REVIEW: ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc,’ – Episode 3

Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 3 picks up after Tanjiro defeated the Yoriichi Type Zero and obtained the legendary 300-year-old sword hidden within. It might seem like Tanjiro’s swordless days are over, but Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 3 wastes no time letting viewers know it will not be quite that easy. It is immediately revealed that the sword itself, despite being made of high-quality steel, is rusted with age and can’t be used in its current state. Mr. Haganezuka returns after taking some time to train himself to make Tanjiro a sword that won’t break, so he looks a bit different when he reappears. After a bit of a comedic back-and-forth with a confused Tanjiro, it is revealed that he will use his training to restore the sword to its full glory, which leaves him with a newly forged sword to use in the meantime.

Since it will take Mr. Haganazuka three days to polish and restore the sword, it gives Tanjiro some downtime. He decides he will use that time to forge a better relationship with Genya, a fellow Demon Slayer who can’t stand the sight of Tanjiro. It sets things up to be a calm and relaxing episode of hijinks. Surely the three days were going to pass without anything too chaotic happening. Of course not. This is Demon Slayer, after all.

The Swordsmith Village has already been shown to be a well-kept secret in order to protect those who make the weapons that help keep the demons at bay. That’s why it is so alarming when the Upper Five demon makes its way into the village and brutally murders a resident. It’s the type of brutality that Ufotable is known for with Demon Slayer, and it sets the tone for the rest of the episode. It is also a jarring change from the more lighthearted start to the episode.

It would be one thing if it was just Upper Five, but he isn’t alone. Upper Four is with him, and his frail appearance makes it seem like he won’t be too much for Tanjiro and the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito to handle. Upper Four is quickly beheaded, but Tanjiro knows that doesn’t always mean the demon is defeated. Instead. it is revealed that Upper Four has the ability to split into multiple versions that represent his different emotions.

The transformation of Upper Four into his variants is beautifully animated by Ufotable. It was unsettling to watch new bodies grow out of the remnants of an old one. They also did an excellent job of showcasing the different versions as unique demons with their own distinct look and abilities.

We only get to see the start of the battle with Upper Four, but it already feels like Tanjiro and Muichiro are greatly outmatched. Beating one Upper Rank demon has proven hard enough for Tanjiro, so the idea of fighting multiple that keep respawning is daunting. They are clearly going to need the help of Nezuko if they want to win, but even then, there is such a deep feeling of despair that it might be too much for the trio to handle. The way that dread is made so visceral in Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 3 is what makes Demon Slayer stand out as such an incredible series.

Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 3 turns up the heat on Tanjiro and even having the Mist Hashira on his side might not be enough against the Upper Four demon. Tanjiro is going to need all the help he can get if they want to save the Swordwmith Village.

Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 3 is streaming on Crunchyroll with new episodes every Sunday.