(Redirected from
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc)
| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba | |
|---|---|
| Season 3 | |
 Cover art for the first home media volume of Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji | |
| No. of episodes | 11 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Fuji Television |
| Original release | April 9 – June 18, 2023 |
| Season chronology | |
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese anime television series based on Koyoharu Gotouge's manga series of the same name. At the end of the second-season finale, a third season covering the manga's "Swordsmith Village" arc was announced. [1] The third season, titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc, [a] adapts from the 12th volume to the 15th volume (chapters 98–127) of the manga and aired from April 9 to June 18, 2023. [2] [3] [4] The season was directed by Haruo Sotozaki, with character designs by Akira Matsushima who also serves as a chief animation director, and animation produced by Ufotable; the main cast from the second season also returned. [1]
The season follows Tanjiro and Nezuko, who travels to Swordsmith Village and joined by the two other high-ranked Hashira members — Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji along with Genya Shinazugawa, striving to fight and protect the village from the two upper-ranked demons.
On February 3, 2023, a compilation film titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village, which includes footage from the final two episodes of Entertainment District Arc and an advanced screening of the first Swordsmith Village Arc episode, premiered in Japan. [2] Crunchyroll has licensed the season, and began streaming an English dub on May 28, 2023. [5] [6]
The opening theme is " Kizuna no Kiseki" (絆ノ奇跡, lit. 'Miracle of Bonds'), while the ending theme is " Koi Kogare" (コイコガレ, lit. 'Yearning'), both performed by Man with a Mission and Milet. [7] "Kamado Nezuko no Uta" (竈門襧豆子のうた, "Nezuko Kamado's Song") by Go Shiina featuring Nami Nakagawa is featured as an insert song in the season finale episode. [8]
Episodes
| Story | Episode | Title [9] [10] | Directed by [9] | Storyboarded by [9] | Original air date [11] | Viewership rating [12] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 1 | "Someone's Dream" Transliteration: "Dareka no Yume" ( Japanese: 誰かの夢) | Shin'ya Shimomura & Takashi Suhara | Takashi Suhara & Yūichi Terao | April 9, 2023 [b] | 8.0% | |
| After their battle with Daki and Gyutaro, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko are found by the Kakushi. In the Infinity Castle, Muzan summons the remaining five Upper Ranks – Upper Five Gyokko, Upper Four Hantengu, Upper Three Akaza, Upper Two Doma, and Upper One Kokushibo. He admonishes them for their failure to kill the Ubuyashiki family or find the Blue Spider Lily. When Gyokko provides new information, he is sent on a joint mission with Hantengu. While Zenitsu and Inosuke are summoned to individual missions, Tanjiro continues his rehabilitation. When his swordsmith Hotaru Haganezuka refuses to forge him a new sword, Tanjiro is told to meet him at the Swordsmith Village to discuss the matter. He arrives with Nezuko and meets the village's chief, Tecchin Tecchikawahara, who reassures him he will bring Hotaru back to make his sword. Tanjiro is shown to the village's hot springs where he meets the Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji. There, he encounters Genya Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira’s younger brother and fellow Final Selection survivor, who refuses Tanjiro's kindness and storms off. That night, Mitsuri hints at Tanjiro about a "secret weapon" that can make him stronger. While searching for the weapon the next day, Tanjiro finds the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito arguing with someone and sees that seemingly with them is a man from his dreams. | |||||||
| 46 | 2 | "Yoriichi Type Zero" Transliteration: "Yoriichi Zeroshiki" ( Japanese: 縁壱零式) | Akihiko Uda | Kei Tsunematsu | April 16, 2023 | 7.6% | |
| Watching as Muichiro threatens the young swordsmith he was arguing with, Tanjiro tries to defend him but the Hashira knocks him unconscious for interfering. The swordsmith, named Kotetsu, explains that the "man" he saw is actually a mechanical training doll, built after a swordsman over 300 years ago. He explains the doll was made by his ancestors, and as an orphan, it is his only heirloom to pass. Tanjiro agrees to protect it but they see Muichiro’s training session has caused extensive damage. However, after Kotetsu discovers it remains functional, he tells Tanjiro to train with it in order to surpass the arrogant Muichiro. However, training proves harsh as Kotetsu denies Tanjiro food and water when he fails to improve. When Tanjiro eventually faints from exhaustion, he imagines himself in the afterlife and sees a peculiar stone in the Sanzu River, enabling him to detect attacks preemptively and quickly. Using his newfound knowledge, he lands a powerful blow on the doll's head, which shatters and reveals a concealed sword inside. | |||||||
| 47 | 3 | "A Sword from Over 300 Years Ago" Transliteration: "Sanbyaku-nen Ijō Mae no Katana" ( Japanese: 300年以上前の刀) | Ken Nakazawa | Hideki Hosokawa | April 23, 2023 | 6.4% | |
