number one, hyperactive, knuckleheaded ninja together in a limited series! According to the official synopsis, the set-up involves the Turtles’ friend April O’Neil meeting up with the Hidden Leaf’s Lady Tsunade, only to be targeted by the Foot Clan. Naturally, the Turtles will get involved, bringing them into contact with Naruto and Team 7 in this story of east meets west.
I know that this isn’t an anime, but I’m putting it on here anyway for several reasons:
I’m a big fan of Naruto and a casual fan of the Ninja Turtles, so I am understandably excited.
I think the idea of the famous Turtles teaming up with one of the greatest Shonen heroes of all time is excellent.
November will officially mark ten years since the end of the original Naruto manga. That can’t be a coincidence, and I’m feeling nostalgic.
Good times.
Do you agree with my picks? What anime are you looking forward to this fall? Let us know in the comments down below and enjoy the season!
Earlier in the summer, I made a list of the anime I looked forward to watching during the season. But now that enough time has passed, I can honestly say there are anime that I regret not including on that list. A prime example being one of the latest successes to come out from the legendary Shonen Jump, The Elusive Samurai. Coming from the mangaka who created Assassination Classroom, something that I greatly enjoyed watching, I knew that I was going to enjoy this series, and I’m happy to say that I was right. Not only is it beautifully animated, it tells the story of a seemingly atypical Shonen protagonist. I say seemingly because, as you’ll soon learn, this boy may not be a great fighter, but who needs to fight when you can dodge and outrun your opponents until the fat lady sings?
The Elusive Samurai and His Origin Story
The year is 1333 AD, Medieval Japan. Tokiyuki Hojo is the young heir to the Hojo clan and the Kamakura Shogunate, AKA the de-facto rulers of Japan. But he’s not interested in being a lord, though; all he likes to do is play hide-and-seek with his exasperated teachers. All of that comes to an end, though, when Takauji Ashikaga, one of his family’s retainers, betrays them to the Emperor. Before the first episode ends, his home is
razed to the ground, his retainers dead or on the run, and his family slaughtered.
All’s not lost, though. Thanks to the help of Yorishige Suwa, this really sketchy priest who claims he can see the future, Tokiyuki escapes with his life. With Yorishige as his mentor and a group of young, eccentric retainers by his side, he vows to rebuild his family, take back his home, and get revenge on those who betrayed the Hojo clan. There’s just one problem: Tokiyuki is a lousy fighter; all he’s good at is running and hiding.
As the series demonstrates, though, that’s the best skill he can have in his era.
Tokiyuki is No Coward-He’s a Road Runner
At first glance, Tokiyuki Hojo doesn’t seem like your typical Shonen hero, much less one from Shonen Jump. From the outset, he’s not skilled in combat or has the latent potential to become so. Nor is he loud, boisterous, confident, or as cunning as protagonists like Luffy, Goku, or Naruto. In fact, most people see him as a coward for preferring to run and hide rather than face his enemies head-on like Samurai are expected to do.
Here’s the thing: Tokiyuki’s no coward, and he’s not a weakling, either. Early on, the series does its best to demonstrate how his Ultra Instinct-level dodging ability is the best thing he could have in his violent era. Moreover, Yorishige correctly recognizes that, far from being a coward, Tokiyuki is someone who genuinely enjoys the thrill of the chase and the risk of getting caught. In the second episode, he uses this to great effect by dodging an enemy combatant to the point where he can’t defend when the boy goes in for the killing blow.
To sum it all up: Tokiyuki is like the Road Runner or Jerry the Mouse if they had Ultra Instinct. He gets excited by the thrill of facing death, and he’s capable of being more cunning than most give him credit for. Coupled with his friendly attitude, he’s able to endear himself to allies that can make up for his shortcomings. In other words, he’s got a few things in common with some of the best heroes from Shonen Jump’s roster.
Amazing Animation and Art at Work!
Tokiyuki is only half of the series overall appeal, though. The other half is thanks to its amazing animation. The series is brought to life by Cloverworks, a studio that’s already well-known for its work on Bocchi the Rock, Spy x Family, Darling in the Franxx, and several other series, and it shows. The animation for the characters is incredibly fluid, especially during the fight scenes. Additionally, it also does a good job of bringing together some of the more surreal moments of the manga to life. I.E. when two of the retainers hunting Tokiyuki look like they’re communicating through their superhuman eyes and ears. It makes as much sense in context, trust me.
The real appeal of the show’s artwork, though, is how it captures Feudal Japan in all its blood and beauty. The series is a historical one and most of the cast is based on real-life figures. However, since records of that era are scarce, the mangaka’s not afraid to include more supernatural elements of Japanese culture, leading to some pretty impressive backgrounds and characters. It’s a really good-looking series!
