Demon Slayer season 4, Hashira Training Arc episode 1 review – Zenitsu-Inosuke-Tanjiro are back but Iguro-Shinazugawa steal the show

Story:

Nezuko is now immune to sun, which has made her Muzan’s number one target. The Hashiras have to train harder before the demon head attacks and tries to devour her to become stronger.

Review:

The first episode from Demon Slayer - Hashira Training Arc, starts with stunning visuals. Unfortunately, Tanjiro is not the first person to come in the frame. Neither are Inosuke or Zenitsu. This time around, the show commences with Serpent Hashira Obanai Iguro and Wind Hashira, Sanemi Shinazugawa. They stumble upon an abandoned temple, which is the demon head Muzan Kibutsuji's lair. This is after they find out the place where the villagers from the Swordsmith Village were taken.

Visuals play an important part in the first episode itself and it is not one bit disappointing. Despite violence being the highlight, the action takes the cake in the first few scenes. Both Iguro and Shinazugawa are impressive to the T. The fact that they are very much in sync takes the episode to a whole new level.

Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho is here and she's the sweetest in the very first frame. We are soon introduced to Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho as well, who discusses what happened in the Swordsmith Village. They are the cutest even as the story progresses to more serious situations.

Through Tanjiro Kamado, we get a flashback of what happened so far. Soon after, we are taken to a Hashira gathering. This means that Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji and Mist Hashira Muicihro Tokito are also back from their mission and get praises for their work, of eliminating two men from the demons' Upper Ranks. As excited as Kanroji is, Tokito is just as reserved. This gives Shinazugawa an opportunity to be himself and wonder why isn't he the one to come across such demons instead.

Kagaya Ubuyashiki is ill and on his deathbed. This leaves the Hashiras vulnerable, but Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima, otherwise calm, takes matters in his own hands.

Kanroji and Tokito's reason for marks is discussed in the very episode. After knowing the reason, the Hashiras are in a fix.

Kanroji's explanation and the aftermath is the funniest thing in the episode. To add to it, the makers shared a caption which is sure to make you laugh out loud.

As one can expect, Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka, who has been closely associated with Nezuko ever since she became a demon, has his own way of going about things. This includes meetings with the Hashiras. That does not mean that Tomioka does not manage to irk others, especially Iguro and Shinazugawa. Even Shinobu has her own way of expressing the same feeling.

Zenitsu is finally here, and he hasn't changed a bit. His expressions on seeing Kiyo, Naho, Sumi and Aoi are core Zenitsu. It is his reaction on seeing Nezuko, her reaction on seeing him and the reactions of girls around him that take the cake in the very scene. He has transferred Inosuke's anger into him this time around, for it takes just a single moment for Zenitsu to lose his calm this time. Eventually, though, since he gets back to his old self, things are alright.

Inosuke found his new target in Nezuko and it is the most hilarious thing in the series (as expected from him). The post-credit scene with him is worth watching too.

Tanjiro's swordsmith Haganezuka is here and thankfully, he's not in his usual angry avatar (for a while at least). In his unusual state, he hands over Tanjiro a new sword and it is dear for a reason. Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku is paid tribute once again, and it is precious.

Genya Shinazugawa is back for a brief period and Inosuke steals his limelight by being, well, Inosuke. The literal boar head is chaos as always. He is here to deliver the message to trainees that senior Hashiras are having a meeting to train all the Demon Slayers, but as expected, he and Tanjiro be the boarheads together in the scene. It is how they take the scene ahead that makes it funny and worth the wait.

Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui, who played an important role in the Entertainment District Arc, is back. He is as cruel as ever but for a reason, which we all know by now. Of course, his three wives are there to support him as well. Tokito, Kanroji, Igoru, Shinazugawa and Himejima all inspire his training. Not just Uzui, Shinazugawa is full of passion when it comes to the training. Kanroji, while otherwise flamboyant, is also scary this time. As you can expect, same is the case with all other Hashiras.

The town where Muzan lives with his fake family is explored, but Tamoya is the one in the picture this time. Things take an interesting turn as the first episode, In Order To Defeat Muzan Kibutsuji, comes to an end.

The theme song of the show is not as catchy as its previous music but will still have you wanting to explore more. The post-credit scene, as always, is something you wouldn't want to miss.

Verdict:

Demon Slayer Hashira Training Arc has just taken off but is impressive already. The beginning scenes featuring Obanai Iguro and Sanemi Shinazugawa especially take the cake. The rest is just pure Demon Slayer material, with a few yays and nays, but given how this show has taken off, the expectations are at an all-time high.