Demon Slayer
“Swordsmith Village Arc”
You might have seen multiple moral dilemma scenarios and questions in media and real life. Weighing your interests against the greater good is no easy task; most are inclined to prioritize the prior. If I had the choice to save either a loved one or a random group of people, I would choose to protect the one closer to my heart over those I barely even know. But what would a real hero do in the thick of the moment? Moreover, how do they deal with the consequences of their choice later on?
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc,” also known as “Kimetsu no Yaiba: Katanakaji no Sato-hen,” is an 11-episode TV anime series that aired from the 9th of April till the 18th of June in Spring 2023. It was produced by Aniplex and Shueisha, licensed by Aniplex of America, and brought to life by Studio ufotable. Its primary staff included producers Miyake Masanori, Takahashi Yuuma, Fujio Akifumi, and Murakami Maasa. Each episode runs for 28 minutes and features the genres of action and supernatural alongside the historical theme. Targeted at the Shounen demographic, it received a rating of R-17+ for its violence and profanity.
This show is chronologically Season 4 of the Demon Slayer series, which also features a canon arc from the source manga of the same name. It covers Chapters 98 to 127 and is set after the events of the Entertainment District Arc. The manga is also known as the “Blade of Demon Destruction,” running for 23 volumes from February 15, 2016, to May 18, 2020. It is the work of author and artist Gotouge Koyoharu and was serialized in Shounen Jump (Weekly).
The prequel to Season 4 is “Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen,” also known as “Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc,” which aired from the 5th of December 2021 till the 13th of February 2022, falling under the Winter 2022 anime season. The sequel series “Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Geiko-hen” (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc) runs for a total of 8 episodes from the 12th of May till the 30th of June in Spring 2024, which also cover canon Manga events and set the stage for the epic finale.
What would the Demon Slayers be without their special blades that can cut right through Demons? Without these powerful weapons, the Corps would have been wiped out centuries ago, a fact known to Demon Slayers and Demons alike. This is precisely why the Demon Slayers have sacredly kept the location of Swordsmith Village an uncompromisable secret for ages. This is no ordinary village either, as it is home to the greatest forgers of their age, ones who toil day in and day out to ensure that the heroic Demon Slayers are equipped with the finest weapons that allow them to fight the monsters plaguing their world, even with their human limitations.
They are, after all, the unyielding barrier that protects humanity! After his sword got heavily chipped and deemed useless following the chaotic battle in the Entertainment District, protagonist Tanjirou Kamado and his younger sister Nezuko are escorted to the Swordsmith Village to obtain a new one. As he mentally prepares to meet Hotaru Haganezuka following the damage to his sword, Tanjiro has much to learn and master at this secretive location.
Meanwhile, the death of the Upper Rank 6 Demons Gyutaro and Daki stirs up the then-idle order in the Demon world, causing an even more significant threat to plot an opportunity to sink their fangs into the foundations of Demon Slayer society. During Tanjiro’s time at the Swordsmith Village, he gets acquainted with the air-headed but extremely powerful Mist Hashira Muichirou Tokitou and the happy-go-lucky Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji, who are ready to defend the village no matter the cost alongside him. As the sinister, ferocious powers creep from the shadows towards the town, the Demon Slayers' most significant line of defense, Tanjiro, is forced to make near-impossible choices for the good of all...
Everyone, including myself, had high hopes for this season after the absolute cinema of the Entertainment District. While I accepted that it wouldn’t be nearly as flashy due to the absence of Tengen and the Red-Light district setting, there was much they could do in a secluded village setting that focused more on nature’s aspects. The main characters are dealing with Demons Rank 5 and above from here on out, so their battles should be more thrilling and chaotic. Sadly, I was disappointed in how it turned out; it wasn’t bad, and the visuals were great as usual, but my expectations were not met, and it lacked overall impact.
