English Dub Review: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc: “Never Give Up”

Overview: Tanjiro (Zach Aguilar) and Tengen (Ray Chase) make their final push against Gyutaro (Brandon McInnis) while Zenitsu (Aleks Le) and Inosuke (Bryce Papenbrook) give it their all against Daki (Erica Lindbeck)

Our Take: Tanjiro’s inner inspiration being his family will never not be uplifting is what I have come to realize. First, it was his late younger siblings and now that of Nezuko, who knocks some sense into him as he struggles with the classic shonen protagonist conundrum: Blaming oneself for situations out of their control. It is nothing revolutionary as far as issues go and neither is the resolution for that matter. However, Abby Trott’s emotional performance coupled with heartfelt writing makes it a moving one nonetheless. 

Tanjiro’s smart strategic sense is also once again put on display. Even more impressive is his ability to strategize with the duress he is in with Gyutaro taunting him psychologically about not being fit to look after Nezuko and breaking two of his fingers. It is intriguing to figure out what is up his sleeve in how he masks his true actions in disguising a poisonous kunai with the smell of the flowers and is able to get up close and personal with Gyutaro, trying to lop off his head. Not able to do so, Uzui resurfaces and helps him seal the deal. And holy mother of God did Ufotable want to go out with a bang and in a flashy fashion some might say. Uzui and Gyutaro’s intense battle steals the show with dazzling, colorful background explosions and dizzying fast sword clashes. 

Zensitu and Inosuke also make their final push against Daki, stunning with their own moves once again with one of note being Zenistu’s speed and the brilliant blue electric color/aesthetic that brings it to life. With both demons getting beheaded in a climactic final push, it leaves off with a hell of a cliffhanger in Gyutaro’s body detonating and exploding full of his blood demon art with Tanjiro, Uzui and possibly others getting caught in the crossfire.