The extremely popular anime series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is returning for its third season next month, and Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village (2023) has been released to bridge the gap between seasons and provide us with a recap and teaser, all on the big screen. However, please note that it is not actually a ‘movie’ in the truest sense of the word, as it is simply three episodes shown back to back: the final two episodes of season two and the first episode of season three. The third season begins on the 9th of April!
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village (2023) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
Tanjiro Kamado, his demonic younger sister Nezuko, and his comrades Zenitsu Agatsuma and Inosuke Hashibira support the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui as they confront the demon siblings Gyutaro and Daki, both of whom belong to the Upper Six of the Twelve Kizuki. They learn that the only way to kill the siblings is by simultaneously beheading them, so they coordinate their attacks to decapitate Daki.
However, Tengen is gravely wounded in the process, and Gyutaro stabs Inosuke from behind with a poisoned weapon to retrieve his sister’s head. Zenitsu saves Tanjiro by pushing him off a rooftop as Daki’s obi sashes approach, but Gyutaro appears to taunt Tanjiro for his inability to save his companions.
Gyutaro attempts to persuade Tanjiro to turn into a demon while torturing him, but Tanjiro head-butts him while also stabbing the demon with a poisoned kunai. Gyutaro is immobilized, and Tanjiro begins to behead him. Before Daki can take any action to help him, she herself is attacked by Zenitsu, who makes use of his breathing technique to slash her neck just as Inosuke also joins him, having survived because he moved his internal organs to avoid a fatal blow.
Gyutaro extracts the poisoned kunai and soon recovers, almost killing Tanjiro, but a heavily injured Tengen reappears and resumes his fight with Gyutaro. Tanjiro manages to summon whatever strength he has left and slashes Gyutaro’s neck as Zenitsu and Inosuke continue their attack on Daki.
Following one last attack, they all behead the siblings, and their severed heads end up facing each other. Tengen screams at Tanjiro, who is weakening due to poison, to run away just as Gyutaro’s body explodes and destroys the remains of the entire town. At this point, Nezuko, who is now awake, uses her Blood Demon Art to save her brother from the poison by purging it from his system.
To save Inosuke and Tengen, she also burns the poison away from them. Tanjiro, carried by Nezuko, finds a dying Gyutaro and Daki arguing about their defeat hurling abuse at each other and expressing hatred for their relationship.
Tanjiro tries to get them to make up and says they don’t mean what they are saying in anger. Daki dies while Gyutaro, in his final moments, reflects on their lives before they were demons as humans. A flashback occurs as he provides a voice-over on their circumstances in life and how they suffered. Gyutaro and Daki reunite in the afterlife and makeup with each other, vowing to stay together as they go directly to Hell.
Meanwhile, the Serpent Hashira Obanai Iguro arrives and sarcastically praises Tengen for killing the weakest of the Upper Ranks. Tengen states his retirement from the Demon Slayers owing to his severe injuries (one severed head and one blinded eye) and that Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu all have great potential.
Kagaya, who is growing even sicker with time, is thrilled to learn of the defeat of an Upper Rank, believing that the defeat and death of Muzan are approaching. He also expresses pride in the Demon Slayers responsible for killing Gyutaro and Daki.
The episode ends with Akaza being summoned to the Infinity Castle, immediately recognizing that being called to the Infinity Castle indicates the death of an Upper Rank. Tanjiro becomes emotional and embraces Zenitsu, Inosuke, and Nezuko, relieved that they all survived the battle.
After the Entertainment District Arc, the first episode of the Swordsmith Village arc continues the story, with Tanjiro and his companions recovering at the Butterfly Mansion, and each of them assigned their own solo missions. When Tanjiro wakes up and recovers, he heads to the Swordsmith Village, where he discovers that Hotaro Haganezuka is unwilling to make him another sword due to his blades constantly breaking. This village is a secret location that is unknown even to many members of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village (2023) Movie Ending, Explained:
At his headquarters, the Infinity Castle, Muzan Kibutsuji summons the remaining members of the Upper Ranks to inform them of Gyutaro’s defeat and urge them to speed up their acquisition of the Blue Spider Lily. The third rank, Akaza, and the second rank, Doma, display animosity towards each other, while the fifth rank, Gyokko, claims to have found a lead. Muzan assigns Gyokko to verify this lead with the fourth rank, Hantengu.
Upon arriving at the village, Tanjiro finds that Mitsuri Kanroji, the Love Hashira, has also come there to make certain adjustments to her blade. Mitsuri speaks of the legend of a secret weapon hidden somewhere in the village. Genya Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira’s brother, is present, but it’s unclear why he’s there. Tanjiro also observes the Mist Hashira, Muichiro Tokito, who has also come to the village. However, he cannot determine the reason for his visit.
Another revelation in this episode is the appearance of the number one rank of the Upper Ranks, Kokushibo, who resembles the swordsman who taught Tanjiro’s father the Hinokami Kagura and is known for his formidable skills. Coincidentally – or not – he closely resembles the man who taught Tanjiro’s father the Hinokami Kagura, whom Tanjiro has been dreaming about. The episode ends with Tanjiro having a vision of one of the two while he spots Tokito in the distance.
Read More: How to Watch the new anime movie ‘Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village’?
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village (2023) Movie Links – IMDb
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village (2023) Movie Cast – Yuri Ehara, Stephen Fu, Makoto Furukawa