The plot isn’t solid this time; it progresses in a straight line littered with training and battles, and they have the usual fudge-all-logic and miracle moments all the same. The first few episodes utilize a lot of gags and comedy to get us invested, and I honestly enjoyed those moments. But the humor gradually declines as Tanjiro’s training takes center stage, and the hardships therein become apparent. Even indirectly, he learns a lot from the two Hashiras and the village, hinting at his ancestry and origins of the Hinokami Kagura.
Towards the end, I felt the fights were rushed, but extending them would’ve also had detrimental effects. Not enough action was going on, and there was more chasing than actual fighting, with the most blood-pumping moments being Mitsuri versus Zohakuten, which did not get nearly enough emphasis. Either way, the “plot” shows us the two Hashira’s backstories and forms the foundation upon which the Kamado family line’s past could be built. The "miracle" at the end was never adequately explained and could be described as "plot armor," but it is critical for future events.
The Swordsmith Village Arc features many old and new characters, but they fail to make us care enough about most of them. Compared to previous seasons, I had nothing but love and admiration for Rengoku and Tengen even halfway through their featured arcs. Still, I did not feel anything remotely similar to Muichirou and Mitsuri. Not that their characters are flawed, but the show tried to warm us up to them through their backstories and past rather than their present.
The supporting cast was mostly just there, either for plot progression or people for the MCs to save, which is fine considering most of them are swordsmiths, but I honestly did not care much for them. This season features two intriguing upper-rank demons thanks to their unpredictable natures. But by the end, I would sum the duo up as weird and annoying. Yes, they were powerful, but I felt they went down too quickly and were more tedious to kill than anything else. Perhaps this was a testament to the two featured Hashira’s strengths, but it doesn’t do much for either party.
Rengoku and Tengen’s struggles felt more natural and fleshed out, and part of me went out to the Demons they fought as well (though with Akaza, it was more for personal reasons). As for the regular cast, Tangiro and Nezuko have their usual sibling dynamic, but the absence of Zenitsu and Inosuke was a massive blow to me. I honestly love these two and the leading trio’s dynamics, but everything felt so dry and lifeless without them, and I’m confident this season would’ve been so much better were they present. It’s nice that we learn something about Genya this time, as he would be important later on, but I feel even Kanao Tsuyuri had more impact than him in previous seasons.
Once again, Ufotable ensures that the Art and Animation department carries the show. Even for the subpar fights with significantly few incredible moments, they ensured it had its signature explosive energy, choreography, camera angles, and stunning cinematics. Each episode consistently had its movie-like feel with greatly heightened action scenes, a pleasure for the eyes. The animation is flawless; even during the cartoon-y humorous moments, there’s nothing else to say here. The character designs are crisp and memorable, and all their abilities have all the visual flare and distinction we’ve grown to love.
Carrying the show right alongside the visuals is the Sounds and Music department. The opening theme, "Kizuna no Kiseki" by MAN WITH A MISSION and milet, is still on my playlist and is a complete banger with blood-pumping visuals that perfectly reflect the vibe of this season: calm yet determined amidst the chaos. The ending theme, "Koi Kogare," also by milet and MAN WITH A MISSION, felt like Mitsuri’s theme, and I’m all for it.
The visuals are primarily still images, but they reflect the Demon Slayers’ valor and determination to fight against the darkness in hopes of a better tomorrow. The OSTs enhance their respective scenes but aren’t particularly memorable or stellar. As usual, the voice actors across the board do a fantastic job, landing comedic and severe moments without a hitch. Muichirou’s deadpan voice and Mitsuri’s overly enthusiastic demeanor clash, so kudos to them!
Overall, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba - Swordsmith Village Arc has a mediocre plot and not-so-great execution concerning the characters. The characters are likable and would probably be redeemed in future Arcs, but they just lack the impact of their predecessors this time. The battles are not as groundbreaking as those in the Entertainment District series, and they use very different styles and execution, which may or may not appeal to you. The visuals and audio are excellent throughout, though, and yes, it is worth watching the show for the said departments. I recommend this to anyone with at least a neutral view of Demon Slayer, as it establishes a much-needed base for upcoming events.
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