Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen (Episode 8) - Gathering

Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Yuukau hen Title

Tengen has been poisoned, but still needs to fight Daki and Gyuutarou. Luckily, he’s not alone as Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Tanjiro make a flashy entrance. Let’s hope the fight is just as flashy!

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen (Episode 8) – Gathering

What happened?

Gyuutarou’s attack has left Tengen a little drained. The blades of his scythes are poisonous, however, Tengen laughs it off. He tells them that he’s a shinobi and has built up resistance to poison. Daki doesn’t believe him, the shinobi were wiped out years ago. However, Tengen’s father realised what was going on and withdraw, putting his children through rigorous training. Only two survived, but Tengen was not like his brother which is why he left to become a Demon Slayer.

Either way, it was Tengen versus Daki and Gyuutarou. Well, it was… Inosuke and Zenitsu, still sleeping leapt into the building and told Tengen they were joining the fight. As if that wasn’t cool enough, Tanjiro fell from the floor above to announce his participation. Tengen was mightily impressed with their flashy entrances. That bode well for the fight.

Zenitsu blocked an attack from Daki and took the fight to the rooftops. Inosuke went with him, leaving Tengen and Tanjiro to face Gyuutarou. However, Daki opened her third eye and was able to fight both battles at once. Tanjiro was doing everything he could just to keep going, his wound slowing him down. Then, Hinatsuru climbed over a nearby roof and fired a barrage of throwing blades. Gyuutarou tried to block them all, but that gave Tengen a chance to attack, even if he would be hit. Tanjiro followed up instantly, preparing to cut off Gyuutarou’s head.

Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Yuukau hen Episode 8 Tengen versus Gyuutarou

What did you think?

All right. Now, this is what I’m here for. There were a couple of minor flashbacks, but they weren’t too intrusive and the goofy animation style was completely absent. This was dark and gritty, just the way I like my Demon Slayer. It’s an interesting idea that in order to defeat Daki and Gyuutarou you need to decapitate both at the same time. Even more impressive was the number of Hashira’s they’ve defeated – twenty-two combined. What hope does a poisoned Hashira and three Tsuguko have?

I don’t know, but they gave a pretty good account for themselves so far and the late arrival of Hinatsuru may have given them the edge… in the fight against Gyuutarou, at least. Tanjiro may well cut off his head, but it won’t count for anything in Zenitsu and Inosuke can’t take care of Daki before Gyuutarou reattaches his own head. I get the feeling this is going to get tense and will only be resolved if someone can decapitate both at the same time.

Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Yuukau hen Episode 8 Tanjiro closes in to kill Gyuutarou

What have you learnt?

I don’t like Zenitsu because he’s been the main part of the goofy elements in this series that detract from the darker more serious nature of the story. Other than that, I don’t really have a problem with him. His backstory is interesting but not nearly as harsh as Tanjiro’s. He’s a great fighter when he’s unconscious, but a little too whiney when awake. I think the big difference for the anime-only fans is that a guy screaming in anime is very different to a couple of panels in a manga.

Anyhow, I think it’s an interesting idea to have a character that can rub the audience the wrong way, but give them something that makes them too cool to ignore. When Zenitsu is unconscious, his power levels go through the roof and it’s a joy to watch. He’s very much a Jekyll and Hyde style character who can be incredible one moment and useless the next. It’s similar to what I said about how this show would be boring if we were following someone at the top of their game. Zenitsu is, but only sometimes.