By: Prince Lammy

As the iconic phrase goes, "the slayer's journey continues." And indeed, it has, as we delve once more into the world of Demon Slayer. With its stunning visuals, heart-pumping action, and emotional depth, it's no surprise that the first season of this anime left a lasting impression on fans worldwide.

After much anticipation, the second season has arrived, promising to take us on a journey just as epic as the last. So, let's strap in and get ready to see if Demon Slayer can once again live up to the hype.

Whether you're a die-hard fan of the series or a newcomer who's just discovering the world of Demon Slayer, here is a complete review of Demon Slayer Season Two, and as you can trust, it is utterly devoid of spoilers.

Story | 4/10

The storyline of Demon Slayer is straightforward, but its execution is poor. This could be attributed to inadequate writing, insufficient world-building, and a breakneck pace that leaves little room for reflection. 

Another issue to note with the second season, as seen with the first, is the lack of attention given to important details, one of which is the unexplained terminal illness that the leader of the Demon Slayer Corps has to battle until he gives up the ghost. 

Another issue to point out is that the author's attempt to make the corps appear enigmatic, which only comes across as unintelligent. Moreover, it is unclear whether there are demons outside Japan and how the corps operates across such a large country. 

The show's ranking system is another aspect that is poorly developed, with only three ranks, Pillars, Tanjiro's friends, and unnamed demon slayers, being mentioned throughout the series. The introduction of ten ranks feels unnecessary if most of them are not shown or developed. The author could have spent more time fleshing out these details and making them integral parts of the story.

Moving on to the second training arc, it is handled much better than the first one. The pacing is slower, which allows for better character development and growth. The arc's ending is much more satisfying and earned, leaving the audience feeling fulfilled. However, one thing that is still rather disappointing is that the author decided to kill off multiple lower moons. This deprives the main character, Tanjiro, of the opportunity to fight and defeat them himself, which would have been a more believable way for him to become stronger over time. 

Instead, the author gives all the credit to the first lower moon, only to kill him off in a lackluster manner, suggesting that the story was rushed to completion.

Moving on to character development, concerning the storyline, the author seems to only provide backstories for characters on the verge of dying. While backstories can be a valuable tool in explaining a character's motivations and behavior, they should not be reserved solely for characters about to meet their demise. 

It's worth noting that character development can occur without a backstory. Take, for example, Darth Vader from Star Wars, who is an iconic villain with no backstory. Backstories should be used to help the audience get to know the character rather than solely for character development. If a writer relies solely on backstories to develop their characters, it could suggest a lack of creativity and writing talent.

Another issue with the series is the lackluster settings. While this may seem minor, it can detract from the overall viewing experience. In my honest opinion, most of the locations in KNY are dull and uninteresting. Again, this is a personal opinion, but I believe the setting plays a vital role in making a story feel immersive and engaging.

The romance in Demon Slayer is underwhelming and lacks depth. It's presented sporadically throughout the show and adds little or nothing to the overall plot. 

The comedy is also lacking and fails to be funny. Although not the worst, it doesn't blend well with the show's serious themes of demon murder and often takes away from the emotional impact of certain scenes. And "comedy" refers to unexplained exaggerated monologues, rants, and gestures usually stemming from either the simping Zenitsu or the not-so-well-understood Inosuke.

Lastly, the manga also relies too heavily on plot armor and absurd plot points that can be considered "bullshit." While I won't go into specifics due to spoilers, these moments can detract from the overall story and feel lazy and poorly thought out.

Overall, it's important to remember that many factors can make or break a show. While Demon Slayer has flaws, it's still a well-loved series that has captured the hearts of many fans. However, it's essential to be critical of media and recognize its strengths and weaknesses to improve storytelling in all its forms.

Art | 9/10

The animation of the Demon Slayer anime has received great acclaim and is regarded as one of its strongest aspects. Both casual viewers and critics have showered the animation with praise, admiring its exceptional quality and ability to bring the world and characters of the series to life. One of the most striking features of the animation is its fluidity, with characters and objects moving seamlessly and naturally, giving the viewer a sense of immersion in the story. 

The attention to detail is also a standout aspect, with intricate designs and intricate movements that showcase the care and effort put into each frame. Furthermore, dynamic camera angles during fight scenes are a notable highlight, adding excitement and intensity to the action on screen. 

