REVIEW: ‘Demon Slayer – Kimetsu no Yaiba- Entertainment District Arc,’ Episode 3 – “What Are You?”

Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc Episode 3 sees Tanjiro and the others continue to search for the three wives of Uzui. As they search their respective targets for the women, they begin to see signs of the demon that is threatening the entertainment district. But will they be able to put the pieces together in time?

Opening this week’s episode is a confrontation that kicks off this week’s story wonderfully on so many levels. From the gorgeous grainy black and white look of the sequence, which somehow makes the already striking visual design Demon Slayer has always been known for even more so, to the way it builds up the chilling energy surrounding the demon plaguing the entertainment district, this opening does so much in its short time. One of the best opening moments I’ve seen in an anime this year.

From this opening, Entertainment District Arc Episode 3 joins our heroes as they continue to search their respective houses for the missing women. These sequences deliver a well-balanced blend of humor and tension. Inosuke’s big sequence in this episode delivers the high point of this story’s tension. As he pursues a lead through his designated house, the character’s emotion combines with the presentation of the external situation to truly convey the stress the character is under as they pursue their target. While this sequence shines in the Entertainment District Arc Episode 3, Zenitsu’s sequence struggles a bit more.

The final area of this episode’s story that must be mentioned is when the narrative elaborates on the demon. The character is delivered in a way that seems to increase its chilling presence every time it graces the screen. The atmosphere built around this villain is flawless. Between the power that the character brings to the screen itself, coupled with the reinforcement of this presence by those around it and you have some magnificent character building on the part of this story’s main villain.

If there is one aspect of Demon Slayer that can never be under-praised it is the show’s visual design. The gorgeous animation that has always been one of the talks of this series continues to deliver breathtaking visuals and wonderful character designs.

When all is said and done, Demon Slayer’s Entertainment District Arc Episode 3 continues to develop in some interesting ways. As the series continues to build up its villain, it feels like it is crafting something special for its protagonists to confront.

Demon Slayer: Entertainment District Arc Episode 3 is streaming now on Funimation and Crunchyroll.