Demon Slayer Episode 23

Demon Slayer Episode 23

Hashira Meeting

Like last week’s episode, this week’s didn’t really have any action. In fact, Tanjirou didn’t even headbutt anyone, so there was no action at all. And, unfortunately, we didn’t actually learn all that much new information in this episode either.

Because of that, this week’s review is mostly going to focus on speculation. But, let’s start off with a fact that was confirmed.

Kanao has been confirmed to be Shinobu’s pupil. I assumed this was the case already because of their similar hair clips and the fact that Kanao works under Shinobu. However, it’s now confirmed, and we learned that each Hashira generally takes on a singular student.

Also last week I mentioned that this is probably so that the Hashira can train someone to take their place when they retire or if they die. But as of right now, the only Hashira we know to have a student is Shinobu. My guess is that Tanjirou is going to become Giyuu’s student in the near future.

Oh, and remember that other boy from Final Selection? You know, the really angry one who’s been featured in the OP, but whom we haven’t seen since? I’m thinking he’ll show up in one of these final few episodes of the season as the Wind Hashira’s student.

Originally I thought he might use the Flame Breathing Technique, but now I’m not so sure. Based on his attitude I think he’s much more likely to be a student of Sanemi. I also really thought we’d meet him again in the story by now. He seemed like he was going to be a more important character than Kanao.

Tanjirou’s Mission

Hashira and their students aside, Nezuko has proven herself worthy in the (blind) eyes of the Master. She refused to attack Sanemi despite his provocation. However, this still isn’t really enough to prove that Nezuko is harmless to some of the Hashira.

And, because I don’t know where else to fit this piece of information in, Sanemi has a green sword. We don’t know what it does yet, like with all the colored swords, but I wanted to point that out. I wonder if we’ll ever actually get an explanation of the different sword color abilities.

Mitsuri Kanroji holding in her laughter from the anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Mitsuri Kanroji holding in her laughter

Now that Nezuko is a pseudo-member of the demon slayer corps. she can officially join Tanjirou on his missions. And their first mission is to slay one of the 12 Demon Moons. Well, they’ll probably have other missions before that, but the Master specifically told them to do this so that there would be no questions as to Nezuko’s loyalty.

Also during this whole scene I remembered for the first time that Nezuko is still wearing her muzzle. Does she even need it anymore? She’s not going to attack humans anyway, so why does she keep it on? Is it just a part of her character design at this point?

Tamayo & the Master

And speaking of good demons who don’t wear muzzles, it’s revealed that the Master knows who lady Tamayo is. Of everything we learned in this episode, this was probably the single biggest piece of information. Which in some ways sucks because it prompts way more questions than it answers.

My main question is, if the Master is aware of Tamayo’s existence, why aren’t the Hashira? The Hashira seem truly confused about a demon, Nezuko, existing which doesn’t attack humans. If they knew of Tamayo already then Nezuko wouldn’t be as much of a surprise.

Why is the Master keeping Tamayo’s existence hidden from his underlings? Does he think they will seek her out to slay her? Does Tamayo have information about the Master which he doesn’t want getting out? Or, did Tamayo perhaps request that her existence be kept a secret?

There are two main theories I have regarding the relationship between the Master and Tamayo — and they aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive.

Obviously the master’s knowledge of Tamayo played into his decision regarding Nezuko. Sure, a the backing of Sakonji and Giyuu is powerful, but likely not enough to sway the Master’s decision. But if the master already knows good demons exist, that’s a powerful factor.

So, who is Tamayo to the Master? Is she a random demon he met at some point during his life? Possibly, but what if the two of them were actually related? What if Tamayo is the Master’s sister like Nezuko is to Tanjirou?

That would be an interesting development, but also what if Tamayo is the one who saved the Master? Last week I mentioned he was probably going to be turned into a demon, but was saved. Could Tamayo have been the one to save him?

The First Breathing Swordsmen

Regardless of what the relationship between the Master and Tamayo is, it’s also hinted that the Master has some relationship with Kibutsuji Muzan. I get that all the demon slayers want to defeat Kibutsuji, but when the Master says it, it sounds way more personal.

Going along with Tamayo possibly being the one who saved the Master, I still think Kibutsuji is the one who left him scarred and blind. And maybe this is theorizing a bit too much, but what if the Master, Tamayo, and Kibutsuji were all once allies as humans?

I like this idea, possibly because it reminds me of the Sannin from Naruto, but there is one major issue. We don’t actually know how old any of these three are — mainly Kibutsuji and Tamayo since demons are likely immortal (I don’t remember if that was confirmed).

The Hashira meeting from the anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
The Hashira meeting

What we do know though is that the current Master of the demon slayer corps. is the 97th one total. From this, along with Shinobu’s mention of how the current era is different from the previous era, we can assume the demon slayer corps. has been around for a while.

But since we know so little about the origin of the demons, it’s hard to say how far back Kibutsuji and Tamayo’s lives go. For all we know, Kibutsuji could have been around ever since the founding of the demon slayer corps. Though, I don’t think this will turn out to be the case.

The Master also mentions the “first breathing swordsmen” and these are likely the founders of the demon slayer corps. While I would love to learn more about them, I don’t think this series is going to be long enough to dive into their history very much.

Conclusion

I should also point out that both Inosuke and Zenitsu are alive and well. They’re both being taken care of at the hospital Shinobu owns due to their serious injuries. It was also pointed out that the other demon slayer who was with them on the mountain is nowhere to be found.

I don’t remember his name, and I don’t remember if we saw him die, but I feel like he’s alive. Perhaps we’ll come across him again at a later point in the series. Maybe he was even turned into a demon himself while the others were fighting. I just think that the fact he was brought up again means he still has a role to play.

So, as always, what are your thoughts on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba episode 23? Do you think that boy from Final Selection is going to be Sanemi’s pupil? Why do you think the Master kept Tamayo’s existence a secret from the Hashira? And, what do you make of my theory about the Master, Tamayo, and Kibutsuji all being allies at one point? Let me know in the comments.

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My review of the next episode is available here.

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