| To Tanjiro's and Kotetsu's disappointment, the sword is tarnished. Hotaru arrives, now extremely muscular from solitary training in order to improve himself. Intending to restore the ancient sword, he gives Tanjiro a spare blade. Tanjiro later attempts to befriend Genya but is rebuffed, though he notices Genya had regrown a lost tooth. Unbeknownst to all, Gyokko and Hantengu have infiltrated the village. Hantengu battles Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Muichiro, who beheads him. Two new demons then grow from the severed body and head; one of them, Karaku, blasts Muichiro away with his wind-based uchiwa, and the other, Sekido, shocks the siblings with his khakkhara. Genya arrives and beheads them with a sawed-off shotgun and a Nichirin wakizashi. However, the demons to split again, now totalling four demons. The winged Urogi carries Tanjiro away from the group and hits him with a sonic shriek, while Nezuko tries to defend Genya from Aizetsu, who wields a yari. Muichiro runs back to assist them but finds Kotetsu being attacked by a fish-like demon. Initially choosing not to help him, he saves Kotetsu after remembering Tanjiro's words about how helping others will eventually help him. | |||||||
| 48 | 4 | "Thank You, Tokito" Transliteration: "Tokitō-kun Arigatō" ( Japanese: 時透君ありがとう) | Hideki Hosokawa | Hideki Hosokawa | April 30, 2023 | 7.0% | |
| Though Muichiro beheads the fish demon, it does not die until he slashes the vase on its back. Kotetsu begs him to save Hotaru and fellow swordsmith Kozo Kanamori; Muichiro initially elects to protect the village but remembers Kagaya's advice about trivial events triggering his memories to return. He takes Kotetsu with him to find the swordsmiths. Meanwhile, Tanjiro determines that each of the four demons represents an emotion: joy (Urogi), anger (Sekido), pleasure (Karaku), and sorrow (Aizetsu). Genya confuses Sekido and Aizetsu with his inhuman resistance to normally fatal wounds. Nezuko burns Karaku and uses his own uchiwa against him, blasting him away. Sekido immobilizes Nezuko by shocking her in place with his khakkhara. Tanjiro uses Urogi to reach Nezuko and Genya and avoids Sekido's attacks by using Urogi's foot, which cannot conduct the electricity from his khakkhara as they share the same cells. Tanjiro frees Nezuko but both are incapacitated when Karaku pins them with a blast from his uchiwa. More fish demons attack the village as Mitsuri makes her way to rescue the swordsmiths. | |||||||
| 49 | 5 | "Bright Red Sword" Transliteration: "Kakutō" ( Japanese: 赫刀) | Takuya Nonaka | Takuya Nonaka | May 7, 2023 | 7.2% | |
| After saving Kozo from a fish demon, Muichiro is taken to his work shed for a new blade, but they encounter a waiting Gyokko. Mitsuri arrives at the village, using her elongated, whip-like sword to swiftly defeat the attacking fish demons. She then defeats the largest fish demon with her Love Breathing before it can kill Tecchin. After Karaku pins Nezuko down beneath heavy debris, she grips her hands onto Tanjiro's blade, smearing it in her blood. Muichiro attacks Gyokko and discovers he can produce new vases and teleport between them to avoid getting slashed. He is soon hit by numerous poisonous needles while protecting the swordsmiths and subsequently gets trapped by Gyokko in a watery vase, suffocating him. Nezuko uses her Blood Demon Art to heat up Tanjiro's blade, turning it bright red. Sekido, looking through Muzan's memories, realizes the blade resembles the sword of the Demon Slayer who almost killed Muzan. As the scar on his forehead transforms into a fiery mark once more, Tanjiro unleashes his Hinokami Kagura and swiftly beheads Urogi, Karaku, and Sekido. He then sees that Aizetsu has been beheaded by Genya as well but is shocked to see that Genya has now assumed the appearance of a demon. | |||||||
| 50 | 6 | "Aren't You Going to Become a Hashira?" Transliteration: "Hashira ni Narun ja Nai no ka!" ( Japanese: 柱になるんじゃないのか！) | Seiji Harada | Kei Tsunematsu | May 14, 2023 | 7.6% | |
| Tanjiro notices that the demons remain alive despite all being beheaded at the same time and informs Genya of a hidden fifth demon. Genya angrily expresses his jealousy towards him and declares that he too shall defeat an Upper Rank demon, to which Tanjiro responds with encouraging words. He frees Nezuko and instructs her to join Genya when the demons heal. The siblings fight them off while Genya locates the fifth demon, a now minuscule Hantengu, but fails to behead him. Sekido then attacks Genya from behind. Realizing he is about to die, Genya recalls his childhood; as a child, he and his family were frequently abused by his father, who was later killed. One night, Sanemi went out to look for their mother after she fails to arrive home. A demon soon entered their household, killing all five of Genya's younger siblings but was fought off by Sanemi. That morning, he found Sanemi standing in front of their mother’s body, unaware she was the demon, and branded him a murderer in his grief. Genya laments dying without ever apologizing to Sanemi but Tanjiro saves him by attacking Sekido. After Genya shields him from Aisetzu’s attack, Tanjiro goes after Hantengu himself. | |||||||
| 51 | 7 | "Awful Villain" Transliteration: "Gokuakunin" ( Japanese: 極悪人) | Hideki Hosokawa | Yō Miura | May 21, 2023 | 7.0% | |
| Tanjiro slashes Hantengu's neck but fails to behead him before he is confronted by Hantengu's manifested hatred Zohakuten, whose Blood Demon Art is giant wooden dragons. Zohakuten, who in actuality is Sekido after absorbing Karaku, Urogi, and Aizetsu, shields the minuscule Hantengu inside a burl and denounces the Demon Slayers for causing him harm, to Tanjiro’s anger. Meanwhile, Gyokko enters Kozo's shed to find him and Hotaru, who is polishing Tanjiro's blade. He attacks Hotaru out of spite but becomes annoyed when Hotaru ignores him. Muichiro, near death, suddenly sees a vision of Tanjiro, who reassures him that someone will come and help. Kotetsu then appears and fruitlessly tries to stab the watery pot. He is attacked by a small demon who stabs him in the solar plexus. Muichiro attempts to dissuade Kotetsu from trying to help him any further but Kotetsu blows bubbles into the pot, giving him sufficient air to break free. Muichiro realizes the reason Tanjiro seems familiar to him is because he shares the same eye color as his father. | |||||||
