This show has some things to offer. But, the show is also a little disappointing. Let’s jump back into Love of Kill and catch up with Chateau and Ryang-ha.
Hello everybody! How are you doing? I’m doing pretty good. Work keeps me busy as usual. I’m cautiously optimistic that we’ve moved past snowfall and entering spring. I’ve actually had the opportunity to go outside for walks. I feel like a bear emerging from her cave.
Today, we are going to finally finish Love of Kill. I feel like this show went on for 50 episodes instead of 12. As usual, I’m going to give you the good, the bad, and the ugly of this show. Also, as usual, I’m going to start with the ugly and work my way to the good. Let’s get into it!
The Ugly: Chateau’s Character
I feel like this show lied to me. I thought Chateau would be a Mrs. Smith (Mr. & Mrs. Smith), or Karen Cisco (Jennifer Lopez’s character in Out of Sight). I thought Chateau would be tough and witty, but still out for romance. But, that’s not exactly what happens.
Chateau never really gets to flex her skills. She just tries to do something, it backfires, she gets hurt, Ryang-ha saves the day, rinse and repeat. Sure, Chataeu has some layers to her backstory, but it’s overshadowed by her constant need for a rescue.
The Bad: The Slowest of Burns
When using the slow burn plan in anime, I believe that the show needs to go somewhere. You have to make it worth my while to sit there while things “gradually” happen. As far as I can tell, this show spends 12 episodes telling me who Ryang-ha and Chateau are, without really revealing anything. In the end, it all felt very anticlimactic.
Not too long ago, a similar show did the slow burn reveal and had greater success, Shadow House. Shadow House hints at the big secret in the beginning, but it’s not fully realized until the end. Until then, you are on this journey to find out what is going on in this world.
Love of Kill is a test of endurance. I found it a struggle to invest time in the show. Unlike Shadow House, the journey was not interesting enough for the slow burn.
The Good: Interactions With The Bad Guys
The battle between Ryang-ha’s enemies and Ryang-ha is intriguing. Without giving too much away, Ryang-ha has made some pretty dangerous enemies. They are using Chateau to get him. But, they grossly underestimate Ryang-ha’s skill. Each side is constantly maneuvering to one-up the other.
These parts of the show are really good. The two or three episodes on the cruise ships feel high-stakes because there’s only so far you can run. The parts where Ryang-ha has to battle a very skilled group of young fighters are intense.
Overall
Although there are some exciting parts, there’s not enough of it to make this an all-around great show from beginning to end. Chateau’s character had real potential, but it was easier to make her a damsel in distress. They could’ve capitalized on Chateau’s almost fugue state to give her more ferocity. She could’ve started as this cold and deadly operative, then become a little more vulnerable as she remembers more of her past. Instead, they kind of made her look inept.
They ended the show on something of a cliffhanger. If there is a season 2, I will not be participating. I do not have the patience to sit through another 12 episodes of disappointment with a splash of action.
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s it for Love of Kill (finally!). I’m still making my way through Bakemonogatari. I have plenty to say about this show. Over on Couch Cruisin, I will discuss the podcast Murder in Alliance. I will see you later!
Hello everyone! I’m back! Why have been gone for so long? Well, without giving too much away, I’m still watching Love of Kill. I have one more episode then I’m going to wrap it up. There’s just not enough content to discuss it episodically.
While I wait to watch whatever new anime I feel like watching, I’ve decided to start a new series here on my blog. I’m calling it Let’s Watch. This is going to be long-form coverage of a series of “things”. It could be a particular theme, studio, or whatever.
My first LetsWatch will be the Monogatari series. You may be asking “why this series?”. Honestly, why not? It’s a series I’ve never watched before and I want to explore it. Plus, it gives my blog a little direction. I feel like I’ve been picking shows willy-nilly. It’s time to try something new.
My first show in the series is Bakemonogatari. I’m going to watch all the episodes and give my thoughts on them as a whole. I’m going to attempt to watch 1 to 2 episodes a day, depending on if I can get off of social media.
So, let’s get ready to dive into LetsWatch! Next week, Bakemonogari. Also next week, we finally wrap up Love of Kill. I will see you later!
We are at the end of Demon Slayer season 2. Let’s take a look back at the Mugen Train and the Entertainment District Arcs.
