Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen (Episode 9) - Defeating an Upper Rank Demon

Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Yuukau hen Title

Tengen and Tanjiro got close, but Gyuutarou was able to block them. Then, he got to Hinatsuru. Would Tanjiro have to see another person killed because he wasn’t strong enough?

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Yuukaku-hen (Episode 9) – Defeating an Upper Rank Demon

What happened?

They were so close, but even with three swords, they couldn’t remove Gyuutarou’s head. He then turned it back on them, attacking with his Blood Art. Tengen kicked Tanjiro away and took him on alone. However, Daki saw her chance and attacked him with her obi sashes as well. It gave Gyuutarou the chance to get to Hinatsuru. Tengen could only watch as he squeezed her head. Tanjiro hurried to his feet and tried to save her. He couldn’t see someone else die because of him.

With Hinokami Kagura, he would be able to make it in time, but his stamina was drained. His only option was to use the water technique. He made it with seconds to spare and even created an opening for Tengen to attack. Tanjiro attacked too, but once more Gyuutarou blocked them. Tengen pulled Gyuutarou off the rooftop, leaving Tanjiro to join Inosuke and Zenitsu’s fight.

Inosuke was getting increasingly frustrated as he couldn’t get close enough to do any damage, but then Tanjiro said something that got him thinking. They need to cut from multiple directions, but that would mean two people getting close enough and one was hard enough. What about one person with two swords? Inosuke charged straight at Daki, leaving Tanjiro and Zenitsu to defend him. He made. He cut off her head… and he ran with the head. If he could just keep it away from her body while Tengen finished off Gyuutarou, they would win… Hang on, where’s Tengen?

Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Yuukau hen Episode 9 Gyuutarou got to Hinatsuru

What did you think?

It was amazing to see Inosuke charge head first at Daki. The confidence they’ve built up within their team is amazing as it allows someone to do this and have complete faith in their companions. Even though this was a straightforward rush attack it was exhilarating. Then, when Inosuke ran off with the head, I was delighted because that is exactly what I was thinking he should do. I did not see that ending coming though!

With all the death flags flying for Hinatsuru, I was shocked to see her survive and Tengen defeated. He lost a hand! I don’t know if he’s dead, but I get the feeling his demon-slaying days may be behind him. This episode was absolute fire and once again flew by in the blink of an eye. The action is spectacular. However, there was a fairly long flashback at the beginning of the episode and we ended on yet another cliffhanger…

Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba Yuukau hen Episode 9 Inosuke beheaded Daki

What have you learnt?

I can understand why a show would deploy cliffhangers as a way to get people to keep watching. However, after the first half of season one, I think you can probably ease off on them. This is coming to the end of season two and it’s as if they still don’t trust that people will keep watching. At this point, I’d imagine that anyone watching is in for the long haul now. They’d have to do something really dumb to lose the audience at this point… something like ending things on the same cliffhanger again…

If you think back to episode 19 – Hinokami when the internet exploded with Demon Slayer news. The episode didn’t end on a cliffhanger. It was the resolution of a cliffhanger and it was spectacular. I’d argue that if they had left things on a cliffhanger there it would have infuriated people, especially as it would have undone all the amazingness of the episode (which it did at the beginning of the next episode). It’s the twists and resolutions that people remember and want to talk about, not the fact that the episode ended right in the middle of something. I’m so glad, I’m binge-watching this.