| 52 | 8 | "The Mu in Muichiro" Transliteration: "Muichirō no Mu" ( Japanese: 無一郎の無) | Jun'ichi Minamino | Toshiyuki Shirai | May 28, 2023 | 7.0% | |
| As Muichiro grows weak from the needles' poison, his life flashes before his eyes and he regains his memories; as a child, he was orphaned after his mother became ill and his father died on a trip to save her. His twin brother Yuichiro was embittered by their deaths, becoming cold and distant from him. Kagaya's wife Amane visits to recruit them into the Corps but it provokes Yuichiro, who rants about the fruitlessness of helping others and how they are fated to join their parents in dying a worthless death. One night, a demon found them and wounded Yuichiro. Muichiro, in a blinding rage, defeated the demon and witnessed his brother's last moments, apologizing to him and praying he would survive. The memories cause marks to appear on his face, enhancing his speed and strength. He finds Gyokko about to kill Kozo and Hotaru and attacks him. Gyokko, shocked that Muichiro had escaped, uses multiple attacks but fails to stop him. | |||||||
| 53 | 9 | "Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito" Transliteration: "Kasumi Bashira Tokitō Muichirō" ( Japanese: 霞柱・時透無一郎) | Akihiko Uda | Yō Miura | June 4, 2023 | 7.3% | |
| With his attacks overpowered, Gyokko reveals his true form, a large merman-like being with lethal touch, before attacking Muichiro again. Muichiro recalls when Amane saved him following his brother’s death and his relentless training to become stronger, his perpetual rage continually pushing him forward. Using his enhanced speed and a self-taught Mist Breathing form, Muichiro overwhelms Gyokko's perception and beheads him. Muichiro's marks then fade and he reels from exhaustion and the poison's effects. Kozo and Kotetsu aid him; the latter was saved from being mortally wounded by Kyojuro's tsuba in his shirt, which Tanjiro had previously given him. Muichiro cries being reminded of his friend and is comforted by visions of his family. Elsewhere, Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya struggle against Zohakuten’s dragons; Tanjiro is swallowed by one and nearly crushed in its jaws when Mitsuri arrives, slicing it apart and saving him. She then makes her way to rescue Nezuko and Genya. | |||||||
| 54 | 10 | "Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji" Transliteration: "Koi Bashira Kanroji Mitsuri" ( Japanese: 恋柱・甘露寺蜜璃) | Yūji Shimizu | Yūji Shimizu | June 11, 2023 | 7.6% | |
| Mitsuri destroys the dragons, but is violently stunned by Zohakuten while attempting to behead him. He moves to kill her as she recalls her past: as a child, she developed her abnormal strength, unique hair color, and large appetite at a young age. Once a source of pride, she later attempted to hide these traits after an annulled marriage proposal caused her to long to be seen as normal. However, it ultimately troubled her to realize she was hiding her true identity; joining the Demon Slayer Corps allowed her to act freely and be accepted. Mitsuri regains consciousness to see Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya rescuing her. She apologizes for her earlier mistake and engages Zohakuten again with renewed vigour. Zohakuten notices that Mitsuri has awakened a mark on her neck and concentrates his efforts on her, exposing Hantengu's burl. Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya, who reveals his ability to gain demonic traits by consuming their flesh, destroy the burl but Hantengu escapes once more. | |||||||
| 55 | 11 | "A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light" Transliteration: "Tsunaida Kizuna Kawataredoki Asaborake" ( Japanese: 繋いだ絆 彼は誰時 朝ぼらけ) | Ken Nakazawa, Seiji Harada, Takashi Suhara & Jun'ichi Minamino |
Haruo Sotozaki & Takashi Suhara | June 18, 2023 [c] | 7.6% | |
| Tanjiro reaches Hantengu by using Thunder Breathing's technique, but the demon manifests his resentment, Urami. Genya and Nezuko attack him but Urami and the siblings falls down a cliff. Using the ancient sword provided by Muichiro, Tanjiro decapitates Urami but fails to kill Hantengu. Day breaks and Nezuko begins to burn, but she ultimately signals for him to kill the demon. He locates Hantengu hiding inside Urami's heart and exposes him to sunlight; he relives his past as he is killed, simultaneously saving Mitsuri when Zohakuten disintegrates. Tanjiro grieves Nezuko’s death but discovers she is no longer burning. Through Hantengu's memories, Muzan realizes his goal to become immortal can be achieved by devouring Nezuko. Once a sickly young man from the Heian period, he was angered by his lack of recovery and killed his doctor, only realizing later that his last treatment had enhanced his physical abilities and saved him, though has left him unable to walk in sunlight. Having failed to find the treatment’s last component, the Blue Spider Lily, he resorted to creating demons in the hopes one could conquer the sun. In the aftermath, Muichiro thanks Tanjiro for helping him regain his identity and Mitsuri embraces them for all surviving. As he leaves the village, the swordsmiths celebrate Tanjiro for saving them. | |||||||
Home media release
Japanese
| Vol. | Episodes | Cover art | Bonus disc | Release date | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Mitsuri Kanroji | Soundtrack | June 21, 2023 | [13] | |
| 2 | 2–3 | Muichiro Tokito | Soundtrack | July 26, 2023 | [14] | |
| 3 | 4–5 | Tanjiro Kamado | Soundtrack | August 30, 2023 | [15] | |
| 4 | 6–7 | Genya Shinazugawa | Soundtrack | September 27, 2023 | [16] | |
| 5 | 8–9 | Tanjiro Kamado, Mitsuri Kanroji, Genya Shinazugawa and Muichiro Tokito | Soundtrack | October 25, 2023 | [17] | |
| 6 | 10–11 | Tanjiro Kamado and Nezuko Kamado | Soundtrack | November 22, 2023 | [18] | |
Notes
References