Hello everybody! How are you doing? I’m doing okay. The weather here refuses to pick a struggle. One day it’s a beautiful, spring-like day. The next day, it’s blizzard time! Sunny days are starting to make me nervous, because I know there’s probably snow right behind it.
At any rate, we are about to wrap up season 2 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Now, there are two arcs in this season, The Mugen Train Arc, and the Entertainment District Arc. It took me a while to think of a way to approach this. I’ve decided to do it superlatives style.
If you don’t know what superlatives are, they are the high school popularity contest that usually ends up in yearbooks. They have categories like “best dressed” or “most athletic”. I’m going to apply this same “ranking” to season 2 of Demon Slayer.
Before we get into it, I’m going to give you a quick rundown of what each arc is about. I’m going to try not to spoil anything, but no promises! Let’s begin.
About the Season
The Mugen Train Arc
The first part of the season finds us on a train. We are here with our heroes Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke, and Zenitsu on their latest mission. Also on the train is the Flame Hashira Rengoku. The Demon Slayers have no idea that the train is hijacked by a demon.
Enmu is a demon that can put you to sleep, enter your dreams, and destroy your spiritual core. This makes the passengers an easy snack for the demon.
The problem is that Enmu grossly underestimated the spirit of the Demon Slayers. This mistake proves costly. The Demon Slayer Corp members defeat the demon, even when he becomes the train itself.
The action doesn’t end there. After Enmu’s destruction, a new, even deadlier demon enters the fight. Since the demon, named Azaka, is a top-tier demon, he proves to be a formidable opponent. This fight leads to tragedy and a renewed sense of purpose in Tanjiro.
The Entertainment District Arc
The second part of season 2 begins at the clinic, where Tanjiro and the gang are recovering from the battle on the Mugen Train. Suddenly, a flamboyant guy shows up, trying to take some of the nurses with him. Tanjiro and the gang volunteer to go in their stead.
Disguised as girls, Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu enter the brothels of the Entertainment District. The goal is to help the new guy find his three missing wives. The guy’s name is Tengen and he’s the Sound Hashira in the Demon Slayer Corp. Tengen dispatched his wives Suma, Makio, and Hinatsuru into the brothels to find the demon making women disappear.
We eventually find the source of the disappearances. It’s an upper-ranked demon named Daki. Daki works in one of the brothels as one of the main women. Daki believes that she is a force to be reckoned with, until she fights the Demon Slayers. Refusing to accept defeat, Daki summons her brother Guytaro. Guytaro is formidable, injuring everyone in the fight. But, our team is hurt, but not defeated.
Now that you have the backstory, let’s jump into the superlatives, starting with…
Best Hashira
In this category, our options are the Flame Hashira Rengoku, and the Sound Hashira Tengen.
Tengen is fun to watch. His charisma and confidence made me smile. I also loved the way he treated his wives. Before becoming Demon Slayers, Tengen and the wives are assassins, ready to die. Tengen gave them permission to want to live. What a good guy!
Even though I like Tengen, I love Rengoku! He is positive and inspiring. But, he is also fierce and an excellent swordsman. What is really impressive about Rengoku is that he never internalized his father’s negativity. He believes in himself and his abilities. His jovial attitude is infectious, and his fighting ability is respected by our young Demon Slayers.
Best Villain
We have three villains in this category, Enmu from Mugen Train, and siblings Daki and Guytaro from The Entertainment District. This one’s tricky. Do I consider the siblings as a team? Or, do I consider them individually? I think I’m going to consider them individually because of their individual battles with the Demon Slayers.
If you’ve been reading my blog, you know that I do not like Enmu. He’s probably my least favorite villain in the show thus far. You would think that a demon that turns himself into a train would be more interesting. But, he just wasn’t as dynamic as other villains.
Daki’s pretty cool. I love that her belt has a mind of its own. Sure, she is conceited, but we’d later learn that she is fragile and childish. She is one half of a whole, and the other half is her protector.
I’m going to have to give this category to Guytaro. He was a pretty fearsome opponent. I also found it hilarious that he’s the biggest hater ever! Tengen couldn’t blink without Guytaro having a problem with it.
Most Shocking Character Change
This category has two characters, Nezuko and Zenitsu. We are going to look at both characters during the Entertainment District Arc. This is when both of them take surprising turns in their character.