Lastly, we have the OP and ED. Any good anime needs to have a memorable OP and Ed, and The Elusive Samurai delivers on that promise. The OP itself is very upbeat and exciting, despite how grim the series itself can get, while the ED is this bizarre Japanese hip-hop talking about the history of the Kamakura Shogunate. And like the rest of the series, both are beautifully animated.
Overall, I really like The Elusive Samurai, and have greatly enjoyed watching the series thus far. It’s got some interesting characters, good music, great animation, and to top it off, it’s a historical series. As someone who loves reading about history, that alone gets me interested. If you haven’t already, I’d highly recommend you go watch it.
There have been a lot of horrifying villains in anime over the years. One Piece is filled with so many detestable scumbags that I can’t keep track. Madara Uchiha was an evil mastermind whose mere name getting thrown around was enough to start a war. And Frieza is so brimming with black air force energy that its become his strongest form to date! However, another name deserves to be added to the list of baddest anime villains. The monster in the dark seeking immortality, the being who stole Michael Jackson’s whole flow. The mortal enemy of the entire Demon Slayer Corps, Muzan Kibutsuji!
Demon Slayer hasn’t been around as many other big names in Shonen, but there are reasons why it’s considered one of the all-time greatest. And a big part of that is because of how much of a menace Muzan is. The penultimate episode for Demon Slayer’s fourth season airs, and the big thing everyone’s talking about is that two-minute-long scene of him arriving at Ubuyashiki Mansion, looking like the Devil himself. And the hour-long season finale only serves to hype him up even further. As Muzan tries to cut the head off the Demon Slayer Corps, he finds himself at the center of an elaborate trap. What he does in response marks the start to the endgame to this ancient war between humans and demons.
Kagaya Stares Down the Devil Himself
As lighthearted as Season Four of Demon Slayer is, there’s an unspoken sense of dread. Everyone knows the final battle against Muzan is coming, but the Corps doesn’t know when or where he’ll strike from. The Hashira Training Camp was meant to help prepare for the final battle, but even that may already be too late. After years of searching, Muzan has found the Ubuyashiki Mansion, the de facto HQ for the Demon Slayer Corps. And he shows up in the middle of the night, ready to kill the man leading the corpsโฆonly to find it’s pointless. Kagaya Ubuyashiki isn’t just on death’s door. He’s a talking corpse that should’ve died months ago. The only reason he’s still alive is because of his pure, unadulterated hatred for Muzan.
As Kagaya reveals to the Demon King, the Ubuyashiki family is distantly related to Muzan. Because their bloodline produced the first demon, they’ve been cursed to die young until they kill him. Thus, when Muzan comes to kill Kagaya, the man isn’t afraid of him. He already knows he’s going to die anyway, with his wife and two of his kids to follow at Muzan’s hands. Rather than fear death like Muzan, Kagaya mocks his distant relative for how pathetic he is and how the world will be a better place once he’s gone!
See you in Hell, Muzan!
I loved this scene. Don’t ask me why, but seeing someone stare down a monster that could easily kill them and choose to definitely flip them off is so awesome. However, it’s what Kagaya does in his final moments that is so badass that it takes even Muzan aback: he blows up the mansion and everyone in it. The anime does a great job of increasing our emotional responses by having the explosion play out in slow motion.
Plenty of fictional characters have used the “taking you with me” card before, but the context here sets Kagaya apart. He didn’t just blow himself up; he blew up his wife and two of his children. And while it doesn’t say it outright, the story clarifies that they all knew this would happen. However, instead of running or panicking, they all chose to remain calm and accept it. They understood that Muzan is such a threat to humankind that they have to pull out the contemporary equivalent of a nuclear bomb. And they do it to make sure that the Demon Slayer Corps can end Muzan here and now.
The entire sequence of events is masterfully animated, with Ufotable pulling out all the stops. And that’s only the beginning. Seeing Muzan slowly regenerate from that is both grotesque and fascinating to look at. And though he’s still alive, it really got to him. He didn’t think Kagaya would have the guts to do that. But that was just the first part of the trap that Kagaya laid.
Wrath of the Hashira
The next part sees Tamayo, one of the few demons not under his control, trap him in place with her blood demon art. Then, she injects him with a sample of the fruits of her labor: she’s finally made a drug that can turn demons back into humans. In other words, the means to turn Nezuko back to normal now exists. I didnt read the manga, so I don’t know if Tanjiro’s sister took the drug yet, but I’m willing to bet that she did. Not only does that mean that one of Tanjiro’s biggest goals is about to be completed, but the minute she becomes human again, Muzan will lose his means of conquering sunlight.
And the bad news just keeps coming for Muzan. The Hashira and Tanjiro, having been made aware Kagaya was in danger, were already in the process of rushing to the Ubuyashiki Mansion. They arrived just in time to see it go up in flames. Now they’reโฆI actually can’t think of a word to best describe how angry they are.
