REVIEW: ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc’ — Episode 8

After an extensive training arc, things are finally coming to a head for Tanjiro (Natsuki Hanae, NieR Automata Ver 1.1a) and the Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. Muzan Kibutsuji has arrived and Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 8, “The Hashira Unite,” brings the season to a close.

At the end of the last episode, the big reveal was Muzan Kibutsuji arriving and making his way towards Ubuyashiki. Ubuyashiki’s family has been hunting Kibutsuji for centuries, so this is a major moment in the series. Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 8 gives viewers part two of Kibutsuji’s enormously long walk to Ubuyashiki’s death, but he does finally arrive.

There is a good bit of exposition here between the two foes. Ubuyashiki mentions how they are both from the same bloodline. He also talks about how he was supposed to die ages ago but held on out of spite because of his desire to see Kibutsuji defeated. It is a nice moment for the two of them to face each other with words instead of swords. Ubuyashiki is driven by emotion and desire, both for himself and for others. Kibutsuji, on the other hand, is not phased by any of that. He feels nothing, and Ubuyashiki’s words glance off of him at first.

The two men have drastically different philosophies about what eternity is, too. Kibutsuji just wants to capture Nezuko so he can learn how to walk in the sun and live forever without having to hide. Ubuyashiki, however, believes that eternity is found in the human spirit. No matter how many losses his family and the Demon Slayer Corps have suffered, they still endure. In this conversation, we also realize that humanity will keep going even if he kills Ubuyashiki. On the other hand, if Kibutsuji dies, so do all of the demons. It makes for a high-stakes final conflict coming up.

Knowing that he is not important and his death will be a catalyst, Ubuyashiki blows himself and his family up in one of the most visually stunning sequences of the series. The Ubuyashiki estate explosion is massive and gives a real sense of dread. The whole thing was a trap to weaken Kibutsuji and give the Hashira a chance to take him out once and for all.

The first to confront him is Tamayo. Her blood demon art immobilizes Kibutsuji and helps buy even more time. She tries to defeat him herself, but it is pretty clear she knows she cannot do it alone. She manages to hold him off just long enough for the others to arrive and help her.

Right when it seems like the battle is going to get more intense, Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 8 flashes back to Ubuyashiki explaining his plan to Himejima. It is a really important moment. The information is necessary to help explain the methodology and reason behind the trap. But the timing felt a bit off. It would have been better to see this after the battle was over, but overall, it isn’t as distracting as many of the sidetrack moments have been this season.

Once it gets back into the battle, Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 8 takes things up another notch. Seeing Kibutsuji regenerate is disgusting—a testament to the detail ufotable shows in its animation. Kibutsuji’s whole head reforms in a fascinating and very impressive sequence. It also highlights how hard he is going to be to defeat.

Tanjiro and the Hashira finally arrive and give viewers a chance to see the rest of the season’s purpose. All of that training had to be for something, and now they get the opportunity to test their strength against their greatest foe. The intro sequences here are great, allowing the Hashira to showcase their best moves as they all rush in towards Kibutsuji.

But then, just as it looks like the fight is about to go one way, Kibutsuji still has some tricks up his sleeves. He brings the Hashira and Demon Slayer Corps members into his Infinity Castle, taking to battle to home turf. It is a solid way to turn the tide and set up for a final battle arc. It also makes Kibutsuji feel as powerful as he is made out to be. It’s hard to see how the Demo Slayer Corps can possibly beat him when the series continues.

Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 8 is a solid season finale that delivers great action and an excellent cliffhanger. It took a while to get there, but the series is finally hitting its stride again right as the season ends.

Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 8 is streaming now on Crunchyroll.