Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Season 1 Episode 22 Recap – Master of the Mansion

The Hashira

Tanjiro wakes up with his hands tied behind his back. In front of him is a group of extraordinary-looking people wearing colorful kimonos and fancy swords.

He’s been brought in front of the Hashira to the headquarters of the Demon Slayer Corps, where he is to face a trial. Shinobu explains his charges when Rengoku the Flame Hashira explains that they should behead him instantly. The Sound Hashira, Tengen Uzui, volunteers to do it with gusto.

The Love Hashira and Stone Hashira disagree. Meanwhile, all Tanjiro can think about is Nezuko–he doesn’t care about the rank of those before him.

The Serpent Hashira also suggests a charge for Giyu Tomioka for defending Tanjiro. Shinobu says they can decide that later; she first asks Tanjiro why he’s bringing a demon to his missions.

Tanjiro tries to explain, but his throat is dry. He’s just fresh from a battle. He tells them that a demon killed his family. Nezuko may be a demon, but she’s never consumed human flesh, and she will never do so.

The Hashira don’t buy it. They can’t trust a word from a family member; they think Tanjiro has assimilated with them.

Questioning

Tanjiro explains that he fights to find a cure for Nezuko; she has been a demon for years but has never eaten human flesh.

The Lova Hashira Mitsuri suggests deferring the decision to their leader, Lord Oyakata. Tanjiro adds that Nezuko fights demons alongside him.

Another Hashira arrives, carrying Nezuko’s Box. It’s Shinazugawa, the Wind Hashira. Shinobu asks her to stop acting rashly, but Shinazugawa wants to prove something himself.

He pierces the box with his sword and cuts Nezuko inside. Tanjiro vows revenge. Giyu stops them, saying their Lord is coming, but Tanjiro is already on the attack. He manages to headbutt the Hashira even with his hands tied.

Tanjiro tells Shinazugawa to quit being a Hashira if he can’t distinguish between bad and good demons. The Hashira vows to kill him, but the twin girls announce the arrival of their leader.

A soft-spoken man arrives with the upper part of his face scarred and blinded. Lord Oyakata welcomes them to the Hashira meeting. Shinazugawa lowers Tanjiro’s head for a bow as all in attendance do so.

The Leader

They greet him with utmost respect and formality. Shinazugawa asks him about the matter between the two siblings. He tells them that Tanjiro and Nezuko have his approval, and some of the Hashira have trouble accepting it as they despise demons.

One of the twin girls reads a letter from Master Urokodaki. The former Hashira requests for Tanjiro and Nezuko’s situation to be accepted. Nezuko has proven her humanity is still intact. If she kills a human, Urokodaki, Tanjiro, and Giyu will have to disembowel themselves to take responsibility.

Tanjiro cries at the severity of their terms. Shinazugawa still doesn’t buy it. The risk is too significant. There is no guarantee for Nezuko to stay this way.

Lord Oyakata replies that there is no proof that Nezuko will kill either, as she hasn’t done so in two years. On top of that, three people are gambling their lives for Nezuko. Oyakata adds that Tanjiro has met Kibutsuji, to the surprise of the Hashira. He thinks the demon has an interest in the two of them as well, as he’s proven to be elusive in most matters.

Shinazugawa still isn’t convinced. He cuts himself and spills his blood on Nezuko’s box. He moves Nezuko to the shade and invites her to come out, and she obliges, glaring at the Wind Hashira.

Our Thoughts

I was worried that Nezuko’s existence would go too easy on the Hashira, but I was mistaken. It’s devolved into a messy affair which is fun. I like the designs of the Hashira and how the tension constantly escalates through this episode. I rate it 4 out of 5.