Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba (2024)

[鬼滅の刃]

Season 4

Director: Haruo Sotozaki
Studio: UFOtable
Starring: Natsuki Hanae, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Reina Ueda
Episodes: 8

Synopsis:
To prepare for the final battle with Muzan Kibutsuji, the Demon Slayer Corps prepares intensive training led by the Hashira.

Impressions:
The Hashira Training Arc serves as a bit of a breather before the finale, but we do get some development for Hashira who haven't been featured that prominently yet, especially Himejima. To stretch out the material, we get extra scenes such as Shinazugawa and Iguro stumbling upon the Infinity Castle early (though I can't imagine they would've been allowed to leave if this had happened in the original story, which is probably why it didn't happen) and some of the Hashira (particularly Shinazugawa) sparring with each other. All this builds up to the explosive (*ahem*) season finale with perhaps the longest dramatic slow walk in the history of ever and a gorgeously rendered lead-in to the coming Infinity Castle trilogy of films that will cap off the series. (We'll see if half of the first movie ends up just being Episode 8.) A somewhat shortened season devoted only to a training arc may not sound quite as compelling as the proceeding battle arcs, but fans of the series should appreciate what's being offered here. Ufotable hasn't slacked off in the slightest and we can surely expect great things to come in the near future. It's worth a watch at least, but especially for the final payoff, I'm going to say it's worth adding to your collection.

Rating:
Own It