English Dub Review: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Hashira Training Arc “To Bring a Smile to One’s Face”

Overview (Spoilers Below):
After completing training with Uzui, Tanjiro visits the Tokito residence next.  The Demon Slayer swordsmen who have already started the training are dispirited by Muichiro’s intense training and harsh words.  Tanjiro hears the swordsmen discussing if there’s anything they can do about it…

Our Take:
If you thought Tengen Uzui’s training was exhausting, you clearly have not seen what Muichiro has in store in his lessons.  The episode sees Tanjiro proceeding to Muichiro’s phase of the Hashira Training: rapid movement.  Unfortunately, Muichiro isn’t exactly the best teacher to train under due to his perseverance and strict attitude, although he is a lot kinder when confronting Tanjiro.  His reason is understandable, as one tiny mistake during battle can result in immediate death. Still, from the perspective of Tanjiro and the trainees, his harshness toward his trainees has gotten out of hand.
Fortunately, making paper planes is the best solution to change Muichiro’s tune and provide relaxation for the trainees.  If that isn’t enough to put others at ease, especially when training to fight demons, I don’t know what will.  Even though Tanjiro immediately lost the paper plane contest against Muichiro, he still succeeded in having the trainees join the fun, further establishing Muichiro’s cheerfulness.
“To Bring a Smile to One’s Face” further indicates the season’s formula of Tanjiro being an inspirational coach while training with a Hashira.  However, that doesn’t make it less entertaining, especially regarding the paper plane contest.  While the emotional stakes continue to lose their grasp, the charming humor and animation, particularly Muichiro sparring with the other Hashira, were able to carry this episode as they did with the previous ones.  Hopefully, Tanjiro’s next stage of training will be all smiles from here on out.