Demon Slayer Season 3 Review: A Repetitive and Overly Long Filler?
Demon Slayer Season 3 has been highly anticipated by fans of the franchise since the end of the second season. However, the excitement has been somewhat dampened by mixed reviews of the latest installment.
As a manga, Demon Slayer was known for its simple yet entertaining story, but as an anime, it has become one of the most popular shows on the air today, thanks to its stunning animation and visual spectacle. Unfortunately, the third season seems to be overreliant on these elements, sacrificing the simplicity and effectiveness of the story in the process.
The season starts off strong with a double-sized premiere episode that sends protagonist Tanjiro to craftsmanship town. However, the rest of the season is essentially dedicated to a single, overly long fight, which has left some fans feeling bored and uninterested.
While there are some stunning visuals in the face-off against the Upper Four and Upper Five, ufotable’s focus on sweeping camera angles and lavish backgrounds has reduced the anime to a repetitive, unengaging drag. This overreliance on visual spectacle has led some to compare the third season to the dreaded “filler” episodes of the ’90s and early ’00s, which were often seen as the death of anime creativity.
Despite these criticisms, there are still many fans who are enjoying Demon Slayer Season 3. The stunning visuals and action sequences are still a highlight, and the story does have its moments of emotional depth. However, it remains to be seen whether the anime will be able to recapture the magic of the first season or whether it will continue to rely on spectacle at the expense of storytelling.
Table of Contents
The Plot
Swordsmith Village Arc
Demon Slayer Season 3 picks up where the previous season left off, with Tanjiro and his friends chasing after the demon who killed their loved ones. The first episode serves as a double-sized premiere that separates Tanjiro from his friends and sends him off to the Swordsmith Village, where he hopes to get his broken sword repaired. The arc that follows is essentially dedicated to a single, overly long fight against the Upper Four and Upper Five demons.
Character Development
While the Swordsmith Village arc is primarily focused on action, there are a few moments of character development. Tanjiro’s unwavering determination and kindness continue to shine through, and we see him grow even more as a hero. We also get some flashbacks that shed light on the past of some of the supporting characters, as the main Hashiras on this Arc.
Villains and Battles
The Upper Four and Upper Five demons are the primary villains of this season, and they are certainly formidable foes. The Love Hashira’s ribbon-like sword and Genya Shinazugawa’s demon-slaying gun are particularly impressive weapons that add some variety to the battles. However, the season’s overreliance on sweeping camera angles and lavish backgrounds can make the fights feel repetitive and dull.
Overall, Demon Slayer Season 3 has some stunning imagery and a few moments of character development, but it suffers from an overly long and repetitive Swordsmith Village arc that relies too heavily on visual spectacle. While the battles against the Upper Four and Upper Five demons are impressive, they can also feel like filler.
Animation and Art Style
Visual Spectacle
Demon Slayer Season 3 is undoubtedly a visual spectacle. Studio ufotable continues to deliver stunning visual effects, especially in the face-off against the Upper Four and Upper Five. The fight scenes are beautifully choreographed, and the use of color is striking. The Love Hashira’s ribbon-like sword and Genya Shinazugawa’s demon-slaying gun blowing out heads are just some of the highlights of the season.
However, the overreliance on sweeping camera angles and lavish backgrounds to make every small moment “epic” reduces the anime to a repetitive, boring drag. This approach is reminiscent of the ’90s and early ’00s anime, where filler episodes were considered the death of anime creativity.
Character Design
The character design in Demon Slayer Season 3 is consistent with the previous seasons. The main characters, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, and Inosuke, remain faithful to their manga counterparts. The Upper Four and Upper Five are also well-designed, with each character having a unique appearance that reflects their demon abilities.
The Love Hashira’s design is particularly noteworthy, with her ribbon-like sword and elegant movements. The demon designs are also impressive, with each demon having a distinct appearance and abilities.
Overall, the animation and art style in Demon Slayer Season 3 are impressive, with stunning visual effects and well-designed characters. However, the overreliance on visual spectacle at the cost of the simplicity and effectiveness of the story is a cause for concern.
