Ever since they first appeared in Demon Slayer, the Hashira have been these untouchable, legendary figures — you've seen them show up, flex, and disappear. This 8-episode TV series finally puts them front and center as teachers, and it's fascinating watching Tanjiro get absolutely wrecked by each one's training regimen. Set after the brutal Upper Rank battles, the Demon Slayer Corps knows the final confrontation with Muzan is coming, so the remaining Hashira each design specialized boot camps to whip every soldier into shape. Tanjiro pushes through each one, and along the way you get real time with characters like Mitsuri, Muichiro, and the stone Hashira Gyomei, who've mostly been side presences until now. The pacing is slower than previous arcs — this is training, not boss fights — but ufotable's animation still looks absurd. The breathing techniques get broken down more thoroughly, and there are quieter character moments that hit harder than you'd expect from what's essentially a montage arc. Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina's soundtrack carries a lot of the emotional weight in those scenes. If you liked how Naruto handled its training arcs or the way Attack on Titan built tension before its big battles, this scratches a similar itch. It's the calm before the storm, and knowing what's coming makes every small moment of growth feel earned. Fans of Bleach's Gotei 13 will appreciate finally getting to know the Hashira as people, not just powerhouses.
Kind, determined demon slayer Tanjirou protects his sister, wielding a Nichirin sword.
Portrayed by Aguilar Zach
This season covers Chapters 128-136 of the manga. Continue reading from Chapter 137.
Verified RatingI loved seeing the quieter emotional moments between the Hashira in this episode. It really felt like everyone understood how serious the coming battle would be. There was tension, sadness, and hope all at the same time.
Verified RatingSeason 4 Episode 1 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba had a very different feeling compared to the earlier arcs. Instead of starting with nonstop action, the episode focused more on recovery, emotions, and setting up the next stage of the story. After everything the characters went through before this, the calmer pace actually worked well because it gave time to reflect on the losses and struggles they experienced.
One thing I liked was seeing Tanjiro Kamado continue pushing himself forward even after so much pain. His determination never feels fake because the series always shows the physical and emotional cost of fighting demons. The interactions between the characters also felt more natural and emotional in this episode, especially as everyone slowly recovered and prepared for what comes next.
The animation and visuals were still beautiful even without major fights. Small scenes, facial expressions, and background details were animated carefully, which kept the episode visually engaging. The soundtrack also helped create a calmer but emotional atmosphere.
What made the episode interesting was how it started building tension for future events instead of relying on immediate action. You can already feel that another major conflict is coming, especially with the growing danger surrounding the demons and the Hashira. The episode works more as preparation, but it still keeps viewers invested because of the strong characters and emotional storytelling.
Overall, Episode 1 was a solid start to the season. It focused on character moments and setup rather than action, but it still felt meaningful and important for the story moving forward.
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