Demon Slayer season 4 episode 7 review

With Tanjiro’s (Natsuki Hanae, NieR Automata version 1.1a) success in the bouldering test, he is ready for the next phase of his training. However, it may take more to get the recognition he needs than he realizes. Also Zenitsu (Hiro Shimono, My happy marriage) receives a letter that has a painful effect on him Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 “Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima.”

This episode opens with Tanjiro completing his test, as the boulder reluctantly moves across the Earth. Driven by his success, Inosuke (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Trigun stampede) charges forward and also moves his boulder. This leaves Zenitsu alone unable to complete the task. While he watches from behind a tree, he receives a letter.

Once Tanjiro succumbs to exhaustion, he is approached by Gyomei Himejima (Tomokazu Sugita, Shy) who gives Tanjiro his recognition. He does this not only because of his success in the trials he has undergone here, but also because of his actions in the village. Himejima tells him that his ability to choose the safety of the villagers over his sister shows his worthiness. Tanjiro is forced to correct Himejima by stating that it was his sister’s power that pushed him to action, and not his own. While Tanjiro expects this admission to lead to his recognition being revoked, it only reaffirms to Himejima that he deserves the accolades.

From here, Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 opens in a flashback where we discover Himejima’s tragic past. We learn that he once ran a temple that he used as an orphanage and cared for several children. However, it all came crashing down when one child’s selfishness allowed a demon into the temple, causing the deaths of all but one of the other children. During this attack, Himejima discovered his power while fighting to protect the only remaining child.

The images during Himejima’s flashback are brutally impactful. The fear and pain of the moment come across in every blood-soaked shot. The pain of the deaths he failed to prevent and his anger at the demon before him are expertly etched into Himejima’s face and actions.

When daylight broke and help arrived, the only surviving child blamed Himejima for the attack. She stated that he had killed everyone. Since the demon’s body had evaporated in daylight, there was no evidence to the contrary. Himejima is thrown in jail.

Although Himejima shows a commendable amount of understanding for his accuser, and acknowledges that it was most likely the four-year-old’s confusion and trauma that led her to accuse him rather than any form of malice, he nevertheless left the episode in the belief that every child is selfish and a liar. And Tanjiro’s willingness to draw attention to how others have helped him get on the right path makes him special and worthy of advancing in his training.

While Himejima’s feelings after the incident are understandable, it would have been nice if that were the case Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 I could have taken a moment to point out how wrong Himjima’s views are. Deciding that each child bears the faults of two is not a good attitude, especially for someone who trains and evaluates children. It feels like a negative prejudice.

Later, as the group retires for dinner, Tanjiro notices that Zenitsu has not shown up. Worried, he takes his friend’s share and goes looking for him. When he encounters Zenitsu, he finds him on his boulder, which remains unmoved. Tanjiro’s attempts to connect with his friend are met with a cold contempt that is unusual for the character.

Although Tanhiro senses something is wrong, he chooses to respect Zentisu’s privacy and leaves him with his dinner. After Tanjiro leaves, we are shown a shot of Zenitsu’s face, bleeding from the forehead. Without any threat, the viewer is left to conclude that Zenitsu did it himself. Still clutching the letter he received earlier, it is clear that what is inside is deeply troubling to the young man.

Next one, Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 follows Tanjiro as he heads to his next training location. Eventually he meets Giyu (Takahiro Sakurai, Jujutsu Kaisen) and Sanemi (Tomokazu Seki, Ōoku: The inner chambers) as the two final swords. The episode uses the nifty combat to break up all the chatter with some of the beautiful fighting animations the series is known for. As water and wind collide, the dazzling images are still breathtaking no matter how many times they have been played out over the years.

Once the duel is over, Sanemi storms off alone to vent. As he does so, a flicker of movement catches his attention. When he snatches the object from the air, he discovers that it is a miniature eyeball propelled by bat wings. The creature disintegrates in his hand as he realizes the connection has been compromised. As the episode comes to a close, we see Muzan Kibutsuji pass through the gates and make his way to Ubuyashiki. The episode uses the demon’s passage to bookend the credits where Muzan walks heavily in the credits. This connects the credits to the moment in an impactful way.

Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 leaves the story ready for big things. With great evil among the heroes, all that remains is to see how the threat will be dealt with.

Demon Slayer Season 4 Episode 7 now streaming on Crunchyroll.