Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Season 1 Episode 18 Recap – A Forged Bond

Father Demon

The Hashira Giyu finds the dead demon slayer puppets site, and Shinobu speaks nonchalantly that the others may be dead. She pries a cold-hearted Giyu who claims he’s only here to kill demons.

The brute demon attacks Tanjiro and Inosuke. Tanjiro uses Second Form Water Wheel, but his sword is not enough to pierce its flesh. Inosuke joins in, but he can’t get through either.

They are both flung back, wondering what they can do. The enemy is stronger and larger than them both. Inosuke is getting dizzy from blood loss.

Tanjiro cuts a tree to block the demon’s path to Inosuke. The demon gets caught underneath, and Tanjiro breathes in for an attack. He uses Breath of Water Tenth Form, but the enemy awakes just in time, carrying the tree. Tanjiro is hurled into the sky. His parting words to Inosuke were for him not to die as the enemy sets his eyes on him.

The poison is making its way into Zenitsu’s body. He can’t feel his body, and his breathing is labored. He apologizes to Nezuko when his master’s voice comes to him, telling him not to give up. Zenitsu sees the moonlight and finds a butterfly descending from it. Shinobu arrives and asks him if he’s okay.

Fake Bond

Tanjiro breaks his fall using Second Form, but he hears someone crying from nearby. He sneaks in to check it out and finds the female demon bleeding from the child Rui.

Rui tells Tanjiro that there’s nothing to see here. Tanjiro asks him what he’s doing; they’re supposed to be comrades.

Rui says that their bond is stronger than that. If someone does something wrong, they must be punished. Tanjiro refutes him; all he could smell was fear, hatred, and terror. It’s not a real bond but a forged one. Rui seethes with rage after hearing this.

Another demon slayer comes in and sees the opportunity for an easy kill. He tries to strike, but Rui’s web cuts him into cubes immediately.

Tanjiro braces as Rui’s aura fills the air. Rui asks him to repeat what he said earlier. Tanjiro obliges.

Don’t Die

Inosuke hides from the dad demon, but his dripping blood gives him away. Panicked, he tries to find a way to penetrate its flesh. He resolves to figure out a way before Tanjiro arrives but changes his mind and goes for a continued hammering with two swords to slash to the enemy, cutting its arm.

After this, the older demon runs away.

Tanjiro barely evades Rui’s webs, but the demon promises to kill him slowly, and he’ll make Tanjiro take back his words.

As Inosuke chases the dad demon, he feels his injuries slightly worsen. He uses spatial awareness until he finds his enemy trembling up a tree. He laughs, thinking it must be scared, but instead, it sheds its skin for a newer, larger form. Inosuke feels the pressure, and he lowers his sword.

As he thinks he’s about to die, he remembers Tanjiro’s words and the old lady’s wishes of good luck. He holds himself back and challenges the demon.

Water Form

The strike lands, and Inosuke is thrown through the trees. Inosuke answers with Third Form, but it severs both his swords. The demon picks him up and crushes his head. Inosuke uses both broken blades and pierces the demon’s throat, but his face is gripped hard.

He remembers the woman who left him in the mountains, although he doesn’t recognize her.

Footsteps approach as Giyu rushes in and cuts the demon’s hand. The demon regenerates and attacks, but Giyu uses the fourth form to cut the enemy into pieces. This leaves Inosuke speechless.

Meanwhile, Tanjiro is struggling to dodge Rui’s attacks. He goes in for a strike, only for his sword to be cut in half by a thread.

Our Thoughts

Now it’s clear that the enemy is leagues above our main cast. I’m not sure where this is going, as having Hashiras beat the enemy will be too easy, yet our cast defeating them may be too convenient. I rate this 4/5.