Otaku Culture

The episode that saved Kimetsu no Yaiba

In the previous season of the anime, there is no doubt that 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' was the center of attention. Having already aired its fourth season, this global phenomenon that began in 2019 with its first season and reached its peak with the film 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train' in 2020, continues to be a hot topic.

However, four years after its initial boom, some critics and fans feared that the fervor for 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' had faded. Known for its thrilling plot and shocking battles, season four kicked off with a challenge: Recover the magic and maintain interest in a story that everyone already knows.

The recent arc, known as the 'Pillar Training Arc', has faced criticism from the start. Without the main confrontation with the demons and with few battles, the season started with mixed reception. Fan comments on sites like MyAnimeList (MAL) reflected disappointment: “What exactly are we seeing?“,”As a reader of the manga, I already knew 90% what was going to happen, but I was expecting something new.“, and “By the seventh episode, I was already bored.”.

Despite the detailed animation and the inclusion of details not present in the manga the evaluation of the first episodes was moderate. However, everything changed with the eighth episode.

The eighth episode brought an unexpected and spectacular turn to the season. The confrontation between Kagaya Ubuyashiki, leader of the Demon Slayers, and Muzan Kibutsuji, leader of the demons, marked the beginning of the final battle in the Infinite Fortress. The scene where Kagaya and her family sacrifice their lives to trap Muzan in an explosion, with flames symbolizing humanity's wrath, left viewers breathless.

The animation was described as being of such high quality that even those familiar with the story were caught up in the tension of the moment. Comments such as “I cried with joy and I wait for that 10% surprise“, and “This season wasn't the best, but this episode raised my expectations for the next one.”flooded social media and review sites.

This episode reached 9.9 IMDb score at its best, a review site that covers all types of audiovisual productions, from Hollywood films to television series. For an anime series, achieving such a rating is a significant achievement, especially considering that the previous episodes of the season remained in the seven point range.

The praise included terms such as “Masterpiece“,”a milestone in the world of anime“, and “This is what a movie really looks like.”. These reviews highlighted not only the quality of the animation and storytelling, but also the emotional impact of key scenes.

As 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' approaches its climax, the series has proven that it can still surprise and thrill your audience. The spectacular reception of the eighth episode revitalized interest in the series and established a high level of expectations for the next season.

«I didn't quite understand... looking at the comments about the animation and direction of this episode, I wonder if the needs have changed».
«Actually, the main story is already over… But the animation is still impressive. The anime is strong.».
«Is there a rule that requires you to review 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' first? As a fan, this bothers me. This series is about the connection between people and the foolishness of choosing the easy way out in this deteriorated world. 'Kimetsu' is a wonderful work».
«I like the pacing of the manga, so I'm not a fan of anime being too long-winded. But I was worried that even Ubuyashiki's big move would be forgotten, so maybe it would be better.».
«I never thought that 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' was finished. That word shouldn't be used so lightly.».
«The Pillars Training arc is just the prelude to the heavy battles with Akaza, Doma, and Kokushibo. You can't maintain the same level of intensity all the time.».
«My wife was also surprised and we had fun. Those who haven't read the manga didn't expect the first round of the final boss battle to start here.».
«But it's strange that Ubuyashiki, who is so sick, has had so many children. Could it be that he has a very strong sexual desire?».
«The eighth episode of the Pillars Training arc is exceptional, but overall, this season of 'Kimetsu' was a bit weak».
«I have doubts about those who criticize the quality of the anime. 'Dragon Ball' was the precursor to the extension of the plot and has always been extremely popular.».
«The ending was great, but the previous episodes were boring. I would have preferred it to be more compact. I understand that there are a lot of circumstances involved.».