Demon Sayer Corps: Kimetsu no Yaiba Episode 4 – Demons of the Past

Well, it’s my turn around this time to post the Demon Slayer collab… and i’ll be honest, the delay this time is totally my fault. With a house remodel that’s messed with my internet, and prepping for an upcoming major surgery (more on that in a later post) my life has been pretty chaotic, to say the least. I haven’t even had time to post seasonal impressions, much to my chagrin.

However, I do count myself very lucky to be collabing with so many awesome bloggers, and on a freaking awesome show too. So, let’s  jump right into the latest episode of Kimetsu no Yaiba.

The intelligent and thoughtful Aria

The super awesome and famous Moya

The… well, it’s Ply.

And of course, the amazing me.

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What are your general thoughts on this episode?

This was better than the last episode by leaps and bounds. I mean, we got revelations, action and the reveal of the name of the blonde boy from the OP (in the preview) – it’s Zenitsu.

Whew, “Final Selection” at Episode 4. This is the first episode that made me care about its battles. Lots of tension, and we finally get a good picture of what the stakes are.

Very good episode. The battles were done really well and showed just how much Tanjirou has grown. The attacks look as good as advertised on the OP, and I’m pleased.

In the first episode, I mentioned how I wished the action in the actual show would look as good as it does in the OP… and i’m not disappointed. The way the animation flows in such a beautiful way, makes this whole show just incredible to watch, and i’m excited to see it going forward.

Discussion:

But seriously can we talk about how freaking good that battle animation is? I can’t wait for longer and more intense battles in the future.

I expected nothing less and I got nothing less, so yea. Good on the animators. Longer and more intense battles, definitely.

Did the episode fit your expectations, and in which ways did it differ from it?(If it does)

Unfortunately, Crow and Irina’s post on the same episode already spoilt the twist that Sabito and Makomo were dead (because it was either that or Tanjiro + Nezuko…but we already know, to quote Chris Voyage’s rendition of I’ll Make a Man Out of You, “plot armour will save [them]”).

Unfortunately, Aria’s response above already spoiled the twist that Sabito and Makomo are dead (now I know not to peek at our collab before I watch the damn episode!). Still, there was a lot to be surprised about. I didn’t expect Sabito and Makomo to lose at such an early stage (this is Episode 4, and Final Selection is still more or less a training stage). Also, I was surprised by how emotional Urokodaki got when Tanjiro was leaving. Didn’t expect him to be the hugging type.

Yep. Exactly as I remembered it. When I read it back in the manga, I remember being very surprised as well, and the emotional shock at learning about their deaths from the demon is still there, just even more graphic now.

So between last episode and this one, I took the opportunity to read the whole manga to the point where i’m caught up on it. So I knew what to expect this time, but I have to say, the anime is doing a fantastic job of not only staying faithful to the manga, but improving on it.

Discussion:

So my being spoilt inadvertently led to your being spoilt, huh, Moya?

I mean, over the past week I spoiled myself on the entire series…

:think:

What do you expect to happen from here on out?(and why) 

Less spoilers.

…okay, I’m kidding. We’ll get a proper Zenitsu intro in the next episode or two, but I don’t want to guess anything else (in fear of stuffing up). Maybe someday we’ll get a reason as to why Tanjiro can sense the dead…? (Any hint as to whether that’s going to happen, Ply? Hmm…?)

Still waiting for Tanjiro to make friends during Final Selection! Don’t tell me he’s going to solo this?

*spoiler* is going to appear along with *spoiler, again*. And then they will all *action* the *noun* and we are probably going to get more awesome renditions of *event* by ufotable.

Man, i’m looking forward to getting to know more of our core cast. There are some super exciting episodes ahead of us, I guarantee it. It only gets better from here on out, after all.

Discussion:

He’s totally gonna solo this.

Nah.

LOL. Even if I’m far from caught up now, I can kind of figure out what’s being said between you two…let’s just hope I’m interpreting it right and keep in mind “the journey is better than the destination”.  

Which scene got the most reaction out of you? (If any at all)

Seeing the Water Forms for the first time. Cutting a boulder is fine and dandy, but when it’s accompanied by that kind of Hokusai aesthetic…*chef’s kiss* Good stuff.

Vengeance for Makomo and Sabito. Yes, being dead redeems Sabito.

As I said before, the demon recounting how Sabito and Makomo died. I already knew it, but I still got a bit emotional. The music direction and art direction was definitely to be credited for that. And also whichever VA did the voice acting for that demon, jesus, you were creepy as heck, you nailed it.

Yeah, definitely the demon battle. The emotion charged into that fight, accompanied by the beautiful animation effect of those water forms, was just fantastic.

Discussion:

Hokusai aesthetic?

Y’know the Great Wave? The water breathing forms remind me of that. As for the demon’s voice, that was Takehito Koyasu.

Ahhh… that. Looks great. Also, the man seems to have quite the portfolio for VA. Huh.

Which character did you like the most this episode? Have they done anything in particular/changed?