Overall, Demon Slayer is a prime example of high-quality animation in the industry and deserves the recognition it has received.

While the manga may have had disappointing paneling, the anime adaptation does the source material justice with its breathtaking shots and incredible fight sequences, accompanied by some of the most impressive animation in the industry. Ufotable has once again demonstrated why they are considered one of the best studios for animation. Despite their relatively small output each year, they pour their all into each project, and it shows in the incredible praise that Demon Slayer receives for its visuals alone.

However, the show suffers from the underwhelming direction in some aspects, with unnecessary digital effects and quick shots that feel like filler. While casual viewers may not notice these issues, they detract from the overall immersion of the scene. Despite this, the show is still visually impressive and on par with other highly regarded anime like Fate and Violet Evergarden in terms of animation quality. The only difference lies in the direction, which gives those shows a slight edge in visual storytelling.

Sound | 8/10

Opening Theme:

The opening theme of Demon Slayer, titled "Gurenge" by LiSA, is a fast-paced and intense rock song that perfectly fits the action-packed nature of the series. The instrumentation consists mainly of electric guitars, bass, drums, and keyboard. The song begins with a slow, haunting piano intro that gradually builds into the powerful main riff. LiSA's vocals are powerful and dynamic, conveying both the emotional depth of the series and the determination of the main character, Tanjiro.

Closing Theme: 

The closing theme of Demon Slayer, titled "From the Edge" by FictionJunction feat. LiSA is a more subdued and emotional song than the opening theme. The instrumentation is primarily acoustic guitar, strings, and piano. The song's gentle melody and LiSA's heartfelt vocals perfectly capture the bittersweet nature of the series.

Sound Quality:

The sound quality of Demon Slayer is generally excellent. The voice acting is top-notch, with each character's voice actor conveying their personality and emotions with great skill. The sound effects are also very well done, with the intense battles featuring a wide range of impactful and immersive sound effects. The background music is expertly composed and arranged, enhancing the emotional impact of each scene.

The instruments used in the Demon Slayer soundtrack are varied and expertly chosen to match the tone of each scene. The most prominent instruments are the electric guitar, bass, and drums, which feature heavily in the series' many intense battle scenes. The acoustic guitar, piano, and strings take center stage in quieter moments, creating a more contemplative and emotional atmosphere.

Overall, the music and sound quality of Demon Slayer are top-notch and perfectly complement the series' intense action and emotional depth. The opening and closing themes are particularly noteworthy, with LiSA's powerful vocals and expertly crafted instrumentation creating an unforgettable listening experience.

Character | 5/10

When it comes to the characters in Demon Slayer, they can be described as fairly average. To begin with, let's focus on the main cast, which includes Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke, and Zenitsu. Tanjiro, the main protagonist, is likable but can also be seen as quite generic, lacking real depth or development. Nezuko, on the other hand, is portrayed as somewhat of a "Jesus-chan" character - a cute and innocent girl with almost no development throughout the series. 

Inosuke, another group member, is often compared to "Peppa Pig on steroids" due to his animalistic behavior and appearance, but he has some moments of growth and development. Lastly, there is Zenitsu, who can be seen as the unfunny and obnoxious group member, constantly screaming and whining, without much substance to his character.

While these descriptions may seem overly critical, it is important to note that the characters are not necessarily bad but lack the depth and complexity that one might expect from a well-written series.

Tanjiro Kamado

When it comes to Demon Slayer's main character, Tanjiro, he is easily recognizable as the protagonist since he receives the most screen time and the story is mostly told from his perspective. However, despite being the main character, Tanjiro lacks character development. He remains the same character throughout the story, which can be boring for some viewers. 

Tanjiro's personality is also quite bland, as he is depicted as a nice guy, which may not be appealing to some people. The author did a good job designing Tanjiro's character, as his appearance is aesthetically pleasing in both the manga and the anime. Nonetheless, there is still room for improvement in terms of Tanjiro's character development.

One issue with Tanjiro's character is that he seems to be OP and has a lot of plot armor. He tends to win every fight, which takes away the suspense and tension viewers may feel when watching a battle. Additionally, Tanjiro often mentions his family, but viewers may not feel as invested in his family since they are not given much screen time or development. This can make it challenging for viewers to care about Tanjiro's motivations or feel attached to his character.