- ^ a b Loo, Egan (February 13, 2022). "Demon Slayer Manga's Swordsmith Village Arc Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Loo, Egan (December 10, 2022). "Demon Slayer Anime's Swordsmith Village Arc Premieres in April With 1-Hour TV Special (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (March 1, 2023). "Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc Anime's Trailer Reveals April 9 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ Loo, Egan (June 11, 2023). "Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc Anime's 70-Minute Finale Airs on June 18". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 31, 2023). "Crunchyroll Confirms It Will Stream Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 24, 2023). "Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc Anime's English Dub Debuts on May 28". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Cayanan, Joanna (April 10, 2023). "Man With a Mission, milet Perform Ending Theme for Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ 「竈門炭治郎のうた」の配信が決定!!. kimetsu.com (in Japanese). June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Arasuji | Terebi Anime "Kimetsu no Yaiba" Katanakaji no Sato-hen" あらすじ | テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編 [Synopsis | TV Anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc]. kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc Anime Official USA Website". demonslayer-anime.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ "Terebi Anime "Kimetsu no Yaiba" Katanakaji no Sato-hen" テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編 [TV Anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc]. kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
-
^ Japanese TV animation weekly ratings in the
Kantō region:
- Episode 45: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 15, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, April 3–9". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- Episode 46: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 22, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, April 10–16". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
- Episode 47: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 3, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, April 17–23". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- Episode 48: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 11, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, April 24–30". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- Episode 49: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 18, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 1–7". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- Episode 50: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 25, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 8–14". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- Episode 51: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 27, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 15–21". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- Episode 52: Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 3, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 22–28". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- Episode 53: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 10, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 29–June 4". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- Episode 54: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 17, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, June 5–11". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- Episode 55: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 24, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, June 12–18". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved June 18, 2023.
External links
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc official anime website (in Japanese)
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc official anime website (in English)
- Official website at Crunchyroll
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba at IMDb (Swordsmith Village Arc)
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba season 3 (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia (Swordsmith Village Arc)
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(Redirected from
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc)
| Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba | |
|---|---|
| Season 3 | |
|
Cover art for the first home media volume of Swordsmith Village Arc, featuring Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji | |
| No. of episodes | 11 |
| Release | |
| Original network | Fuji Television |
| Original release | April 9 – June 18, 2023 |
| Season chronology | |
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese anime television series based on Koyoharu Gotouge's manga series of the same name. At the end of the second-season finale, a third season covering the manga's "Swordsmith Village" arc was announced. [1] The third season, titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc, [a] adapts from the 12th volume to the 15th volume (chapters 98–127) of the manga and aired from April 9 to June 18, 2023. [2] [3] [4] The season was directed by Haruo Sotozaki, with character designs by Akira Matsushima who also serves as a chief animation director, and animation produced by Ufotable; the main cast from the second season also returned. [1]
The season follows Tanjiro and Nezuko, who travels to Swordsmith Village and joined by the two other high-ranked Hashira members — Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito and Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji along with Genya Shinazugawa, striving to fight and protect the village from the two upper-ranked demons.
