‘Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc’ Episode 9 Recap & Ending Explained

Welcome to the Ending Explained for Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 9, titled “Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito” This episode marks the end of one phase of the arc, and it becomes the payoff for what has been mostly the focus of the arc so far. Demon Slayer likes to follow a formula, and it has followed it with success since its beginning. Each new arc since the exam focuses on one member of the Hashira’s, the most powerful of the demon hunters. We get to learn their stories and motivations. We see them fight as Tanjiro learns from them and becomes stronger.

Since the start of the arc, we have mainly focused on a Hashira named Muichiro Tokito. This is the Mist Hashira, and he is also one of the group’s youngest members. He is closer to Tanjiro’s age than anyone else, and we learned they both have similar stories. We learn how Tokito had a twin brother, and after their parents’ deaths, they found themselves all alone. Until a demon attacked their house, killing Tokito’s older brother and leaving him to die. Thankfully, a rage sparked inside the young man, and he was able to kill the demon himself. That rage still lingers and pushes him to be stronger every day.

The following paragraphs contain spoilers for Demon Slayer: Swordsmith Village Arc, Episode 9. Read at your own risk.

Does Tokito Kill Gyokko?

The episode begins with the continuation of the fight between Tokito and Upper-Rank Demon 5, Gyokko, a demon that lives in water vases and has fish-related powers. Gyokko is quite annoying himself, his ego knows no bounds, and he talks about himself as if he were the strongest creature in existence.

We know he is not, as four other demons are stronger than him. Tokito managed to cut Gyokko’s neck just a bit in the last episode, showing Gyokko that it won’t be easy to defeat him. However, the sleazy demon continues to keep its distance.

Gyokko prepares to launch an attack that will kill Tokito immediately, but Tokito begins mocking the demon. For someone who looks so serious as Tokito, this is certainly a behavior that he doesn’t show to everyone. He starts by saying that he is not impressed by Gyokko’s body, his arms are just too short, and he might have problems trying to reach things.

Gyokko dismisses the comment and laughs at Tokito for trying to get him angry with such weak comments. However, when Tokito starts commenting that Gyokko’s vases aren’t symmetrical and that this is proof of poor craftsmanship, the demon goes crazy angry and attacks Tokito.

Tokito is fast and manages to get close enough to attack Gyokko, but he escapes by shedding his skin like a snake. Gyokko then starts transforming into something else, something more powerful. He explains that he has only shown this form to three other people.

Tokito mocks that that is a bug number, to which Gyokko says that none of those people survive. Gyokko transforms into a hybrid form that seems half demon, half fish. It is gross and stinks, but his strength increases, and so does his speed. On top of that, everything he touches transforms into a fish. He manages to grace Tokito’s garb, and it becomes in small demon fish.

Gyokko believes that he has Tokito in the corner, but then the young Hashira states that his blows are nothing if they cannot hit him. Tokito begins to perform his Mist Breathing Technique, Seventh Form, which makes him ultra-fast.

Gyokko starts seeing mist everywhere and cannot pinpoint where Tokito is. He launches attack after attack, and they all miss. The demon becomes desperate, and Tokito appears behind him, cutting his neck. Gyokko cannot believe it and begins spewing curses as his head falls to the ground. Having had enough of the demon, Tokito slashes the head in half and watches as it disintegrates by the moonlight.

Does The Love Hashira Manage To Help Tanjiro In His Fight Against Hantengu?

The Upper-Rank Demon 5, Gyokko is finally dead. Tokito begins to reflect on his journey as a swordsman until this point. He starts remembering how Lady Amane and his aids were able to help him after his brother’s death. We see him training to become stronger and stronger.

We also learn that under his calm and emotionless exterior, it hides a rage like no other. Tokito, like many of the other demon slayers, wants the total eradication of demons from this Earth. Kanamori arrives to check on Tokito, who seems paler than usual and collapses from exhaustion. Kanamori asks for help, but no one arrives.

Tokito has one last vision of his brother and promises to keep living for both of them. Kanamori doesn’t know what to do. He asks for Haganezuka’s help, but the swordsmith is still working on Tanjiro’s sword; his concentration is pure. Kotetsu arrives, and Kanamori believes him to be a ghost. Kotetsu explains that he covered himself with his arm when attacked, so he is hurt there.

While his belly was protected by the sword handle that Tanjiro wanted to put on his new sword, the one belonging to Rengoku, the late Fire Hashira. Tokito remembers his fallen colleague and is happy that Tanjito will be the one to inherit his legacy.

Meanwhile, we return to Tanjiro, who has been fighting against Upper-Rank Demon 4, Hantengu. At first, the demon appeared as a frail, cowardly man. Later, he transformed into four other forms that were much more vicious and dangerous. Now, all of the forms have combined into an incredibly powerful demon that can use the other four’s abilities by hitting the drums attached to his back.

It is quite dangerous, with several dragon wood heads at his command. Tanjiro tries to fight, but he is too tired now. He tries to evade the attack but still manages to get hit, and then he is eaten by one of the dragon heads.

Luckily, at just the right time. Kanroji, the Love Hashira makes her appearance. She has been missing for quite a few episodes, but she is finally here to help. She attacks the head that ate Tanjiro with her sword whip and rescues Tanjiro.

She congratulates Tanjiro for having fought so well, but now he can rest. Likewise, she will take care of the rest. The final battle against the remaining Upper-Rank Demon is about to begin, and two Hashira’s might not be enough to defeat this one.