Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2 review: A melancholic return to glory

Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2, released on May 19, 2024, was well-received, and fans didn’t seem to have too many complaints with this episode. Even though the current story arc might not have as many action sequences as fans would like, it certainly was enjoyable for fans since the focus shifted to Giyu Tomioka.

The Water Hashira is quite popular among fans and he finally received the screentime he deserves. While he isn’t showcasing his Water Breathing techniques against a demon, his backstory is quite vital from a character development standpoint. It also explains a lot about Giyu’s behavior in the series which might have been confusing at first.

Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2 review: Giyu finally receives the screentime he deserves

A younger version of Giyu who was mourning Sabito's death at the time (Image via Ufotable)

The Water Hashira’s popularity grew considerably with every appearance he made in the anime. However, for the most part, this character was shrouded in mystery and fans couldn’t really understand why he behaved the way he did.

Giyu Tomioka was always aloof and never really spent time with any of the Hashiras. This seclusion was misunderstood as arrogance when, in reality, he never felt like he belonged in the Demon Slayer Corps, much less a Hashira.

Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2 was much better than the first episode since it covered a substantial amount of the manga. Giyu’s insecurities from the past add another dimension to his character, which makes him even more likable. It shows that he has plenty of room to grow as a character.

Tanjiro’s ability to reach Giyu in Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2 was heartwarming. He was able to remind Giyu of the importance of passing on what he inherited from Sabito and his sister Tsutako Tomioka, who sacrificed their lives to save Giyu.

Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2 review: Pacing was slightly slower than usual

Kagaya Ubuyashiki's Kasugai Crow as seen in the anime series (Image via Ufotable)

Since this story arc doesn’t have much action, some of the shots felt like they were extended for a few more frames than necessary. This made the pacing feel a bit slower overall than fans are used to. The lack of fight sequences and a complete shift to a character-driven narrative impacted the viewer’s perception of the episode.

Furthermore, the conversation between Tamayo and Ubuyashiki's crow was repeated in this episode. However, Giyu Tomioka’s backstory was quite interesting, which is why the episode as a whole was well received.

Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2 review: A good combination of consistent animation and comedic moments

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Ufotable, as an animation studio, has managed to stay consistent with its animation across both episodes. The animation in this episode was just as good, although the studio didn’t particularly get a chance to show what it’s capable of. Ufotable did a stellar job animating the funny expressions on Giyu and Tanjiro’s faces. This was the highlight, and it played a big role in Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2's positive reviews.

It was clear that Demon Slayer used comedy as a relief since the episode dealt with Giyu’s extremely sad past. Viewers finally realize that Sabito and Giyu’s sister sacrificed their lives to save him. His sister was all set to get married and start a new phase of her life.

Since the atmosphere was rather gloomy, the show did a stellar job of using comedic moments as relief. Tanjiro’s simpleton-like approach to a conversation with Giyu also resulted in a couple of hilarious moments, making fans fall in love with Tanjiro Kamado even more.

Final thoughts

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Overall Demon Slayer season 4 episode 2's review is largely positive. Despite being shorter, the episode was much more entertaining since the story was very important. Giyu’s past received an episode of its own, and rightfully so, since his character growth is one of the best in the series.

While the pacing felt a little slower than what fans are used to, much of it can be blamed on the lack of material for this story arc. The animation was consistent, and fans expect the next episode to also focus on Giyu’s interactions, except this time, it will be with the Hashiras.

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