The following contains spoilers for Demon Slayer Season 4, Episode 1, “To Defeat Muzan Kibutsuji.”

When Demon Slayer debuted in 2019, no one predicted the level of enthusiasm with which fans would embrace it. Thanks to its unstoppable rise in popularity, Demon Slayer The manga has become one of the biggest bestsellers of all time, selling over 150 million copies worldwide as of February 2021. After three seasons and several companion films, Ufotable's manga Demon Slayer is finally close to the finish line.

The anime's true villain, Muzan Kibutsuji, has his sights set on Tanjiro's sister, Nezuko. But the Demon Slayer Corps and the Hashira must find a way to defeat the higher demons as everyone prepares for the upcoming final showdown. Soon after a thrilling encounter with demons in the Swordsman Village, Demon Hunter Season 4Don't waste time adapting the Hashira Training Arc much to the delight of eagerly awaiting fans. Episode 1, “To Defeat Muzan Kibutsuji,” is just the prologue of what’s to come. The extensive training the young Demon Slayers undergo is simply the tip of the iceberg.

After Love Hashira and Mist Hashira manifest a mark similar to Tanjiro's scar while fighting alongside him, certain information comes to light that sets the main plot in motion. It was almost as if the characters were waiting for the green light. And as soon as the ball rolls, Demon Hunter Season 4, Episode 1 begins the training in earnest.

The final episode starts off strong but turns into a lot of exposition

Being the first episode in a year, Demon Hunter Season 4, Episode 1 gives fans exactly what they want, namely a stylish opening-act action scene and a lengthy runtime. However, not everything works out. Not even halfway through the runtime, It was frustratingly clear that the episode wanted to use its extra screen time to tie up loose ends from the previous season. about anything else. There were leftover mysteries that the audience had to face. The pilot episode of season 4 addressed these before fully delving into the final Demon Slayer bow.

The story begins in medias res, as the Serpent Hashira, Obanai Iguro, and the Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa, enter the enemy’s lair with growing confidence. However, they discover that something more sinister is at play. This is the first time the Corps has actually gotten this close to the demon’s lair, which makes this opening cliffhanger all the more valuable. This is also where the episode fell flat in terms of intensity, especially after a swashbuckling beginning worthy of the show's modus operandi. While the running time is partly to blame for these dragged-out scenes, the episode's insistence on adapting two manga chapters in full hampers its momentum.

The story oscillated between a recovering Tanjiro enjoying some downtime and the Hashiras gathering to decide the future of the Corps. This created a jarring dichotomy between silly banter and dark seriousness. On one hand, the audience laughs at Inosuke climbing through the window or Zenitsu discovering that Nezuko can talk. On the other hand, the looming shadow of Muzan and the mystery of the mark keep the story focused on the bigger picture. Unfortunately, the slowness with which Hashira's scenes unfold makes the episode a arduous and winding slog.

What Demon Hunter Season 4, Episode 1 is sorely lacking in plot. The episode is mostly an exposition dump that spends too much time explaining things rather than letting the events unfold or speak for themselves. To be fair, everything the characters talk about contributes to the lore of the world while also explaining the aftermath of last season's devastation in the Swordsman Village. But it got to a point where it felt like the characters were talking more than they were doing literally anything else in this episode.

In a way, the exposition acts as a foundation for the goals of Season 4, especially with regards to the Hashira's training. While none of the main characters have participated in the training yet, there is a rumbling sense of big montages and power-ups to come. There is also a distinct feeling that this season will focus on preparing for the big fight rather than going for spectacular fights, moving away somewhat from the more exciting, action-packed approach of previous seasons. This will, unsurprisingly, divide the Demon Slayer fandom in half.

Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 1 Focuses on the Hashira

The episode delves into the Hashira's dynamics, but leaves everyone else out of the picture.

Despite surpassing the show's protagonists in terms of power and skill, the Hashira have always supported the players. From Giyu Tomioka setting Tanjiro on the path to becoming a Demon Slayer to Rengoku's death inspiring him to give it his all, each Hashira has left their mark on Tanjiro's story—even those who got off on the wrong foot with him. But now with Tanjiro's injuries sidelining him for the time being, Demon Hunter Season 4, Episode 1 had Hashira carry the burden of storytelling.

The opening act put Obanai Iguro and Sanemi Shinazugawa in the spotlight, pitting their arrogance and brazen demeanor against their skill with the blade. This was also a classic case of show and don't tell, as the two Hashira showed a glimmer of friendship in their relationship that no doubt stemmed from the fact that they had gone on missions together.

While it's a seemingly normal affair, meeting the Hashira in the story is the best way to learn about the group's different personalities. The Hashira may hold the highest rank in the Demon Slayer Corps, but their interpersonal relationships have never been the best. There are stoic fighters who butt heads with their stubborn counterparts, while the hard-headed ones provide comic relief to keep things from getting too tense.

The audience witnessed this firsthand when Giyu stormed out of the meeting and Sanemi confronted him with his usual brashness. Before it all escalated into a full-blown altercation, the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, intervened, showing that even the Hashira have someone to keep them in line. It's not a subtle trait by any means, as the episode openly addresses the Water Hashira's antisocial behavior as a problem, and leaves it up to Tanjiro to resolve. While their role in the episode ends here, The Hashira are without a doubt the best parts of Episode 1 by far.

In sharp contrast, Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu's bromance is the most wholesome part of the episode and sets an example for the rest. On the outside, they may exaggerate their animosity towards each other, but it comes from an environment of healthy competition. Whether it was the stubborn Inosuke breaking windows to show off his skills or Zenitsu beaming with joy after someone thanked him, each of them gravitated towards Tanjiro not to brag, but because they loved him unconditionally. It's no wonder their scenes are the heart and soul of Demon Slayer.

At this point, the Hashira lack unity. For the upcoming battles, they must learn how to put aside their differences and come together as a team. They may be strong individually, but their strength will count for nothing if they fight demons alone. Likewise, their younger subordinates must learn from their experience in slaying demons.

Ufotable's Animation Elevates Demon Slayer Season 4, Episode 1

Ufotable's animation and soundtrack make up for the season's pilot slack

For this episode, Ufotable's talented and stellar animation team doesn't get many opportunities to showcase their skills., given how dull most of the season 4 pilot was. But when they do, they go overboard with the panoramic shots and CGI effects. They held nothing back when it came to giving Demon Slayeraction scenes with the frenetic energy for which he is known.

The main animation streamlined the characters' movements, even when they were performing simple tasks, such as expressing themselves to others in a meeting. The animation worked in conjunction with the music to suck the viewer right into the world of Demon Slayer. The bold outlines and vibrant colors created an incredible visual experience, much like the soundtrack by Go Shiina and Yuki Kajiura, which created a captivating environment for the episode to thrive in.

Curiously, Demon Slayer The story of Season 4 Episode 1 began in the second half of the companion movie, Demon Slayer: For Hashira Training, which hit theaters earlier this year. Seeing him as the pilot of the Hashira Training Arc gives a different perspective to the story, as the episode's ending feels seriously ominous. Still, There's fun in the lighthearted moments, which is where the episode really shines.

Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 1 has fun action, comedy, and even serious drama. While these elements are great on their own, the episode fails to juggle them properly. These ingredients can only bring long-term success to Demon Slayer fourth season if the following episodes find the right balance in the future.

Demon Slayer Season 4 is now streaming on Netflix.