Demon Slayer became a beast in its own right. From the manga, to the anime and movie, it constantly tops charts as one of the most popular series to date. With the release of its new season, I want to get into what sets it apart, at least for me. Demon Slayer season 2 doesn’t hold back with its fights, and that is quickly becoming its strongest feature.
Demon Slayer shows what ufotable does best. A lot can be said about its plot, characters and the pace at which the story unfolds. But what keeps me constantly hooked is the knowledge that it only gets better. Few shows come to mind when I think of the way Demon Slayer is animated.
Narratively, Demon Slayer season 2 feels very much like season 1. It opens with a Mugen Train arc, which splits the narrative of the movie into seven episodes with new music and animations. From there, it moves into the Entertainment District Arc, which is where the ongoing season is currently. As our protagonist, Tanjiro is constantly growing into the power he innately possesses while his friends work alongside him. Yet season 2 brings something new. The music feels experimental at parts, while the action takes on an even more painterly quality than before.
That really leads me back into my main point. Demon Slayer works, season 2 especially, because it understands what it means to tell a story through fights. A lot goes into fight choreography, because at the end of the day, it’s a dance. A competition based purely on passion. Whether a show is live action or fully animated, fights always require the same kind of dedication.
As I’m watching season 2 of Demon Slayer, I can’t help but think of a few other anime I’ve watched recently that left me disappointed in how they failed to really grasp that fact. Constant cuts, a reliance on full body shots only and the same 1-2 punch sequences take all emotionality out of a fight. Demon Slayer and its animators seem to acknowledge that. The Mugen Train Arc was amazing for a few reasons, but what I’m always going to think about is the fight between Kyojuro and Akaza.
Even moments leading up to possible action in the Entertainment District Arc keep you immersed in the emotional journey of the characters. It’s exciting to think about where the show is going, and how wild the next fight will be.
Action sequences and fights never fail to leave me speechless as I text friends about them. The multiple art styles within them, the blasts of color, and constant motion create such a dynamic experience that’s hard to find in a lot of media. Fights are personal, and Demon Slayer lets you experience every emotion along with the characters. The intimacy and power in season 2 so far has brought me right back into the series. I love a good fight and Demon Slayer is giving me exactly that.
Demon Slayer is currently in its season 2 Entertainment District Arc on Crunchyroll and Funimation.
