Exploring ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training’ – A Thrilling Dive into Tanjiro Kamado’s 2024 Anime Movie

About The Movie ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training’

A part of the much-loved anime series “Demon Slayer”, ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training’, was released in Indian theatres, on 23rd February 2024. A Tanjiro Kamado directorial, the anime movie focuses on the events taking place in the Swordsmith Village and Hashira Training Arc of the manga series, offering impatient fans a sneak peek into Demon Slayer’s upcoming 4th season. The Hashira Training arc is the last part of the story before the Final arc begins, which goes to show how important it is. The Final Battle arc is divided into two parts: the Infinity Castle arc and the Sunrise Countdown arc.

The movie acts as a special theatrical event bridging the gap between Season 3 and the upcoming season and features the last episode of Season 3, ‘A Connected Bond: Daybreak and First Light,’ and the first episode of Season 4 in a movie-like format. It’s the second such theatrical special, after last year’s “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — To the Swordsmith Village,” which combined the ending of the show’s second season with the premiere of the third. 

Additionally, the movie was released in theatres across 140 countries globally. The availability of the movie in various formats, including IMAX, has further heightened excitement among cinephiles seeking top-notch visuals and audio.

Movie Review

Directed by Harou Sotozaki, the movie explores various aspects of the demon-slaying realm. Approaching a near end, the characters of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke must train under the Hashira, the strongest demon slayers, to prepare for the ultimate showdown with Muzan Kibutsuji. Along the way, they will face new enemies, allies, and revelations that will test their resolve and determination. According to The Classification & Rating Administration (CARA), the movie will be rated R due to violence and bloody images.

The brother-sister dynamic between Tanjiro and Nezuko is explored further, with the former trying to come to terms with the idea of leaving the latter at daybreak to fulfil his mission. As per IMDb, the synopsis of Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training movie reads, “Tanjiro undergoes rigorous training with the Stone Hashira, Himejima, in his quest to become a Hashira. Meanwhile, Muzan continues to search for Nezuko and Ubuyashiki.”

A high-stakes and visually stunning battle involving the team-up of the Kamado siblings (Tanjiro and Nezuko), Kenya Shinazugawa, and the Hashira’s Mitsuri and Muichiro against the Upper-Rank Demons is also set to be one of the main highlights of the movie. Thus, the movie primarily focuses on all the Hashiras laying the cornerstone for the training of the Demon Slayer Corps as Kagaya Ubuyashiki wanted. This is to awaken the Demon Slayer Mark of the Hashira and to prepare their cadets to strike against Muzan’s empire. The action-filled movie is certainly a delight for the fans of the franchise, and we will also get to see some emotional backstories as well as incredibly hilarious scenes. 

However, many felt critical of the movie as it came off as a slow-paced gap between the the exhilarating climax of the previous season, in which the young hero Tanjiro (Natsuki Hanae) vanquishes the fierce Upper Four demon Hantengu (Toshio Furukawa), and the second half of the movie where Tanjiro is recovering from battle in bed.

Fans Reviews

Fans’ most common reaction to the movie was praise for its visually stunning animation. Since the first season, the Demon Slayer series has consistently showcased top-tier animation. There weren’t moments where the animation quality dropped. Therefore, it was no surprise that the majority of viewers loved the film and appreciated its visuals.

Fans who had gone to the theatres were excited and even took snippets of the film, sharing them on various social media websites. As the third season of Demon Slayer ends with several unanswered, fans couldn’t help but want more, and were excited to see all the Hashiras come together in this film. 

“The movie was cool i thought i was mentally prepared for the nezuko scene in theaters but i still cried (even though i saw it twice already at home),” wrote a user. Another added, “Saw the new Demon Slayer: To The Hashira on opening night #AMA #DemonSlayer.. I can say it’s remarkably well done but it’s also a con-job. I would encourage not finishing Swordsmith arc as that takes up half the film. Still. Cool, gorgeous, & funny. Worth watching. No rush tho.”