Nezuko Kamado

Nezuko is often seen as waifu bait, which means she is designed to appeal to male audiences and be admired for her looks rather than her character. Unfortunately, this also seems to be the case for Nezuko, as she is not given any depth or development throughout the show. Despite being a demon, she is often seen as innocent and cute, further reinforcing her waifu bait status.

It's disappointing that the author did not take the opportunity to explore Nezuko's character and give her some much-needed development. While some might argue that it's difficult to develop a character who can't speak, there are other ways to convey her thoughts and emotions. For example, the author could have given her an inner voice or a way to communicate telepathically with Tanjiro.

Nezuko is also portrayed as being too perfect, which makes her character even duller. In the manga, it becomes even more apparent that she is flawless and has no flaws or struggles, which makes it hard for viewers to connect with her. Overall, Nezuko's character could have been improved significantly, but unfortunately, the author did not take advantage of this opportunity.

Inosuke Hashibara

I really like Inosuke as a character in the show. Although his introduction was a bit rough, he's a great comic relief character who isn't loud or annoying. His personality often brings a smile to my face. While I can't say too much about him, he's the bright light in an otherwise lackluster cast of characters. I just hope there aren't any other characters that bring the show down from a 6 to a 5.

Zenitsu Agatsuma

The character Zenitsu is the weakest link in Demon Slayer. He is irritating, contributes little to the plot, and spends most of his time crying. Despite his initially promising design, he is ultimately a disappointment. Zenitsu constantly makes inappropriate comments, such as asking women to marry him and has an unhealthy obsession with Nezuko. 

The most frustrating thing about Zenitsu is that many fans believe he will eventually improve, which, so far, hasn't been the case. While briefly showing some growth, he quickly reverts to his old self. Enjoying Zenitsu as a character is comparable to liking Jar Jar Binks from Star Wars.

The other side characters in Demon Slayer are generally lackluster in terms of character development and likability. While some have interesting backstories, it's not enough to make them stand out. Characters like Rengoku and Akaza are better written than others, but they still don't measure up to well-written characters in other anime. (Here is a more personal opinion: Rengoku's death came sooner than it should've. He could've been iconic in Tanjiro's character development, and even in his short screentime, he's managed to capture the heart of many viewers)

The villains in Demon Slayer are lackluster and unmemorable. Their motivations are dull, and their dialogue fails to leave an impact. The series's main antagonist doesn't come across as threatening or cool; he looks like an ordinary guy and even gets touched by Tanjiro without noticing his presence. The only thing that sets him apart is his resemblance to Michael Jackson and the fact that he's rather fearsome, which is expected of the Lord of Demons.

While the backstories of some demons can be tragic, this is not enough to excuse the author's lack of effort in developing compelling villains. It would have been more interesting if the show had explored the grey area between good and evil, similar to Tokyo Ghoul, which would have provided a deeper understanding of why Tanjiro feels remorse when he kills a demon.

Enjoyment | 8/10

The sensation that washes over you when watching the spectacular battle sequences of the anime is indescribable. The perfect synchronization of stunningly choreographed fights and heart-wrenching emotions creates an otherworldly experience. It's as if you're transported out of your physical body and into the world of Demon Slayer. As the intense scenes unfold before your eyes, your chest tightens with anticipation and excitement, overwhelmed by the emotional rollercoaster ride. 

The feelings are so powerful that it feels like they could tear you apart, but somehow you manage to keep them at bay, barely holding back the flood of emotions that surge to the surface. It's as if everything comes rushing together in your throat, making it impossible to swallow. It's truly an unforgettable experience, and this arc is nothing short of amazing.

Overall | 7/10

Kimetsu no Yaiba is a rare gem in the anime world that truly deserves all the love and accolades it receives. Despite its flaws, which I must admit I haven't overlooked (to the best of my knowledge), it has not affected my overall enjoyment of the show. 

Even if the story is not exceptional or has some inexplicable errors, it is still a remarkable creation that deserves appreciation. Whether you believe it to be an average show or a masterpiece, we cannot deny that Kimetsu no Yaiba is a work of art in the 21st century that should be recognized for its brilliance.