Tanjiro. No question about it. You can really see how far he’s come through his 2 years, although you still see his kindness and a bit of naivete.

I’m fond of the twins who explained Final Selection. Such symmetry… But speaking of Tanjiro, I’m liking his new outfit! Really didn’t dig the colour scheme of the old one.

That demon. Very well done evil character, really makes you hate him from the moment he speaks. The way his “body” moves as well, everything just reeks of disgust and makes you hate him. I never like him when he appeared in the manga, I hate him even more in the anime.

It’s nice to see the change in Tanjiro from the weak, crying boy of the first episode, to now, able to confront a powerful demon that killed many other strong trainees.

Discussion:

Aww yea, I really liked the design of the twins as well, they are a little strange but very pattable nonetheless.

“[P]attable”? That’s what you care about, Ply…?

Well, yes. Because I know everything else about them already.

What’s the high point of the episode for you and why? 

The final suspenseful talk between Sabito and Makomo. It’s probably a more effective cliffhanger than…well, a character dangling off a cliff.

The OST when demons started appearing in the forest. The haunting vocals make even the small fries threatening.

I’m going to pull an Aria and say “refer to question 4”.

Definitely the fight where we finally get to see the animation used for the breath techniques. Not only is it just absolutely gorgeous, but also a fantastic representation of the art from the manga itself.

Discussion:

Yea, the OST is definitely orgasmic amounts of good. I’ve said before how I liked the combination between the “older” types of music and modern instruments, but I think this is another favourite type of mine, where you have almost opera like vocals over a great background track, and appropriately fitting the tense situation. This was also present in the Fate series also done by ufotable, so that’s something.

Geesh, the name you know me by is being used as a verb already…I only use it for the second time in a future post (not counting the instance I got rid of in episode 1 – that was the instance that started this injoke in the first place).

What can be improved in this episode and why? (a.k.a low point) 

Can I say “nothing”…?

…Well, for all my praise, the absence of Nezuko, aside from a reminder she exists, is a bit worrying. I’ve seen a hint (on Anime Feminist) that her sleeping for so long will end up paying off somehow, but I don’t know how exactly.

Not an episode-based complaint, but how the heck do you smell lines, and why does that help you kill things? This is more bizarre than Mystic Eyes of Death Perception (Kara no Kyoukai).

Pacing (for me) was a little slow and I found myself looking at other places halfway during the episode. Might just be because I knew what was going to happen though.

I don’t think I really have any complaints, other than the small nitpicks already mentioned here.

Discussion:

I seem to remember from somewhere – I think it might’ve been Reddit – but people there were calling Tanjiro’s ability to “smell lines” (as you call it) “Mystic Eyes of Death Perception” as well. You’re all Ufotable stans to a larger extent than I am, so if I didn’t have it explained there, I wouldn’t have gotten your reference, Moya.

Yeah, the sleeping will pay off in the end. And then we get Nezuko back into the series!!!

Please ignore Astral and his big mouth. Nezuko sleeping achieves…stuff. Also, why are you questioning Tanjirou’s sense of smell out of everything in a series about killing demons with a special sword and have techniques that look like superpowers???

I get it if he uses smell to detect demons and perhaps even avoid them at a close distance, but using scent to cut them up? Tanjiro belongs in Shokugeki no Souma and you know it.

Pick a situation from this episode. If you were put in this situation, how would you have handled it?

If I ran into that pile of flesh, I woulda booked it like the other guy.

^ This.

Most beautiful scene?(screenshot)

Cherry blossom scenes make any bad anime nice and any nice anime nicer…I know this is wisteria, but it’s very much the same effect.

More effective than actual gore.

This, along with the many many scenes where Tanjirou uses his water techniques are beautiful, BEAUTIFUL animations. Love them.

I loved this scene. The framing, looking up at the moon, the ritual gate with the Wisteria trees behind them. Tanjiro moving forwards with confidence, and the glowing lamps helping to draw focus.

Discussion:

Have I ever mentioned that Wisteria trees are my favorite plant? Because they are. So gorgeous.

Ehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh I still like Sakura.

I swear the “BEAUTIFUL” is at least the third time Ply has used that word in this collab (I checked, it doesn’t count where he used it in the question)…so I’m gonna need that Gravity Falls meme for stock usage soon. Feel free to use it in future posts to bug him, guys.

I use a lot of repeating words to get my points across, sue me :>

Astral’s exact screenshot was my second choice!

In 10 words, summarise what you want to say about this episode. (A good joke question?) [Could also be a haiku or other things of that creative nature]

Time for Selection.

Foes of past and now collide…

Look out, Tanjiro!

…I’m rushing to get this done as I type this because I’m behind on some simulcast episodes, so…hmm. This haiku doesn’t look too shabby.

Teenage boy narrowly escapes death by utilizing Fruit Ninja skills.

“Enough water drops can even penetrate a rock.” – Some ancient chinese guy.

Thick head boi beats thicc demon boi.

Discussion:

*muffles obvious laughter* “Fruit Ninja skills”…heh heh.

Moya is funny funny, give her some medals.