To Bring a Smile to One's Face (
Synopsis[]
After completing training with Uzui, Tanjiro visits the Tokito residence next. The Demon Slayer swordsmen who have already started the training are dispirited by Muichiro's intense training and harsh words. Tanjiro hears the swordsmen discussing if there's anything they can do about it...[1]
Plot[]
As Tanjiro enters the next stage of training, he walks into Muichiro's dojo to see him lecturing and sparring with a trainee. He pleads that he has endured enough, but Muichiro coldly tells him he will be eaten by demons with his lack of effort and commands him to keep fighting. The trainee swings his wooden bokutō but is promptly disarmed and knocked down by Muichiro, who remarks that he would have died three times over in a true battle. He then addresses the other trainees, all of whom are visibly exhausted and weary, and orders them to keep moving even when struck.
Muichiro defeats the trainees in quick succession.
Trainer and trainees take their respective stances as the Mist Hashira tells them to keep up with him; in rapid succession, he knocks down five trainees and even aims his wooden blade at one trainee's neck to demonstrate his inability to keep up before striking his wrists. Muichiro once again tells him of his supposed death before quickly defeating the rest of those standing, reminding them they are dead should they stop moving. He notices Tanjiro at the entrance and warmly greets him, surprising Tanjiro with his sudden shift in demeanor.
Outside, the Hashira's Kasugai crow, Ginko, wastes no time insulting the trainees and wishing they were eaten by demons, much to their chagrin as they attempt to shoo her away. Tanjiro bows to Muichiro and remarks about his excitement to train with him; Muichiro tells him likewise before asking that he follow him outside. Entering the shed in his yard, he announces their entry to swordsmith Kozo Kanamori. Tanjiro is surprised to see him again, and Kozo remarks of his relief to see he has recovered. When he asks Kozo why he is here, Muichiro answers that it was he who asked him to come, before picking up a katana from a nearby rack and asking Tanjiro to hold it.
Muichiro explains Kozo's role in sharpening his blades.
The Demon Slayer holds it out as asked, and Muichiro demonstrates the blade's cutting by throwing a paper airplane at it, causing it to split neatly in half. As Tanjiro marvels at the katana's sharpness, Muichiro explains that Kozo is staying permanently with him to keep his swords in optimum condition for battle. He mentions that when Kagaya was informed of this change, he allowed it and even provided a work area specifically for Kozo to sharpen his swords, before solemnly remarking that the Corps leader had always prioritized the needs of his Hashira before his own health, something Muichiro wishes that he did.
During training later in the day, Muichiro orders his opponent to pick up his blade again; the trainee, tired and pained, goes for a frenzied attack and is promptly struck down by Muichiro, leaving Tanjiro uneased. He chastises him for his emotional attack, comparing it to a moth flying into a flame, and remarks that even if he wins more times than he loses, one loss will mean his death in battle, and he must hone his every move to survive. Seeing he is not responding, Muichiro calls off training for the day and leaves, and the other trainees quickly tend to their hurt comrades.
The trainees learning that Muichiro has "softened" his tone from before.
One trainee talks to Tanjiro about asking Muichiro to ease up on them, with another remarking that they would soon collapse before facing a demon. Instead, Tanjiro notes that Muichiro might be having the most difficulty since he is training them alone, which they half-heartedly agree with. Outside, as the trainees cool themselves off, they wonder if Muichiro could at least soften the way he speaks. To this end, Tanjiro mentions that Muichiro's tone has softened compared to before, which they find unbelievable. They then notice the Hashira leaving the building to go somewhere, as he has done so every night.
As the town quietens down and the lights all go out for the night, the area is unknowingly stalked by hundreds of crawling eyes, all marked "Four"; they originate from the Biwa Demon of the Infinity Castle, now possessing widespread locks of hair that cover the wall she is sitting on. With the strums of her biwa, the demon uses her numerous eyes to track Muichiro as he is running into the night.
Obanai and Sanemi clash and are seemingly neck and neck.
