Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima (
Synopsis[]
During the boulder training, Tanjiro is able to move the boulder thanks to Genya's training advice. However, Tanjiro has used all of his power to do so and he is saved by Himejima after he collapses. Himejima, moved by Tanjiro's genuineness, begins to talk to him about his past...[1]
Plot[]
Inspired by Tanjiro, Inosuke motivates himself and pushes his boulder as well.
In the early morning, Zenitsu's sparrow races through the forest, carrying a paper scroll. At the same time, Tanjiro finally manages to move the boulder, to Zenitsu's astonishment and Inosuke's chagrin. Despite this, Tanjiro knows that any pause will cause his strength to give out, and he must continue for as long as he is able to. Remembering to use the greater mass of his lower body, he digs his feet in and begins to push the boulder forward. Inspired, Inosuke excitedly chants "Tempura!" as motivation and is successfully able to push his boulder as well.
As Zenitsu bemoans being the last of his friends to push his boulder, Ukogi appears and chirps for his attention. He initially dismisses him, believing the little bird is trying to motivate him into pushing the boulder and completing his training. Annoyed, Ukogi resorts to harshly pecking his foot to get his attention, and Zenitsu finally looks down to see that he has arrived with a letter for him.
Gyomei pours water for the exhausted Tanjiro.
Eventually, Tanjiro pushes his boulder one chō, completing the Stone Hashira's training. However, the task has left him exhausted and struggling for breath. He slumps to the ground, dehydrated from profusely sweating and not drinking during his push, his face turning blue as a result. He weakly calls to Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Murata, asking for someone to come in fear of dying. Gyomei himself appears to pour water over him and quench his thirst; his reciting of the Nianfo causes Tanjiro to believe he died until he sits up and realizes he is alive. As he pours more water, Gyomei commends him for completing the boulder training, and for his actions in the village, he acknowledges him.
Tanjiro respectfully declines Gyomei's acknowledgement.
When Tanjiro questions what he means, Gyomei refers to the Swordsmith Village and how he prioritized the villagers over his sister. He tries to interject, but the Hashira assures him it is not something to be ashamed of, remarking that he is an exemplary swordsman who should be proud of his actions. Tanjiro denies this, explaining it was Nezuko who decided, as his hesitation almost led to the villagers' deaths, claiming he does not deserve his acknowledgement. This causes Gyomei to think back to his life, as he remarks that children are not only innocent and pure, but weak, dishonest, and have no qualms about being cruel.
However, he does not see this in Tanjiro, as the Demon Slayer claims that despite his efforts to keep on the right path, he does not know what lies ahead. To him, someone always came to help him stay on track, and it was a close call in the Swordsmith Village, recalling his dilemma of choosing between saving Nezuko and facing Urami. He asks Gyomei not to acknowledge him too quickly, but thanks him for the water and for training him. Gyomei states that he has dispelled his doubts, and regardless of what others say, he acknowledges him. Confused, Tanjiro asks why he commends him, and the Hashira replies that it is because he had once raised orphans in a temple.
A young Gyomei taking care of orphaned children.
A young Gyomei watches the children under his care prepare to eat; one notes the meal they have, and he explains that he met a fish vendor who gave him his unsold goods. He asks that they thank the man and two of the children for their food, but before they can eat, the youngest among them, Sayo, gets up to give her fish to Gyomei. When she explains that he can have it because he is too skinny, Gyomei laughs at the gesture and appreciates her concern, reassuring her that he has undergone special training so that hunger does not bother him. He jokingly notes that despite his appearance, he is still stronger than all of them. When one boy asks Sayo for her fish, she denies this and insists it is Gyomei's, causing them all to laugh.
The Stone Hashira remarks that though they were not blood-related, everyone got along well, helping one another out and living like a family. He was content with living the rest of his life in such a way.
Gyomei shields the surviving children from the demon.
However, a boy disobeyed the rule of coming back to the temple before dark, encountering a demon. To save himself, he convinced it to spare him by offering Gyomei and the others instead. Where he lived, the threat of demons lingered, and Gyomei lit wisteria incense to protect the temple; the boy returned, destroyed the burners and invited the demon to the temple. As the children and Gyomei slept, the demon entered and immediately killed four of the children, the gruesome sounds waking Gyomei. The remaining four hid behind him as he tried to shield them, but three of the children ran away, and the demon slit their throats as they fled. He laments that his skinny appearance, timid personality, and blindness led them to believe that he could not protect them.
To save Sayo, Gyomei was forced to fight the demon bare-handed.