I’ve said this multiple times: I did not like Zenitsu early in season one. He was this whining, annoying “comic relief” character. Sure, he has a few shining moments in season one, but nothing extraordinary. That completely changes in season two, especially during the Entertainment District Arc. Zentizu in sleep mode is smart, powerful, and fast. I have to respect the sleepy grind.
But, his character change is nothing compared to Nezuko. In episode 7 of the Entertainment District Arc, Nezuko loses her entire mind! She displays a rage we have yet to see from our sweet little half-demon. I thought she would never stop stomping on Daki’s head! This display of absolute savegry from Nezuko shows that we have yet to see her full capabilities.
The Most Emotional Tanjiro
This category is tough! If we know one thing about our boy Tanjiro, it is that he’s going to give you a moment that will leave you running for the Kleenex. So, which arc gives us the most emotional moment?
The Entertainment District shows us a beautiful moment between siblings Nezuko and Tanjiro. When Nezuko goes ballistic, Tanjiro sings a song their mother used to sing to them to calm her down. He is holding her and crying as he sings. This leads to Nezuko having a gut-wrenching cry.
Although this was an emotional scene, I was inconsolable from one scene during Mugen Train. When Tanjiro realizes he is in a dream, he knows he has to leave his alive family in this dream. As he’s running away, Tanjiro’s tiny little brother gives chase, trying to get him to stay. Imagine being reunited with your slaughtered family, only to leave them in your memories. It’s gut-wrenching.
Best Arc Overall
Mugen Train was pretty good. Rengoku is absolutely delightful. It was fun entering the Demon Slayers’ dreams. The fight between Rengoku and Akaza is thrilling. The problem with The Mugen Train Arc is Enmu. He is so boring! What makes the other demons cool villains is that they have these complexities. Even before you get their backstory, you know that there’s more to them than meets the eye. Enmu just doesn’t give that type of energy.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Entertainment District. I loved this bright colorful world. Tengen is funny and charismatic. We get to see all of our young demon slayers take their fighting to the next level. Daki and Guytaro are a dangerous, yet thrilling team. They work together with a synchronicity that gave the heroes a run for their money. Overall, I think The Entertainment District is the superior arc.
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s it for season two of Demon Slayer. I’m sad to see it end, but I’m looking forward to what happens next. Next time, I’ll discuss a couple of episodes of Love of Kill. Tell me what you thought of Demon Slayer! I will see you later.
Chateau is in trouble…again! Can Ryang-ha save Chateau…again? What’s next for our weird couple? It’s Love of Kill, episode 5.
Hello everyone! How are you doing today? I’m doing pretty good. Working from home (for the most part) has been great! I went into the office today just to “get out of the house”. It’s nice to have that option.
Today, we are going to discuss episode 5 of Love of Kill. In this episode, we wrap up the Hou encounter, we meet a new enemy, and we’re going on a cruise. Let’s get into it.
I Want To See Chateau’s Resume!
You know, I’m starting to feel like I’ve been tricked! In the first episode, I got the impression that Chateau was a badass bounty hunter. But she’s starting to give me a damsel in distress vibe. This is so annoying! I thought this was going to be psychological chess between two people who are trying to best each other. Instead, it’s Chateau being captured, and Ryang-ha swooping in to save the day.
In episode 5, it’s more of the same. Hou abducted Chateau and put her in a car full of explosives. She manages to escape the car, but Ryang-ha has to carry her out of the burning building.
The show needs to switch up the narrative a bit. Let’s see Chateau doing something awesome! Maybe she saves someone’s life or takes out an enemy, without Ryang-ha’s intervention. This “save Chateau” bit is getting old.
Who Is This Kid
This is going to be quick. Hou failed in killing either Ryang-ha or Chateau. Hou does manage to get himself killed. We are then introduced to a mysterious killer. He’s very child-like ( I do not know if he’s actually a child). Apparently, he’s the next person to target Chateau and Ryang-ha.
So, this is the old “adorable but crazy” schtick. I’m not sure how this new character will effect the entertainment value of the show. Hopefully, he’ll bring something new and exciting to the series.
All Aboard…I Guess
So, in the fight between Hou and Ryang-ha, Ryang-ha is injured. Once he recovered he calls Chateau to let her know that he’s going out of town. Cut to later that day. Euripides, Chateau, and Euripides’ assistant Jim are going on an important mission, to act as bodyguards. Three guesses who’s also on the cruise. Ryang-ha is on the exact same cruise, along with our mysterious assassin.