On February 3, 2023, a compilation film titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village, which includes footage from the final two episodes of Entertainment District Arc and an advanced screening of the first Swordsmith Village Arc episode, premiered in Japan. [2] Crunchyroll has licensed the season, and began streaming an English dub on May 28, 2023. [5] [6]
The opening theme is " Kizuna no Kiseki" (絆ノ奇跡, lit. 'Miracle of Bonds'), while the ending theme is " Koi Kogare" (コイコガレ, lit. 'Yearning'), both performed by Man with a Mission and Milet. [7] "Kamado Nezuko no Uta" (竈門襧豆子のうた, "Nezuko Kamado's Song") by Go Shiina featuring Nami Nakagawa is featured as an insert song in the season finale episode. [8]
Episodes
| Story | Episode | Title [9] [10] | Directed by [9] | Storyboarded by [9] | Original air date [11] | Viewership rating [12] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 1 | "Someone's Dream" Transliteration: "Dareka no Yume" ( Japanese: 誰かの夢) | Shin'ya Shimomura & Takashi Suhara | Takashi Suhara & Yūichi Terao | April 9, 2023 [b] | 8.0% | |
| After their battle with Daki and Gyutaro, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko are found by the Kakushi. In the Infinity Castle, Muzan summons the remaining five Upper Ranks – Upper Five Gyokko, Upper Four Hantengu, Upper Three Akaza, Upper Two Doma, and Upper One Kokushibo. He admonishes them for their failure to kill the Ubuyashiki family or find the Blue Spider Lily. When Gyokko provides new information, he is sent on a joint mission with Hantengu. While Zenitsu and Inosuke are summoned to individual missions, Tanjiro continues his rehabilitation. When his swordsmith Hotaru Haganezuka refuses to forge him a new sword, Tanjiro is told to meet him at the Swordsmith Village to discuss the matter. He arrives with Nezuko and meets the village's chief, Tecchin Tecchikawahara, who reassures him he will bring Hotaru back to make his sword. Tanjiro is shown to the village's hot springs where he meets the Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji. There, he encounters Genya Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira’s younger brother and fellow Final Selection survivor, who refuses Tanjiro's kindness and storms off. That night, Mitsuri hints at Tanjiro about a "secret weapon" that can make him stronger. While searching for the weapon the next day, Tanjiro finds the Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito arguing with someone and sees that seemingly with them is a man from his dreams. | |||||||
| 46 | 2 | "Yoriichi Type Zero" Transliteration: "Yoriichi Zeroshiki" ( Japanese: 縁壱零式) | Akihiko Uda | Kei Tsunematsu | April 16, 2023 | 7.6% | |
| Watching as Muichiro threatens the young swordsmith he was arguing with, Tanjiro tries to defend him but the Hashira knocks him unconscious for interfering. The swordsmith, named Kotetsu, explains that the "man" he saw is actually a mechanical training doll, built after a swordsman over 300 years ago. He explains the doll was made by his ancestors, and as an orphan, it is his only heirloom to pass. Tanjiro agrees to protect it but they see Muichiro’s training session has caused extensive damage. However, after Kotetsu discovers it remains functional, he tells Tanjiro to train with it in order to surpass the arrogant Muichiro. However, training proves harsh as Kotetsu denies Tanjiro food and water when he fails to improve. When Tanjiro eventually faints from exhaustion, he imagines himself in the afterlife and sees a peculiar stone in the Sanzu River, enabling him to detect attacks preemptively and quickly. Using his newfound knowledge, he lands a powerful blow on the doll's head, which shatters and reveals a concealed sword inside. | |||||||
| 47 | 3 | "A Sword from Over 300 Years Ago" Transliteration: "Sanbyaku-nen Ijō Mae no Katana" ( Japanese: 300年以上前の刀) | Ken Nakazawa | Hideki Hosokawa | April 23, 2023 | 6.4% | |
| To Tanjiro's and Kotetsu's disappointment, the sword is tarnished. Hotaru arrives, now extremely muscular from solitary training in order to improve himself. Intending to restore the ancient sword, he gives Tanjiro a spare blade. Tanjiro later attempts to befriend Genya but is rebuffed, though he notices Genya had regrown a lost tooth. Unbeknownst to all, Gyokko and Hantengu have infiltrated the village. Hantengu battles Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Muichiro, who beheads him. Two new demons then grow from the severed body and head; one of them, Karaku, blasts Muichiro away with his wind-based uchiwa, and the other, Sekido, shocks the siblings with his khakkhara. Genya arrives and beheads them with a sawed-off shotgun and a Nichirin wakizashi. However, the demons to split again, now totalling four demons. The winged Urogi carries Tanjiro away from the group and hits him with a sonic shriek, while Nezuko tries to defend Genya from Aizetsu, who wields a yari. Muichiro runs back to assist them but finds Kotetsu being attacked by a fish-like demon. Initially choosing not to help him, he saves Kotetsu after remembering Tanjiro's words about how helping others will eventually help him. | |||||||
| 48 | 4 | "Thank You, Tokito" Transliteration: "Tokitō-kun Arigatō" ( Japanese: 時透君ありがとう) | Hideki Hosokawa | Hideki Hosokawa | April 30, 2023 | 7.0% | |
