REVIEW: ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc’ — Episode 7

With Tanjiro’s (Natsuki Hanae, NieR Automata Ver 1.1a) success in the boulder test, he is ready for the next phase of his training. However, there may be more to gaining the acknowledgment he needs than he realizes. Also, Zenitsu (Hiro Shimono, My Happy Marriage) receives a letter that has a painful effect on him in Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 “Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima.”

This episode opens with Tanjiro finishing his test, as the boulder reluctantly moves across the earth. Driven by his success, Inosuke (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Trigun Stampede) charges forward, also moving his boulder. This leaves only Zenitsu unable to accomplish the task. As he watches from behind a tree, he receives a letter.

Once Tanjiro succumbs to exhaustion, he is approached by Gyomei Himejima (Tomokazu Sugita, Shy) who gives Tanjiro his acknowledgment. He does this not only for his success at the trials that he has been presented with here but also for his actions in the village. Himejima tells him that his ability to choose the safety of the villagers over his sister shows his worthiness. Tanjiro is forced to correct Himejima, stating that it was his sister’s strength that propelled him to action, not his. While Tanjiro expects this admission to cause his acknowledgment to be taken back, it only reaffirms to Himejima that he deserves the accolades.

From here, Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 launches into a flashback where we discover Himejima’s tragic past. We learn that he once ran a temple that he used as an orphanage, caring for several children. However, it all came crashing down when the selfishness of one child allowed a demon into the temple, causing the deaths of all but one of the other children. During this attack, Himejima discovered his strength while fighting to protect the only remaining child.

The visuals during Himejima’s flashback are brutally impactful. The terror and pain of the moment come across in every blood-soaked shot. The agony at the deaths he failed to prevent and his rage at the demon before him are etched skillfully into Himejima’s face and actions.

When daylight came and help arrived, that sole surviving child blamed Himejima for the attack. She stated he had killed everyone. With the demon’s body having evaporated in the daylight, there was no proof otherwise. Himejima is thrown in jail.

While Himejima displays a commendable amount of understanding for his accuser, acknowledging that it was most likely the four-year-old’s confusion and trauma causing her to accuse him rather than any kind of malice, he nonetheless came away from the episode believing every child is selfish and a liar. And Tanjiro’s willingness to call attention to how others have helped propel him along the right path makes him special and worthy of progressing in his training.

While Himejima’s feelings after the incident are understandable, it would’ve been nice if Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 could’ve taken a moment to point out how wrong Himjima’s views are. Deciding every child bears the faults of two is not a great attitude, especially for someone who trains and evaluates children. It feels like a negative bias.

Later, when the group has retired for dinner, Tanjiro notices that Zenitsu hasn’t shown up. Concerned, he takes his friend’s share and sets out to find him. When he comes across Zenitsu, he finds him perched upon his boulder, which remains unmoved. Tanjiro’s attempts to engage with his friend are met with a cold dispassion that is unusual for the character.

While Tanhiro can sense something is wrong, he chooses to respect Zentisu’s privacy and leaves him with his dinner. After Tanjiro leaves, we are shown a shot of Zenitsu’s face, which is bleeding from the forehead. With no threat around, the viewer is left to conclude that Zenitsu did it himself. Still clutching the letter he received earlier, it is clear that what’s inside is deeply troubling the young man.

Next, Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 follows Tanjiro as he heads to his next training location. He eventually runs into Giyu (Takahiro Sakurai, Jujutsu Kaisen) and Sanemi (Tomokazu Seki, Ōoku: The Inner Chambers) as the two lock swords. The episode uses the convenient battle to break up all the talking that has gone on with some of the gorgeous fight animations that the series is known for. As water and wind clash, the dazzling visuals still take the breath away, regardless of how many times they have played out over the years.

Once the duel ends, Sanemi storms off on his own to vent. While he does, a flicker of movement catches his eye. When he snatches the object out of the air, he discovers it is a miniature eyeball propelled by batwings. The creature disintegrates in his hand, as he realizes the compound has been compromised. As the episode draws to a close, we see Muzan Kibutsuji pass through the gates, and make his way to Ubuyashiki. The episode uses the demon’s passage to bookend the ending credits that heavily feature Muzan walking in them. This ties the credits into the moment in an impactful way.

Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7  leaves the narrative primed for big things. With the big bad among the heroes, all that remains is to see how the threat will be confronted.

Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.