This is getting a bit boring. They could’ve had Chateau go on her mission, while Ryang-ha does something else. As a character, Chateau is beginning to fall a little flat. Can we give her a moment?
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s all for my thoughts on episode 5 of Love of Kill. Next time, we will see if the show crawls from the clutches of medeocrity. But, before that, we are going to discuss Demon Slayer. I’m sure that we’ll have a lot to unpack there. I will see you then!
All seems lost! How will Tanjiro defeat his most difficult enemies yet? Are our heroes doomed?
Hello everyone! How’s everyone’s week? Personally, I’m exhausted. I thought about going to bed around dinner time. I’m looking forward to a restful weekend (well, as much as I can rest. I’ll have to be an adult at some point).
At any rate, today we’re going to discuss episode 10 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, The Entertainment District Arc. I think I can discuss this episode without giving away too much. In this episode, I’m going to discuss our friends in the Demon Slayer Corps and one of the most amazing parts of this season. Let’s get into it!
Don’t Mess With The Demon Slayers
In the last episode, things are looking pretty grim. It appears that our heroes are going to lose, big time. But, never underestimate the grit of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Over the last few episodes, Zenitsu has really impressed me. I wish I could be that smart while having a nap. He shows such power and quick thinking in his sleeping state. I think I would like to know more about Zenitsu’s history (I know what you’re going to say, “read the manga”. We get it, friend. You’re super cool because you read the manga).
Zenitsu isn’t the only Demon Slayer really showing his value to the crew, Inosuke is probably in the worst shape he’s ever experienced, but he still insists on being awesome! Of course, the Sound Hashira is impressive. That should go without saying.
I love that this show gives every character their shine. Sure, Tanjiro is our main character, but that doesn’t mean his performance alone will win the day. We get to see a true team effort in taking down formidable foes like Daki and Guyutaro.
The Most Striking Contrast I’ve Ever Seen In An Anime
This episode does something that I truly appreciate. If you’ve watched the opening sequence, or even the first episode, you see the spendor that is the Entertainment District. It’s kind of like Vegas. It’s not that remarkable during the day, but at night it’s lively and bright. It’s busy, colorful, and energetic.
Now, compare that to the end of this episode. The battle-worn town isn’t the beacon of debauchery we see at the beginning of this arc. It’s the exact opposite. It’s dark, smokey, and the buildings are completely leveled.
What’s super cool about this moment is that we sort of dwell in this for a while. We get the opportunity to really take in the impact this battle had on this community. You get the gravity of the situation. It’s truly an astonishing.
Bravo! We didn’t get the opportunity to live in a moment like this in the Mugen Train Arc. As soon as the train derails, we’re faced with a new enemy. Here, the show takes it’s time to allow us to absorb the impact of the fight.
Wrapping It Up
Well, it’s late Saturday night, and I’m wrapping this up. I’m glad I’ll get it out before our last episode in this arc. So, next time, I will give you my final thoughts on Demon Slayer. I may discuss both the Mugen Train Arc, and the Entertainemnt Distric Arc. We will see! But before that, we will discuss more of Love of Kill. I will see you later!
Ryang-ha does not know the meaning of the word boundries. But, is it to Chateau’s benefit? And, how does Chateau’s past impact her present? Let’s look at episode 4 of Love of Kill!
How’s everyone doing today? I hope everyone is staying safe and warm as winter lays the smackdown on us all. This is the first week of my new job, so there’s going to be nonstop training for me. But, such is life.
Now that the pleasantries are out of the way, let’s talk about Love of Kill episode 4. In this episode, we visit Chateau’s past and find a surprise, Ryang-ha is throwing up more red flags, and Chateau encounters a dangerous enemy. Let’s get into it! I’m spoiling this, so considered yourself warned.
The Childhood Connection
Chateau’s boss Euripides goes to visit Chateau’s adopted mother. He wanted to find out why Chateau chose such a dangerous profession. Chateau’s mother decided to tell him the story.
You see, Chateau is adopted by a police officer after she’s found in the backseat of a car. The driver of the car is a young boy that appears to be dead. The police officer just retired. He and his wife decide to take the young and socially distant Chateau into their home.
