Penultimate chapter of one of the most successful franchises of the latest years, essentially the fifth season of “Demon Slayer” is an unusual one, with 8 episodes of different duration for the most part, which function, essentially, as a prequel of what will probably be the best part of the series so far.
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Following the aftermath of the events of the “Swordsmith Village Arc”, the Demon Slayer Corps are picking their pieces, while they eventually realize the impact of the black scars Tanjiro has on his face, which have also started to appear in the Hashira that participated in the aforementioned battle. At the same time, and as Nezuko becomes more and more human, the group also realize that Muzan will probably come for her, particularly as it seems that Tamayo’s serum is working better and better. As such, they decide for the whole force to undergo intensive training under the remaining Hashira, in order to improve their fighting abilities for an intense upcoming battle that seems inevitable. As we watch the past of the Hashira, we also see Kagaya withering away in what seems to be his last days. In the meantime, Muzan is also making his own plans, while spying on his opponents.
This season could be described as a kind of filler, since the story does not progress particularly, with the exception of the last episodes. It does shed some more light to the characters though, as much as in the connection between Muzan and Kagaya, which adds to their profile and also to the dramatic element in the series. Comedy, however, is at least as prevalent here, and unfortunately, it is as pedantic as it always was, with the loud voices and the silly faces being as banal as they are tiring to watch and listen after a point. The crows and their killer lines salvage part of the situation, but definitely not completely.
Nevertheless, the aspect that always made “Demon Slayer” stand out is the action, and it is easy to say that the quality of it, particularly in the final episodes, is of astonishing level, on par with that of movies. Especially the way the fires are implemented, the way the traps are presented, and the appearance of so many characters on screen at the same time, is a true wonder to watch, in a testament to the quality of Ufotable animation, but also Akira Matsushima‘s character design and the overall background drawing. Add to all that the depiction and the overall way the Infinity Castle becomes part of the story and you have an audiovisual aspect that is enough to make anyone forget any of the shortcomings of the series. One thing about the character design, though. The majority of women characters, and particularly some of the younger/smaller ones, with their huge eyes without pupils, emit an intense sense of creepiness, which is as unique as it is disturbing on occasion.
Even though this is definitely the worst season in the series so far, the ending definitely compensates making it worthwhile, while “Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc” achieves its ulterior purpose of raising eagerness for the three movies that will conclude the anime.
