“The Demon Siblings and the Twelve Kizuki”
- Movie : 1 hr. 50 min
- Genre : Action, Fantasy
- Airing Date : Feb 3, 2023 (JP), March 3, 2023 (NA)
- Producers : Aniplex
Contains Spoilers
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba introduction and story so far
Demon Slayer first aired in 2019 and has taken the world by storm with a story that pulls at your heartstrings and fights that have you at the edge of your seat. Demon Slayer has become a fan-favorite anime series with record-breaking sales and chart-topping releases. We have followed the riveting story of Tanjiro Kamado whose family was slaughtered by a ruthless demon. He finds that his sweet sister, Nezuko, has been turned into a bloodthirsty demon but is able to tap into what’s left of her humanity. Tanjiro swears to find a way to turn her back into a human and avenge his family by joining the Demon Slayer Corps and hunting down the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji.
In 2020, the film Mugen Train was released, where Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko board the Infinity Train to assist the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku to defeat Enmu, a Lower Rank 1 demon. After a surprise encounter with Akaza, an Upper Rank 3 demon, Rengoku succumbs to his injuries. In 2021, we began the Entertainment District arc where Tanjiro and friends join Hashira Tengen Uzui on a mission to locate his 3 wives who were undercover gathering information and had disappeared. Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, Nezuko, and Uzui face off against the Upper Level 6 demon duo, Gyutaro, and Daki.
This brings us to the Swordsmith Village arc where Tanjiro travels in order to replace the sword that he broke during the fight with Gyutaro in the Entertainment District. Having spent two months in a coma healing after his ordeal, Tanjiro is eager to get back out there and hunt Muzan down. But first, he must have a new sword.
1. Tanjiro & Uzui vs. Gyutaro
One huge reason that you should go see this movie is for a chance to see the epic fight against the Upper-Level 6 demon on the big screen. With some of the most beautiful fight sequences, colorful animation, and climatic attacks, this fight is a marvel of animated combat. Defeating the Upper-Level duo means that they must behead both Gyutaro and Daki at the exact same time. With their strength almost depleted and poison running through their bodies, Uzui and Tanjiro are in a battle against the clock. In the nick of time, Zenitsu and Inosuke rise from the ashes to give their all to behead Daki at the exact moment that Tanjiro severs the head of Gyutaro. From beginning to end, this fight is spectacular to behold on a huge screen with theater surround sound.
2. New Friends and Foes
If you are a person that has read the manga, the upcoming reveal of new Upper-Level demons is not a surprise to you. From the trailer, we see the appearance of Akaza, an Upper 3, Gyokko, an Upper 5, Hantengu, an Upper 4, Doma, an Upper 2, and finally Kokushibo, the Upper 1 demon! In addition, we learn that the upcoming arc will have Tanjiro working with the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, and the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito. Make sure to watch if you want more insight into what Demon King Muzan has in mind for the future.
3. Slice of life
If you are a glutton for punishment and love a sad backstory, this movie is for you. After the intense fight, we go into the upbringing of the lovely Daki/Ume and her unfortunate-looking older brother, Gyutaro. Born to a mother of the lowest class in the Entertainment District, Gyutaro has lived a miserable life of starvation and abuse for his ugly appearance and rank smell. He grows cruel, petty, and jealous of anyone whose life seems better than his. The single light in his life comes from the birth of his beautiful little sister who he loves more than anything in the world. One day, after coming home from beating people up and collecting debts, he finds his sister burnt and left for dead in a hole in the ground. He rages against the injustice.
“You’re collecting from me after never giving me a damn thing?...I’ll kill the gods, Buddha, every one of you.”
He embraces the opportunity to become a demon and wreak havoc on a world that never showed him a scrap of mercy.
1. Recycled Episodes
The worst part of being an anime fan is the long wait between seasons of our favorite shows. While many of us will jump at the chance to see any Demon Slayer episode in the theater, some of us prefer to skip the movie entirely because it’s the same fight we already saw in the Entertainment District Arc finale. Although this movie is set to hit the theaters on March 3rd in the US, the anime series is set to premiere in Japan in April of this year. If you don’t mind waiting a little longer for a new episode, maybe skip this movie until the start of the new season of Demon Slayer.
2. Zenitsu & Inosuke
If you are a fan of Zenitsu and Inosuke, you will be devastated to find that they are off having their own separate adventures while Tanjiro and Nezuko spend time soaking in the hot springs of the Swordsmith village. Perhaps the upcoming episodes in the season will give us insight into what they’re up to.
Final Thoughts
The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Swordsmith Village arc has the potential to continue to blow us away. We are continuously blown away by the stunning visuals that look like a cross between real life and animation. Ufotable has done an incredible job using CGI to create fight action sequences and fluid 3D-style graphics. Demon Slayer continues to amaze us with its remarkable story and poetic imagery. It is with no surprise that Demon Slayer has claimed a spot on the new “Big 3” alongside My Hero Academia and Jujutsu Kaisen. We cannot wait to see what the Swordsmith Village arc has in store for us.
Author: Yanayme Roman
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