Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 1 & 2 Review: Towards The Village Of The Forgers
Stars: Natsuki Hanae, Akira Ishida, Akari Kitô
Director: Shin’ya Shimomura, Akihiko Uda
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Filmyhype.com Ratings: 4/5 (four stars) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
With a surprising first episode of Demon Slayer Season 3 that has aroused great enthusiasm from fans of the series, we return to the village of katana smiths with a second installment that landed on Crunchyroll on time. Exactly as one might expect, in these 24 minutes we will be catapulted into moments of transition in which the main fulcrum will be the various clues about the many personalities that we will get to know within this short but intense narrative arc. From Genya Shinazugawa to Kanroji Mitsuri, from Tokito Muichiro to Hantengu, we will add all those more or less important supporting actors to the total roster (without forgetting the forger Haganezuka), leading us to hope for a cour full of insights and new, compelling developments.
There have been many controversies about the new Demon Slayer film – Towards the Village of katana forgers, not considered by our fans as a real film worthy of being called such. An unsolicited preview of the new season that is repeated in this first episode (almost an hour long overall), the actual beginning of a new, arduous mission in one of the most mystical and important villages in the world of Demon Slayer: the village of katana smiths.
Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 1 & 2 Review: The Story Plot
After a long wait, Demon Slayer 3 brings the third season of the anime to the small screen at the expense of Ufotable, an animation studio that made us dream thanks to its excellent work of transposition of the original work by Koyoharu Gotoge. Now, following the release of the film at the beginning of March, which wanted to preview the new narrative arc, the first episode of the third season is officially released, an introduction to the new expected events that will see Tanjiro explore and fight in a very particular village, home to those who are the brave demon slayers – the katana smiths. But for those who have not had the opportunity to see the film, a quick summary of this first hour is a must. Everything starts from where we left off: in the palace of Infinity together with Akaza. Right there, before Muzan deigns the crescent moons of his charismatic presence, we will meet the remaining antagonists: Gyokko, the fifth crescent moon; Hantengu, the fourth.
Douma, the demon previously known in Daki and Gyuutaro’s flashbacks now becomes the second crescent moon; and finally, last but not least Kokushibo, a first crescent moon whose gruesome face from six bloodshot eyes we could see. We will then see Muzan again, angry with Kagaya Ubuyashiki, also taking it out on all his most faithful demons. He leaves them, not in the best of moods, with some important work to do. Conclusion The prologue is expertly narrated to include the viewer as much as possible, the scene returns to Tanjiro in the throes of deep dreams studded with the presence of his ancestors and a mysterious swordsman with a flaming scar on his forehead. Seeing his face, Tanjiro awakens from a sleep that lasted two whole months.
Having entered the village of katana forgers, there are several encounters for Tanjiro: we have already witnessed the one with his contemporary demon-slayer, Genya Shinazugawa, an elusive and often too angry character that we have not had the opportunity to see from the very first season. The Pillar of Love, Kanroji Mitsuri who enchanted us with his beauty and sweetness, and, last but not least, Tokito Muichiro, the eccentric but misunderstood Pillar of the Mist. In the last episode, we broke up with him, intent on talking to one of the residents of the village with a way of doing anything but pleasant. It is precisely from this first approach that it is immediately clear how particular his character is: contemptuous, grumpy, and heedless of the needs of others, a genius misunderstood among the hashira, but well aware of what he wants. Evident characteristics inevitably place him (at least in these initial stages) in the lowest place on the podium of affability.
On the other hand, you know, the training of a Pillar cannot be the same as any other demon slayer, and what better way to put your skills into practice than with an old mechanical doll depicting one of the most powerful swordsmen ever from the was Sengoku? Six wooden arms, impressive movements, and a familiar face that Tanjiro recognizes immediately at first glance: that of the flaming swordsman who appeared in his dreams. A providential opponent of that doll, which becomes the new training dummy of a Tanjiro ready to unlock new techniques, and knowledge and one step closer to his final goal. Unlocked with the ability to predict the moves of the mechanical opponent (always entrusted to his amazing sense of smell), Tanjiro manages to overcome his defenses by hitting her on the head. Having now reached its limit, the puppet splits in two revealing a katana that has survived for over 300 years.
Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 1 & 2 Review and Analysis
One is the word that comes closest to describing this new debut: evolution. The fold that Ufotable wanted to give to Demon Slayer 3 is based not only on a well-developed narration in line with that of the manga tables but also on a qualitative technical level which, in this episode, reaches the next level. Going back in time, we once again call into question the film distributed by Warner Bros. Entertainment which, as we well know, did not fully satisfy fans due to its nature being disconnected from what the simplest definition of the film. The monopoly of the two episodes of the second season in the total playing time, the presence of opening and credits, and the discontinuity between events have almost completely eclipsed the real novelty of the film, causing general discontent. Nonetheless, the new material allows for more precise pinpointing of incredible steps forward that Ufotable has decided to introduce in its work. Starting right from Akaza, one of the added features is the exploration of the Palace of Infinity.
The villain is made deeper and (precisely) infinite, thanks to the transitions in which we will see the young crescent moon jump between floors, thus allowing us to better understand the mechanisms that move one of the favorite places of the fearsome Muzan. A move certainly appreciated, even if perhaps too dilated over time given its nature as a simple “demonstration”. Going forward, we notice a superlative CGI that manages to fully enhance the materials that form the background for the protagonists: wood, glass, and blood. It is they, for the most part, who monopolize the scene, outclassing even the presence of the most charismatic protagonists. It is intertwined with the introduction of new cinematographic techniques such as camera shake, which further increases the sense of unease and dismay in some key scenes of the episode. The introduction to a new chapter in the story helps keep the viewer’s attention thanks also to the addition of the right amount of fanservice: the feature does not exactly insist on the work of Demon Slayer but is always welcome especially if in line with the right character such as the Hashira of love, Kanroji Mitsuri.
As is usual to see in the very first episodes of a new cour, it is not uncommon to come across events that have the obvious and thankless task of acting as a link between the beginnings of a new narrative arc and the bloody battles, the epilogue of the events. This is its role: a passing episode that serves to introduce us not only to the new characters but also to the future physical and mental developments of our protagonists. Speaking precisely of our Tanjiro, it is clear how much his unfailing goodness towards him still stands out, a primary characteristic with very marked features that leads him, very often, to bear harassment from anyone. Little Kotetsu is proof of this: a clever, at times presumptuous child, with a kind but ignorant soul when it comes to basic knowledge of human behavior. It is because of his immaturity that Tanjiro finds himself without food and water for several days.
Exaggeration certainly due to wanting to add comedy and lightness to a repetitive moment like yet another workout to get stronger, but a fertile basis from which it becomes legitimate to wonder if it is the case to let the first unknown child you meet on the street put your feet on your head. But if we talk about children, probably, the one who comes closest to this definition is precisely the pillar of the fog, Tokito Muichiro. Not because he behaves with immaturity and impertinence, but for his innate ability to speak without filters, regardless of the feelings of others exclaiming the most shameless truth of the facts. Undoubtedly a useful trait but it makes him balance between a feeling of labile apprehension and the most total annoyance.
It will seem useless to underline once again the incredible work that ufotable has managed to do in this third season of the anime, and yet, it seems that it has no intention of ceasing to amaze us with just as many small details. Even if the proud technical sector of the very first episode does not stand out in this last episode, there are many noteworthy details. First of all is certainly the transposition of the fights: a painstaking work although transposed by exploiting a little too much slow motion which does not help at all with the fluidity of the narration, which improves the drawings of the manga which largely inconclusive and anything but clean in their illustration. The use of blurs and dark filters is excellent to make an abstract concept such as that of concentration visually strong. Pleasant, as positively visible to an attentive eye, the mechanical rendering of the doll’s gears (made with good CGI) and the effect of the rain, fabulously blurred in its depth.
Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 1 & 2 Review: The Last Words
Demon Slayer Season 3 goes on with a new installment that introduces us with greater interest and insight into the new eccentric personalities we would have to deal with during the narrative arc. They are the protagonists of a technical sector which, although it cannot be fully compared to the one seen during the first episode due to the events narrated in more staid tones, does not fail to delight us with many small details worthy of a series of this caliber. Honorable mention goes, without a doubt, to the ending of the season “Koi Kogare” by MAN WITH A MISSION x Milet, the same authors of the beautiful opening, and juxtaposed by the inevitable final curtains typical of the Demon Slayer series.