This flashback goes throughout the episode, providing the groundwork for the “big reveal”. The boy in the driver’s seat isn’t dead. In fact, the boy is Ryang-ha. That’s right, Chateau and Ryang-ha have been acquainted since childhood. We also learn that Chateau and Ryang-ha aren’t their real names. We do not know their names at all.
It did not come as a surprise to anyone that Chateau and Ryang-ha know each other. Why would he be so obsessed with her? This isn’t 50 Shades of Grey! There has to be some sort of connection for any of this to make sense. It felt very anticlimactic.
Let The Woman Breathe!
While Euripides and Chateau’s mom discuss the past, Chateau is visiting her adopted father’s grave. Three guesses who shows up! Don’t you have people to kill? Jeez Louise! Instead of trying to find Hou, he’s following Chateau around.
Perhaps if he tried to neutralize a threat, Hou wouldn’t show up at the church and kidnap Chateau. That’s right, Hou abducts Chateau and takes her to a warehouse. I guess it’s fortuitous that Ryang-ha is there, but she’s still abducted.
I’m not going to spoil the rest of the episode. I will say that Ryang-ha’s constant presence makes it hard to connect with Chateau as the main character. Not only does he need to let her breathe, but he also needs to let us breathe.
Wrapping It Up
You know, I’m still enjoying the show. But, getting to know Chateau is tough with Ryang-ha’s constant intrusion. Sometimes, it’s the tiny, mundane moments where you really get to know a character. Love of Kill doesn’t do that for me.
Can we see more of Ryang-ha working or interacting with other people? He says that the scent of other people makes him sick. What’s that about? Why can’t we see a scene where Chateau is lying in bed, unable to sleep, fighting with isolation and loneliness?
Well, that’s it for episode 4 of Love of Kill. Next time, episode 5. In the meantime, I will attempt to discuss episode 10 of Demon Slayer, The Entertainment District Arc. There is a moment in that show that is done extremely well, and I can’t wait to discuss it with you. I will see you later!
If things weren’t intense before, they’re certainly intense now! The demon siblings are giving our heroes a hard time. Will they persevere?
Hello everybody! How are we doing? I’m doing good. I’ve been busy this week. Work’s been a little hectic. I’m moving on to the next stage of my career. I’m trying to wrap things up and leave the team in a good position, but, that’s easier said than done.
At any rate, today we are discussing episode 9 of Demon Slayer. This is going to be a tricky discussion. I do not want to give too much away, in case you’re behind. But, I’ll give it the old college try. In this episode, the fight continues between the demon slayers and the demons. We also see a flashback with Tengen and his wives. Let’s get into it!
Tengen And The Sisterwives
So, the other day I was watching a YouTube video about that TLC show Sisterwives. The conversation centered around how the husband Kody is to blame for the difficulties in his polyamorous relationship. One of the talking heads in the YouTube video says that the husband should not have a favorite, and it was clear that Kody does.
I mention that to say that Tengen has found a way to make his polyamorous relationship work by not playing favorites. He shows equal affection to each of his wives. In a flashback, he and his wives visit the grave of his brother. He doesn’t pay attention to one of them more than the others. He wants them all to be happy. Kody could learn or thing or two from Tengen.
The Fight Is Off The Rails!
Have you ever played an RPG and bumped into a boss that you just aren’t ready for? You grind and prepare as much as possible, but your powers still do not measure up. It doesn’t help that you have no clue what the enemy’s capable of, so you do not know how to prepare. And to add to that type of challenge, you just finished a boss fight, so you’re out of health, power, and resources.
This is the current situation for our Demon Slayers. Tengen and Tanjiro just fought Daki, where Tanjiro nearly died. Inosuke and Zenitsu fought one of Daki’s belts in a secret cave. Everyone is hurt in some way.
The problem is that no matter how hard the team fights, and how many times they come close to victory, Gyutaro gains another advantage. He’s just a little too fast and a little too powerful for our guys, even the Sound Hashira.
This fight has me on pins and needles, in a good way. This is not a spoiler, but eventually, Tanjiro has to win. After all, this show is about him. So, seeing the team down this low will only make their eventual triumph even sweeter.
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s it for Demon Slayer episode 9. Next time, we see what kind of craziness happens. Before that, we jump into Love of Kill episode 4. I will see you later!
Chateau is rescued by the dangerous Ryang-ha. How will this impact her professional and personal life? How will she navigate the burgeoning and complicated relationship?
