Demon Slayer season 3's first episode sets up an epic Swordsmith Village arc
Demon Slayer season 3 spoilers follow.
Demon Slayer season three is nearly here, but fans were able to get an early peak at its extra-long first episode in cinemas around the world this month.
But what does the hour-long anime spectacular tell us about the show's future?
Demon Slayer season three picks up immediately after season two, with Tanjiro and co being collected from the rubble of their Entertainment District battle.
It then switches gears into one of the strongest 10-minute segments of the series so far, setting up Demon Slayer’s next arc in a delightfully sinister way.
We jump from the real world into Demon Slayer’s mind-bending Infinity Castle, as Upper Rank Demon Akaza (who we met during the Mugen Train arc) and the other top Kizuki are summoned before big bad Muzan Kibutsuji to discuss Gyutaro’s death. You'd be forgiven for not remembering, but Gyutaro and Daki were the sibling demons that Tanjiro defeated at the end of season two.
To be frank, the animation in this sequence is absolutely bananas. Akaza leaps, flies and falls through tunnels and spires of shifting architecture with grace and ease – all of which reminds viewers that a) Demon Slayer is back, and b) budget was clearly not an issue.
And then, if that wasn't enough, the meeting of the Upper Rank Demons that follows is a masterclass in table setting and mystery building.
We’re quickly introduced to Akaza’s rivals, all of whom have striking designs and wonderfully sinister descriptions. It’s here we meet Kokushibo, aka the top-ranking Kizuki, a master of stealth and someone you’ll definitely want to remember for later.
After a tense conversation with Kibutusji, brilliantly accompanied by a menacing orchestral soundtrack and some really disorienting editing and camerawork, the Upper Rank demons are dismissed.
Kizukis Gyokko and Hantengu are sent to find a macguffin, which we strongly suspect will lead them to a clash with Tanjiro, while the top three demons are left bickering (violently) among themselves.
Key things to note from this scene are the rivalry dynamic between Akaza and Doma, the demon currently in second position, and the way the show transitions from this scene to a dream that Tanjiro is having.
In his dream, a man who looks a lot like Kokushibo sits on a porch and talks with Tanjiro’s father about what it means to live a fulfilling life. He’s also wearing Tanjiro’s now-iconic Hanafuda earrings, which should set your alarm bells ringing. The character also shows up at the end of the first episode when Tanjiro stumbles upon the Mist Hashira in the woods.
After these honestly epic scenes, the rest of Demon Slayer season three’s opener is fairly run-of-the-mill. It catches us up quickly with the gang; we learn that Tanjiro was in a coma for two months, that Zenitsu recovered quickly and was sent on a mission, and find Inosuke terrorizing the nurses at Butterfly Mansion.
Tanjiro learns that his sword is still broken and that Master Haganezuka, who forged it for him in season one, has sent a slew of angry letters refusing to fix it.
So, determined to have his demon-killing blade remade, he sets off to the titular Swordsmith Village.
During a tour of the Swordsmith Village Tanjiro meets the Chief, who tells him Haganezuka is missing, and two other key players. First up is Genyu Shinazugawa, the angry younger brother of the Wind Hashira, who we last saw during the Final Selection episodes in season one, and Love Hashira Kanroji.
It’s worth pointing out Kanroji’s fairly retrograde characterization here, as we learn that she became a Hashira so that she could find love – specifically someone strong enough to protect her.
This, coupled with a character design whose most prominent features are big eyes and even bigger breasts, doesn't bode well for a show that already doesn’t have the best track record when it comes to female characters.
The final scenes of the Demon Slayer’s season three’s premiere involve Kanroji telling Tanjiro that, as he’ll be in the Swordsmith Village for a while, he should investigate the rumour that there’s a powerful weapon hidden somewhere nearby.
The next morning he begins his treasure hunt, which we’re sure will be an ongoing story this season. Then, in the episode’s final moments, our hero stumbles across an argument between Mist Hashira Tokito, who we know will play a big role in this season, and someone from the village.
As we mentioned before, the scene is made weirder by the presence of someone who looks a lot like top ranking demon Kokushibo. Unfortunately, the episode ends here, so we'll have to wait a little while to find out just what's going on.
Overall, the first episode of season three does a great job setting up what's next for Tanjiro, but its real strength lies in the glimpse it gives us into the lives and esoteric machinations of its demon horde. We only wish there'd been a bit more action in this opening episode.
Demon Slayer season 3 debuts in Japan on 9 April. The UK Crunchyroll release date is yet to be announced
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