Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Episode 2) – Trainer Sakonji Urokodaki
Tanjiro and Nezuko follow the directions given to them by the demon slayer, Giyu. On their way, they come across a shrine and the ominous scent of blood!
What did you watch?
Can’t believe I almost put this series off until they were all out. It’s been a great start to the series and I’m fairly confident it will end up being one of my favourites. So, before I get to exactly why, you should know that there will be spoilers beyond this point. This is your chance to watch it quickly and then come back. Otherwise, read on…
What happened?
Tanjiro and Nezuko travelled across Japan in search of the demon slayer trainer, Sakonji Urokodaki. Giyu told them that he may be able to help return Nezuko to a human, well, at least give them the strength to beat it out of a top demon. Can’t wait for that! Anyhow, as they trek up a mountain they notice the lights on in a shrine, but then Tanjiro smells blood.
Inside the shrine, they discover a man-eating demon, who doesn’t appreciate being disturbed. He attacks, sending Tanjiro flying backwards. Blood gushes from the demon’s neck as Tanjiro managed to squeeze an attack in. The demon laughs it off and then goes in for the kill. Nezuko, however, is struggling to hold her inner-demon at bay as the smell of blood leaves her drooling like a maniac.
What did you think?
I absolutely loved this episode. The animation was as good as the first, the mood and tone
I’d mentioned in the last review that I hoped they were going to show us what Nezuko could do. So, when she started running, I was fist-pumping the air and then when she kicked his head clean off, I was stunned, but in a good way. I never thought they would kick it up like that.
What was your favourite moment?
Similar to last week, my favourite moment seemed to dominate most of the episode. Maybe that’s why I’m enjoying these so much… Anyhow, it started as they entered the shrine and the glorious head kicking incident that followed. Well, it didn’t stop there. After all, it was a demon. The body tried to attack Tanjiro, so Nezuko kicked it into the forest.
The severed head started talking, distracting them long enough that the body could attack Nezuko, throwing her into the woods this time. Tanjiro went to go help, but the head had grown a pair of arms and was attacking him. It sounds nuts. It was nuts, but it was a lot of fun too.
What was your least favourite moment?
Not so much a moment, but just something that’s been bothering me. Nezuko’s gag. Surely, she could just take it off if she wanted to. It’s not like her hands are bound, so what’s the point. Sure, it’s an interesting character design and makes her kind of unique. I’m just not sure I see the point of it.
Who was your favourite character?
Like you have to ask. Nezuko, with one-hundred of the votes… All right, so it’s just me voting, but it wasn’t even close. Her strength and speed will no doubt be a massive asset to Tanjiro as he tries to defeat the demons and the conflict of her possibly flipping at any moment and becoming a man-eater is delightful. Also, when she climbed into the basket for Tanjiro to carry her, did she remind anyone else of Tae from Zombie Land Saga?
Who was your least favourite character?
So, this may not be fair as the reasoning stems from a weird theory I’m about to put forward. We only see Sakonji Urokodaki with his goblin mask on, but something about him reminded me of the old guy that put Tanjiro up the night his family were murdered. It probably isn’t the same guy, but what if it is? That would mean that he knew of the demon attack and did nothing to stop it, except to keep Tanjiro out of it. If that’s the case, had he already decided to make him his apprentice. All of this is probably a massive stretch, but it could be true…
Would you like some more?
Oh yeah! Give me more. I want it all and I want it now. After the first episode, I was loving it even with a couple of odd and lengthy monologues. Well, if there were any in this episode, I didn’t notice so that’s a win. Nezuko kicking demons’ heads off is a double win. Also, what is Tanjiro’s head made of? When he headbutted the demon’s severed head (that’s a close second in the favourite moments), the demon commented on how hard it was. What’s that about?
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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“With a heartbeat, she had ran across the entrance way and then kicked the demon’s head clean off.”
That was one of the most amazing moments I’ve seen all season — heck, all year!
Like you said, the instant she heard her brother was in trouble, she was moving… And for someone with zero combat training, her attack was really effective!
Yeah, I knew she was going to attack, but I didn’t expect it be such a killer blow. (It didn’t kill the demon, but I’m sure you know what I mean.)