Interview with the Demons from Hell: Voices from Beyond The Sanzu River (
Summary[]
Goto interviews the deceased demons about how they felt when they were killed by certain Breathing Styles. From Water Breathing and Stone Breathing, to Serpent Breathing and Hinokami Kagura, they speak about the styles used by their respective killers.
Plot[]
Goto crosses the Sanzu River and enters the Underworld, hoping to interview the deceased demons on what it is like to be killed by certain Breathing Styles. For the demons killed by Water Breathing, they answers that it was gentle and causes little pain; the Hand Demon adds that it bore no malice and was over quickly, while the Swamp Demon only grinds his teeth. The demons who were killed by Wind Breathing all answer that it was excruciatingly painful and extremely powerful, and it felt as if their attacker, Sanemi Shinazugawa, truly hated them. The demons who fell to Flower Breathing claim their killer, Kanae Kocho, was graceful and angelic, and that it felt soft, pleasant smelling, and ended with her saying kind words, as if to send them to Heaven.
Among the demons killed by Insect Breathing, Daughter of the Spider Family curses Shinobu Kocho as she had underestimated her and her poison. One demon answers he had never felt such pain before and another claims hearing about the poison was depressing, though Doma does not seem to mind because he thought his killer was attractive. The demons killed via Stone Breathing unanimously agree it was overwhelming and frightening, as was their killer, Gyomei Himejima; one claims he urinated himself in fear and another adds that he was confused why his killer was crying since he wanted to. Another demon notes he had never seen such a weapon, while Kokushibo remarks that Gyomei had reminded him of the Nio Guardians, the powerful, wrathful guardians of the Buddha.
The demons killed by Flame Breathing agree that their killer, Kyojuro Rengoku, was "super cool", and do not appear to be too bothered to be killed by him. Hakuji, formerly Akaza, comments that it felt like a burden was lifted from him; it was refreshing like a blue sky in the summer. To the demons killed by Serpent Breathing, they note the style felt harsh; additionally, Obanai Iguro's winding blade was painful, as was his vicious remarks. One demon claims he'd rather die to Flower Breathing and another agrees. The demons killed by Love Breathing all agree that it made them fall in love with their killer, Mitsuri Kanroji; one states that Mitsuri appeared apologetic when she killed him, believing she had feelings for him.
Among those killed by Sound Breathing, one claims she was dealt a clean cut, while the others regard their killer, Tengen Uzui, in awe for his agility and precision. Gyutaro shares the latter opinion while Ume remarks it made her think that "ninjas were real", before adding that she hates Tengen. To the demons killed by Mist Breathing, they all agree that their killer, Muichiro Tokito, made them feel pathetic. Gyokko heatedly declares his hatred for "that bratty kid", one demon claims it hurt his pride, and another couldn't believe he was killed by a child. Another demon remarks that his cold, unemotional stare made him cry, while yet another claims Muichiro looked at him like a pile of vomit-covered rocks.
To the two demons that encountered Sun Breathing, and or Hinokami Kagura, Muzan Kibutsuji, temporarily retrieved from Avici, flatly states that it was unpleasant, and his opinion is acknowledged by Hantengu, who bemoans how painful it was and that his wounds wouldn't completely heal. With his notes, Goto remarks that the demons all started complaining. Suddenly, he hears his name being called and he opens his eyes. The surrounding Kakushi and Demon Slayers tell him he had slipped and hit his head on a rock, knocking himself unconscious, revealing his interview was simply in his imagination during the aftermath of the final battle. Goto then expresses anger that he ended up in hell when knocked unconscious.
Characters in Order of Appearance[]
- Goto
- Hand Demon
- Swamp Demon
- Daughter
- Doma
- Kokushibo
- Hakuji
- Koyuki
- Gyutaro
- Ume
- Gyokko
- Muzan Kibutsuji
- Hantengu
Trivia[]
- Thunder Breathing and Beast Breathing are the only Breathing Styles to not have their victims be interviewed.
- Hakuji, Gyutaro, and Ume are the only demons to be interviewed while they are in their human form. Interestingly, despite being reincarnated into a human child following his death, the Hand Demon appears in his demon form.
- It is should be noted that regarding Hakuji and Muzan explaining their experiences with Flame Breathing and Sun Breathing respectively, the styles were not directly responsible for their deaths, as Hakuji committed suicide by destroying his own body and Muzan was eventually defeated through a collective effort of numerous Breathing Styles attacking him at once.
References[]