The Episode Review
The Training Doll
In the second episode of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba season 3, titled "Yoriichi Type Zero" and part of the Swordsmith Village Arc, the story begins with Muichiro, the Mist Hashira, engaging in a fight with the young swordsmith. Tanjiro intervenes, feeling upset about Muichiro's disrespectful behavior towards the swordsmith and claiming that his time is more valuable.
Meanwhile, Hotaru, a character hiding nearby, overhears Tanjiro defending the importance of swordsmiths in providing the necessary weapons for demon slayers to defeat demons. However, Muichiro swiftly knocks Tanjiro unconscious and departs. When Tanjiro regains consciousness, Hotaru approaches to check on him but quickly runs away. The child swordsmith expresses gratitude to Tanjiro for his assistance, although he ultimately surrenders the key to Muichiro before he departs.
Tanjiro becomes aware of the absence of the other demon slayer who possesses the Hanafuda earrings. The young swordsmith reveals that the missing slayer is Yoriichi Type Zero, an experimental prototype of a demon slayer that requires the key to function. As they hear sounds of a battle, they hurry to the scene and discover Muichiro engaging in training with Yoriichi, who possesses six hands.
The child swordsmith explains that the original demon slayer, Yoriichi, was an incredibly remarkable individual whose movements were so swift and complex that the doll mechanism within Yoriichi Type Zero couldn't keep up without the assistance of the six hands.
Tanjiro experiences a sense of familiarity upon seeing the doll but struggles to recall why. The young swordsmith explains that the doll originates from the Sengoku period, which took place three centuries ago, and its replication has proven to be an elusive feat. Reluctant to hand over the key, the swordsmith fears that if the doll breaks, it would be irreparable. As they continue observing, they are filled with awe as Muichiro skillfully battles alongside the doll. Suddenly, Mitsuri's crow appears and reveals that the Mist Hashira is a descendant of a Sun Breathing user.
Tanjiro notices that Muichiro is not utilizing the Sun Breathing technique, which prompts the crow to attack him for tarnishing the reputation of the lineage. In that moment, Tanjiro recollects the demon slayer from his dream, and the young swordsmith suggests that it might be an inherited memory from Tanjiro's ancestors. The crow, however, dismisses this notion with laughter. Tanjiro expresses gratitude to the young swordsmith, who introduces himself as Kotetsu.
Just then, they witness Muichiro successfully shatter the doll's armor, causing Kotetsu to cry and run away. Seeking solace, he hides up in a tree, but Tanjiro consoles him, encouraging him to work diligently and carry on his family's legacy as a skilled swordsmith, much like Tanjiro is striving to defeat Muzan. Kotetsu's spirits are lifted, and as they are in the midst of this exchange, Muichiro nonchalantly passes by them, surprising them with his seemingly indifferent demeanor.
After his sword breaks, Muichiro takes the doll's sword and shows it to Tanjiro, who notices that there is no ill intent behind Muichiro's actions; he simply appears apathetic. As it begins to rain, Kotetsu and Tanjiro discover the broken doll lying on the ground. They turn the key, and despite the damage, the doll continues to move, now with only five hands.
Filled with anger, Kotetsu declares his determination to work hard and assist Tanjiro in becoming stronger to defeat the Mist Hashira. This shocks the young demon slayer, and Kotetsu immediately throws the doll at him, initiating their training. Over the next few days, the doll continuously defeats Tanjiro, and Kotetsu alternates between cursing either the doll or Tanjiro to fight better. He points out that Tanjiro relies too much on habit and should adapt his movements based on his opponent.
Kotetsu berates Tanjiro daily, refusing to provide him with food or water. While Tanjiro appreciates the analysis and teaching techniques, he grows frustrated with surviving solely on rainwater. One day, he loses consciousness and enters a dream where he falls underwater and encounters a shimmering stone. Upon awakening, Tanjiro suddenly gains the ability to anticipate the doll's next attack. Although his defense remains weak, he manages to land a hit, and in response, Kotetsu finally provides him with food. Tanjiro can now discern the direction from which the doll will attack by relying on his sense of smell.
Tanjiro leaps forward, poised to strike the doll's head, but hesitates, not wanting to damage it. Kotetsu cheers him on, assuring him that he will work hard to repair the doll and that Tanjiro should focus on completing his training and executing the strike. However, Tanjiro loses his balance and falls, prompting Kotetsu to rush over and check on him. In that moment, they witness the doll falling, revealing that Tanjiro had indeed sliced off its head. As the head tumbles down, they notice a 300-year-old sword lodged inside the doll's body.
In the epilogue, both Tanjiro and Nezuko don the masks of the swordsmiths. Tanjiro explains that there are rumors circulating that Kotetsu's face bears a resemblance to the mask he wears, causing many villagers to tell him that he need not wear the mask. Tanjiro describes Kotetsu as someone with a sharp tongue but a sweet boy at heart. Just as he says this, Kotetsu begins searching for Tanjiro to continue their training and berates him, prompting Tanjiro and Nezuko to flee.