Summary
The Hashira Training arcrevolves arounda period of relative calm following the death of two upper moons and Nezuko’s conquering of the sun. As an all-out war becomes a question of not if, but when, Muzan and the Demon Slayer Corps take a step back to regroup and prepare for the battle ahead.
Filled with shocking revelations, emotional backstories, and lots of action, the Hashira Training arc sets the stage for a war that will change the world forever. Each episode of the season is brilliantly animated and is a treat to watch. Based on the impact on the overall narrative, fights, and character development,here’s how every episode inDemon Slayer’sHashira Training arc stacks up against one another.
8Season 4, Episode 4: “To Bring A Smile To One’s Face”
Mist Hashira Reunites With Tanjiro
“To Bring a Smile to One’s Face” is an ordinary but still memorable episode from the Hashira Training arc. It revolves around Tanjiro as he visits the Mist Hashira to train under him. Their camaraderie is heartwarming, especially looking back at just a few days earlier when Muichiro had been a shell of his former self for years, unable to express any feelings. It was Tanjiro’s words thatfinally woke the Mist Hashiraand inspired him to live a life more attuned to his authentic self.
Remember that boiling anger. Even if I lose my memories, my body will remember that anger that will not leave me until I die. It’s why I trained so hard that I vomited blood to destroy demons. And more, to eradicate them! ~ Muichiro Tokito
Interestingly, this episode not only reveals the far-reaching impact Kamado has had on Tokito’s recovery but also features an intense fight between the three Hashira as they test each other’s limits.
7Season 4, Episode 3: “Fully Recovered Tanjiro Joins The Hashira Training!”
Kamado Starts His Training
As soon as Tanjiro recovered from the injuries sustained in the Swordsmith Village, he began training under the Hashira in preparation for the expected final battle with demons. “Fully Recovered Tanjiro Joins the Hashira Training!” follows the protagonist ashe reunites with Tengen Uzuifor the first time since the battle in Yoshiwara.
Unlike some intense episodes with fights and emotional backstories, this one sheds light on the mundane, offering a closer look at the rigorous training that demon slayers have to undergo. While primarily focused on Tanjiro’s recovery, it also offers a glimpse into the sinister plans being hatched by Muzan and his underlings.
6Season 4, Episode 6: “The Strongest Of The Demon Slayer Corps”
Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke Train Under Gyomei Himejima
“The Strongest of the Demon Slayer Corps” revolves around Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke’s training under Stone Hashira Gyomei. Although each Hashira has prepared a tough training regime, Himejima takes things to a whole new level.
While acquainting viewers with the growth of the main characters, this episode somehow also manages to be hilarious,thanks to Zenitsu’s endlessly funny antics.
5Season 4, Episode 5: “I Even Ate Demons…”
The Shinazugawa Brothers Face Each Other
The Shinazugawa brothers have had a strained relationshipfor years. Although Genya appears eager to put their differences aside and work together towards their shared dream,the Wind Hashira hates being anywherenear his younger sibling. So, when the former gathers enough courage to approach the latter, things spiral out of control and take a violent turn that could have been deadly.
“I Even Ate Demons…” primarily focuses on the Shinazugawa brothers' relationship and highlights how past wounds continue to haunt them even today. Fans who like Genya or Sanemi will surely find this episode quite enlightening.
4Season 4, Episode 2: “The Sorrows Of The Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka”
Tanjiro Learns Tomioka’s Struggle With His Demons
Once the Hashira learn aboutthe Demon Slayer Markand begin preparation for the final battle with Muzan and his underlings,Giyu Tomioka starts inexplicably isolating himself. Kagaya writes a letter to Tanjiro, encouraging him to talk to the Water Hashira and ensure that he overcomes the demons from his past that continue to haunt him.
Why did I forget that exchange with Sabito? It’s important. I didn’t want to remember because my tears would never stop. When I did remember, I was so sad I couldn’t do anything. Tsutako. Sabito. I’m sorry I’m so immature. ~ Giyu Tomioka
As the name suggests, “The Sorrows of the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka” is a melancholic episode that uncovers intimate details of Giyu’s past life and lays bare the insecurities that have been crushing his soul for years.
3Season 4, Episode: “To Defeat Muzan Kibutsuji”
Hashira Lay The Groundwork To Defeat Demon King
After Nezuko conquered the sunand three demon slayers manifested the Demon Slayer Mark, the dynamics of the battle against Muzan were altered almost overnight. On the one hand, Muzan was ecstatic as he felt that immortality was within his grasp, but the Hashira were also confident after they learned how marked demon slayers from the Sengoku Era had come close to defeating Muzan.
With the threat of an all-out war looming larger than ever, this was not a good sign as both sides smelled victory, making a battle almost inevitable. “To Defeat Muzan Kibutsuji” focuses on the discussions and planning by the Hashira, in light of shocking revelations from the Sengoku era. It also highlights the challenges the Demon Slayer Corps faces in preparation for the final confrontation with the Demon King and his underlings.
2Season 4, Episode 7: “Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima”
The Stone Hashira Has A Heart of Gold
TheStone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, symbolizes strength within the Demon Slayer Corps. Regardless of how tense or serious a circumstance is, it appears that his comrades trust him to handle everything. While he had made quite a few appearances before the Hashira Training arc, nothing concrete was known about his personal life or how he ended up joining the Corps.
We are proud to live and die as human beings. Don’t act like your worthless ideas are supreme and force them on others. ~ Gyomei Himejima
“Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima” dives into the titular character’s life story, unraveling every horrific, violent, and heartbreaking detail. It allows the viewers to finally understand the circumstances that have shaped him into the person that he is today and the influence his early life continues to have on him.
1Season 4, Episode 8: “The Hashira Unite”
The Beginning Of The End
For years,Demon King Muzan Kibutsujihas been searching for his arch-enemy and the leader ofthe Demon Slayer Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. His long wait finally comes to an end when Nakime traces the location of the Ubuyashiki household. Determined to settle the score once and for all, Muzan confronts Kagaya alone, not realizing that his nemesis is waiting for him.
“The Hashira Unite” initially feels like a slow burn, but the tension never stops rising, with a ruthless bloodbath looming just over the horizon. Muzan and Kagaya’s honest conversation lays bare their philosophical differences and reveals the lengths they are willing to go to stop one another. When the tension peaks,Kagaya makes his move before Muzanand escalates their altercation into an all-out demon-human war, with the future of the world on the line. The episode is beautifully animated, with each move perfectly choreographed, and each emotion vividly conveyed, setting the tone for the last two arcs of the series.
