Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Episode 16) – Letting Someone Else Go First
Tanjiro and Inosuke find themselves face to face with their fallen allies, only they’ve gotten back up and are attacking them. A demon puppetmaster lurks nearby, but even if they manage to locate it, can they get close enough to fight back?
What did you watch?
In the last episode, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba started poorly, continuing from the previous episode, but started to find its feet again. Episode 16 should start right where the last one ended. Things are already pretty dark, so I’m hoping for more of the same. I’ve really been enjoying this series up until the whole three stooges mess, so I just want it to go back to how it was before. Cool demons, cool fights, dark elements, and occasional moments of comedy. It’s time to dive in. Here come the spoilers!
What happened?
Tanjiro and Inosuke entered the creepy forest, leaving Zenitsu cowering in the middle of the road. They met up with another Demon Slayer and were then attacked by other demon slayers, all in varied states. Some already dead. With the wind not working in Tanjiro’s favour, he asked Inosuke if he could locate the demon controlling the demon slayers. Inosuke found her and left with Tanjiro to take care of things. The closer they got meant that the spider’s webs used to control the demon slayers grew stronger and offered greater movement.
Inosuke was ready to kill the demon slayers at their request. The webs used to control their movements were so strong they were breaking bones and snapping joints. Tanjiro stopped him and came up with a solution to immobilise the demon slayers without hurting them. Not wanting to be shown up, Inosuke copied Tanjiro’s plan until all but one of the demon slayers had been dealt with. This infuriated the demon controlling them, so she snapped all of their necks without a second thought!
What did you think?
Now, this is what I’ve been waiting for. It was a triumphant return to the way things were before. Sure, there were times when Inosuke got carried away and his competitiveness caused him to be reckless from time to time, but when it came down to it he worked well with Tanjiro. Zenitsu is still wandering around somewhere and I found myself rolling my eyes once more at the over the top expressions, but if they can find a way to make Inosuke useful, hopefully, they can do the same for Zenitsu, because I get the feeling he’s not going away.
What was your favourite moment?
They defeated the headless puppet demon, I know it was pretty awesome, by working together and Inosuke following Tanjiro’s plan. Inosuke couldn’t help but marvel at the fluidity and preciseness of the actions. As soon as it was over, he ran to Tanjiro grabbed him and tossed him high above the trees. It was his turn to make the plan. At first, Tanjiro didn’t know what Inosuke was planning, but amazingly, he had thrown Tanjiro straight towards the spider demon.
The demon noticed too and, at first, she was annoyed, but then she saw the approaching Tanjiro as her chance to escape from her own nightmare. Amazingly, Tanjiro saw this as he flew towards her and adjusted his attack to be swift and painless. Something only Tanjiro would do. This is exactly why we love him. He’s strong and deadly, but also compassionate and caring. The demon thanked him by warning Tanjiro that one of the twelve Demon Moons was in the forest.
What was your least favourite moment?
This one is my least favourite moment and for a good reason. It was brutal. We’ve just seen Tanjiro and Inosuke toss the demon slayers under the control of the spider demon into the trees, immobilising them. It looks like a win for the good guys and they didn’t have to kill anyone. Well, guess again. The spider demon flicked her wrist and snapped the necks of each of her useless human puppets. It was dark and intense. This is what Demon Slayer should be all about and I’m glad we’re heading back towards this sort of story.
Who was your favourite character?
I think it was actually the pairing of Tanjiro and Inosuke. Their fight against the headless puppet demon was awesome. They worked together well, so well that the spider demon was in shock at losing her strongest weapon and to two low ranking demon slayers. I do find it odd that almost all the other demon slayers just wear their uniform and have black hair, while our three characters couldn’t be more different. Anyway, cool fight!
Who was your least favourite character?
That would be Zenitsu. We saw him wandering through the scary woods, yelling for Tanjiro or Nezuko. We know he’s scared, so surely, he would be creeping around pretty quietly. Something needs to change here because we can’t rely on Zenitsu being unconscious to be cool. They managed it with Inosuke, so there’s hope for Zenitsu, especially after the scene where he protected Tanjiro’s box from Inosuke.
Would you like some more?
Oh, yeah! The spider demon confirming that one of the twelve demon moons was in the forest and the flashback we got of the last time she failed him was more than enough to keep me interested. We’ve also got Giyu and the other high ranking Demon Slayer on the way. On top of that, I can’t help but think Zenitsu will get a chance to shine and we also haven’t seen Nezuko yet either. I’m expecting some more excellent demon designs too. Bring it on!
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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“Something needs to change here because we can rely on Zenitsu being unconscious to be cool. They managed it with Inosuke, so there’s hope for Zenitsu, especially after the scene where he protected Tanjiro’s box from Inosuke.”
Zenitsu said something that both Irina and I noticed in our review: He mentioned that he was getting angry. I took that as a hopeful sign that there’s another way to trigger Useful Zenitsu.
At least, I hope so. It was pretty great seeing Tanjiro and Inosuke take on the headless demon.
“Amazingly, Tanjiro saw this as he flew towards her and adjusted his attack to be swift and painless. Something only Tanjiro would do. This is exactly why we love him. ”
That might be my favorite part of the series. Tanjiro reminds me a lot of Allen Walker from D.Gray-man.
I’ve not seen D. Gray-man, so I’ll have to add it to my list, but Tanjiro showing mercy to the demons is one of my favourite parts. He doesn’t boast or showboat. He’s clinical and efficient.