‘Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc’ Episode 5 Recap & Ending Explained: What Is Tanjiro’s New Technique?
Welcome to the Recap & Ending Explained for Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 5, titled “Bright Red Sword.” This Demon Slayer Arc is only five episodes in, and we are already in full war mode against not one but two Upper-Rank Demons; Hantengu and Gyokko. On top of that, we also have two Hashiras in the Village who are at the peak of their abilities. Demon Slayer also keeps displaying its fantastic animation in every single episode, and in this fifth episode of this arc, we get one of those peak anime moments once again.
In the previous episode, Tanjiro and Nezuko were engaged in a battle against three of Hantengu’s forms while another was battling Genya, one of Tanjiro’s colleagues in the Demon Hunting Corps. The battle seemed to be one-sided, and the hunters were overwhelmed by the impressive strength of the demons. Meanwhile, Tokito, the Mist Hashira, found Kotetsu, a young swordsmith apprentice, saving his life from one of the many demon fish attacking the village. The episode began with introducing Kanroji, the Love Hashira, to the mix.
The following paragraphs contain spoilers for Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 5. Read at your own risk.
Does Tokito And Kotetsu Reach Haganezuka’s Place?
The episode begins with us checking the status of Tokito and Kotetsu. The Mist Hashira and the young apprentice are on their way to Haganezuka’s place. Their mission is to protect the swordsmith as he is involved in a very powerful and dangerous process to bring the ancient sword they found inside the mechanical doll to life. That sword will become Tanjiro’s sword, so Kotetsu wants to see that process done properly. However, on their way, Tokito and Kotetsu find one more swordsmith in need of help.
The swordsmith, in this case, is Kanamori, who is actually working on a new sword for Tokito, whose blade has chipped in several places, losing its luster and much of its power. A fish demon is attacking the swordsmith, but Tokito dispatches him quickly enough. Tokito asks if he has a sword for him, and Kanamori reveals that he has a sword ready and that Tanjiro ordered a sword to be made for Tokito after seeing his ruined sword during the training with the doll. Tokito is baffled that someone like Tanjiro could have made such a gesture toward him.
The three of them go to Kanamori’s hut, but Tokito feels a dangerous presence in their surroundings once there. This presence is none other than Gyokko, the Upper Rank 5 demon. Gyokko himself reveals that the fish demons are some of his creations and that the pots we see on top of the demons confirm that they are under his power. Tokito is unimpressed by the demon, but they start battling. Gyokko reveals a series of terrifying creatures of his creation, including one that is made from the bodies of several swordsmiths who are still alive.
Gyokko is a true sadist, but Tokito manages to stay on his feet while battling him. However, when the demon spits that he believes Tokito’s life is worthless, Tokito’s mind gives him some flashbacks. Someone, long ago, said the same words to him, but he cannot remember who or why. Tokito keeps fighting, but Gyokko begins targeting Kotetsu and Kanamori. Tokito defends them and gets spiked with poisoned projectiles. The swordsmiths go into hiding, but this doesn’t bode well for the Mist Hashira. The poison begins running through his body, but his fate is left unsaid until the next episode.
What Is Tanjiro’s New Technique?
Meanwhile, Tanjiro and Nezuko continue to run away. Hantengu parts are quite strong, and the demons have no quarter against our heroes. The pair keeps running, but they are captured, and when one of the demons uses his magic leaf, which can launch a concentrated air punch, an entire building is destroyed, with Tanjiro and Nezuko inside of it. The demons laugh at our heroes’ pointless survival efforts, but Tanjiro and Nezuko are still alive. They are a bit wounded, but they can keep going. However, Nezuko has an entire roof on top of her.
In another part of the village, the remaining swordsmiths are trying to defend themselves with swords and lances, but their efforts offer little result. Their swords might be of the highest quality, but they don’t have the ability actually to use them. It is at that moment that Kanroji, the Love Hashira, appears. She apologizes for arriving late and quickly dispatches many of the fish demons spread throughout the village. All the swordsmiths fall in love with the beautiful Hashira and thank her for saving their lives.
Kanroji then focuses her energies on reaching the village’s chief home. Tecchin is known to be the oldest but also the most skilled swordsmith in the village, and losing their leader would be a big blow for the village itself. Kanroji arrives, and she fights a bigger and more menacing fish demon. She makes use of her very peculiar sword, which has a pink tint and a blade that looks more like the shape of a whip. Kanroji saves the village’s chief. She then goes on her way to face the Upper Demons themselves.
We then go back to Tanjiro, who is in a strange position. Tanjiro is trying to take her sister from under the roof, but it seems impossible. She then grabs Tanjiro’s sword and begins coating it with her own blood. We know that Nezuko uses her blood in her fire demon art attacks, and it seems that she is doing the same for Tanjiro’s sword, which begins glowing in demon flame. Tanjiro has another vision that keeps connecting him to Yoriichi. He then remembers his posture and technique when he cut Gyutaro. He replicates this attack with his new sword and cuts the heads of two of the demons with ease. This new technique is called Hinokami Kagura Sun Halo Dragon Head Dance.
The episode ends with Tanjiro reflecting on his new technique and then discovering that the other demon was also beheaded by Genya, who is apparently of the same nature as Nezuko, and it seems he is going to attack Tanjiro.