Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (Episode 4) – Final Selection
Having cut the boulder, Tanjiro heads off for the final selection trial to enter the Demon Hunter Corps and all he’s got to do is survive for seven days on a demon-infested mountain top!
What did you watch?
As my undisputed favourite show of the season, I was super excited to watch the latest episode. That’s right, I said ‘super’ excited! This series really seems to be able to blend horror, action, comedy, and supernatural mystery into a stunning package. It has beautiful animation and exquisite music. If you haven’t yet watched it, please do. I just want to talk about this show non-stop.
What happened?
Urokodaki congratulated Tanjiro on slicing through the boulder and then took him home to celebrate. There he told Tanjiro that demons become stronger with the more people they eat. He had also hoped that Tanjiro had not been able to cut the boulder because he did not want to send him to the final selections.
The next morning, an enthusiastic Tanjiro headed off, but before leaving he asked Urokodaki to say bye to Sabito and Makomo. Urokodaki may have been wearing his mask but I could still see the look of shock written across his face. How did Tanjiro know of his fallen students?
Tanjiro arrived at the mountain, admiring the blooming wisteria. He met with the other hopefuls and is instantly addressed by a pair of creepy girls speaking in unison. The girls tell them that the wisteria keeps the demons from leaving the mountain and they must survive seven days on the mountain top if they are to be selected to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
What did you think?
This episode was a bit special! I loved how they gave us the answer about the mysteriousness surrounding Sabito and Makomo. I saw lots of theories banded around, but them being his former students that died at the final selection gave me chills. On top of that, I think I spent the second half of the episode grinning like an idiot. Everything about this episode was at the top of its game. Just look at the sword art!
What was your favourite moment?
At first, I was sure it was going to be when Tanjiro defeated the two demons at once, but then the morphed demon crept on to the screen. That thing was the stuff of nightmares. Arms everywhere! Then, when it said that Urokodaki had been the demon slayer to catch it and it had focused on killing every one of his students, you knew that it was about to get epic. I don’t want to spoil this scene for you, so go watch this episode and get ready to grin from ear to ear.
What was your least favourite moment?
Like I said, this episode was excellent. I can’t fault anything. The animation is incredible and the fights are fluid and exciting. On top of that, the music in this episode was great. It lifted the mood when it was needed and softened it when it wasn’t. And don’t get me started on the OP, that’s just insanely good.
Who was your favourite character?
It has to be Tanjiro. They dropped another hint about his neck being insanely strong, which was interesting. I’d assumed it was his head from when he headbutted the severed demon head, but the neck also makes sense. Maybe it’s from carrying baskets of coal around on his back, although I feel like there may be a little more to it than that. Also, loving his new jacket and wondering where I can get one?
Who was your least favourite character?
This is also an easy answer. That would be the ungrateful bastard that ran off to leave the morphed demon to attack Tanjiro after he’d just saved him. This guy has got to get his comeuppance at some point. I feel like I should say something about the morphed demon as well. It was a real monster having killed thirteen of Urokodaki’s students. Hopefully, they will all reappear and help Tanjiro going forwards.
Would you like some more?
Admittedly, I could probably just watch this episode another twenty times and be happy, but yeah, I’d love some more. I am so glad that I decided to pick this series up at the last minute. Now begins the long wait until next week!
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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Isn’t this show just something amazing?
“That would be the ungrateful bastard that ran off to leave the morphed demon to attack Tanjiro after he’d just saved him. ”
I thought that, too, and honest, still do. But man, even Tanjiro had to steel himself to fight that monster. I feel just the tiniest bit of sympathy for that coward…
“This guy has got to get his comeuppance at some point.”
Either that or he has to come to Tanjiro’s rescue. Though if Tanjiro’s in over his head, I have no idea what the coward could do…
Your review was refreshing to read — your enthusiasm is infectious!
Thanks. I’m a quiet reserved Englishman in real life so it’s nice to get excited about stuff online where no one can see me.
This show really is that good and it seems to be building on itself each week. Sure, it’s formulaic but that just means we get to enjoy the action and comedy without worrying too much about the rest of it.
On top of that it’s just a treat for the eyes and ears. Whoever came up with the idea for the water print sword art deserves a medal.