Muichiro runs up a flight of stairs that leads to a shrine where Sanemi and Obanai are sparring; as Sanemi uses Wind Breathing, Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm to defend himself, Obanai responds with Serpent Breathing, Fifth Form: Slithering Serpent, allowing him to intercept the attack and fend him off, causing both Hashira to surmise that they seem to be evenly matched. Muichiro then asks that he be allowed to join them; Sanemi, noticing he has been coming to them every night, asks about how his training has been; Muichiro responds that while training is enough for the other Corps members, it is insufficient for him.
Sanemi laughs at his similar experience and remarks that for him and Obanai, true Hashira Training is sparring with one another. When Muichiro notes the inequity of them being the only ones to train effectively, Obanai responds that to honor his decision to come to them, he and Sanemi will engage him together, as both Hashira take their stances. Muichiro jokingly remarks about the unfairness of having him face them both but nonetheless takes his position.
Muichiro faces Obanai and Sanemi in an intense spar.
With his Mist Breathing, he rushes past Obanai's attempt to strike, catching the Serpent Hashira off-guard, before he maneuvers around Sanemi to attack him. The Wind Hashira bends back to evade his blade but narrowly misses his own slash at Muichiro, who then swings at him from the side. Sanemi reacts by blocking his blade with his foot, using it to launch himself away as Obanai lunges at the Mist Hashira, leading to an intense skirmish that envelopes the courtyard with dust clouds and debris. From nearby, Ginko encourages him to beat the two Hashira, to which Sanemi responds by aiming an attack at her to silence her praises.
After the clash, which has left the ground littered with craters, Sanemi reflects on what he believes was a difficult training session and says that had either of them lost focus for a second, they would have gotten injured. Obanai concurs with him, and Sanemi reasons that training the Corps members during the day and performing combat training at night will be enough to prepare them. When Obanai asks Muichiro about how his training went, he replies that Tanjiro had come to his place, surprising both Hashiras, given their dislike of him. Muichiro adds that while he is still healing, he'll be recovered upon reaching Obanai. Hearing this, Obanai remarks about his chance to be thorough in training him, and Sanemi eagerly claims he will prove that, while stronger, Tanjiro is still no match for a Hashira. To this end, Muichiro bids Tanjiro good luck and to do his best.
Tanjiro pleads with Muichiro to stop his harshness on the trainees.
During training the next day, Muichiro once again intentionally misses a slash onto a trainee's neck to prove he is dead, before noticing the one behind him has stopped moving and proceeding to strike him down. Looking at his already battered trainees, Muichiro reasons that they don't have the tension to fight properly and orders that real swords be used for the next session, further worrying them and Tanjiro. The previous trainee, now wielding one of Muichiro's highly sharpened blades, grows nervous as the Hashira orders him to take a stance.
Despite nervously getting into position, he soon breaks down and apologizes to Muichiro, kneeling on the floor. Muichiro approaches him and remarks that choosing to not attack recklessly is progress, but the trainee laments his inability to know how to fight in a real battle. He adds that he knows Muichiro leaves for someplace each night and returns with bruises all over him, surprising him, and he vows that they will work harder. Muichiro addresses the trainees by claiming that though they improve, it does not guarantee victory, and he does not wish to see them killed in battle but to live long instead.
Tanjiro spars with Muichiro, able to keep up with him.
Over the next three days, as Muichiro, who is visibly in a better mood when with Tanjiro, spars with the Demon Slayer, he commends his increased speed and instructs him to smoothen his transitions between firm and soft movements of his muscles. Tanjiro performs what he is told as he parries and evades Muichiro's every move, leaving the Hashira thoroughly impressed as he explains that his stamina will increase by doing so. Eventually, Tanjiro avoids a direct slash at him and lands a powerful blow onto Muichiro's bokutō. He remarks that the movements in his legs and hips transitioned perfectly and happily declares that he can move on to the next Hashira.
Muichiro's friendly face disappears as he addresses his trainees' inadequacy.
Tanjiro is stunned to hear this, having only been with him for five days, but Muichiro believes it is because he is doing everything he has asked. As the other trainees ask if they too can move on, having been training with him for two weeks, Muichiro's cheery attitude shifts back to his cold, aloof demeanor as he belittles their lack of improvement, telling them they will train their swings till their practice dummies break, causing the trainees to lament the stark difference in how they and Tanjiro are treated. To address his harsh attitude, Tanjiro has an idea and asks Muichiro if they could have a paper airplane competition.
