Set Your Heart Ablaze (
Synopsis[]
The fierce battle between Akaza and Rengoku continues as Tanjiro and Inosuke watch from the sidelines. Though Rengoku is visibly being depleted as the battle progresses, Akaza has the ability to instantly regenerate any part of his body even after being slashed by Rengoku’s sword numerous times. Rengoku resorts to the use of an Esoteric Art to put an end to the battle. He refuses to allow anyone to die in this struggle, however, the end draws near...[1]
Plot[]
Kyojuro Rengoku continues to fend off Upper Three Akaza and sustains fatal wounds in the process, while the demon heals his sustained damage instantly. After his Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger is overwhelmed by the Upper Rank's Destructive Death: Disorder, Akaza backs away and leaves Kyojuro to soak up the pain. Tanjiro and Inosuke look on helplessly as the powerful Hashira is brought down by the Upper Rank. Tanjiro is still too exhausted to move after using Hinokami Kagura and sustaining injuries.
Kyojuro makes a last stand.
Akaza attempts to goad Kyojuro to transform again. Healing the gash in his chest, whereas Kyojuro's fatal wounds will inevitably kill him lest he become a demon. Without warning, fire engulfs Kyojuro's body as Akaza looks on, confused at his determination. Kyojuro raises his sword and takes a stance, stating he will fulfill his duties and won't let anyone die, as he plans to damage Akaza as much as possible in an instant. He uses Flame Breathing: Esoteric Art and strengthens himself for battle again.
Flame Breathing, Ninth Form: Rengoku.
Akaza becomes excited and declares he must become a demon, amazed at his continual spirit and determination despite his irreparable wounds. Telling himself to "Set your heart ablaze. Go beyond your limits," Kyojuro declares; he is the Flame Hashira and uses Ninth Form: Rengoku. Akaza responds with Destructive Death: Annihilation Type.
Akaza meets Kyojuro's attack with Annihilation Type.
Kyojuro rushes forward in a giant, fiery dragon and meets Akaza's numerous shockwaves. In the ensuing chaos, Kyojuro slashes Akaza's arm in half and his chest twice. However, when the fire fades, Tanjiro looks on in horror as Akaza manages to punch through Kyojuro's solar plexus. As his own injuries heal quickly, the demon urges the Hashira to transform, as this final wound will kill him.
Kyojuro suddenly remembers his mother, Ruka, and sees a memory of her from his childhood. Shortly before her death, she had one last conversation with him about why he was stronger than others. When he responds, he doesn't know the reason. Ruka tells him it is to protect those weaker than him: "It is the duty of those born strong to protect the weak," the promise becoming the drive that pushes him as a Hashira. Ruka hugs Kyojuro and tells him she is blessed to have such a strong and gentle son, and both mother and son tear up in a tender embrace.
Akaza fatally wounds Kyojuro.
Recalling her words, Kyojuro musters the strength in his hand and drives his blade into Akaza's neck, as he himself tells her he is honoured to have her as a mother. Kyojuro summons more strength and drives his sword deeper. Akaza attempts to punch him with his free hand, but the Demon Slayer stops his fist mid-blow, shocking the demon. The sun begins to rise, to Akaza's horror. He attempts to pull himself free, but Kyojuro holds him in place and refuses to let him escape. Despite his warning, Tanjiro disregards his wounds and runs to grab his sword and help him kill Akaza.
Akaza and Kyojuro's battle persists.
Within the sunlight about to emerge, Akaza fights harder to escape, but Kyojuro maintains his hold, locking the two in place. Tanjiro urges Inosuke to move for Kyojuro's sake. Not as injured as Tanjiro, Inosuke runs towards Akaza and leaps into the air, using Beast Breathing, First Fang: Pierce, in an attempt to attack the Upper Rank. Suddenly, Akaza rips his arms off Kyojuro's body and stomps hard onto the ground, creating shockwaves that knock Inosuke away and stall Tanjiro's attempt to attack. Seeing the sun, he blocks his face and runs into the forest to safety.
Tanjiro hurls his blade at Akaza.
In sheer desperation, Tanjiro chases after him and empowers himself with the breathing of the Hinokami Kagura, hurling his blade at the Upper Rank and piercing his chest. Tanjiro angrily calls out to Akaza, telling him not to run and calling him a coward for retreating, making Akaza furious at his words. He mutters that he was fleeing from the sun, not him, and declares the battle over since Kyojuro will die shortly anyway, as he successfully escapes the sunlight. Tanjiro proclaims that the Demon Slayers have always fought demons when the demons hold the advantage at night, and they fight despite their wounds not healing quickly and being unable to regenerate limbs.