Hello everybody! How are you doing? I’m doing pretty good. We are at the beginning of the second month of 2022. We are also beginning our journey into the winter anime season.
Today, we are going to discuss episode 3 of Love of Kill. In this episode, we see more interactions between Chateau and Ryang-ha. We also dive into Ryang-ha’s past and see the repercussions of Chateau’s day-long disappearance. Let’s get into it!
Back In The Hotel Room
So, Chateau’s been asleep for a while. When she finally comes to, Ryang-ha says that she’s filthy and offers her a shower. When she gets out of the shower, her muddy clothing is gone, replaced with a towel. She is mortified! She cannot believe that Ryang-ha may have seen her in the shower.
I’m not going to go into too much detail, but this was a very cute scene. This show knows how to balance the intrigue and the drama with a little bit of humor. It also shows a vulnerable side of Chateau. That “hardened” bounty hunter becomes a little relatable.
Five Years Ago
Before Chateau and Ryang-ha part ways, Chateau passes along a message from the person that attacked her in the last episode. This guy’s name is Hou. Hearing Hou’s message leads to a flashback.
Five years ago, Ryang-ha was poised to join the council of his organization. Hou resented this. But, suddenly, Ryang-ha betrays the organization.
Ryang-ha’s motives are a mystery. We do not know why he betrayed the organization, why his attraction to Chateau is so strong, and why he thinks killing her bounties isn’t a red flag. Ryang-ha is the intriguing element of our story.
Chateau’s In Big Trouble
Chateau works for a bounty hunter organization. They do not have loyalties, they just do the job. Chateau’s boss is Euripides. Chateau constantly causes him anguish.
Euripides’ current frustration is two-fold. First, there’s the fact that Chateau disappears without communicating with the organization. Second, Eruipides suspects that Chateau has spoken to Ryang-ha, one of her targets.
I’m wondering how Euripides will develop throughout the show. Is he just comic relief? Or, will his character show more complexity or nuanced emotions?
Overall
I’m really enjoying this show. So far, I like that the show finds ways to sprinkle in humor with intrigue, drama, and action. I also like the pacing. It’s not the slowest of slow burns, but they’re not rushing the story either. The show drops little tidbits of information, keeping me engaged in the story. I guess my only concern is Euripides. His appearance may become disruptive and pointless. But, if they give him something more to do besides fret, he may turn out to be a great supporting character.
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s it for this episode of Love of Kill. Next time, we discuss episode 4. Also this week, we discuss episode 9 of Demon Slayer. I’m not sure how I’m going to approach that discussion without spoiling parts of it. But, I’ll do my best. I will see you later!
The battle is heating up! How will Tengen defeat the deadly demon siblings? How will the other demon slayers impact the fight?
Hello everybody! Today, we are going to discuss episode 8 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba- The Entertainment District Arc. This episode is the type of stuff I live for! It was nonstop fighting, the stakes are super high, and there are a lot of surprises. Let’s get into it!
Splitting Up The Work
In the last episode, it was Tengen versus the demon siblings Daki and Gyutaro. In this episode, the other Demon Slayers have entered the match. So, they split up. Tengen and Tanjiro will fight Gyutaro, while Zenitsu and Inosuke will fight Daki.
I just have to give a shoutout to Zenitsu in this fight. I think back to season one when I thought he was so annoying. But, in this arc, we get to see Zenitsu’s fighting power and his good heart. Not only is he fighting Daki because she needs to be destroyed, but because she abused one of the young girls in one of the houses. Even in the middle of a nap, he still has the wherewithal to stand up for someone else.
Another thing I appreciated in this episode is that Tanjiro and Tengen are out of sync. This is something that Gyutaro points out. It shows that they have some ways to go in building their mentor/mentee relationship.
A Hater’s Still Hating
You know someone’s the hater of the year when they get mad at a twinkle in someone’s eye. In this fight between Tengen, Tanjiro, and Gyutaro, it is clear that our Demon Slayers have their work cut out for them.
Remember that Tanjiro is hurting from events of the earlier episodes. He was in a hard fight with Daki, had to stop Nezuko from tearing people’s heads off, and sprints to put his sister back in the box once she calmed down. So, with a demon this powerful, they are already in serious danger.
I have to say, the teamwork between the demon siblings is something to behold. They both use their individual strengths to take on the Demon Slayers. This was kind of an interesting approach to the battle. Instead of seeing two separate battles, we saw combinations. This made the fight even more exciting to watch.
