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Demon Slayer’sHashira Training Arc ended with an action-filled final episode which involved nearly every major character in the series. Even the popular fallen hero Rengoku made a shocking cameo in the post-credits scene.
Many fans might have missed the secret ending to the Hashira Training Arc, slipped in at the end of a seemingly normal post-credits round-up. However, the small final scene throws up a lot of questions and even more excitement ahead of futureDemon Slayeranime episodes.
Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arc Delivers Emotional Final Episode
Demon Slayer: Hashira Training Arcwas the fourth season of the series, following on directly from theevents of the Swordsmith Village Arc. Not only did the series start with a special one-hour episode, but it also got an extended final episode to cover the huge events at the end of the otherwise peaceful arc.
The Hashira finally get an opportunity to take downthe original demon Muzan Kibutsujithanks to the sacrifice of their leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. Despite Muzan’s extraordinary power, it looks like they might have a chance to end him, only for Nakime to drag all the demon slayers into the mysterious Infinity Castle.
The demon slayers, including Tanjiro, appear to be thrown around the world-bending confines of the demon’s hideout, setting the scene forDemon Slayer’sInfinity Castle Arc.
Hashira Training Post Credits Hides Eerie Secret
AsDemon Slayerfans will know, most episodes end with theater-style skits involving Tanjiro and an assortment of different characters. These ‘Taisho Era Secrets’, named after the trivial facts Tanjiro reveals each time, offer a lighthearted look at people and events from the previous episode.
Some fans skip these because seeing Tanjiro and other characters talk in a lighthearted and sometimes meta way about the show can take away fromDemon Slayer’simmersion. However, the scene at the end of the Hashira Training Arc offered something quite different.
The scene starts like any other, with Tanjiro talking kindly about Mitsuri Kanroji and revealing she served under the deceased Hashira Rengoku as his Tsuguko.Rengoku has been a huge influence on Tanjiroand also Mitsuri, who also reminisces about her former senpai here.
At the end, however, Tanjiro and Mitsuri suddenly hear the voice of Rengoku. More than that, Rengoku speaks as if he is there, talking about their upcoming face-off with Muzan. The camera pans – the first time we’ve seen more than one angle of the theater – to show Tanjiro and Mitsuri looking into the darkness off-stage.
Rengoku never appears in the scene, but Tanjiro and Mitsuri speak to each other in a way that seemingly confirms his presence; Tanjiro in particular seems certain that Rengoku was somewhere in the darkness.
However, the chances of Rengoku having actually been there are quite slim. As we know, Rengoku died at the end of Mugen Train Arc in one ofDemon Slayer’ssaddest ever deaths.Demon Slayeralso doesn’t have a history of resurrecting legendary characters, unlike some other series.
And now, you’ll be battling Muzan Kibutsuji! I’m counting on you!
We know Tanjiro and other slayers put a lot of importance on honoring the memories of those who came before them in the fight against the demons. We also know that the theater scenes exist somewhere outside the reality of theDemon Slayerstory. Therefore, it’s likely that Rengoku’s voice is used to symbolize a kind of shared experience between Tanjiro and Mitsuri, vivid memories of the former Hashira that come to life at an important time in their journey.
After hearing the voice, Tanjiro and Mitsuri have a new burst of energy and motivation ahead of the fight against Muzan. Even if Rengoku is unlikely to tangibly return before the end of theDemon Slayeranime, he will remain in their hearts, and could potentially appear in some kind of flashback when the slayers need to remember why they’re fighting this battle.