Only Sayo listened and stayed in the corner. As the painful memories cause him to crack his rosary in anger, Gyomei remarks that he decided to fight and protect her no matter what. He roared in anger at the demon and grabbed its wrists, sustaining a slash to his forehead in doing so. Gyomei ripped off its forearms and threw a powerful punch at its head; he then threw himself on the demon and punched its head repeatedly to restrain it, his blows causing the floor to shake with each hit.
As Sayo cried in fear, he continued to strike the demon relentlessly; he claims he will always remember his disgust at hitting a living creature. It was the first time he punched with all he had, and he became afraid of his own might; had the demon not attacked, he would have never known his strength. Gyomei continued to punch the demon's head until dawn. At the end of the ordeal, he sustained a great loss, he was injured, and he risked his life to save Sayo. When villagers came to the temple, Sayo said, "He's a monster. He's the one who killed. The one who killed everyone."
As a horrified Tanjiro listens on, Gyomei remarks that, being just four, Sayo would have been confused by the frightening experience, and no one could blame her for being a child. Nevertheless, he had always hoped that she would show her appreciation; he wanted Sayo to thank him for saving her, and the gesture would have been enough to save him. In the end, Gyomei believes that all children can do is think of themselves, and by then, the demon's corpse had vanished in the sunlight, leaving only the children's remains. He was imprisoned for murder and would have been executed had it not been for Kagaya's intervention.
After hearing his story, Tanjiro tearfully thanks Gyomei for his support.
Gyomei became deeply distrustful, and naturally, he was suspicious of Tanjiro. He believes that regardless of people's outward virtuousness, they reveal their true selves in dire situations. But Tanjiro never ran, looked away, or lied, which Gyomei claims is something few can remain as, no matter the situation. He calls Tanjiro a special child, which he can say as someone who has observed many with his soul. With everyone's misgivings about the future, Gyomei promises to help him and ensure he will never stray off his path. Touched by his support, Tanjiro sheds tears as he thanks the Hashira for his commitment to help him and promises to do his best.
Gyomei pats him on the head in reassurance, harkening him back to a moment he shared with Sayo. He declares his training with him is completed and commends him for seeing it through.
Tanjiro asks Inosuke not to eat Zenitsu's share.
While eating with Inosuke and Tanjiro, Genya remarks that despite what others say, Gyomei is a kind person; as he was unable to be Ts auguko, he was taken in as his apprentice when he sensed that he ate demons. Gyomei also took him to Shinobu to be examined, but in their first meeting, she gave him a harsh look and lectured him anytime they met. As Inosuke finishes, he attempts to take another fish when Tanjiro stops him, claiming it is Zenitsu's. He grows annoyed as Zenitsu is not present to eat it. Tanjiro persuades him to leave it, though Inosuke notes his annoying worry for others. Genya notices that Shinobu does not lecture him as much as he is being reprimanded by her, despite his own stubbornness.
Tanjiro claims he would be the same if he couldn't use breathing techniques, believing Shinobu is harsh because she cares about him, though Genya does not see it. After eating, he mentions he will be heading to Giyu's place and asks if he can come, though Genya declines as he has yet to push his boulder a chō. Inosuke claims he is nearly finished with his boulder, which Genya notes is due to his inability to use breathing techniques. Hearing this, Inosuke laughs in his face and insults him, instantly causing the two to hurl punches at each other. Tanjiro urges them to stop and resorts to sitting on Inosuke to end the brawl, explaining that he had wanted to talk with Genya during his walk about his brother.
Zenitsu, now stern and serious, realizes he must do something.
Along the way, he finds Zenitsu sitting on his boulder and asks if he has moved it, to which he replies that he has not. Tanjiro mentions he will be heading to his next training session, but asks if he is okay, seeing that he has not spoken much lately. Zenitsu is impressed and encourages him in his training; as for him, he has gained an understanding of what he must do. Worried by his stark change in demeanor, Tanjiro asks if something happened, but Zenitsu rejects his offer to help and tells him to move on. Despite his concern, Tanjiro complies and leaves him with his share of fish. Now by himself, Zenitsu thanks Tanjiro for his kindness but remarks that what now lies ahead is something he must do, as he clutches his letter in anger.
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Sanemi uses First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter against Giyu.
While walking through the Thousand Years Bamboo Grove, Tanjiro looks back and wonders if Zenitsu will be okay; additionally, he is worried for Nezuko, having been away from her for some time now and hoping she isn't feeling too lonely. He realizes he is lost and begins looking at his map to see if he has arrived in Giyu's place, only to hear the striking of wooden blades. He runs to the courtyard where the sound is coming from, where he witnesses Giyu and Sanemi in the middle of a spar, clashing their weapons and knocking each other back. As they assess their opponents' next move, Sanemi uses Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter, performing a fast rotating charge that chips Giyu's bokutō.