| Though Muichiro beheads the fish demon, it does not die until he slashes the vase on its back. Kotetsu begs him to save Hotaru and fellow swordsmith Kozo Kanamori; Muichiro initially elects to protect the village but remembers Kagaya's advice about trivial events triggering his memories to return. He takes Kotetsu with him to find the swordsmiths. Meanwhile, Tanjiro determines that each of the four demons represents an emotion: joy (Urogi), anger (Sekido), pleasure (Karaku), and sorrow (Aizetsu). Genya confuses Sekido and Aizetsu with his inhuman resistance to normally fatal wounds. Nezuko burns Karaku and uses his own uchiwa against him, blasting him away. Sekido immobilizes Nezuko by shocking her in place with his khakkhara. Tanjiro uses Urogi to reach Nezuko and Genya and avoids Sekido's attacks by using Urogi's foot, which cannot conduct the electricity from his khakkhara as they share the same cells. Tanjiro frees Nezuko but both are incapacitated when Karaku pins them with a blast from his uchiwa. More fish demons attack the village as Mitsuri makes her way to rescue the swordsmiths. | |||||||
| 49 | 5 | "Bright Red Sword" Transliteration: "Kakutō" ( Japanese: 赫刀) | Takuya Nonaka | Takuya Nonaka | May 7, 2023 | 7.2% | |
| After saving Kozo from a fish demon, Muichiro is taken to his work shed for a new blade, but they encounter a waiting Gyokko. Mitsuri arrives at the village, using her elongated, whip-like sword to swiftly defeat the attacking fish demons. She then defeats the largest fish demon with her Love Breathing before it can kill Tecchin. After Karaku pins Nezuko down beneath heavy debris, she grips her hands onto Tanjiro's blade, smearing it in her blood. Muichiro attacks Gyokko and discovers he can produce new vases and teleport between them to avoid getting slashed. He is soon hit by numerous poisonous needles while protecting the swordsmiths and subsequently gets trapped by Gyokko in a watery vase, suffocating him. Nezuko uses her Blood Demon Art to heat up Tanjiro's blade, turning it bright red. Sekido, looking through Muzan's memories, realizes the blade resembles the sword of the Demon Slayer who almost killed Muzan. As the scar on his forehead transforms into a fiery mark once more, Tanjiro unleashes his Hinokami Kagura and swiftly beheads Urogi, Karaku, and Sekido. He then sees that Aizetsu has been beheaded by Genya as well but is shocked to see that Genya has now assumed the appearance of a demon. | |||||||
| 50 | 6 | "Aren't You Going to Become a Hashira?" Transliteration: "Hashira ni Narun ja Nai no ka!" ( Japanese: 柱になるんじゃないのか！) | Seiji Harada | Kei Tsunematsu | May 14, 2023 | 7.6% | |
| Tanjiro notices that the demons remain alive despite all being beheaded at the same time and informs Genya of a hidden fifth demon. Genya angrily expresses his jealousy towards him and declares that he too shall defeat an Upper Rank demon, to which Tanjiro responds with encouraging words. He frees Nezuko and instructs her to join Genya when the demons heal. The siblings fight them off while Genya locates the fifth demon, a now minuscule Hantengu, but fails to behead him. Sekido then attacks Genya from behind. Realizing he is about to die, Genya recalls his childhood; as a child, he and his family were frequently abused by his father, who was later killed. One night, Sanemi went out to look for their mother after she fails to arrive home. A demon soon entered their household, killing all five of Genya's younger siblings but was fought off by Sanemi. That morning, he found Sanemi standing in front of their mother’s body, unaware she was the demon, and branded him a murderer in his grief. Genya laments dying without ever apologizing to Sanemi but Tanjiro saves him by attacking Sekido. After Genya shields him from Aisetzu’s attack, Tanjiro goes after Hantengu himself. | |||||||
| 51 | 7 | "Awful Villain" Transliteration: "Gokuakunin" ( Japanese: 極悪人) | Hideki Hosokawa | Yō Miura | May 21, 2023 | 7.0% | |
| Tanjiro slashes Hantengu's neck but fails to behead him before he is confronted by Hantengu's manifested hatred Zohakuten, whose Blood Demon Art is giant wooden dragons. Zohakuten, who in actuality is Sekido after absorbing Karaku, Urogi, and Aizetsu, shields the minuscule Hantengu inside a burl and denounces the Demon Slayers for causing him harm, to Tanjiro’s anger. Meanwhile, Gyokko enters Kozo's shed to find him and Hotaru, who is polishing Tanjiro's blade. He attacks Hotaru out of spite but becomes annoyed when Hotaru ignores him. Muichiro, near death, suddenly sees a vision of Tanjiro, who reassures him that someone will come and help. Kotetsu then appears and fruitlessly tries to stab the watery pot. He is attacked by a small demon who stabs him in the solar plexus. Muichiro attempts to dissuade Kotetsu from trying to help him any further but Kotetsu blows bubbles into the pot, giving him sufficient air to break free. Muichiro realizes the reason Tanjiro seems familiar to him is because he shares the same eye color as his father. | |||||||
| 52 | 8 | "The Mu in Muichiro" Transliteration: "Muichirō no Mu" ( Japanese: 無一郎の無) | Jun'ichi Minamino | Toshiyuki Shirai | May 28, 2023 | 7.0% | |
