The episode that saved Kimetsu no Yaiba

In the previous anime season, there is no doubt that 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' was the center of attention. Having aired its already fourth season, this global phenomenon that began in 2019 with its first season and peaked with the film 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train' in 2020, remains a hot topic.

However, four years after its initial heyday, some critics and fans feared that the fervor for 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' had faded. Known for its thrilling plot and shocking battles, season four began with a challenge: recapturing the magic and keeping interest in a story everyone already knows.

The recent arc, known as the 'Pillar Training Arc', faced criticism from the start. Without the main confrontation with the demons and with few battles, the season started with a mixed reception. Fan comments on sites such as MyAnimeList (MAL) reflected the disappointment: "What exactly are we watching?", "As a reader of the manga, I already knew 90% of what was going to happen, but I was expecting something new", and "By the seventh episode, I was already feeling bored".

Despite the detailed animation and the inclusion of details not present in the manga, the evaluation of the first episodes was moderate. However, everything changed with the eighth inning.

Episode eight gave an unexpected and spectacular turn to the season. The confrontation between Kagaya Ubuyashiki, the leader of the Demon Hunters, and Muzan Kibutsuji, the leader of the demons, marked the beginning of the final battle in the Infinite Fortress. The scene where Kagaya and his family sacrifice their lives to catch Muzan in an explosion, with flames symbolizing the wrath of humanity, left viewers breathless.

The animation was described as being of such high quality that even those familiar with the story were caught up in the tension of the moment. Comments such as "I cried with joy and hope for that 10% surprise," and "This season has not been the best, but this episode has raised my expectations for the next one," flooded social networks and review sites.

This episode achieved a score of 9.9 on IMDb at its best, a review site that covers all kinds of audiovisual productions, from Hollywood movies to TV series. For an anime series, achieving such a rating is a significant achievement, especially considering that the previous episodes of the season remained in the seven-point range.

Accolades included terms such as "masterpiece," "a milestone in the anime world," and "this is what a movie really feels like." These opinions highlighted not only the quality of the animation and narrative, but also the emotional impact of the key scenes.

As 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' heads towards its climax, the series has shown that it can still surprise and excite its audience. The spectacular reception of the eighth episode reinvigorated interest in the series and set a high level of expectations for the upcoming season.

"I don't understand very well... Seeing the feedback on the animation and direction of this episode, I wonder if the needs have changed."
"Actually, the main story is over... But the animation is still impressive. Anime is strong."
"Is there a rule that forces you to criticize 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' first? As a fan, it bothers me. This series talks about the connection between people and the foolishness of choosing the easy way in this deteriorated world. 'Kimetsu' is a wonderful work."
"I like the pacing of manga, so I'm not a fan of elongations in anime. But I was worried that even Ubuyashiki's big play would be overlooked, so maybe it was for the best."
"I never thought that 'Kimetsu no Yaiba' was finished. That word shouldn't be used so lightly."
"The pillar training arc is just the prelude to the heavy battles with Akaza, Doma, and Kokushibo. You can't maintain the same level of intensity all the time."
"My spouse was also surprised and we had fun. Those who haven't read the manga didn't expect the first round of the final boss battle to start here."
"But it's strange that Ubuyashiki, who is so sick, has had so many children. Could it be that he has a very strong sexual desire?"
"The eighth episode of the pillar training arc is exceptional, but overall, this season of 'Kimetsu' has been a bit sluggish."
"I have doubts about those who criticize the quality of anime. ' Dragon Ball' was the precursor to lengthening the plot and was always extremely popular."
"The ending was excellent, but the previous episodes were boring. I would have preferred it to be more compact. I understand that there are many circumstances involved."