With eight weeks in quarantine, I should have completed all the binge watching I needed to do but it turns out I was only able to finish anime series during the break. One of them is Demon Slayer (Kimetsu No Yaiba) and its one of the best (and the worst) anime shows that I’ve seen but not for the reason you think.

Synopsis: As the eldest son in his family, Tanjiro takes on the responsibility of earning for his family after his dad dies. Unfortunately, after one fateful night where he fails to make it home after selling charcoal in town, he comes home to find his family brutally slaughtered by a demon with only his sister Nezuko surviving the attack. Nezuko turns into a demon and Tanjiro vows to find a way to turn her back into a human by joining the elite Demon Slayer Corps.

I was blown away by the quality of animation and detail they put into this series. Every frame and every background was expertly crafted and remained true to the original manga artwork. The vibrant colors and layers made the scenes even more intense.

I loved how the story was written although it follows similar plots as previous anime where a golden hearted protagonist overcomes all odds to defeat the villain. Demon Slayer covered the training arc and the first missions as well as Tanjiro and Nezuko earning the blessing of the Demon Slayer Corps. to work together to eliminate demons despite their unique circumstance.

I loved Tanjiro and his genuine compassion. There may kindhearted and well meaning characters in manga and anime but Tanjiro’s purity will definitely touch your heart. He empathizes with all of the characters, even the demons who were set out to kill him. I loved his relationship with his sister, which was the main selling point of the story. While they worked together several times throughout the season, my favorite was their battle with the Lower Moon Five Rui. Their bond was as strong as ever and I particularly thought that the flashbacks and illusion of their parents helping them defeat their enemy was a nice touch.

It teased a new mystery about Tanjiro’s family background and made fans curious about his dad and his Breath of the Sun technique which was unfamiliar even to the pillars.

I’m also curious to understand Giyu’s relationahip with Sabito, whose colors he wears as a member of the Hashira.

I loved the comic relief that Zenitsu and Inosuke provided and loved them even more for their backstory. I was a big fan of their unique and wacky friendship.

I hated Muzan, from the first encounter, especially his callous disregard for human life. He was a villain’s villain for sure and I have no doubt he will even be more ruthless as the seasons progress. I also wonder what relationship he had with Tanjiro’s dad that inflamed him about seeing the demon slayer wear his heirloom hanafuda earrings.

For many series, 25 episodes would have already taken the show through several arcs but for Kimetsu No Yaiba, it served only as a teaser for the bigger threats that loom.

As the season ended on a nail-biting cliffhanger, which is the worst thing for a fan who wants an immediate installment, I felt that I wanted to see more about this story that has a strong family core value, a focus on friendship and the other side of the villain’s story so we can’t really hate them so much. Demon Slayer is a hit for a reason. You have to watch it to understand its appeal.