Sanemi's Cold Mountain Wind clashes with Giyu's Drop Ripple Thrust.
Though Tanjiro is stunned by Sanemi's speed, he soon realizes he can see and perceive their moves, as he and Giyu continue to slash and block each other's swings. Sanemi then taunts the Water Hashira with his own words about being different to the other Hashira, leaving Tanjiro dismayed since he knows the reason why he said his remarks. Giyu blocks his incoming blow and attempts to catch Sanemi with Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide, trying to follow him. Sanemi derides him for being too slow as he goes for an attack; Giyu uses Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust to meet Sanemi's Fifth Form: Cold Mountain Wind, and the resulting clash destroys their blades.
Sanemi decides they can now kill each other with their bare hands, only for Tanjiro to jump in. The Hashira reminds the Demon Slayer he is supposed to keep away from him, wondering if he is spying on them, only for Tanjiro to ask if they are fighting over ohagi, claiming he can make enough for them both. Provoked, Sanemi demands to know if he is joking, but Tanjiro assures him he is not. He mentions smelling mochi and red bean paste at his residence during training, as well as the scent of green tea whenever he appeared. Surprised, Giyu asks Sanemi if he does like ohagi. Tanjiro tries to engage in small talk with him, asking if he enjoys it coarse or fine and mentioning that he enjoys his grandmother's recipe, only to be punched in the face by the Wind Hashira.
Tanjiro awakens to find Giyu beside him, explaining that Sanemi had stormed off. When he asks why they were fighting, Giyu replies that it was part of their training, with each Hashira sparring against another. Tanjiro understands they were using bokutōs and apologizes for interrupting them, though Giyu does not mind since he couldn't speak to him, and Sanemi remained angry at him for the entirety of the skirmish. He notes that he is glad to know Sanemi's favorite food, claiming he will keep an ohagi on him for whenever he sees him in the hope they can become friends. Despite Tanjiro's encouragement and reply that he will do the same, his nearby Kasugai crow remarks about their absurd idea.
Sanemi discovers Nakime's eye.
By himself, Sanemi descends a set of stairs as he bemoans the absence of both Obanai and Muichiro, claiming that if he only trains with the lesser-skilled Demon Slayers, he will grow rusty. Recalling Tanjiro's earlier remarks, Sanemi grows more annoyed as he complains about his interruption of his spar, cursing him out loud. As he continues grumbling about the Demon Slayer's behavior, he stops suddenly to grab at something moving behind him. He opens his palm to find Nakime's eye, sporadically twitching before it burns to ash, causing him to realize that the Corps has been infiltrated.
The Demon Progenitor meets the Demon Slayer Corps leader.
At Ubuyashiki Mansion, Amane gently holds Kagaya's arm as she looks up and stares out of their door. In the distance, Muzan walks along a path in the forest and eventually through the gate of the complex. Sharply dressed and shrouded in smoke, he proudly walks across the yard and makes his way to the mansion. Kagaya, despite his bandaged eyes, turns to look outside. Muzan stands at the front of the mansion, coming face to face with the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps. The Oyakata senses his arrival and remarks that this is the first time they have met. In response, the Demon Progenitor remarks about Kagaya's now hideous appearance.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
Anime Notes[]
- The second eyecatcher is a recreation of Chapter 136's cover.
- The opening scene includes a short original scene of Ukogi flying to deliver Zenitsu his letter.
- The anime extends Gyomei's backstory with an anime-original scene where he and the orphans talk during dinner, as well as vividly depicting the traitor run away from the demon and extinguishing all the wisteria incense surrounding the temple. In addition, three of the unnamed orphans are given names: Kazunori, Ryotaro, Asami, though their exact identities are unknown.
- In the manga, Tanjiro finds Giyu and Sanemi just as they are about to commence their spar. In the anime, they were already fighting when Tanjiro comes across them.
- The anime extends the scene of Sanemi complaining about Tanjiro's antics before finding Nakime's eyeball by first having him complain about Obanai and Muichiro's absence, as well as expressing annoyance that fighting the weaker trainees will make his skills rusty. After he discovers the eyeball, he suddenly realizes that the Demon Slayer Corps have been infiltrated. Additionally, when Sanemi ponders what the crushed eyeball is, the manga portrays it as hanging off the palm of his flipped hand, while the anime has him crush the eyeball with his hand before it then disintegrates in his open palm.
- The after credits scenes includes the extended version of Tokoshie as well as an extended scene of Muzan slowly walking towards Kagaya and Amane.
References[]
- ↑ Episode 62 on the Official Website