The Demon Slayer Franchise

The Manga

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotōge. The story is set in Taisho-era Japan and follows a young boy named Tanjirō Kamado who becomes a demon hunter after his family is brutally murdered by demons. He sets out on a journey to find a way to turn his younger sister Nezuko, who was also turned into a demon, back into a human. Along the way, he joins the Demon Slayer Corps, an organization dedicated to eradicating demons, and meets other demon hunters with unique abilities.

The series has gained a large following for its unique story, well-developed characters, and intense action scenes. It has been adapted into an anime series, as well as a feature film, which has both been well-received by audiences. While there are currently 11 episodes out of an estimated 18 for Season 3, it hasn’t concluded yet. Here’s a summary of the first two seasons and the movie:

Season 1:

• Tanjiro Kamado, a kindhearted boy, returns home to find his family slaughtered by a demon. His younger sister, Nezuko, is turned into a demon but retains her humanity.
• Tanjiro vows to become a Demon Slayer and find a cure for Nezuko. He trains under the Demon Slayer Corps and embarks on missions to slay demons.
• He befriends Zenitsu Agatsuma, a cowardly but skilled swordsman, and Inosuke Hashibira, a wild and impulsive fighter.
• They encounter the Lower Moons, weaker demons, and ultimately face the powerful Lower Moon Five, Gyutaro and Daki.
• Nezuko’s humanity is tested as she fights alongside Tanjiro, showcasing her unique abilities and compassion.

Movie: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train:

• Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke join the Flame Hashira, Kyojuro Rengoku, on a mission aboard the Mugen Train, where demons have been attacking passengers.
• They encounter the demon Enmu, who manipulates dreams to weaken his prey.
• Rengoku sacrifices himself to protect the passengers, leaving a lasting impact on Tanjiro and his friends.
• Nezuko awakens a powerful new ability, demonstrating her potential as a demon who fights for humanity.

Season 2: Entertainment District Arc:

• Following the train tragedy, Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke join the Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, on a mission in the Yoshiwara entertainment district.
• They investigate demons disguised as courtesans who prey on humans.
• Nezuko faces internal struggles as she encounters other demons and grapples with her conflicting nature.
• Tanjiro unlocks a new breathing technique, the Hinokami Kagura, during his fight against the Upper Six demon, Daki.
• The arc concludes with a thrilling battle against the Upper Six demon, Gyutaro, leaving both sides heavily injured.

Season 3 (Swordsmith Village Arc):

• Season 3 is still ongoing, with only 11 episodes released so far.
• Tanjiro and Nezuko travel to the Swordsmith Village to repair Tanjiro’s broken sword.
• They encounter new characters and face off against demons threatening the village.
• Tanjiro awakens a new ability to see the “transparent world”, allowing him to predict attacks.
• The season delves deeper into the history of the swordsmiths and the Hashira.
• As of now, the arc hasn’t reached a resolution, and the plot continues to unfold.

Where Can One Watch The Movie?

You can buy tickets from the links below, or from BookMyShow.

Official Website

Fandango

Regal

AMC Theatres

Cineplex

Cinemark

Demon Slayer Season 4 will be available to stream on Crunchyroll later this year. Currently, the new season does not have a set release date, likely due to the theatrical release of Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training.

Here is the list of the release dates and regions for the ‘Demon Slayer’ Season 4:

The movie hit the Japanese theatres on February 2, 2024. It also had a grand premiere in the USA on February 10, 2024. The movie is set to release in more than 140 countries from February 2 to March 7.

February 21: Malta, Switzerland (French-speaking), India.

February 22: Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland (German-speaking), Switzerland (Italian-speaking), Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela.

February 23: Bulgaria, Canada, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Norway, Poland, Romania, South Africa, Sweden, United Kingdom, United States.

February 24: Belgium, Estonia, France (note: two-day event screening), Luxembourg, and select countries in French-speaking Africa.

February 27: Austria, Germany.