The finale of Demon Slayer season 4 was a wonderful watch, and it’s precisely for that purpose that it sparks distinctive frustration in regards to the different episodes thus far this season. This season, extra so than another, has been completely rife with filler. This isn’t to say that filler is inherently dangerous; it may be a fairly welcome addition to the in any other case fast-paced nature of a present like Demon Slayer. However, on this case, the filler has been thematically repetitive and solely briefly satisfying.
Giving the Hashira extra alternatives to point out their personalities and character is sweet. Granting the opposite members of the Corps the chance to do the identical and have some presence on display can also be good, particularly because the collection approaches its climax and we remind ourselves that different Slayers in addition to the Hashira and our primary solid even exist within the first place. However, I don’t really feel like what was added was sufficiently satisfying or character-enhancing to justify dedicating a number of episodes to filler content material.
In distinction to all of that, I actually loved this episode. Consistent with its longer runtime, a lot of it felt like I used to be watching an episode on the motion pictures. The standard of artwork and animation felt consistent with what I’ve come to count on from stronger episodes of Demon Slayer, and, quite than have some unsatisfying filler, the episode tailored a few of my favourite sequences from the manga very nicely.
Ubuyashiki Faces Muzan
Voice performing completely carried this part. Regardless of making up practically a 3rd of the episode, I at no level discovered myself pondering that it was dragging or taking too lengthy. Ubuyashiki merely talking to Muzan was oddly charming, one thing Muzan himself appeared to agree with inside the context of the present. We’ve spent a number of seasons of Demon Slayer ready for the kind of confrontation we obtained from the very starting of this episode, so having that confrontation be so calm and conversational to begin off with was eerie in one of the simplest ways.
The artwork for the mansion is tender with glorious lighting, the music was simply the precise combination of comforting and disconcerting (thanks creepy young children), and the combination of these two with the dialogue was fairly robust. This all after all contrasts fairly a bit with the last word explosion and kickoff of the plan to make use of Ubuyashiki as bait and attempt to take Muzan out. Like Muzan, I discovered myself stunned at how little murderous intent even was hinted at in the course of the earlier sections. Extremely satisfying to see play out and get animated.
Into the Citadel
To reward the voice performing extra, I felt like every one of many Hashira’s voice actors communicated the depth of their respective character’s love and loyalty towards Ubuyashiki extremely nicely as they raced to attempt to save him. On prime of that, the music as Ubuyashiki’s plan slowly got here into being was the proper accompaniment to the shock of the explosion, with a powerful swell because the explosion swelled and general only a actually spectacular strings efficiency.
Lastly, we had all the Corps members being despatched into Muzan’s fort. As traditional, the artwork fashion and animation the place the fort is worried is vibrant and fluid, which was good to see. Even nicer to see have been the completely different reactions to being spontaneously thrust right into a demon demise match. Inosuke’s response was appropriately hilarious, however Zenitsu was with out query probably the most stunning, as he silently accepted what was taking place.
This step to the story, sending a number of units of characters to completely different areas, is frequent in shonen anime and positions the plot nicely in my view. Sending completely different folks to completely different locations means we get to see fights at varied talent ranges with out having the presence of a Hashira invalidate the presence of a weaker Corps member. We’re in good condition for the movie trilogy.
Total, trying now in the direction of all the season, I’m a bit dissatisfied. I wasn’t certain how they have been going to deal with the Hashira coaching sections given how some have been solely a pair panels within the manga and a few barely talked about in any respect. The best way these sections have been tailored was under par in my view, regardless that I can discover some positives within the adaptation to level at. This finale was an attractive episode, however I can’t assist however really feel pissed off on the bulk of the episodes that got here earlier than it.
If you happen to loved the ultimate episode, now you can vote for Demon Slayer in our Spring 2024 Anime of the Season polls.
©Koyoharu Gotoge / SHUEISHA / Aniplex / ufotable