One would think that the combined might of 8 Hashira, a demon, and a boy on par with a Hashira, would be enough to pin Muzan down. However, that is when Muzan brings out his own trump card. He not only teleports himself to the safety of the Infinity Castle, but pulls in the entire Demon Slayer Corps. Every. Last. One. No matter where they are, they fall into the Infinity Castle. And we get yet another amazingly animated shot in an episode that’s already packed to the brim with them. I could feel myself getting goosebumps as my heart began to race. I started grinning like Inosuke because I knew what was about to happen. The final battle between the demons and humans was about to begin!!
And the best part? Ufotable is treating the final battle with the reverence its going to deserve. Rather than give Demon Slayer another season, they’re turning the Infinity Castle Arc (and presumably the one after it) into a movie trilogy!
Infinity Castle Needs to Break the Box Office!
To date, there is no news about when the trilogy will come out, but when it does, I am hoping that they dont just make it a limited-run event. I want to see it compete with other movies and remain in theaters as long as possible. And you can bet that I will get in line to see each on opening night!
Demon Slayer has always managed to go hardcore regarding the season finales, but this one might be the best. The animation, the story, everything is flawless! This is why Demon Slayer is one of the GOATS! I am looking forward to seeing the Infinity Castle trilogy, and I hope we can get them to break box office records!
So, the Hashira Training Arc is already ending, and it’s happening soon. I knew that this arc was going to be short, but I wasn’t expecting it to be this short. That being said, even without reading the manga in advance, I already knew that this whole arc was going to be the calm before the storm. I just didn’t expect the storm to roll in so quickly.
— Yumi โฉยฐ๏ฝกโ GOJO เธ ^โข๏ปโข^เธ (@gojosatoros) June 23, 2024
Tanjiro and his friends continue their training under Gyomei, and thankfully, Tanjiro and Inosuke have made some progress. Both of them are now able to move the boulder, though the effort almost causes Tanjiro to pass out from dehydration. Thankfully, Gyomei is there to give him water to drink, so he doesn’t die of thirst. And in the process, Gyomei opens up about his past…and it is so sad!
— Yumi โฉยฐ๏ฝกโ GOJO เธ ^โข๏ปโข^เธ (@gojosatoros) June 23, 2024
Gyomei was born blind, meaning that the lack of irises wasn’t just an artistic choice. Yet that didn’t stop him from living the humble life of a priest and taking care of a group of orphans. They didn’t have much, but they were still happy together. However, one night, one of them stayed outside after dark, and ran into a demon. To save himself, he sold out everyone else, leading to the demon slaughtering all but Gyomei and one other child. Then he snapped and somehow managed to beat them to death with his bare hands, an act that deeply ashamed him.
It gets worse. When the authorities showed up, they mistook the little girl’s words to mean Gyomei killed everyone and arrested him. It was only thanks to Kagaya, the head of the Demon Slayers, that he escaped execution.
…Sweet mercy, that is a sad story. No wonder the man is always seen crying like that. He’s haunted by his failure to save most of his adoptive family and for lashing out like he did. He was in the right to do so since it was self-defense, but even so, the act of killing someone is not something one should take lightly. So, when Gyomei chooses to praise Tanjiro for saving the villagers in the Swordsmith Village, he means it. He doesn’t Tanjiro to make the same mistake he did.
Too Late, Demon Slayers. The Shadows Have Arrive
And with that, Tanjiro finishes his training with Gyomei and heads to the next Hashira…is what I would say! However, the forces of darkness are already converging on the Demon Slayer Corps!
Throughout the season, Muzan and his army of demons have been laying low. That’s because Muzan is using one of the Upper Ranks powers to help locate Nezuko and the head of the Demon Slayers, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. And as Sanemi manages to catch one of those demonic eye monsters, he realizes something horrible: they’ve already been found out.
Sure enough, the final moments of the episode are dedicated entirely to Muzan showing up at the Ubuyashiki Mansion and confronting Kagaya. And much like all the important moments in Demon Slayer, the animation is knocked into high gear. The way the air seems to freeze as Muzan comes strolling in wearing his white suit and hat is bone-chilling to look at. It’s as if the devil himself has descended upon the Earth; and given who Muzan is, that’s pretty much accurate!
The next episode is going to be the final one of the season, and from what I’ve heard, it’s going to be an hour long. Given how it’s setting us up for the final battle, it needs to cover as much as possible. Because once that’s done, there’s no turning back. No more funny moments, no more wholesome stuff. Just a fight to the finish with the fate of all Japan at stake. Make some popcorn. This is going to be epic.
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!
— Yumi โฉยฐ๏ฝกโ GOJO เธ ^โข๏ปโข^เธ (@gojosatoros) June 16, 2024
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!
— Yumi โฉยฐ๏ฝกโ GOJO เธ ^โข๏ปโข^เธ (@gojosatoros) June 16, 2024
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
Extremely well animated the movement and tanjiro pushing rock has unusual smoothness
And one of the best Smoke animation in all Kimetsu Holy Peak
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!
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