Tanjiro's grief.
He yells out that Kyojuro is the true victor of their clash for being stronger, for not letting anyone die, and for fighting till the end, as he begins to cry uncontrollably. Inosuke becomes shaken at seeing Tanjiro lose his composure, but Kyojuro smiles gently at his young Demon Slayer's words. He urges him to stop yelling and risk reopening his wound.
Kyojuro invites Tanjiro for a final conversation before his death. The dream he had on the train made him remember that his father would often read notes made by the preceding Flame Hashira and that the notes may contain information about Hinokami Kagura that he didn't know, instructing him to visit the Rengoku residence. With the sun fully rising, Akaza's torn arm burns to ash, and Kyojuro's wound bleeds quicker. Despite Tanjiro urging him to stop the bleeding, Kyojuro calmly tells him he will be dead soon and instead decides to talk in his final moments.
Kyojuro encourages Tanjiro.
Kyojuro instructs Tanjiro to tell his younger brother Senjuro to "follow his heart and to walk down the path he feels is right" and to tell his father to "take care of himself." He adds that he accepts Nezuko as a rightful member of the Demon Slayer Corps, as she fought to save the passengers while bleeding. Kyojuro encourages Tanjiro, despite his own feelings of weakness and uselessness, to "set your heart ablaze."
Time will always move forward, and he shouldn't despair over his death, as he was happy to protect them as a Hashira. Finally, addressing Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu, he tells the trio that he believes in them and wants them to become the next Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps. Suddenly, Ruka's vision appears before Kyojuro. He asks his mother if he has fulfilled his duties, and Ruka tells her son he has made her proud. Hearing this, Kyojuro smiles brightly and finally succumbs to his wounds.
Zenitsu approaches Tanjiro and Inosuke, telling them that Kyojuro had saved the train from becoming more damaged when it derailed. Shaken by what he sees, he asks if an Upper Rank really had appeared, which Tanjiro confirms had happened. He begins to cry and sadly states that, despite mastering one thing, another wall appears before him. As the three begin to tear up, Tanjiro asks himself if he could ever become like Kyojuro.
Inosuke encourages his friends to train harder.
Hearing his doubts, Inosuke angrily confronts him and tells his friend Kyojuro that he believes in them, telling him to stop whining. He tells them that crying for the dead won't bring them back and that they should move forward, as he himself begins to cry. As Zenitsu tells him so, Inosuke headbutts him but doesn't stop the tears as the three mourn Kyojuro's death.
Kyojuro's Kasugai crow tells the Demon Slayer Corps the news of his death and Akaza's appearance. The news spread to the Hashira, whom their Kasugai Crows informed. Shinobu and Kanao react with sadness; Mitsuri is shocked at his death; Muichiro doesn't respond; and Tengen is in disbelief that even Kyojuro couldn't defeat an Upper Rank. Obanai refuses to believe it, Gyomei prays for his soul while Genya is stunned, Sanemi reaffirms his hatred of demons and promises to annihilate them all, and a surprised Giyu quietly believes it.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki is informed that not one of the 200 passengers was killed. Relieved, he calls Kyojuro "a remarkable child" and states his demise does not sadden him, as he himself will shortly join him in the land of the dead.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Kyojuro Rengoku
- Akaza
- Tanjiro Kamado
- Inosuke Hashibira
- Ruka Rengoku (Flashback)
- Senjuro Rengoku (Flashback)
- Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Nezuko Kamado
- Shinobu Kocho
- Kanao Tsuyuri
- Mitsuri Kanroji
- Muichiro Tokito
- Tengen Uzui
- Obanai Iguro
- Genya Shinazugawa
- Gyomei Himejima
- Sanemi Shinazugawa
- Giyu Tomioka
- Kagaya Ubuyashiki
- Amane Ubuyashiki
- Hinaki Ubuyashiki
Anime Notes[]
- In the manga, the clash between Ninth Form: Rengoku and Destructive Death: Annihilation Type is engulfed in a large explosion, but only the aftermath is seen as the dust settles. In the anime, Kyojuro is depicted cutting through Akaza's arm and twice into his chest in the clash.
- Inosuke is shown leaping into the air in an attempt to attack Akaza and rescue Kyojuro in the anime, while he only runs at the demon in the manga.
Trivia[]
The song Homura (
References[]
- ↑ Episode 33 on the Official Website