Story:

Now that Muzan Kibusutji knows that Nezuko Kamado is the only demon who does not burn under the sun, he plots a plan to devour her. Facing him are all the Hashira who undergo training every single day for the ultimate fight.

Review:

Demon Slayer Hashira Training Arc commenced on a lukewarm note. There were the Upper Moon rank demons, including Doma, and of course, Muzan. While giving an introduction to their world, we also got to witness the magic of Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa and Serpent Hashira Obanai Iguro. If given an opportunity, they would make for formidable allies or even better, enemies.

All that happened since was focused on Tanjiro Kamado’s training to protect his sister Nezuko from Muzan. It began with Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka’s backstory. A lot was revealed in the episode, and it gave us insight into why Tomioka is the way he is.

The lead Tanjiro, of course, is a hero, and he had his moments of extreme highs and extreme lows. This time, there were more highs than lows, thus making his character almost appear like he was born with the talents that the Hashira took years to master. It’s unfair and unreal, to say the least. But, his efforts seem genuine and work in a few scenes.

The makers gave us a lot of back-and-forth of the previous seasons with this one. They brought out the Entertainment District Arc nostalgia with Tengen Uzui in play, Swordsmith Village Arc for when Tanjiro trained with Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Genya Shinazugawa made a comeback, and of course, the original Kimetsu No Yaiba for when the mighty Sakonji Urokodaki (former Water Hashira who trained both Tanjiro and Tomioka) came in action. Nonetheless, it was a reunion for Tanjiro-Inosuke-Zenitsu. The trio stayed till the very end of the series, and will make for some of the most epic moments in the next season.

Once we moved over the nostalgia, they explored the new character, Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima. He is the Strongest Hashira alive, and the same was explored through at least three episodes of the eight in this series. While there’s no denying his strength or what Himejima is capable of, three episodes does appear a stretch. Nonetheless, there’s some impact there.

The best moment comes with Muzan’s re-entry in the semi-finale, leading to the finale. The moment he enters Ubuyashiki residence in itself is epic, and the best part is that the fun only begins there. The attacks on him, and his counter-attacks, are all the reason why you started following Demon Slayer in the first place. It is that worth it.

Music, as always, played an important part throughout the series. Whether in building suspense or funny moments, this is one department that never disappoints. Similar was the case with the VFX. The high-end quality is something you do not find with every anime. That is what makes Demon Slayer a Star Wars level show. The finale, especially, focuses on the same, thus leaving you with a satisfying end but also intrigued about what will happen next, for this season ended with Tanjiro challenging Muzan to a fight and not them actually fighting. That will happen once the movie trilogy, Infinity Castle Arc, releases, and months later, we get to witness the final battle in the next season of the same title.

Verdict:

Demon Slayer Hashira Training Arc is probably the weakest storyline in the Demon Slayer Universe. It takes forever to develop but the few moments that are, it makes Demon Slayer absolutely worth your while. The ones to watch out for here are Muzan, Sanemi, Iguro and to an extent, Himejima.

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