| As Muichiro grows weak from the needles' poison, his life flashes before his eyes and he regains his memories; as a child, he was orphaned after his mother became ill and his father died on a trip to save her. His twin brother Yuichiro was embittered by their deaths, becoming cold and distant from him. Kagaya's wife Amane visits to recruit them into the Corps but it provokes Yuichiro, who rants about the fruitlessness of helping others and how they are fated to join their parents in dying a worthless death. One night, a demon found them and wounded Yuichiro. Muichiro, in a blinding rage, defeated the demon and witnessed his brother's last moments, apologizing to him and praying he would survive. The memories cause marks to appear on his face, enhancing his speed and strength. He finds Gyokko about to kill Kozo and Hotaru and attacks him. Gyokko, shocked that Muichiro had escaped, uses multiple attacks but fails to stop him. | |||||||
| 53 | 9 | "Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito" Transliteration: "Kasumi Bashira Tokitō Muichirō" ( Japanese: 霞柱・時透無一郎) | Akihiko Uda | Yō Miura | June 4, 2023 | 7.3% | |
| With his attacks overpowered, Gyokko reveals his true form, a large merman-like being with lethal touch, before attacking Muichiro again. Muichiro recalls when Amane saved him following his brother’s death and his relentless training to become stronger, his perpetual rage continually pushing him forward. Using his enhanced speed and a self-taught Mist Breathing form, Muichiro overwhelms Gyokko's perception and beheads him. Muichiro's marks then fade and he reels from exhaustion and the poison's effects. Kozo and Kotetsu aid him; the latter was saved from being mortally wounded by Kyojuro's tsuba in his shirt, which Tanjiro had previously given him. Muichiro cries being reminded of his friend and is comforted by visions of his family. Elsewhere, Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya struggle against Zohakuten’s dragons; Tanjiro is swallowed by one and nearly crushed in its jaws when Mitsuri arrives, slicing it apart and saving him. She then makes her way to rescue Nezuko and Genya. | |||||||
| 54 | 10 | "Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji" Transliteration: "Koi Bashira Kanroji Mitsuri" ( Japanese: 恋柱・甘露寺蜜璃) | Yūji Shimizu | Yūji Shimizu | June 11, 2023 | 7.6% | |
| Mitsuri destroys the dragons, but is violently stunned by Zohakuten while attempting to behead him. He moves to kill her as she recalls her past: as a child, she developed her abnormal strength, unique hair color, and large appetite at a young age. Once a source of pride, she later attempted to hide these traits after an annulled marriage proposal caused her to long to be seen as normal. However, it ultimately troubled her to realize she was hiding her true identity; joining the Demon Slayer Corps allowed her to act freely and be accepted. Mitsuri regains consciousness to see Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya rescuing her. She apologizes for her earlier mistake and engages Zohakuten again with renewed vigour. Zohakuten notices that Mitsuri has awakened a mark on her neck and concentrates his efforts on her, exposing Hantengu's burl. Tanjiro, Nezuko, and Genya, who reveals his ability to gain demonic traits by consuming their flesh, destroy the burl but Hantengu escapes once more. | |||||||
| 55 | 11 | "A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light" Transliteration: "Tsunaida Kizuna Kawataredoki Asaborake" ( Japanese: 繋いだ絆 彼は誰時 朝ぼらけ) | Ken Nakazawa, Seiji Harada, Takashi Suhara & Jun'ichi Minamino |
Haruo Sotozaki & Takashi Suhara | June 18, 2023 [c] | 7.6% | |
| Tanjiro reaches Hantengu by using Thunder Breathing's technique, but the demon manifests his resentment, Urami. Genya and Nezuko attack him but Urami and the siblings falls down a cliff. Using the ancient sword provided by Muichiro, Tanjiro decapitates Urami but fails to kill Hantengu. Day breaks and Nezuko begins to burn, but she ultimately signals for him to kill the demon. He locates Hantengu hiding inside Urami's heart and exposes him to sunlight; he relives his past as he is killed, simultaneously saving Mitsuri when Zohakuten disintegrates. Tanjiro grieves Nezuko’s death but discovers she is no longer burning. Through Hantengu's memories, Muzan realizes his goal to become immortal can be achieved by devouring Nezuko. Once a sickly young man from the Heian period, he was angered by his lack of recovery and killed his doctor, only realizing later that his last treatment had enhanced his physical abilities and saved him, though has left him unable to walk in sunlight. Having failed to find the treatment’s last component, the Blue Spider Lily, he resorted to creating demons in the hopes one could conquer the sun. In the aftermath, Muichiro thanks Tanjiro for helping him regain his identity and Mitsuri embraces them for all surviving. As he leaves the village, the swordsmiths celebrate Tanjiro for saving them. | |||||||
Home media release
Japanese
| Vol. | Episodes | Cover art | Bonus disc | Release date | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Mitsuri Kanroji | Soundtrack | June 21, 2023 | [13] | |
| 2 | 2–3 | Muichiro Tokito | Soundtrack | July 26, 2023 | [14] | |
| 3 | 4–5 | Tanjiro Kamado | Soundtrack | August 30, 2023 | [15] | |
| 4 | 6–7 | Genya Shinazugawa | Soundtrack | September 27, 2023 | [16] | |
