Demon Slayer fans have been waiting for quite a long time now for the fourth season to finally arrive. Much to their luck, the first episode of the same is everything they have been expecting the Hashira Training arc to hold for them. Ufotable has always been commended for animating Koyoharu Gotouge’s iconic manga in the most mesmerizing way possible. As such, the first episode is a strong start to set up what is to come.
Season 3 ended on a rather joyous note with Nezuko learning about her abilities more. In a desperate attempt to save Tanjiro, she jumped away from the shadows and into the rising sun. While anime-only fans would have found themselves clutching onto their chairs anxiously, others knew what was to come as Nezuko and the rest learn about her ability of standing under the sun.
Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc Increases the Stakes
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training arc premiered with an hour-long episode, one that takes its time in setting up the ground in the aftermath of the previous season’s events. Fans were previously worried about how the arc would be divided, considering how it takes place only in nine chapters in the manga.
The first episode takes things slow. Starting off with Sanemi Shinazugawa and Obanai Iguro chasing after a demon after reports of missing girls catch their attention. Through their chase, they briefly encounter the Infinity Castle. The entire episode is a mixture of what is to come and what has happened already. Shinobu Kochou is trying her level best in figuring out how Nezuko overcame the demons’ weakness against sunlight. While behind the scenes, Tamayo is doing the same.
The Hashira learn about what the Demon Slayer mark is, one that only three people have been accounted for currently, Tanjiro, Tokito, and Kanjori. The series shifts then to the fact that the Hashira must bring their A-game considering that Kibutsuji Muzan would be going above and beyond to get his hand on Nezuko.
Capturing the Essence of Every Character Perfectly
The Hashira are preparing themselves to go through a toilsome amount of training so as to activate their own Demon Slayer marks. However, things aren’t as easy as they seem. All those who have manifested the mark are confirmed to die by the age of 25 without exceptions. That means the fates of Tanjiro, Mitsuri, and Muichiro are set in stone. There is a beautiful blend of comedy mix with the serious tone the anime will focus on.
The voice actors alongside the animation are spot on, proving once again why Ufotable and Demon Slayer are regarded as one of the best. They aren’t in a rush with the season, that much is evident. Nezuko’s newfound freedom has also given her the opportunity to practice her speech.
On the other hand, there is a somber tone alongside the joy that Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and the members of Butterfly Mansion feel with Nezuko’s development. This melancholy drives through the inevitable death the Hashira would be inviting upon themselves and Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s health declines rapidly, rendering him immobile.
Delving into the Darkness of Mortality
The Hashira training arc is not only a way to improve the skills of the Demon Slayers but also that of the Hashiras. Each Hashira has a role to play with Tengen being in charge of physical strength, Tokito of rapid movement training, Mitsuri of flexibility, Iguro of sword skills, Shinazugawa of infinite slashing training, and Himejima of muscle amplification.
The concluding scenes bring back Tamayo, who received a crow from Kagaya Ubuyushiki as an invitation. He proposes the idea of a collaboration between her and Shinobu in order to better study Nezuko and thus help in defeating Muzan. This brings about something that is rare to find, even one that is looked down upon, a collaboration between demons and Demon Slayers.
It is very clear that the first episode set up only the foundation of what is to come. It is just the beginning, hence not diving too deep into any side of the story. While it is a strong start, they make it more than obvious that the actual story and season are yet to take root.
Rating: 3.7/5
Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc’s first episode will be available to watch on Crunchyroll from 12th May 2024.
