Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Episode 22) – Master of the Mansion
Tanjiro wakes at the Demon Slayer headquarters. He’s bound and facing the Nine Hashiras who want to know about Nezuko and probably to kill Tanjiro for breaking the rules.
What did you watch?
Episode 21 left us on quite the cliffhanger. Tanjiro and Nezuko had been captured and brought back to Demon Slayer headquarters. Of course, Tanjiro was still pretty beat up from his fight with Rui, but the still felt the need to bind him, even in the presence of the nine Hashiras – the elite level of Demon Slayer. Despite the entire episode taking place in one location, there’s a fair amount to cover, so get ready for spoilers and lots of names and titles…
What happened?
Tanjiro woke to find six formidable-looking demon slayers standing before him. His hands were tied behind his back and one of the support members was trying to guide him. Shinobu asked Tanjiro to explain why he was travelling with a demon. Several other members were less concerned with why and were more determined to just behead him and Nezuko and get on with things. The remaining three members of the Nine Hashiras revealed themselves, the last of which was a crazed man carrying Nezuko in her box.
He drew his sword and stabbed through the box. Giyu told him to stop. Even Shinobu looked mad, but that was nothing compared to Tanjiro who race across the gravel and managed to land a flying headbutt on Shinazugawa. It surprised the remaining Hashiras and even made Mitsuri Kanroji laugh. She then pointed out that it seems unlikely that the Master would not know of the situation and that they should wait. Then, right on time, the Master arrived.
What did you think?
I’m kind of a little disappointed that they dragged this out as long as they did. It’s going to carry over into the next episode and that worries me because there are only four episodes left and I don’t want to spend all of that talking politics and strategy with the Hashiras. I’m hoping for one final demon hunt before the season ends and that’s looking less likely. That said, there was a lot of useful information and I was glad that my belief that the Master already knew about Tanjiro and Nezuko was confirmed.
For reference here are the Nine Hashira. I believe this will become a useful reference guide.
Sound Hashira – Tengen Uzui 
Flame Hashira – Kyojuro Rengoku 
Mist Hashira – Muichiro Tokito 
Stone Hashira – Gyomei Himejima 
Serpent Hashira – Iguro Obanai 
Water Hashira – Giyu Tomioka 
Insect Hashira – Shinobu Kocho 
Wind Hashira – Sanemi Shinazugawa 
Love Hashira – Mitsuri Kanroji
What was your favourite moment?
There is no question about my favourite moment. That was the flying headbutt from Tanjiro. I loved that he managed that with his hands tied behind his back and to one of the Hashira. It was even better that I wasn’t the only one to laugh. What’s not to love about the Love Hashira? Well, other than that she seems to love absolutely everything. Anyhow, the headbutt was extra satisfying because Sanemi Shinazugawa was acting like a complete lunatic. Aren’t these supposed the be the good guys? That’s another question I raised earlier in the season about whether the Demon Slayers were the good guys or not.
What was your least favourite moment?
Another easy one and that was Sanemi Shinazugawa repeatedly stabbing Nezuko in her box. He was trying to prove that she was a demon and would eventually feast on a human. Well, regardless of whether she’s a demon or not, if you keep poking someone with a pointy stick eventually they’re going to turn around and kick your ass. This seems like an unfair test and I almost want Nezuko to smack him around a bit before settling back into the box. I was at least happy to see demon Nezuko and not cutesy child Nezuko.
Who was your favourite character?
It’s the reemergence of demon Nezuko. I’m sorry I don’t care if she can transform into a cute form. I want her angry, with claws and teeth ready to kick ass. She may not have been in the episode that much, but she put up with a lot of crap and I’m glad she got out to defend herself. I just hope the other Hashira don’t interfere, allowing her to beat Shinazugawa down before leaving him be without having eaten him. Obviously, it would be a bit of a disaster if she did eat him, because Tanjiro, Giyu, and Urokodaki would be forced to kill themselves…
Who was your least favourite character?
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t overly impressed with some of the Nine Hashiras. Outside of Giyu and Shinobu, there appears to be a lot of egos and I couldn’t help but find it odd that they would dispute the Master’s proclamation about Tanjiro and Nezuko. It was particularly odd given how they reacted in his presence. Sure, a little bit of disagreement is good, but once he had fully outlined why and the lengths at which the others were prepared to go, I felt that should have been the end of it.
Would you like some more?
Absolutely and mostly because I want to see Nezuko kick Shinazugawa ass. Then I want to see the Master discipline him. He obviously has the power to do so otherwise they wouldn’t show him so much respect. I can’t help but notice that Muzan Kibutsuji has Twelve Kizuki and the Demon Slayers only have Nine Hashiras. Even with Rui dead, you know that Muzan will have a back up ready. I can’t help but wonder if they will look to bolster their ranks with three more demon slayers (training included).
There is one other thing that I’m very curious about. Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, no doubt has her own techniques which will probably heavily feature Love Breathing. Now, tell me that doesn’t conjure up all sorts of inappropriate images in your head. No? Just me? I’ll get my coat…
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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i couldn’t stand wind hashira stabbing nezuko repeatedly! and also, i get they might have seen and been through a lot with demons, but when the master brought light to the Tanjiro-Nezuko situation, the Hashira should have conceded then, because the master even considering urokodaki and giyu’s support added enough weight. overlooking that was straight up disrespectful and childish of the hashiras.
i also agree that love hashira is the best. also shinobu gets some points for being so mature and not rushing anything before master arrived unlike wind guy. that headbutt was so well deserved
Yeah, that was it. Urokodaki and Giyu’s testament, not to mention what they were willing to do if they were wrong, should have been enough there and then. The fact that Master backed them should have shut them down instantly.
It shows a lack of respect for all three of them. Urokodaki and Giyu are stacking their lives on it. How is that not enough? I’m hoping the Master shows his power when the Wind Hashira is proven wrong.
I definitely agree with you in that these Nine Hashiras weren’t all that impressive, and for all the praise they receive, they sure act like a bunch of egotistical idiots. It was also really painful and frustrating to see what Shinaguzawa did to Nezuko. Hopefully Nezuko’s redemption arc involves some of these Nine Hashiras feeling pain :p
It was the way they continued to argue with the master even after it was revealed that Urokodaki and Giyu were prepared to die if she ever killed someone. They turned into a bunch of squabbling children in the face of one demon.