English Dub Review: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Entertainment District Arc: “Defeating an Upper Rank Demon”

Overview: The battle with the upper rank demons continues as Tanjiro (Zach Aguilar), Inosuke (Bryce Papenbrook) and Zenitsu (Aleks Le) aid Tengen (Ray Chase) as best they can. 

Our Take: “Defeating an Upper Rank Demon”, while very straight and to the point in its focus on the battle against the upper rank demons, adds some context for Uzui and the relationship he has with his three wives. 

Uzui’s wives are charming yet also very unique in their one way, making for humorous exchanges in how different they are from one another. Hinatsuru is kind and genuine with Makio being a firecracker and Suma is very gentle and passive. Put them together and you’ve got lively and energetic chemistry. However, it is also incredibly heartfelt in how much they all connect with each other in truly enjoying the time they have while they have it.  

Tengen’s deep seated love and mourning for his fallen shinobi brothers is also nicely felt in missing them and what could have been from their continuing relationship, not to mention trying to live the flashiest life he can. When Hinatsuru finds herself in danger from Gyutaro, it triggers more of Uzui’s flashbacks. Hinatsuru’s desire for the four of them to live a peaceful civilian life and painful acceptance that one may die in the process when taking on an upper rank demon is compelling and passionate motivation for Tengen.

Tanjiro is one, however, that comes to Hinatsuru’s rescue in the end, despite his injuries. Tanjiro’s progression of his battle instincts and swordsman techniques has been enthralling from the very beginning with his latest development another key example of that. His combination of water and flame breathing to create a style that is optimized for strength and speed shows how experienced he has become, not to mention in also realizing other masters before him probably did the same. While Uzui steps in and contends with Gyutaro, Tanjiro joins the fight with Inosuke and Zenitsu against Daki.

There is amazing three person teamwork with all three of our main swordsmen. Beforehand, however, we get to see Inosuke grip with his lack of strength similar to what Tanjiro went through previously and his grit is empowering and cool to watch in what transpires. And what takes place is glorious with all three of them in unison unleashing their own sword styles and stylistic attacks with the chaotic action animated beautifully. This allows Inosuke to get an opening to behead Daki, sawing it off in classic beastly fashion. Although he is stopped after right in his tracks as he is stabbed by Gyutaro when trying to put distance between Daki’s decapitated head and her body. Demon Slayer does an excellent job of finding smart ways to advance battles and keep the stakes high. With Uzui having lost an arm and down for the count, that couldn’t be more true as things are looking dire for Tanjiro and Zenitsu as they get caught up in Gyutaro’s wrath.