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「赫刀」 (Kakutou)
“Bright Red Sword”
We’re finally at the moment where the Swordsmith arc of Kimetsu no Yaiba starts channeling some of the more insane moments that have occurred throughout the show’s run. As Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the other Hashira face off against the onslaught of demons, they have to push themselves to the brink in order to persevere.
NICE AND FLASHY
For starters, I’m glad to see we got more of Mitsuri in this episode. With much of the show focusing on how agreeable and pleasant she is as a person, there hasn’t been a ton of emphasis on the extent of her abilities until now. Needless to say that her blade’s flexibility looks awesome with Ufotable’s touches. I also have to commend mangaka Koyoharu Gotouge for the geometric patterns that adorn many of their characters’ weapons and outfits, especially with how appealing and eccentric Mitsuri and her blade appear.
Likewise, their penchant for making their designs mirror the expressiveness of ukiyo-e block print artwork make Tanjiro’s scenes all the more effective with the flames that encapsulate his blade. Through Nezuko’s demonic energy and his distant ancestor’s memories, this flame design looks stunning with Ufotable’s touches as he beheads three of Hantengu’s forms. I don’t think Gotouge gets enough credit for the block print aesthetic that comes through in their manga panels, but the gorgeous detail in the anime compliments the already lush artstyle of the manga.
Gyokko is also another shining example of how fascinating Kimetsu no Yaiba’s darkest moments can be. I know it’s kind of a Weenie Hut Jr. statement to act like a shonen getting morbid is anywhere as mind-blowing as it can be in other stories, but I admire how Kimetsu no Yaiba does manage to pull the rug underneath many of its casual readers with the occasional reminder of just how disturbing the show wants to make its demons.
Where instead of just being like “yeah, all of our demons just eat people,” or something simple like that, Kimetsu no Yaiba likes to make exceptions for some of its more grotesque demons. In Gyokko’s case, the moment where he’s showing off his ability to Tokito really woke me up while I was just taking some notes and screencaps.
Seeing the giant pillar of mangled, re-animated corpses that Gyokko gleefully considers to be his artwork is what I’d expect from a way darker anime than this. Characters like Jinmen from Devilman and Caster from Fate Zero have had a knack for making a spectacle out of their victims’ corpses, but it definitely adds another layer to it that Gyokko even re-animated their dying screams as he stabs their writhing bodies.
As the story goes on, we’ll be introduced to more demons that put in the work to make you cheer for their destruction, but Gyokko helps set the stage for them as he really loves causing agony to both his victims and the people who knew them. While it seems like Genya might’ve helped Tanjiro clear through Hantengu, Tokito has a lot to take care of if he’s going to get the upper hand on an Upper Moon like Gyokko.
Omake:
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The more I see Mitsuri on the screen, the harder it is to accept she doesn’t make it in the end. Even the old farts in the Anime are simping for Mitsuri. Ultimately, I want to know which hashira will make it alive in the smithing village. Is it the injured Muichirou or Mitsuri?
That’s the number 4 moon? That weak one? since appearing all he did was struggle to kill some kids. how did he survive any encounter before this? Compare him to the number 6 they fought before who he is supposed to stronger than.
Or maybe the power curves make no sense whatsoever.
Because you cannot kill him by normal mean. Like behead him not going to work and eventually he would wear you down because human, unlike demon, don’t have infinite stamina.