Demon Slayer season 4 episode 7 recap and review

Episode 7 of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Kaiba season 4, "Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima," is here, and it's a rollercoaster of emotions!

This episode dives deep into the stony heart of Gyomei Himejima, our beloved Stone Hashira, and boy, does it get intense. Which, after a season that has failed to really impress me and keep my attention for the most part, is a huge relief.

Let's chat about this latest episode in full detail, shall we?

SPOILER WARNING; I will be talking about the entire episode below, please read at your own risk!

First up, we've got Tanjiro, who's just finished his boulder training. Gyomei, the silent giant, finally acknowledges Tanjiro's hard work. It's a touching moment that shows just how much Tanjiro's grown, but our boy Tanjiro, being the humble hero he is, worries more about the battles ahead than basking in the praise. We then go into Gyomei's backstory and this is where things get emotional.

Gyomei's backstory is a real tear-jerker. We learn that he used to take care of orphans at a temple, and one night, a demon attacked. This attack led to a gruesome massacre, and Gyomei still carries the weight of that fateful night in which he beat a demon to death with his fists for the first time. After the demon's body disappeared, one of the four-year-old children he watched over told the authorities that he had been the one to kill them all, and he's put in prison for it. It's one of the most heartbreaking tales we've heard in Demon Slayer, and that's saying something.

Meanwhile, Zenitsu is having a bit of a crisis. He's feeling the pressure to keep up with Tanjiro and Inosuke. This friendly rivalry adds a nice layer of tension and reminds us that these three demon-slayers are stronger together than apart - and heckin' entertaining. Oh, how I missed these three together.

The episode ends on a chilling note as Muzan Kibutsuji and Nakime make their move on the Hashira's headquarters. But the real shocker? Zenitsu's sudden seriousness. It's like seeing a puppy turn into a wolf – you know something big is about to go down.

"Stone Hashira Gyomei Himejima" is one of the best episodes of the season so far, if not the best, with its emotional depth and character development. Sure, it can feel a bit more relaxed in its pacing, but that only makes the big moments hit harder. And let’s not forget Nezuko – she’s been a bit MIA, but you can bet she’ll be crucial in the finale.

My advice to you is to grab your tissues and prepare for an epic finish next week. If you can't tell, the air is thick with tension and all these calmer episodes are only easing us to what comes next. The stage is set for a showdown that'll be one for the Demon Slayer history books - don't forget to tune in next Sunday for the eighth and final episode of the Hashira Training arc!