The preparation to defeat the king of the demons, Kibutsuji Muzan, has officially begun, as Demon Slayer returns with its fourth season after a year-long break. As seen in the final moments of the third season Swordsmith Village arc, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Genya, and Tokito were able to free the village from the terror of the fourth demon moon, Hantengu, and all his clones. However, during the conflict, Nezuko was exposed to sunlight, and while Tanjiro feared for his sister’s fate (due to her demonic affliction) Nezuko remained unaffected, becoming the only known demon to survive and stay immune from sunlight. This inadvertently attracts the attention of Muzan, who wants to gain Nezuko’s ability by any means, as it would make him truly invincible and immortal. In order to prevent that from happening, the novice demon slayers need to be trained by the Hashiras. Additionally, Lady Tamayo finds success in formulating a cure for demonic affliction using Nezuko’s blood and sends her cat, Chachamaru, to convey the message to Tanjiro. Nezuko’s role in the ongoing conflict between demon slayers and demons will be of utmost importance, which is highlighted in the long-awaited first episode of the fourth season of Demon Slayer.
Spoilers Ahead
What Did Amane Reveal During the Hashira Meeting?
The fourth season will adapt the “Hashira Training Arc” from the manga, and the first episode wastes no time addressing the fact that the major focus of this season will be on the master demon slayers by showing Wind Hashira Shinazugawa and Serpent Hashira Iguro in action. As they chase a demon who has been abducting women from a nearby village on a regular basis, they come across a dilapidated castle where the demon seeks refuge. Going after him, the two slayers come across hordes of demon lackeys but manage to make quick work of them. Eventually, the duo manages to save the woman the fleeing demon had abducted, but the demon disappears in Infinity Castle. Being unaware of the existence of Muzan’s lair—this otherworldly dimension of Infinity Castle—the slayers get confused.
Later, the Hashiras gather at the demon slayer headquarters, the Ubuyashiki mansion, to discuss their future course of action. Due to an aggravating curse-induced ailment, demon slayer leader Kagaya Ubuyashiki remains absent from the meeting, and in his stead, his wife, Amane, presides over the gathering. Amane shares details about Mist Hashira Tokito and Love Hashira Kanroji engaging with high-ranking demon adversaries during the Swordsmith Village incident and questions them about the nature of the unique marks that appeared on their bodies during their battle. Amane reveals that similar unique marks of demon slayers first appeared during the Sengoku period, and due to the enhanced abilities granted by the mark, the then-Hashiras were able to nearly defeat Muzan. Therefore, at present, Amane considers the top priority for the Hashiras to be finding a way to awaken these marks, as Muzan’s impending attack to capture Nezuko will test the limits of the Hashiras in every possible way. Tanjiro is the only known slayer aside from Love and Mist Hashira to have manifested the mark, but he doesn’t know much about their origins to begin with. Tokito recalls his body being under extreme duress when the marks first appeared on his body during the battle, providing a clue to the rest of the Hashiras to awaken them. However, Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, chooses to isolate himself at the end of the meeting in his usual insufferable demeanor, stating himself to be different from the rest of the Hashiras, which almost leads to a heated conflict with Shinazugawa until the gentle giant, Himejima, the Stone Hashira, interferes and mitigates the squabble. Later, Himejima suggests the remaining Hashiras train extensively as soon as possible, which he feels is the only possible way to awaken the marks of the demon slayer before Muzan’s inevitable assault.
What Is the Situation at Butterfly Mansion?
Finally, after almost an entire season’s absence, Zenitsu and Inosuke have returned to the central plotline to once again accompany Tanjiro and Nezuko in their conflict against Muzan. After the second season’s fearsome battle against the upper-ranking six Kizuki siblings, Gyutaro and Daki, Inosuke and Zenitsu were sent on their separate demon-slayer missions. In this episode, they bring all the lovable and irritable eccentricities fans were missing in the previous season and catch up with the Kamado siblings, who are recuperating in Butterfly Mansion.
What’s the significance of Lady Tamayo and Shinobu Kocho’s partnership?
As the Hashiras begin their rigorous training and, at the same time, help the future generation of demon slayers learn the ropes, Amane informs Kagaya about their progress. As Amane tends to him, a frail, suffering Kagaya thanks his beloved wife for assisting him in every aspect of his life. An emotionally charged moment follows as Amane fails to hold back her tears.
The scene shifts to show the demon physician Lady Tamayo busy studying her research on demon physiology; after all, she has recently formulated the seemingly impossible cure for demonic affliction and wishes to learn more to assist Tanjiro and co. using her knowledge. A crow messenger from Kagaya tracks her down at her residence, which comes off as a surprise to her and shocks her even more. It states Kagaya’s wish for her to join demon slayers and assist the insect Hashira, Shinobu Kocho, in the upcoming battle against Muzan. Being a demon herself, Lady Tamayo finds it strange for the leader of the demon slayer organization to invite her to their headquarters, and the episode ends right there. As we know, the insect Hashira Shinobu is a genius physician in her own regard, an expert in toxicology and demonic afflictions, and with her assistance, Lady Tamayo will be able to formulate the proper defense that demon slayers will need against Muzan. However, will Tamayo find acceptance among other Hashiras like she found from Tanjiro, or will prejudice for her demon identity follow her? This will be revealed in the upcoming episodes of the fourth season.