He is surprised by the request, and as Tanjiro shows his plane, he mentions hearing that he likes paper planes. Previously, he had asked Kozo about Muichiro's hobbies, to which the smith answered that it was making paper planes, showing the large pile he had made. Tanjiro wagers that if he wins, Muichiro must be kinder to his trainees. As the Hashira accepts the challenge, the Demon Slayer confidently claims he will not lose, and Muichiro remarks the same. The trainees are relieved to hear about a chance to not be mistreated further and praise Tanjiro.
Tanjiro challenges Muichiro to a paper plane contest.
Outside, Tanjiro hears Muichiro's own wager to him that he can win if his plane goes further even once out of ten times, calling it fair since he will lose, which Tanjiro accepts. On Kozo's signal, the two make their throw, but Muichiro's plane flies into the distance as Tanjiro's curves down, giving the Hashira the win. As he is encouraged by the trainees, Tanjiro and Muichiro enter the second round, which also goes to Muichiro. Eight more wins to the Hashira leave Tanjiro with one last chance. Kozo encourages him not to give up, but Tanjiro's last throw results in his resounding defeat.
As Muichiro chides him for his confidence, Tanjiro bemoans believing he could have won at least once. A trainee then speaks up and challenges Muichiro, confident in his plane-building skills; he is followed by another claiming he is the best in his village, and more trainees eventually agree to challenge him as well. Paper is brought out, and everyone soon gets to work building, including Kozo; Tanjiro shows off his newest plane to Muichiro, but it is promptly destroyed by Ginko, leading to a squabble between her and Tanjiro's crow. Later, as Tanjiro asks everyone if they're ready with their planes, he and Muichiro make the first throw, which is quickly followed by a swarm of planes.
Muichiro's smile at seeing his trainees happy.
They watch with satisfaction as the planes fly away. Muichiro looks back to see the trainees all smiling, prompting a smile of his own. Near the day's end, Tanjiro discusses with Muichiro the threat of Muzan targeting Nezuko for her sunlight immunity, adding that it has led to lessened demon activity. Muichiro notes that it is ideal for them, giving them the time to focus on Hashira Training. Tanjiro mentions that though he was worried about being away from her, bringing Nezuko along would have led her into enemy hands.
A sleeping Nezuko under Sakonji Urokodaki's watchful eye.
The Hashira believes that Muzan is gathering demons to take her to ensure he can hide; Tanjiro concurs, vowing to train and become stronger than ever. When Muichiro comments on his optimism, he remarks that it is because Nezuko is safe with someone he trusts; it is revealed that Nezuko, now unconscious, is in the care of former Water Hashira and cultivator Sakonji Urokodaki. Muichiro addresses Tanjiro and makes the promise they will defeat Muzan together with everyone, which he acknowledges.
As he comes to the next Hashira's mansion, Mitsuri excitedly welcomes Tanjiro, and he enthusiastically bows to her, glad to see her as well. He asks if she keeps bees, having smelled the scent of honey, which she confirms as she puts honeycomb on breads. She pulls him inside as she explains that she will make black tea and buttered pancakes for him. Tanjiro, unfamiliar with Western-style cuisine, wonders what butter and pancakes are but goes along with it as Mitsuri chants her excitement about pancakes.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Anime Notes[]
- Similar to the previous episode, the anime heavily extends Tanjiro taking Muichiro's Rapid Movement Training, which was a rather short scene in the manga.
- There is an additional scene where Muichiro's swordsmith, Kozo Kanamori, meets with Tanjiro again. In the manga, he is not seen after the attack in the Swordsmith Village until the penultimate chapter.
- The anime adds an original scene of Sanemi and Obanai engaging in a training spar after they challenged each other to in the previous episode, with Muichiro joining in afterwards.
- In the anime, after Muichiro gives Tanjiro permission to move on to training with the next Hashira and refuses to do the same to the other Demon Slayers, Tanjiro challenges Muichiro to a paper airplane contest, which results in the other students joining in. This scene was not in the manga.
References[]
- ↑ Episode 59 on the Official Website