Character Analysis
Main Characters
Tanjiro Kamado: Tanjiro is the protagonist of Demon Slayer. He is a kindhearted young boy who is determined to save his sister Nezuko from the curse of becoming a demon. Tanjiro is a skilled swordsman and has a strong sense of justice. He is also empathetic towards the demons he fights and tries to understand their pain.
Nezuko Kamado: Nezuko is Tanjiro’s younger sister who was turned into a demon. Despite being a demon, Nezuko still retains some of her humanity and is fiercely protective of her brother. Nezuko has the ability to shrink her body and sleep for extended periods, which allows her to heal and regain her strength.
Even though Nezuko wasn’t the main adversary in the series, she did gain certain demon-like abilities. In the future Swordsmith Village arc, Nezuko is crucial to the development of the plot.
Imouoto, a fan favourite, was exposed to the sun; being a demon, she ought to have burned and broken apart. To everyone’s surprise, however, she not only acquired tolerance to sunlight but also greeted Tanjiro with a “good morning.” In the forthcoming arc, Nezuko gained resilience to sunlight and spoke for the first time after transforming into a demon.
Zenitsu Agatsuma: Zenitsu is a cowardly and anxious boy who becomes a demon slayer after being saved by Tanjiro. Despite his fears, Zenitsu is a skilled swordsman and has a unique ability to use Thunder Breathing techniques. He is also deeply in love with Nezuko.
Inosuke Hashibira: Inosuke is a wild and aggressive boy who wears a boar’s head as a mask. He was raised by wild boars and has a deep connection with nature. Inosuke is a skilled swordsman and has a unique ability to use Beast Breathing techniques.
Mitsuri Kanroji: The battle against the Upper Moon 4 monster Hantengu is led by the Love Hashira. While Tanjiro and Genya work together to defeat the other clones and locate the genuine corpse, she plays a significant part in the battle against his clones.
Mitsuri demonstrates her brute strength, which is on par with Gyomei’s. Her muscles are much denser than those of an average person because of their unique makeup.
While battling Hantengu, she also created the Demon Slayer Mark, which was crucial in destroying the demon.
Supporting Characters
Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito: Muichiro is a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and the Mist Hashira. He is a calm and collected swordsman who is also a bit absent-minded. Muichiro has a unique ability to use Mist Breathing techniques.
The Mist Hashira engaged in combat with Gyokko, an Upper Moon 5 demon. When the two began to argue, he forced Muichiro into a corner. Muichiro nearly drowned due to his ability to use water, but Kotetsu saved him. The demon was then easily vanquished by Muichiro after creating the Demon Slayer Mark. In Mist Breathing, he employed a form that he created. He smote the demon one last time with Obscuring Clouds.
Genya Shinazugawa: Genya is a member of the Demon Slayer Corps and the younger brother of Sanemi Shinazugawa. In the first season of Demon Slayer, The Wind Hashira’s younger brother briefly appeared at the Final Selection.
This young man fights demons in a special way. As a result, he is unable to use breathing techniques and instead fires a shotgun with two barrels and projectiles composed of Scarlet Crimson Iron Sand ore. He could also ingest a demon’s flesh and temporarily absorb its skills. This improves his physical capabilities, enabling him to move more quickly and deliver more powerful blows.
Upper Rank Demons: The Upper Rank Demons are a group of powerful demons who serve under Muzan Kibutsuji. They are some of the strongest and most dangerous demons in the series. The Demon Slayer Corps members who were present at the Swordsmith Village must be eliminated, and Gyokko, the Upper Moon 5 demon, is in charge of doing just that. This demon battled Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira, and defeated him.
The second primary opponent in the upcoming arc is Hantengu. This Upper Moon 4 monster possesses a distinct set of skills. His Blood Demon Art enables the physical manifestation of his emotions.
These clones, or manifestations, each have particular skills and features. The fact that Hantengu’s real body may be concealed thanks to these clones poses a lot of issues for Mitsuri Kanroji, Tanjiro Kamado, Nezuko Kamado, and Genya Shinazugawa.
