Infiltrating the Entertainment District (
Synopsis[]
Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu and Inosuke join Uzui on a mission and head to their destination, a city that shines brightly in the night - the Entertainment District. Though Uzui's three wives have been infiltrating the Entertainment District to gather information about demons, Uzui has lost contact with them. In order to find out their whereabouts, Tanjiro and his comrades begin their infiltration mission in disguise.[1]
Plot[]
Tengen declaring that he is a god.
Tanjiro and Inosuke are unaware of what a red-light district is, causing Zenitsu to be flustered by their naivety. The Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui quickly announces himself as a god and addresses the trio as trash, telling them to pound it into their heads as the first thing. Though Zenitsu is unable to believe what Tengen is saying, Tanjiro asks what he is the specific god of, to his friend's bewilderment. Tengen answers that he is "the god of Flashiness" and "the god of festivals." Inosuke joins and calls himself the "King of the Mountain," only to confuse Tengen and infuriate Zenitsu even more so at their brash confidence. Tengen decides to lead the mission and runs ahead; his speed amazes the three Demon Slayers.
Entertainment District of Yoshiwara, Tokyo.
The party arrives at their destination, and Tanjiro looks on in wonder at everything unfamiliar to him. Though Tengen instructs them not to stray, the three immediately leave him to look around, angering him. He explains that they are in the Yoshiwara Red-Light District. Inosuke is ecstatic at the numerous people, and Zenitsu becomes infatuated with the women beckoning him, causing the Hashira to chase after the two to keep them on track. Tengen explains that the district becomes active only at night, making it ideal for a demon to hide in.
In a house, Tengen instructs the three to look for his wife while he gathers intel on the potential demon; Zenitsu angrily refuses to cooperate, believing he is sending them out to find a bride, only for Tengen to clarify she has been gathering intel as well. When presented with the letters he's been given, Tanjiro initially thinks she has been undercover for a long time, only for Tengen to correct him by saying he has three wives, infuriating Zenitsu even more and causing Tengen to punch him in annoyance at his antics.
Reading the letters, Tanjiro asks what is meant by "not to stand out." To this end, Tengen informs them that their job is to disguise themselves. He states that his first attempt to investigate the district was as a customer, which proved unsuccessful. He then sent his three wives to three houses to gather information: Suma at the Tokito House, Makio at the Ogimoto House, and Hinatsuru at the Kyogoku House. Inosuke suddenly barks out that his wives might be dead, causing Tengen to punch him angrily as well. An attendant then arrives with a box of items for Tengen.
The trio disguised as girls.
Tengen presents the three, crudely dressed in makeup, to the Tokito house, hoping one of them will be taken in and begin the mission. Though the owners are shocked at their appearance, the house's madam happily agrees to take one in, taken aback by Tengen's handsomeness. Tanjiro, with the cover name Sumiko, is taken. Tengen scolds Zenitsu and Inosuke for the hopelessness of being put in a house, whereas Zenitsu refuses to talk, angered not at having to be dressed as a girl but by Tengen's attractive appearance.
The three witness Tokito House's Oiran Koinatsu and her yūjo courtesans walking to her next client through the process of "oiran walk/dochu" (
At the Ogimoto House, Inosuke's makeup is removed, and the attendants are shocked at his pretty face hidden under the ugly makeup. The house is glad they took "her" at a low price, though they are additionally shocked by his muscular frame. At the Kyogoku House where Zenitsu is, the Demon Slayer puts on a stellar shamisen performance, aided by his Total Concentration, constant, and enhanced sense of hearing.
Zenitsu playing while enraged at Tengen.
The house's girls talk about the newcomer's instrumental talent but comment on her ugly appearance, instead being smitten by Tengen, who had brought Zenitsu to the house and given him the cover name Zenko. Despite this, the house's madam believes Zenko would rise quickly, noting her performance is driven by anger "to get back at the man who abandoned her." Zenitsu, furious at Tengen's humiliating treatment of him, swears he will become the top Oiran of Yoshiwara.
Tanjiro running errands in the Tokito House.
At the Tokito House, Tanjiro is hard at work doing various chores. As he lifts a set of gifts to another story, he overhears some girls talking about the recent death of the Kyogoku house's madam. They also speak to him about 'Ashinuke': the act of a prostitute leaving her home without paying her debts over love, mentioning a recent Oiran named Suma had done so. Tanjiro suddenly remembers that Suma is the name of one of Tengen's wives.
Koinatsu interrupts their chat, telling them to stop spreading rumors and adding that it is uncertain what became of Suma. She thanked Tanjiro for bringing her gifts, including a bag of orange ame-honpo candies, up to her room. He tries to ask if Suma had really committed Ashinuke, causing Koinatsu to be alarmed by such a sensitive question.
Tanjiro asks Koinatsu on Suma's leave.
Realizing this, Tanjiro attempts to lie and claim that Suma is his older sister, but his honest nature clashes with his lie and causes his face to contort. With great difficulty, he spits out that he had entered the district looking for her. Tanjiro assures them that Suma wouldn't have left suddenly, and Koinatsu confirms this, commenting that she was seemingly a grounded girl without any hint of being in love with a man.
Tengen surveying the district from the roof of a building.
Tengen rearmed and, on the rooftops, scanned the district for any trace. Though the area is quiet, he cannot shake the feeling of uncertainty, believing the demon they are hunting is an Upper Rank. Elsewhere, Inosuke becomes annoyed at the kimono he is forced to wear, hampering his senses. While wandering the halls, he overhears some attendants talking about Makio and remembers that she is another of Tengen's wives. They worry about Makio not wanting to leave her room and claiming she is ill.
Inosuke decides to head in the opposite direction of where they came; when one girl calls out to "Inoko," he doesn't respond, instructed by Tengen not to speak due to his husky voice. Behind the door Inosuke had walked past, a woman was revealed to be tortured and bound by several long sashes. The demon asks her about the letters she is writing and who she is writing to, addressing her by her name, Makio.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Tanjiro Kamado
- Zenitsu Agatsuma
- Inosuke Hashibira
- Tengen Uzui
- Aoi Kanzaki
- Kanao Tsuyuri
- Naho Takada
- Kiyo Terauchi
- Sumi Nakahara
- Koinatsu
- Suma (Cameo, mentioned)
- Hinatsuru (Cameo, mentioned)
- Makio
- Daki
Anime Notes[]
- The anime features an original scene depicting the team's arrival at the Entertainent District; Inosuke can't stop running away from the group in excitement, and a flustered Zenitsu wanders off only to be called on and lured by a group of workers, causing Tengen to have to drag him back, telling him he's too young for that.
References[]
- ↑ Episode 35 on the Official Website