‘Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc’ Episode 2, Ending Explained: What Is Tanjiro Doing at the Swordsmith Village?

Welcome to the Ending Explained for Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 2, titled “Yoriichi Type Zero.” The title makes reference to a very important character that we’ll meet in this arc. His name is Yoriichi Tsugikuni, and his story will be vital to understanding the origin of both demons, demon slayers alike, and Tanjiro’s family. The series is quickly approaching the final stages of its story, so from here on out. We will probably be witness to some of the most impressive battles in the series.

However, it is well known, in a very controversial fashion, that this is closer to the moment when Kimetsu no Yaiba loses itself a bit. The story’s structure is thrown out of the window, and it seems like the author decided to rush to the end of the story simply. There is still plenty of world-building and character flashbacks, but they feel somewhat less important than before. Towards the end of the story, the rest of the Hashira and the rest of the Upper Demons feel way underdeveloped compared to what came before.

Maybe the anime will be able to balance things out in contrast to what the manga did.

The following paragraphs contain spoilers for Kimetsu no Yaiba: Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 2. Read at your own risk.

What Is Tanjiro Doing At The Swordsmith Village?

Episode two of this season of Kimetsu no Yaiba follows the path of Tanjiro as he recovers from the latest fight against one of the Upper Demons. During that battle, which comprised the Entertainment District Arc, Tanjiro lost his famous black blade. Now he is a swordsman with no sword, which is a paradox. In order to get a new one, he embarks on a journey to the Swordsmith’s Hidden Village. There he will look for his swordsmith, Hotaru Haganezuka, the man who forged and gave Tanjiro his first sword. However, there are some issues with this.

Hotaru is nowhere to be found. At first, Tanjiro thinks that he is responsible for Hotaru’s disappearance. The swordsmith must be mad at him for losing his sword. However, Tanjiro is informed that the swordsmith clan blames Hotaru for having made such a weak sword. This statement will, of course, generate quite a bit of emotion in the viewer, as Tanjiro’s sword is anything but weak. However, this is how the clan sees the situation. Hotaru seems to be hiding, ashamed that his work was destroyed while battling a demon.

When Tanjiro arrives at the Hidden Village, he is welcomed with open arms and meets a couple of visitors who are present in the village just like him. The reason for their visit is still unknown, but we can be sure that they will be major players in the arc. One of those visitors is Genya Shinazugawa, one of the candidates who passed the demon slayer exam along with Tanjiro. Tanjiro tries to approach and become friends with him, but he is denied in an amazing fashion.

Tanjiro also meets one of the Hashira at the village. Mitsuri Kanjori, the Love Hashira, is visiting the village. This is the first time we spend quite a bit of time with Mitsuri, and she comes across as a very girly woman, too girly, in fact. She explains that the reason she became a Hashira was that she wanted to find a husband, and she decided that her husband needed to be strong. It is quite a dumb reason, but here we are, sharing time with one of the best swordsmen in all the land. She might look girly and clueless, but she is still quite strong.

What Is The Yoriichi Type Zero?

As Tanjiro keeps exploring the village, he encounters an altercation between a boy who looks his age and a younger kid. Tanjiro recognizes the boy who looks his age as Muichiro Tokito, the Mist Hashira. Muichiro seems to be bullying the younger kid into submission. He wants a key, and the little kid doesn’t want to give it to him. Tanjiro interjects. He cannot believe a Hashira would behave in this way. Alongside the Hashira and the kid, there is a sort of mechanical man whom Tanjiro believes he has seen before.

Tanjiro tries to make Muichiro come to reason, but Hashira knocks him out. He doesn’t have time to listen to boring speeches, he says. When Tanjiro wakes up, the little kid informs him that he gave the key to Muichiro in the end. He explains that the key serves as an activation mechanism for the mechanical man, which the kid describes as a Mechanical Doll. The doll is used as a training partner for swordsmen. The kid introduces himself as Kotetsu, and he and Tanjiro become very good friends quite quickly.

The pair goes to where Muichiro is training with the doll and are impressed by Muichiro’s ability. Kotetsu explains that the doll is made in the appearance of Yoriichi, the best demon slayer that the world has ever seen. However, when Kotetsu explains that the man was alive during the Sengoku period, Tanjiro cannot believe it. Tanjiro says he saw the man in a dream. Kotetsu explains that Tanjiro might have experienced what is called an inherited memory, which could mean that someone in Tanjiro’s family met Yoriichi in the past.

There is, of course, that Yoriichi seems to be using the same earrings as Tanjiro. This might be the origin of that tradition within his family. Muchiro ends up breaking the doll. Kotetsu explains that no one can fix the doll now that he has no family or relatives. Tanjiro talks Kotetsu into believing in himself. Kotetsu needs to work hard to find a way to fix the doll and leave a legacy so that others can continue his work. Tanjiro then begins to train with the broken doll, and after several days of intense training, Tanjiro finally manages to get a fatal strike on the doll.

However, something strange happens; the doll’s head falls down, and there is the handle of a very old katana in its place. Tanjiro and Kotetsu look in awe as they see what could be a 300-year-old sword. Could this be Yorrichi’s own sword? If it is, it has come at the perfect time, as Tanjiro needs a new one.