SPOILERS AHEAD

After waiting for what felt like forever, "Demon Slayer" (Kimetsu no Yaiba) returned with its third and latest season, 'The Swordsmith Village Arc'. The special first episode was previously released in cinemas, but aired on Netflix on April 9, 2023.

Glimpses of the aftermath of the previous season, 'Entertainment District Arc' has been shown through Kakushi (clean-up crew) Goto's eyes as he, along with others, rescue our protagonists.

The dramatic appearance of The Infinity Castle aka Kibutsuji Muzan's lair, features the rest of the upper-rank demons along with the already introduced Akaza (Upper Moon 3) and Douma (Upper Moon 2). Upper Moon 4, Hantengu is a timid crow-like humanoid, his full form will be shown after an episode or two. Upper Moon 5, Gyokko is way more hideous when animated from the manga.

The most intriguing is the grim-faced Upper Moon One, Kokushibo whose form matches that of the man who once almost killed Muzan. And so, questions begin to arise about this uncanny resemblance.

Moving on to the next scene, where that swordsman is shown with Sumiyoshi and his family, talking about his legacy. This appears to be a dream of our little hero, Tanjiro while in a coma. As his conscious was in Sumiyoshi's body, Tanjiro could feel the pain of the swordsman's grief and that is how he wakes up after two months. Inosuke and Zenitsu recovered earlier and went on their respective missions. After rehabilitation training, Tanjiro finds his swordsmith's letter, rebuking him for getting the sword damaged.

To get a new sword, the Kamado siblings get permission from master Ubuyashiki to visit the swordsmith village, that is hidden to prevent demon attacks. So they are carried on the backs of Kakushis like the batons of relay races. The path to the village is also longer with detours and everyone but the crows and kakushis, is blindfolded with ear and nose plugs. To maintain the privacy, the Kakushis and crows too are altered every now and then.

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Upon reaching the village, Tanjiro meets the chief and talks about his swordsmith Haganezuka Hotaru and his whereabouts. This episode also features a rendezvous with the Love Hashira, Kanroji Mitsuri who shows her support for the siblings, while telling them her reason for joining the corps. Moreover, we get the glimpses of the wind Hashira's younger brother, Genya Shinazugawa, and the mist Hashira Tokito Muichiro. The episode ends with the silhouette of the same swordsman in the village with Hanafuda earrings, who Tanjiro saw in his dream.

The animation as usual is never a disappointment from Aniplex and Ufotable. The ASMR of swordsmiths forging the weapons, the hot spring scenes, the food, the elegant Japanese architecture of the village, and the phenomenal use of music and colours of nature set a fantastic curtain-raiser for the running arc.