RECAP: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc, Episodes 1 & 2
NOTE: Full spoilers ahead for Episodes 1-2 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is back with a new season! After their costly victory over the Upper Rank demons Daki and Gyutaro in the Entertainment District, Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu take some time to recover from their injuries. But the Demon Slayer Corps never relaxes for long. Their mission to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji continues in the Swordsmith Village Arc, now simulcasting exclusively right here on Crunchyroll.
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Episodes 1 and 2 of the Swordsmith Village Arc throw new Upper Rank demons into the mix and reacquaint Tanjiro and Nezuko with the Love Hashira, Mitsuri Kanroji, and the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito. Let’s recap the first two episodes in the incredible new season of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba!
The Upper Rank Demons gather
The Demon Slayers’ triumph in Yoshiwara is momentous enough to catch Muzan’s notice–and fury. He summons the remaining Upper Rank demons to remind them of their purpose. Afterward, the Upper Ranks don’t bother hiding their animosity for each other. Upper Three Akaza strikes Upper Two Doma hard enough to remove his jaw, but the rainbow-eyed demon laughs the grievous injury off. Upper Four Hantengu and Upper Five Gyokko are also in attendance, but all eyes are on Upper One Kokushibo as he makes his grand entrance.
Tanjiro Kamado is on the mend
Safely recovering at the Butterfly Mansion, Tanjiro dreams of two men: one wearing a familiar black and green checked haori, and the other wearing hanafuda earrings. He wakes after a two-month coma among his friends, including a relieved Inosuke (not that he’d admit it). Tanjiro is up and starting rehabilitation one week later, and Inosuke returns to his demon slaying duties.
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Tanjiro and Nekuzo make their way to the Swordsmith Village, where they find a friend. Tanjiro’s katana was chipped in the explosive battle, so he sets off to the Swordsmith Village to find Mr. Haganekuza and implore him to repair it. It’s not an easy trek. Tanjiro is blindfolded and his ears plugged. Guides switch out to take him and Nekuzo on a winding, secret path that keeps the Swordsmith Village safe from demon attacks.
Once they arrive at the hidden village, Tanjiro is happy to see the friendly face of the Love Hashira, Mitsuri. Mitsuri and Nezuko hit it off right away…
The Mist Hashira, however, is indifferent
… But the other Hashira in the village, Tokito, doesn’t make a great first impression on Tanjiro. He encounters the Mist Hashira speaking harshly to a young boy of the village, Kotetsu, for not doing as he commands. Tokito wants to fight with a mysterious training automaton, the Yoriichi Type Zero, but Kotetsu doesn’t want him to destroy the one-of-a-kind mechanical doll. “Remember your place,” Tokito emotionlessly tells him, and Tanjiro defends the swordsmiths as equals to the swordsmen they smith for.
Tanjiro begins training again but he has no idea what he’s in for
Kotetsu thanks Tanjiro for standing up for him and asks him to train with the mechanical doll. The five-armed Yoriichi Type Zero, which can strike with 108 different moves, is more than a match for the earnest Demon Slayer. He trains with it day after day under the strict guidance of Kotetsu. He’s a little too strict, telling Tanjiro he can’t eat until he lands a hit on the automaton.
After days without food and only rainwater to drink, a desperate Tanjiro learns a new way to predict his opponent’s moves. With one final strike, the automaton crumbles, revealing an antique sword inside…
What’s next for Tanjiro and Nezuko in the Swordsmith Village? Find out on Sunday, streaming exclusively right here on Crunchyroll!
Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba on Crunchyroll now!
Kelly Knox has been an anime fan for over 20 years. She’s a pop culture writer and author in the Seattle area and you can still find her on Twitter.