I’m Not Going To Spoil It But…
This episode ends on a cliffhanger because of course it does. Some interesting maneuvering happens, but the show ends right before we see the result. I grunted in frustration. We could’ve watched the results and then they roll the credits. But, I guess they want the audience squirming in anticipation for a week.
Overall
This season just keeps getting better. But this is a little scary. When you raise the stakes this high, how do you keep the momentum going? We know these Shonen Jump anime have a tendency to pump us full of coffee until we can’t sit still. Then we crash with several episodes of filler until we have another cup. Was the coffee analogy too much?
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s it for episode 8 of Demon Slayer. What did you think of the episode? Next time, we will discuss episode 9. Also coming up, more Love of Kill. I will see you later!
Hello everybody! On Sunday, January 23rd, I celebrated another birthday. I didn’t do much. I had naps, played video games, and, of course, watched anime. Since I’m celebrating my 41st year on this blue ball (forty-one and having fun), I thought it’d be cool to take a look back at 2021 and the anime I discussed during that time. Let’s go!
Note: The date beside each anime is the day I posted about the show.
First Post of 2021: Onyx Equinox Episodes 7-12 (1/10/21)
Onyx Equinox is a Crunchyroll Original. One thing I like that Crunchyroll does is explore other cultures through anime. Onyx Equinox takes place in Mesoamerica, with Mesoamerican lore. This could be a way to introduce anime fans to worlds of colorful and fascinating cultures.
First Review of The Winter Season: Dr. Stone Season 2, Episode 1 (1/28/21)
I was so excited for season 2 of Dr. Stone! If I’m not mistaken, season 2 was lukewarm for me. The end of the Stone Wars resolved itself in a very lackluster way. Some of the new characters were cool, but, for me anyway, there wasn’t enough change in the old characters. It’s what occasionally happens when you have an ensemble this large. Some of the side stories go absolutely nowhere.
The Show I Hated the Most In 2021: Exarm (2/7/21)
If “what the hell was that” was an anime, it would be Exarm. I normally do not talk about the technical aspects of a show like the art style or music. But, this show’s animation is so glaringly bad that you can’t help but talk about it. My February 7 post was the last time I discussed that poorly executed show.
The Show I May Give Another Try: Tokyo Revengers (6/14/21)
Tokyo Revengers was an interesting case for me. By all accounts, people love this show. For me, it reminded me too much of Erased. But, because of the comparison in my head, I may have been unfair to the show. So, I may go back and visit it at a later time. After all, I do remember liking quite a few of the characters.
Surprisingly Good Shows: Odd Taxi (8/1/21) and Vivy:Fluorite Eye’s Song (10/10/21)
These two shows were truly missed opportunities. I discovered them too late to cover them episodically. Odd Taxi is a well-written drama with some mystery mixed in for good measure. Vivy is an action-packed, colorful, Sci-fi show that jumps through time. I covered Odd Taxi in two posts, discussing the impact of fame. Vivy appeared on a list I made in October.
Most Anticipated: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba-The Mugen Train Arc (9/19/2021)
Wow! Because of everything happening in the Entertainment District Arc, The Mugen Train feels like a distant memory. The Mugen Train movie/arc is very Rengoku-heavy. It’s rare that a character wins me over as quickly as the Flame Hashira. But, everything that befalls Rengoku is necessary to prepare us for the next part of Tanjiro and the gang’s journey. Tanjiro needs to feel the impact of the loss of Rengoku to continue to grow as a demon slayer.
Other Stuff I Covered In 2021
I’m going to quickly mention some anime I covered in 2021. Joran: The Princess of Snow and Blood (first blog post on 4/14/21) had some decent characters, but the show becomes a little confusing. Shadow House (posted on the 10/10/21 list) was a really good story and an exploration of class. The World’s Finest Assassin Get Reincarnated Into Another World As An Aristocrat (first blog post on 10/23/21) was a garden variety isekai that offered nothing unique.
Wrapping It Up
Well, that’s it for my look at 2021. What did you watch in 2021? Let me know! Next time, I discuss episode 8 of Demon Slayer- The Entertainment District Arc. Also, we have more Love of Kill. I think I picked two good ones this season, and I’m looking forward to discussing them more.
Here’s to life, love, and anime! I will see you later!
