It feels like Demon Slayer’s unrelenting momentum is finally starting to wane. Maybe it’s just me, but this season didn’t make so much of a splash as the other ones did. Which is understandable.
This season is where the cracks in the series really start to show. It’s still gorgeously animated, and the music is still amazing, make no mistake. But the issues in the writing are really starting to get out of hand here.
After a lengthy coma and some training, Tanjiro is ready to get back into the field. Just one problem: his swordsmith has refused to forge him a new sword! In need to arm himself, he makes his way to the highly secretive village of swordsmiths, where he meets acquaintances old and new. Just in time, too, for our young hero isn’t the only one to make his way there. But what chance can the demon slayers have against two Upper Rank demons at once?
Well, more like six or more, but we’ll get to that.
To begin, let’s go over the positive points. For one, this season mixes up the cast a fair bit. Both Inosuke and Zenitsu are gone, after the first episode. In their absence, we get extra time to focus on the new characters.
Characters such as this seasons Hashira: Mitsuri, the Love Hashira, and Tokito, the Mist Hashira. Of the two, I find Mitsuri much more enjoyable; she’s got a decent backstory, a weird and cool fighting style, and her bubbly airhead personality makes her easily likable. But Tokito is pretty cool, too, once he stops being an asshole for no reason.
Also, Genya finally gets to do things. Remember Genya? The mohawk guy from season one? Of course you do, he was so memorable and interesting!
As for the villains, they’re… fine. In terms of design and powers, they’re among Demon Slayer’s best. In terms of backstory and personality, they’re among Demon Slayer’s worst. Not even an episode after the fight began, I was already sick of ’em both.
That seems like a good place to transition into criticism. Of which I have plenty.
Pacing is a huge issue this season. It’s just too damn fast! Not even two episodes in, and the big battle begins! We hardly spent any times with the new setting or the characters, then bam! Fighting!
This is also where the plot really starts to show its shortcomings. How do we reveal more about Yoriichi and the mystery behind him? Well, Tanjiro ‘inherits his ancestor’s memories’ (whatever that’s supposed to mean) and he coincidentally runs into someone whose family actually knew the man himself at the village. How convenient.
And remember the Blue Spider Lily? That thing Muzan wanted more than anything else? Well, forget about that, because something happens at the end of this season that makes it completely irrelevant. Why did we spend so much time building up the mystery of that flower if it never actually matters?
Because… uh… shut up, that’s why!
In terms of presentation, this season is as strong as you’d expect. Not all the CGI looks as solid as previous seasons, but as a whole, the animation here is as impressive as ever. Not to mention the lighting and the gorgeous background work.
And, of course, the music is as banging as ever. Demon Slayer’s OST has always been a highlight for the show, and that hasn’t changed. We’ve even got a new OP from ‘Man on a Mission’ and ‘Milet’!
If you’ve enjoyed Demon Slayer up to this point, season three isn’t gonna change your mind. It’s more of the same, and if you like that, you’ll like this. But if the show’s issues bothered you before, this is the season where they’ll really start to get on your nerves.
It’s funny to think that we’re already so close to the end. There’s only, like, an arc and a half of manga left to cover. Season four will more than likely be the last one.
Can’t wait to see how the hardcore anime fans react to the ending. Something tells me it isn’t gonna be pretty.
Looking forward to saying the same thing about Attack on Titan in a few months.
Jonah's Books & Rants 
Leave a comment