Demon Slayer Season 4 aka The Hashira Training Arc was confirmed a few days ago with an early reveal teaser dubbed as a promotion reel. Whenever a new season of the anime is announced it becomes a hot topic; such is the hype and craze for Kimetu no Yaiba. The anime series is adapted from a manga of the same name written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotouge. Demon Slayer Season 4 makes the elite list of most anticipated anime of 2024 along with – Bleach TYBW Part 3, Solo Leveling, Classroom of the Elite Season 3, and Kimi ni Todoke Season 3.
Does anyone remember my Demon Slayer Swordsmith Village Arc news? It was my very first article. There I praised Ufotable’s animation and predicted that the anime would not only be great but would win several awards. That did not fare well, did it? Because a few months later, I reviewed Demon Slayer entirely and listed things that were to my taste, wrong with the show. Sure, they got the moments right, expanded on the roster of demons and gave us great fight scenes. But was that enough?
I remember saying that I was disappointed in the Swordsmith Village Arc because I couldn’t help but compare it with its previous entry, The Entertainment District Arc. That arc surely raised the bar on this one both in terms of visual and action. And because of it, the Swordsmith Village arc couldn’t keep up. But that doesn’t mean that it was a bad anime. It failed to live up to its predecessor. And now that brings us to the upcoming Demon Slayer Season 4 – The Hashira Training Arc.
Tanjiro Becoming A Hashira In Demon Slayer Season 4?
Now, if you’ve read my article on JJK, there I mentioned the motivations of each Shonen Anime Protagonist and how it drives them. Unlike Goku, Naruto, Luffy or other popular Shonen protagonists who aim to be the best at what they are, Tanjiro’s aim in life is simple. And that is to cure his sister of her ailment as a Demon. She was cursed by the progenitor of the Demons, Muzan Kibutsuji, who slaughtered the Kamado Family for unknown reasons. Leaving only Tanjiro and his sister alive, albeit the latter being left as a demon.
Now, that begs a question. Does Tanjiro have to be Hashira for all of it? Will we finally see him reach the rank of Hashira in Demon Slayer Season 4? I remember when I was hanging around with a group of cosplayers who had cosplayed the Demon Slayers at the Dhaka Pop and Cosplay Fest 2022. There, one of them asked me, “Does Tanjiro become a Hashira?” My answer was, “No.” Then what is the purpose of this arc? Why is it called Hashira Training Arc? Is it false advertising? Let’s find out.
From Swordsmith Village To Hashira Training
Revisiting the previous season, one can’t help but not deny the crucial turning point of the show that took place. All this time throughout the show, Nezuko was built up as this unique demon who managed to gain strength without the need to consume human flesh. An act that is looked down upon by the demons. But by the end of the Swordsmith Village Arc, Nezuko makes a hard choice between letting her brother protect her and allowing him to save innocent civilians. And the result was beyond satisfactory as Nezuko conquered the sun.
The story would then take place during a meeting between the remaining Hashiras discussing what may happen next. They have deduced that with Muzan attacking the Swordsmith Village and Nezuko being able to withstand sunlight, Muzan may make a move and they need to be prepared. For that, they need the mark that appeared on Tanjiro, Mitsuri and Muichiro when they faced one of the Twelve Kizukis. After figuring out how to activate it, the Hashiras plan to train every warrior at their disposal to their levels in Demon Slayer Season 4.
Hashira Training Arc
The Hashira Training Arc will be adapted in Demon Slayer Season 4 and will be released in Spring 2024. Meanwhile, a movie titled ‘To the Hashira Training’ will premiere on February 24, 2024. It will be a recap of the last season, with the last episode of the last season and the first episode of the Hashira Training Arc. Basically, it’s a rehash of “The Road to Swordsmith Village” movie. The one that I watched in Cineplex and complained about.
It was just the episodes stitched together with little-to-no editing as if it was done by someone who just started as a video editor. I can even do a better job than that person. It’s just a cash grab and a waste of money for the audience. And rather than trying to swindle us of our money, why don’t they focus more on the animation so that the CG fish doesn’t come back? I hope it won’t be the case in Demon Slayer Season 4.
But honestly speaking, I have read the Manga. And I know what will happen, how will they train and what interactions will take place. And if you ask me if all of that is worth a season, I’d personally say no. Maybe a Special OVA, or a movie? There are no demons or major fight scenes. And the only fight scenes present are meant to highlight the drama and relationship between the characters. In my opinion, it would work best as a movie. Instead, we are getting Demon Slayer Season 4 and I’m skeptical about what it entails.
Demon Slayer Season 4 Expectations
Demon Slayer is a groundbreaking anime that helped break the traditional mold of Shonen anime and allowed it to experiment with other characteristics that other shows need to do. The violence and the possibility of a permanent injury of a character that is present in Jujutsu Kaisen and Chainsaw Man owe it to Demon Slayer. Sure, people may argue about Zoro’s left eye, but with blood and dismemberment? This stuff stays in your brain and Demon Slayer helped lay the foundations for it by being within the traditional mold of Shonen Anime.
And of course, with a company like Ufotable by their side, they dominated the Animation Industry. But is that enough? With the Entertainment District Arc, Ufotable set a standard for anime in terms of animation, action and pacing that not even they could cross with its sequel. And now they are taking the most drama-focused arc and presenting it as Demon Slayer Season 4. Maybe they are attempting something new. But I don’t want something new. I want the same old taste with different seasonings.
I want something like the Mugen Train Movie that helped them break many records. I want something like that. But maybe I am just being nitpicky. Maybe they are planning something for the ending. Because the next few arcs after the Hashira Training are a non-stop action fest that will challenge Ufotable to its core. For now, let’s hope they do a decent job of making Demon Slayer Season 4 as enjoyable and entertaining as can be.
