Get ready to experience the same story differently as we revisit the infinite train with Demon Slayer Mugen Train Anime Episode 1. This time around, we get to go back and witness Kyojuro Rengoku make his way onto the train in an all-new episode. Let’s see how it all was in this review!
Demon Slayer Mugen Train Anime Episode 1 Overview
One of the most popular anime of our time, Demon Slayer, is back on our screens with the anime version of its Mugen Train Arc. Ufotable will slightly alter this adaptation from the movie that was released in 2020 to a huge critical and commercial reception, including some new footage and an entirely new first episode. The Mugen Train Anime arc will run for 7 episodes, after which the show will resume its normal storyline with the Entertainment District Arc.
Ufotable is the studio behind Demon Slayer’s anime adaptation and will be directed by Haruo Sotozaki. It is to be noted that this first episode was Anime original, which means that the story isn’t originally what was written in the manga. This makes this episode the first anime-original for the series. You can read our review of the movie while you’re at it. The episode is also known as Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Ressha-hen Episode 1 in original Japanese.
Demon Slayer Mugen Train Arc Episode 1 Review- Plot and Characters
If you were a good sport and went ahead to read my review of the movie, you would have found that I wasn’t a very big fan of it. I did not think an arc such as Mugen Train warranted a movie, especially because of its show reliant nature and dour ending. I also despise the characters of Zenitsu and Inosuke and hate every second of the time when they are on my screen. While it might seem like I shouldn’t be watching this series at all, I will disagree with you on that notion.
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Just because I dislike some portions of the product, it doesn’t mean that I dislike all of it. In fact, I was quite excited when Ufotable announced that Mugen Train Episode 1 was going to feature all-new content based around Kyojuro Rengoku, one of my favourite characters in the show. I do not care much about this episode not being in the manga canon. I only care about Rengoku getting another go at things.
And go at things he did, with all of his stone-faced passion and good-natured strength. This episode is set one day before the events of the movie and tells the story of how Rengoku found out about the Mugen train in the first place. We even learn how he got the bento he was eating on the train, which was very sweet to see. While the events in Kimetsu no Yaiba Mugen Train Episode 1 were essentially non-canon as they belong in their own tiny universe, they were still a fine addition to the show as a minor footnote.
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Rengoku was the star of the show, showcasing his strength as a Demon Slayer and a character in the show as he effortlessly saved a grandma and granddaughter from a generic demon. His personality is very lovable and kind, contrasted by the intense look on his face and his fierce fighting style. Overall, he is the best character in the show, and the only character who can compete with him in that area is another Hashira, Shinobu.
It has to be said that Demon Slayer Mugen Train Arc Episode 1 succeeded despite the show, not because of it. Any addition of the show’s usual elements of “comedy” through Zenitsu and Inosuke destroy any serious moments the show is going for, and I’m thankful that those elements were only limited to a skit at the end of the episode. I’m also thankful that the show didn’t give a huge backstory to this demon as well, as I was expecting it to. That’s the way it should be, I say. Let villains be villains.
Demon Slayer Mugen Train Arc Episode 1 Review- Art and Music
While I believe that the show’s narrative and characters deserve a lot more criticism than they currently receive, I am in agreement with most people that the show is almost untouchable when it comes to its animation. Every frame is intricately designed to be as beautiful and emotion-evoking it can get. The fight scenes are brilliant and well-choreographed, and the power system is also well crafted and immaculate to make the show a lot more consistent than most shonen anime.
The music is also a high point for the series, and the OSTs are some of the best in the world right now. On top of that, Demon Slayer Mugen Train Arc Episode 1 uses silence very effectively as a storytelling and tension-building tool, making the inevitable music even more effective when it hits. I would say go ahead and listen to it on youtube, but it has probably already been copyright-struck and removed from the platform. Oh well.
Verdict
Demon Slayer Mugen Train Anime Arc Episode 1 was fantastic and played its role to perfection. It also made me wonder if we can scrap this retelling of the Mugen Train Arc and have another arc with Rengoku playing the lead role. Please, Ufotable? Pretty please with a cherry on top?
Click here to read the review of the next episode!