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「霞柱 時透無一郎」 (Kasumibashira: Tokitou Muichirou)
“Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito”
The latest Kimetsu no Yaiba‘s Swordsmith arc wraps up Tokito’s fight with Gyokko as he rubs salt on the demon’s wounds. But as Tokito finally gets the upper hand during his fight, Tanjiro and Mitsuri are still trudging through the trenches of their battle.
WHERE THERE’S SMOKE…
One thing I’m noticing about this week’s Kimetsu no Yaiba is that it would be far easier to write about if I did a two-parter post with Episodes 08 and 09. Because much of this episode focuses on Tokito’s resolve, the two compliment each other by further explaining how Tokito managed to bounce back from the water prison.
Gyokko being mocked and sliced apart by Tokito sets the tone for how many of the fights going forward will go considering how i>Kimetsu no Yaiba as a whole really enjoys laying into its demons. After finding his resolve, he gleefully rubbed in how quaint Gyokko’s definition of strength is. After enduring what he went through and seeing what suffering truly looked like, it all seemed laughable that Gyokko thought he could inflict worse on him.
At the same time, Tokito has become a more enjoyable character. His trash-talk is pretty funny and cathartic, especially with how cocky Gyokko was about initially having control of their fight. At the same time, he handles his exhaustion with stride as he comically foams from the mouth and falls over while reassuring the swordsmiths.
The push towards seeing his endearing side also makes it all the more dramatic as he reflects on the people in his past. Where he passes out and is able to see his family and Rengoku once again. His everlasting appreciation for Kagaya and his assistants for saving his life might have humanized him in the past, but after all of these episodes, it is emotionally gripping to see Tokito
We also get a few glimpses of the next stages of Tanjiro’s fight, but that might be better to elaborate on in the next episode, given how much I was complaining about not having as much to reflect on with Tokito. It’ll be exciting to see what Mitsuri brings to the fight now that she’s spared him the fate of being crushed by a wooden Tetsuo blob
Preview:
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The whole time Gyokko has been on the screen the last few episodes, I kept recalling McCoy’s brilliant line from Star Trek VI:
“I’d give real money if he’d shut up!”
Good work, Muichiro. Your check’s in the mail.