Analyzing the Debut of Demon Slayer Season 4

Demon Slayer season premieres typically stick to a familiar pattern: exciting action sequences to remind viewers of the show’s popularity, revelations that delve into the extensive history of the Demon Slayer Corps, and a hefty dose of exposition. Season 4, titled the “Hashira Training Arc,” continues this trend. While the action scenes are impressive, they don’t necessarily set a strong tone for the rest of the season. The episode “To Defeat Muzan Kibutsuji” is notably lengthy, with extended boardroom discussions reminiscent of a Star Wars prequel. The episode kicks off with a dynamic scene featuring the Snake and Wind Hashiras in pursuit of a demon who has abducted a woman. Despite their limited prior screen time, these characters are distinctively portrayed through their unique fighting styles and music themes, setting them apart from the other Hashiras we’ve encountered. The battle is cinematic and engaging, even if the remainder of the episode falls slightly short. Additionally, the journey to the Infinity Castle, the domain of demons, unveils a visually captivating setting. While the exterior appears as a decrepit castle, the interior boasts a mesmerizing and ever-changing design.

After an intense fight scene, the anime delves into a lengthy and somewhat tedious exposition segment, marking one of the most extended and least engaging information dumps in the series so far. The Hashiras convene to address various urgent topics, such as the impending all-out war, Nezuko’s newfound ability to withstand sunlight, and the powers revealed during the Swordsmith Village Arc. This extended sequence dominates almost half of the entire premiere, serving as more of a significant hint at potential future developments rather than concrete revelations. Furthermore, another meeting occurs later in the premiere to outline the specifics of the new arc’s training, which might test viewers’ patience. Demon Slayer’s captivating animation has somewhat overshadowed the storytelling, as studio Ufotable appears to be stretching the series to its limits, elongating action scenes to a degree reminiscent of Dragon Ball Z’s drawn-out battles. While these action-packed moments showcase the adaptation’s visual prowess, the numerous meetings fall short in comparison. “To Defeat Muzan Kibutsuji” introduces original scenes to supplement the source material, potentially explaining how the relatively brief Hashira Training Arc expands into an entire season of television – most of the training is already covered by the premiere’s end. Nonetheless, the return of Tengen injects some much-needed flamboyance back into Demon Slayer.

In this episode, one standout moment is Master Ubuyashiki’s crow. The way Demon Slayer incorporates crows has always been a bit quirky but enjoyable. Seeing this specific crow fluently speak Japanese (voiced by Show Hayami from Bleach) and demonstrate some detective skills is the kind of charming absurdity that Demon Slayer excels at. Similarly, the humor shines through when Inosuke tries to teach Nezuko how to say his name. The recruitment of Tamayo by Ubuyashiki, despite her being a demon, hints at the show approaching its endgame. Hopefully, the Demon Slayer Corps’ strategy is more exciting than just boring Muzan to death in a meeting. Overall, the Hashira Training Arc in Demon Slayer kicks off with a double-sized episode that captivates fans with thrilling action initially, but then transitions into numerous meetings and exposition, somewhat dampening the excitement. While some revelations and team-ups add intrigue to the arc, it raises questions about Demon Slayer’s ability to stretch a relatively short manga arc into a full anime season.