Demon Slayer – Episode 22: Master of the Mansion

I guess my questions regarding the leadership of the Demon Slayers has an answer now. The reason why they send a whole bunch of under prepared, under qualified slayers right into hell itself is because they’re freaking insane.

This entire episode details of the “trial” of Tanjiro and Nezuko by the leadership of the Demon Slayers, nine powerful slayers that represent forms based on the basic elements of the world. Y’know; earth, wind, water and fire… and love… and sound, mist, insects… and snakes. No love for lightning though.

They’re a right bunch of characters, whose personality quirks are given plenty of chances to get displayed throughout the course of the episode. Of these “pillars” we don’t already know, the one that sticks out the most is the wind pillar; Saneme. He takes a particular glee in taunting Tanjiro and threatening him to the point where he jams his sword right through Nezuko’s box, thus Nezuko.

Understandably, most of the Hashiras are unwilling/reluctant to believe there can be such a thing as a good demon and aren’t willing to take Tanjiro on his word that his sister has never harmed a human in her two years as a demon. Strangely, Shinobu seems like the most levelled headed person present. Which comes as a surprise to me considering the fervour with which she fought both demons and Giyū, alike in the spider forest.

Water pillar Giyū, himself is no help. Well, except when he distracts Saneme for a moment, allowing Tanjiro to drop a sick headbutt on the lunatic. I forget that an exceptionally hard head is one of the peculiarities of Tanjiro’s character. Either way, it’s satisfying as hell.

The appearance of the scarred and perpetually serene master is enough to calm things down momentarily. Stating that Tanjiro and Nezuko are allowed a pass, given their unique situation. Which seems like it’d tie everything up nicely. Or so you’d think. Despite being the master, who is shown great respect by the Hashiras, none of them actually agree with his announcement and argue against it.

And if he wasn’t enough of an ass hole, Saneme grabs Nezuko’s box again and slices his own arm, dripping blood all over her, determined to show her as the murderous, man eating demon that he believes her to be. And the episode’s cliffhanger seems to imply that his plan is working the way it wants.

Personally, I just think Nezuko is pissed as what an asshole this guy has been to both her and her brother. And I’d love to see her punch him in the jaw. But given the present company, that doesn’t seem like the best idea.

This was a heavy exposition episode, introducing us to the seven new slayer pillars and their master. Times like these, when you’re introducing a bunch of new characters in one go, it makes sense to give them all big personality quirks to help us remember them. But in all honesty, apart from the psycho wind guy and the love girl who gives a commentary of how she’s into everyone present for one reason or another. None of them really stuck out.

It’s kind of weird to introduce so many new character this close to the end of the series, but like the last episode of the previous season of My Hero, I guess you’ve got to roll with the punches that the manga throws at you. I am genuinely interested to see where this one goes and how it works into what has to be the final arc of this first, impressive series of this show.