| 5 | 8–9 | Tanjiro Kamado, Mitsuri Kanroji, Genya Shinazugawa and Muichiro Tokito | Soundtrack | October 25, 2023 | [17] | |
| 6 | 10–11 | Tanjiro Kamado and Nezuko Kamado | Soundtrack | November 22, 2023 | [18] | |
Notes
References
- ^ a b Loo, Egan (February 13, 2022). "Demon Slayer Manga's Swordsmith Village Arc Gets TV Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved February 13, 2022.
- ^ a b Loo, Egan (December 10, 2022). "Demon Slayer Anime's Swordsmith Village Arc Premieres in April With 1-Hour TV Special (Updated)". Anime News Network. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
- ^ Mateo, Alex (March 1, 2023). "Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc Anime's Trailer Reveals April 9 Premiere". Anime News Network. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
- ^ Loo, Egan (June 11, 2023). "Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc Anime's 70-Minute Finale Airs on June 18". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ Hodgkins, Crystalyn (March 31, 2023). "Crunchyroll Confirms It Will Stream Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc Anime". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on April 7, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 24, 2023). "Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc Anime's English Dub Debuts on May 28". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on May 25, 2023. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
- ^ Cayanan, Joanna (April 10, 2023). "Man With a Mission, milet Perform Ending Theme for Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc Anime". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 10, 2023.
- ^ 「竈門炭治郎のうた」の配信が決定!!. kimetsu.com (in Japanese). June 19, 2023. Retrieved June 20, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Arasuji | Terebi Anime "Kimetsu no Yaiba" Katanakaji no Sato-hen" あらすじ | テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編 [Synopsis | TV Anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc]. kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on June 28, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc Anime Official USA Website". demonslayer-anime.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2023. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ^ "Terebi Anime "Kimetsu no Yaiba" Katanakaji no Sato-hen" テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編 [TV Anime Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc]. kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 1, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
-
^ Japanese TV animation weekly ratings in the
Kantō region:
- Episode 45: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 15, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, April 3–9". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 16, 2023.
- Episode 46: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (April 22, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, April 10–16". Anime News Network. Retrieved April 23, 2023.
- Episode 47: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 3, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, April 17–23". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 4, 2023.
- Episode 48: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 11, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, April 24–30". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- Episode 49: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 18, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 1–7". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 18, 2023.
- Episode 50: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 25, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 8–14". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
- Episode 51: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (May 27, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 15–21". Anime News Network. Retrieved May 28, 2023.
- Episode 52: Hodgkins, Crystalyn (June 3, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 22–28". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
- Episode 53: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 10, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, May 29–June 4". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
- Episode 54: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 17, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, June 5–11". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
- Episode 55: Pineda, Rafael Antonio (June 24, 2023). "Japanese Animation TV Ranking, June 12–18". Anime News Network. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved May 14, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "テレビアニメ「鬼滅の刃」刀鍛冶の里編". kimetsu.com (in Japanese). Retrieved June 18, 2023.
External links
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc official anime website (in Japanese)
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Swordsmith Village Arc official anime website (in English)
- Official website at Crunchyroll
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba at IMDb (Swordsmith Village Arc)
- Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba season 3 (anime) at Anime News Network's encyclopedia (Swordsmith Village Arc)
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