English Dub Review: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba “Tsuguko, Kanao Tsuyuri”

 

Overview(Spoilers Below):

Tanjiro and company aren’t out of the woods yet and they still have a final bit of recovery to get through before they’re able to leave Shinobu’s headquarters and re-enter the demon-filled world. Zenitsu and Inosuke slowly, but surely, whip themselves into productive action, but Tanjiro is actually well on his way with his goal to perpetually practice concentrated breathing 24/7. Tanjiro’s progress is both startling and inspiring, but it comes with the painful accompaniment of Shinobu and Kanao’s emotional lives. Both of their difficult histories are explored as everyone attempts to move forward and be the best versions of themselves. The road to recovery isn’t easy, but it looks like these Demon Slayers may get back into fighting shape right when it’s needed the most.

 

Our Take:

The group mentality remains firmly entrenched in boot camp mode in “Tsuguko, Kanao Tsuyuri.” Tanjiro is already hard at work in his efforts to be utilizing concentrated breathing at all times and even though he has a fun cheering squad to help him push through the pain, he’s exhausted in a way that he’s never been before. The fact that they watch over Tanjiro during his sleep to make sure that he maintains the concentrated breathing even then is a very cute touch. The sheer turmoil and exertion that Tanjiro puts himself through is juxtaposed to Zenitsu and Inosuke’s lengthy stays in bed and how they’re almost basking in this period of lethargy. It’s a fun distillation of the power and character dynamics within Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba as a whole. It’s not that Zenitsu and Inosuke are opposed to progress or that they want Tanjiro to do all the work, but if they have an excuse to slack off then they’re going to take it. Eventually they do get exposed by Shinobu to the ways of concentrated breathing, but it’s going to be a long time until they’re anywhere close to Tanjio’s level.

Tanjiro’s biggest progress in this episode is with the strides that he makes with his breathing technique. He’s able to hold his own against Kanao in a way that he never was before and he actually feels somewhat prepared for once. Additionally, the gang finally gets their swords repaired after what feels like an eternity. There’s a surprising amount of comedy that comes out of Tanjiro and Inosuke’s reunion with their fixed blades and what it means to show the proper amount of respect for one’s weapon. The timing couldn’t be better for the acquisition of this stronger weapon and improved breathing technique because it’s not much later that Tanjiro has to put all of this into practice.

Progress is still very much the name of the game here, but all of this training is played against an even deeper look into Shinobu and Kanao’s pasts. The last episode shed a light on Shinobu’s lost sister and implied that this tragedy has deeply impacted her life. However, “Tsuguko, Kanao Tsuyuri” goes one step further and spends a lot of time with Shinobu and her sister during their carefree youth. All of these scenes are bittersweet considering what’s known about Shinobu’s sister, but what’s even more heartbreaking through all of this is how it appears that Shinobu basically absorbed her sister’s personality as a way to keep her memory alive in some way. Shinobu is shown to be a spunky troublemaker who’s almost the opposite of her presently more stoic nature. It’s Shinobu’s sister who’s the more reserved of the two and so it’s devastating to realize that Shinobu has shut off a piece of herself and been denied the type of life that may be more natural to her an extension of her grief.

If the episode hasn’t bummed you out enough, it makes sure that Kanao’s past is just as bleak. She represents another character whose original family doesn’t live up to that word and instead just dispenses abuse. Kanao is forced to flee from home when her life only gets worse, but she finds a life preserver when the Kocho sisters accept her in. At this point it’s beginning to feel a little contrived when another new character turns out to have a messed up history (especially when it’s a sad commentary on family, too), but Kanao’s still works. If anything, the yin and yang quality between the respective traumas that Shinobu and Kanao have experienced only make their bond more compatible and devastating.

Similarly, the chemistry between Kanao and Tanjiro is so enjoyable to watch and just feels effortless, even if they’ve only been together for a few episodes now. There’s such a playful rivalry that’s present and there’s an inherent level of tension that’s built into all of their scenes together, whether it’s moments where they’re talking or ones where they’re locked in combat. Their connection becomes even more delicate after her tragic backstory is revealed. It’s kind of beautiful that these two pained individuals can find a balance between each other and not let their pasts weigh them down. Shinobu is still the greatest, but Kanao has definitely been a nice, little bonus during the end of Demon Slayer’s season.

Demon Slayer seldom slacks in the animation department, but there is sometimes a tendency for episodes right before the end of the season to be lacking in quality because the budget is all used up. Thankfully Demon Slayer seems to know how to manage its resources and not only is this installment as pretty as the rest, but all of Tanjiro’s training moments and his bouts with Kanao are as impressive and disorienting as they should be.

The touching flashback sequences and inspiring training scenes all make an impact, but then, in the episode’s final moments, a ferocious demon is abruptly thrown into the picture. It’s as if everyone remembered that the next episode is the season finale and they said, “Shoot! We need to close things out with some demon action!” I’m not complaining and the season should end with some demon slaying, especially after the last several episodes have taken a break of sorts. That being said, it’s still a rushed conclusion that doesn’t feel earned, even if the results are going to be extremely satisfying.

“Tsuguko, Kanao Tsuyuri” is an entertaining entry of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba that very much continues the rehabilitation trend of the past few episodes. However, it does feel a little anticlimactic as far as penultimate episodes are concerned. “Tsuguko, Kanao Tsuyuri” leans a little harder into the comedy than it needs to, but it still features some satisfying action that looks beautiful. The stakes may get away from it at times, but it’s still a successful episode that properly sets up the season finale so it can get right into the chaos.

It’s going to be hard to hold our breath for this grand finale, even for those that have their concentrated breathing mastered.