First Impressions / Kimetsu no Yaiba

「隊律違反」 (Tairitsu Ihan)
“Against Corps Rules”

This episode was built just to dump information, introduce characters, set some ground rules, and kill some time. That said, I’ll be writing this entry as a list format. The first list will be a Hashira (the Pillars) breakdown and the second list will be a breakdown of everything we know so far about the Demon Slayer Corps.

Hashiras and their quirks

It’s an interesting dynamic they have going on. I wonder how a team of air-headed, lovestruck, and impulsive people can lead the Demon Slayer Corps. I won’t doubt their combined power especially after seeing Giyu and Shinobu battle individually, but I do doubt their ability to work towards a common goal: a cure. I’m not saying this is their goal, but it could be if their Master deemed it appropriate. However, I can also understand their apprehension towards Nezuko and the possibility of demons living without human blood. They’ve spent the larger part of their lives watching their comrades, loved ones, and people of this world fall at the hands of demons. It can’t be helped that they feel strongly about Nezuko. It’s really conflicting but this is why I love this series. What I disliked though is how drawn out the debate and conversation were. I was pulling my hair out when I noticed there was a minute left. Anyway, let’s move onto what we know about the Demon Slayer Corps so far, just as a refresher.

Demon Slayer Corps

  • There’s said to be nine Hashiras (Pillars), all of whom take their role in the Demon Slayer Corps very seriously.
  • They’ve each mastered breathing techniques making them as strong if not stronger than demons.
  • The head of the organization is a blind leader the Pillars refer to as “Oyakata-sama.” He looks frail and sickly.
  • It is forbidden to defend a demon, let alone go up against another slayer to protect a demon.
  • It is forbidden to raise a hand against a fellow demon slayer.
  • The Demon Slayer Corps has informants everywhere because they know about Tanjirou meeting Kibutsuji.
  • They are aware that Kibutsuji has sent demons after Tanjirou because he knows his true identity.
  • Apparently the Pillars have no idea what Kibutsuji looks like.
  • Urokodaki used to be the former Water Pillar and still communicates with the Corps’ headquarters.

Overall, even though the episode seemed like a filler, it had a big and heavy role to play. Tanjirou had to watch as his sister was stabbed over and over by Sanemi and it felt like he was being bullied by his superiors. Tanjirou is so sweet though I doubt he’ll hold a grudge against anyone who has caused him hurt. But if I were Nezuko, I’d slice Sanemi to bits. The pressure is coming down on the Kamado siblings and they’ll have to fight back by proving how strong they are together.

11 Comments

    1. Honestly, even as a manga reader Sanemi really isn’t the nicest person. He’s overly aggressive and so emotionally constipated he tends to take the more violent routes to things. That said, he’s not a bad kid so I don’t dislike him

      Mami
      Reply

  4. https://randomc.net/image/Kimetsu%20no%20Yaiba/Kimetsu%20no%20Yaiba%20-%2022%20-%20Large%2022.jpg
    I’m delightfully surprised the head of the demon slayer corps would even consider the possibility of letting Nezuko live as one of their members when the whole history of demons works vehemently against her. Urokodaki must be that big of a deal within them, even as a former member. Unless, there’s some hidden agenda in the works here that I don’t know about (I’m just spitballing though).
    Either way, Sanemi is pretty much becoming a hate sink at the moment, deservedly so. I say that, but the fact remains Nezuko must prove herself to them.

    yoloalchemist
    Reply

  6. The Pillars not exactly leading the Corp, they might have highest rank and can technically order other lower ranking member, but they actually more akin to special force. Their main job aren’t administration and leading, their main job is to fight the demon moon. To qualify as a pillar one much at least defeat one Demon Moon before.

    Archaon
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  7. After this episode I’m wondering just who are the demons. “Oyakata-sama” is just using Tanjirou and Nezuko as bait and all the Hashiras have their issues. Only Giyu and Shinobu (maybe) seem to be willing to accept Tanjirou and Nezuko’s situation of trying to turn her back to human. Seemed like Shinobu went from wanting to kill her to defending her rather quickly. Did I miss something in the anime that explains this? Is there something in the manga?

    Back to Oyakata, he better have some God Tier abilities for all the respect he gets because other than smiling a lot (creepy and the two “dolls” don’t help) he doesn’t impress. Crocodile smile? I’m guessing we’ll see what he has next ep. Someone needs to put Sanmei in his place.

    If headbutting were an Olympic sport, Tanjiro would easily get a gold medal. He definitely stuck the landing on Sanmei. Even the other Hashiras were impressed. 10’s all around.

    I kept thinking through this episode that if you need proof that a demon can change and behave, where is Tamayo? She might also have an idea of why the duo is drawing the attention of Kibutsuji.

    Keep Refrigerated
    Reply

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