Demon Slayer Episode 24

Demon Slayer Episode 24

Rehabilitation Training

Unfortunately, this week’s episode of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba had way too much Zenitsu content for me to call it good. I still don’t like Zenitsu, and I will continue to dislike him until he stops freaking out about every little thing.

But, there are still some things I want to touch on in this episode aside from Zenitsu (and Inosuke). We learned a fair amount of information about both the Hashira Shinobu Kochou and her student, Kanao Tsuyuri. But before I get into those two, there’s something else I need to point out first.

At the start of the episode we see Kyoujurou Rengoku, the Flame Hashira, telling Shinobu that he’s about to go on a mission after one of the Twelve Demon Moons. Shinobu then comments on the fact that it will be a dangerous mission and tells him to stay safe.

Why were we shown this scene?

My guess is that Rengoku isn’t going to be coming back from this mission. Perhaps it really will turn out to be one of the Twelve Demon Moons he runs into, or maybe it will be Kibutsuji Muzan himself. Either way, I think Rengoku is going to die on this mission.

Think about it, why else would we have been shown this scene? It has nothing to do with the episode, so it must be foreshadowing something. Also, since Tanjirou might be able to use the Flame Breathing Technique, this could open up a future Hashira spot for him without Giyuu needing to die or step down.

I’m not saying Tanjirou would replace him now, but maybe in the distant future once he’s stronger.

Three-Step Program

Alright, so onto matters regarding Shinobu and Kanao — sort of. Tanjirou, Inosuke, and Zenitsu are forced to undergo rehabilitation training once their wounds have sufficiently, but not entirely, healed. Inosuke and Zenitsu later drop out of this training, but Tanjirou stays on.

The first step of this program involves (forced) stretching to make their bodies more limber. The second step involves a game of reflexes centered around cups of tea (or medicated water). Finally, the third step is a full-body workout in the form of one-on-one tag.

While the three were eventually able to defeat Aoi, Kanao’s subordinate, none of them were able to defeat Kanao herself. It was then revealed that the reason for this is likely because Kanao has mastered something only she and the Hashira can do.

Kanao is able to use the Total Concentration Breathing Technique 24/7. By comparison, Tanjirou can’t last more than a few minutes using this technique. So if he wants any chance of defeating Kanao, he’ll need to train more.

The training to be able to use this technique mainly focuses on strengthening the lungs. For example, Tanjirou does a lot of cardio and then is instructed to make gourds explode by blowing into them.

Basically, we got a training montage this week.

Kanao Tsuyuri

Kanao Tsuyuri is currently the strongest member of the demon slayer corps. we know of who isn’t a current or former Hashira. Or at least we can assume that’s the case based on the fact she’s the only non-Hashira to have mastered the Total Concentration Breathing Technique.

But there’s actually more to her strength than just that breathing technique. And it’s Tanjirou who gives us two important clues as to what makes Kanao such a formidable opponent. He says she has the same scent as the Hashira and that her eyes are “different” from most people.

Initially I didn’t think much of his comment about her scent. I also thought perhaps it was going to be revealed that Kanao is blind. However, at this point I don’t think that’s the case. Her eyes physically look like Shinobu’s, not the demon slayer corps. master’s.

Kanao Tsuyuri from the anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Kanao Tsuyuri

No, the thing that sets Kanao apart from most demon slayers is that she’s unable to forgive the demons for one reason or another. That’s something that’s true for many demon slayers, but for Kanao and the Hashira it’s something that defines who they are at a fundamental level.

Later, during his talk with Shinobu, we learn that the scent he smells on her, the other Hashira, and likely Kanao is the scent of anger. It’s also during this conversation that we get a hint pointing to the difference Tanjirou saw in Kanao’s eyes.

Despite physically smiling, Shinobu has sadness in her eyes. Kanao is the same way. She always has a soft smile, but it’s as if she’s trying to mask her true feelings with it. The reason the Hashira, and Kanao, are so strong is because they’re emotionally dead inside.

They no longer fear failure because they’ve already lost everything.

Shinobu’s Dream

As for why Shinobu hates demons and has a sadness about her, it stems from the death of her older sister. We don’t really know anything about her, but it does appear that Shinobu inherited everything from her.

Shinobu wears the same cloak (or whatever that piece of clothing is called), she uses a similar sword, and I’m assuming she took her position as Insect Hashira. We also know that Shinobu took up her sister’s dream which is to one day be friends with the demons.

Aside from those things, Shinobu’s sister is a mystery. We don’t really know how she died — obviously it was in battle, but against who? Was it Kibutsuji? One of the Twelve Demon Moons? Did they go after Shinobu and her sister sacrificed herself to protect her? We’ll probably never know.

Shinobu's older sister dying from the anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba
Shinobu’s older sister dying

But after telling Tanjirou about her dream, Shinobu says something else interesting. She says she’s exhausted, that Tanjirou will continue to work in her place to fulfill that dream, and that she can rest easy now. Is this merely her saying that she’s glad she doesn’t have to carry that burden alone, or is there more to it?

To me, it almost seems like Shinobu plans to retire from the demon slayer corps. Or, perhaps she knows she doesn’t have much time left for whatever reason. Is she sick? Is she planning to die? Her words to Tanjirou didn’t seem like the words of someone who was going to be around for much longer.

While retirement was my first thought, that doesn’t seem like Shinobu’s style. The more I think about it, the more likely it seems that she’s going to do something reckless. Maybe she’ll join up with Rengoku and they’ll both fight — and lose — against Kibutsuji together.

Conclusion

Obviously I don’t want Shinobu to die — she’s the best girl of the series. But just as I mentioned that Rengoku’s death could open up a spot for Tanjirou, the same could be said about Shinobu’s death and Kanao. Eventually Kanao has to succeed Shinobu, so why not now? She’s ready.

What are your thoughts on this episode of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba? Do you think Rengoku is going to die right after we met him? Do you think Shinobu is going to as well? Is she going to retire? Let me know in the comments.

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My review of the next episode is available here.

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