Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Episode 15) – Mount Natagumo
Now that Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu have recovered from their injuries, they’re sent on a mission together. It must be serious if they need to send all three of them, especially given the demons Tanjiro has faced alone!
What did you watch?
After last weeks peculiar episode, I’m hoping that episode 15 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba can get things back on track. I don’t mind a bit of lighthearted humour and games now and then, but this is a series where the protagonist’s family were murdered by a demon and he now hunts them down with his demon sister. I love the action and the dark fantasy elements, and even the humour in small doses, but for me last week took things too far. Well, let’s find out how things went. There will be spoilers, just so you know…
What happened?
Still at the Wisteria House recovering from their injuries, it would appear that Tanjiro managed to explain things to Zenitsu. The problem is that he’s now determined to charm Nezuko and convince Tanjiro that he might be a good fit for his sister. Then Inosuke charges in, headbutts Tanjiro, and then chases him around the room. Thankfully, the doctor showed up and told them all they were healed and free to resume their roles. You don’t have to tell a crow twice as no sooner had the doc given them the all-clear Tanjiro’s crow swooped in and sent them all on a mission together.
They arrive at the destination – a creepy mountain with ominous sounds and smells. It’s too much for Zenitsu and even Tanjiro has a moment of reflection. Of course, Inosuke charges in. They find a demon slayer lying on the ground, begging for help, but before they can get near him he is yanked into the air and dragged back into the forest screaming! Zenitsu refuses to budge, leaving Tanjiro and Inosuke to head in without him. They find another demon slayer and get an idea of what’s going on, but then they’re attacked by more demon slayers, some not even alive!
What did you think?
This episode was a massive improvement on the last episode minus the first ten minutes as they continued to heal at the Wisteria House. Honestly, if that had been the opening episode for this series, I would have walked away. The sight of a love-struck Zenitsu bounding after Tanjiro and Nezuko was absurd enough already and then Inosuke joined in… Thankfully, they returned to the primary mission of hunting demons. We only saw a couple of glimpses of the demons in question and there appears to be a whole family of them, which goes against Muzan’s curse, so this could get interesting.
What was your favourite moment?
I loved how the tone of the show shifted back to what I think is its most natural state. The demon slayer being pulled through the air was dark and sinister. Seeing the demon slayers turning on one another and moving like creepy puppets was also great. Inosuke also seemed to calm down and focus when demons are involved, although he did punch on of the demon slayers and headbutt Tanjiro at one point.
What was your least favourite moment?
Easy. The scenes at the Wisteria House. It just didn’t seem like the same show where Muzan Kibutsuji turned a random passerby into a demon in a show of strength, or where a demon was kidnapping girls from their beds and eating them or the arm-demon from the final selection. Frankly, I’d like to remove the whole section from my memory, which is almost impossible for me. The little comedic moments scattered through the show have been very enjoyable, but the long and drawn out section quickly became tired and not funny.
Who was your favourite character?
I think it was actually Inosuke in this episode. He charged in without fear or maybe much thought, but he did it all the same. This guy makes things happen, whether you like him or not. It was also cool to see him use some more of his beast skills. I do wonder how his mask moves when he talks and how he sees through the eyes, but that’s not really important. I’m hoping he’ll go back to being gruff and edgy rather than annoying and pigheaded!
Who was your least favourite character?
Zenitsu, however, has reverted back to the annoying character that was pestering that girl in the fields to marry him or crying and screaming all through the tsuzumi demon’s house. I had hoped that he would continue as the character that saved Nezuko from Inosuke, but so far that’s not happening. Sure, he’s just run into the forest to save her, but they’ve got to find a way to use his actual skills while dampening this side of him.
Would you like some more?
It certainly looks like things are about to get interesting with demons controlling demon slayers and the more experienced demon slayers on their way to join the fight. Also, was it just me or was that the girl from Tanjiro’s group that survived the final selections with Giyu? She had the same butterfly hairpin. Anyhow, I’m sure we’ll find out soon enough. Plus I can’t wait to see more of the demons as they have continually been one of my favourite aspects in the show.
Other reviews in the series
- Anime
- Season One
- Episode 1 – Cruelty
- Episode 2 – Trainer Sakonji Urokodaki
- Episode 3 – Sabito and Makomo
- Episode 4 – Final Selection
- Episode 5 – My Own Steel
- Episode 6 – Swordsman Accompanying a Demon
- Episode 7 – Muzan Kibutsuji
- Episode 8 – The Smell of Enchanting Blood
- Episode 9 – Temari Demon and Arrow Demon
- Episode 10 – Together Forever
- Episode 11 – Tsuzumi Mansion
- Episode 12 – The Boar Bares Its Fangs, Zenitsu Sleeps
- Episode 13 – Something More Important Than Life
- Episode 14 – The House with the Wisteria Family Crest
- Episode 15 – Mount Natagumo
- Episode 16 – Letting Someone Else Go First
- Episode 17 – You Must Master a Single Thing
- Episode 18 – A Forged Bond
- Episode 19 – Hinokami
- Episode 20 – Pretend Family
- Episode 21 – Against Corps Rules
- Episode 22 – Master of the Mansion
- Episode 23 – Hashira Meeting
- Episode 24 – Rehabilitation Training
- Episode 25 – Tsuguko, Kanao Tsuyuri
- Episode 26 – New Mission
- Movie
- Season Two – Yuukaku-hen
- Episode 1 – Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui
- Episode 2 – Infiltrating the Entertainment District
- Episode 3 – What Are You?
- Episode 4 – Tonight
- Episode 5 – Things Are Gonna Get Real Flashy!
- Episode 6 – Layered Memories
- Episode 7 – Transformation
- Episode 8 – Gathering
- Episode 9 – Defeating an Upper Rank Demon
- Episode 10 – Never Give Up
- Episode 11 – No Matter How Many Lives
- Season Three – Katanakaji no Sato-hen
- Season One
- Analysis
- Bonus Posts
- Manga
- Volume 1 – Cruelty
- Volume 2 – It Was You!
- Volume 3 – Believe in Yourself
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