Muzan Kibutsuji: Muzan Kibutsuji is the main antagonist of Demon Slayer. He is the first demon and the leader of the Twelve Kizuki, a group of powerful demons who serve under him. Muzan is a master of disguise and can change his appearance at will. He is also incredibly powerful and nearly impossible to kill.
Demons: Demons are the main antagonists of Demon Slayer. They are created when a human is infected with demon blood and transforms into a demon. Demons have a variety of powers and abilities, including superhuman strength, speed, and regeneration. They can also use Blood Demon Arts, which are unique abilities that vary from demon to demon.
Comparison with Manga
Adaptation Choices
As an adaptation of the manga, Demon Slayer season 3 takes some liberties with the source material. The anime expands on what the manga’s story barely hinted at and makes every small moment feel epic and hugely important. The first season was particularly successful in this regard, culminating in the global phenomenon of episode 19.
However, in an attempt to deliver internet-breaking moments like this all the time, the third season of Demon Slayer overrelies on sweeping camera angles and lavish backgrounds. By turning every small moment “epic,” ufotable reduces the anime to a repetitive, boring drag.
Filler Content
Back in the day, we used to call this filler. The third season of Demon Slayer is essentially dedicated to a single overly long fight against the Upper Four and Upper Five. While there is some stunning imagery in the face-off, particularly the Love Hashira’s ribbon-like sword and Genya Shinazugawa blowing out heads with a demon-slaying gun, 90% of the season is dedicated to pivotal moments of triumph that lead nowhere because the fight has to continue. As a result, some of the impact is lost, and the anime feels like it is treading water.
Overall, while the anime takes some liberties with the source material, it does not always succeed in improving upon it. By over-relying on visual spectacle, the anime loses the simplicity and effectiveness of the story that made the manga such a success. In an attempt to deliver internet-breaking moments, the anime becomes repetitive and boring, with too much emphasis on filler content.
Viewer Reception
Critical Response
The third season of Demon Slayer has received mixed reviews from critics. While some appreciated the stunning visuals and animation, others criticized the overreliance on visual spectacle at the cost of the story. The season’s pacing has also been a point of contention, with some critics feeling that the single overly long fight dragged on for too long.
IGN’s Rafael Motamayor gave the season a 7 out of 10, stating that “Demon Slayer’s biggest blessing has also become its biggest curse” and that the season “overrelies on sweeping camera angles and lavish backgrounds.” He also criticized the season’s pacing, stating that “90% of the season is dedicated to Upper Four and Upper Five” and that “some of the impact is lost” due to the constant fighting.
On the other hand, Anime News Network’s James Beckett gave the season a more positive review, stating that “Demon Slayer continues to be one of the most visually stunning anime productions of all time.” He also praised the season’s action scenes and emotional moments, stating that “the show’s ability to balance bombastic spectacle with genuine heart and soul is still one of its greatest strengths.”
Fan Reaction
Fan reaction to the third season of Demon Slayer has been mixed as well. While some fans have praised the stunning visuals and action scenes, others have criticized the season’s pacing and overreliance on visual spectacle.
Many fans have also expressed disappointment with the lack of character development and the focus on fighting. Some fans have also criticized the season for not living up to the hype of the previous seasons and the Mugen Train movie.
Overall, the reception to the third season of Demon Slayer has been mixed, with some fans and critics praising the stunning visuals and action scenes, while others have criticized the season’s pacing and overreliance on visual spectacle.
Conclusion
Demon Slayer Season 3 has received mixed reviews from fans and critics alike. While the season boasts stunning visuals and impressive fight scenes, it overrelies on them at the cost of the simplicity and effectiveness of the story. The season’s dedication to a single, overly long fight leaves little room for character development and plot progression.
Overall, the season may be a disappointment for those who were hoping for a continuation of the story’s simplicity and effectiveness. However, for fans who are simply looking for stunning visuals and impressive fight scenes, the season may still be worth a watch.
In conclusion, the verdict on Demon Slayer Season 3 is that it is a visually stunning but flawed continuation of the anime series. While it may not live up to the expectations set by the previous seasons, it still has its merits and is worth a watch for fans of the series.
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