Fresh from the wholesomely gratifying episode 4, Demon Slayer episode 5 thrusts us back to the roller coaster ride that is dealing with each of the other Hashira’s personalities. And if there’s one thing this episode has proven, it’s that…
Mitsuri, Obanai, and Sanemi are horrible, HORRIBLE Teachers
Despite being revered as the elite members of the Demon Slayer Corps, the Hashira exhibit a wide range of personalities, which are held in check by their allegiance to Ubuyashiki. However, it becomes evident that not all of them possess the qualities required for teaching. It’s akin to having a brilliant and accomplished yet excessively strict professor who struggles to effectively impart their knowledge to students, resorting to more forceful or inefficient methods instead.
Demon Slayer Episode 5 – The Love Hashira Would Love To Get You Injured
In the first episode, we got a glimpse of Mitsuri’s teaching abilities when she was asked to explain how she awakened her mark. Like Tanjiro, the Love Hashira relies on intuition and hands-on experience but struggles to break down the process into step-by-step explanations.
This becomes even more challenging when she is tasked with leading flexibility training for the rest of the Corps. As the most physically gifted of the current Hashira, Mitsuri may find it difficult to relate to the normal, less flexible bodies of her students. Consequently, she resorts to a more forceful approach to push her students to become flexible. However, in the real world, such forced stretchings could lead to muscle tears and injuries, which are not desirable, especially before a major battle.
Demon Slayer Episode 5 – The Serpent Hashira Is Inefficient and Petty
The training regimen under the Serpent Hashira should theoretically be one of the most crucial aspects of swordsmanship development. It focuses on honing pinpoint accuracy and cultivating the confidence and adaptability to engage in combat in challenging environments. It’s unfortunate, however, that Obanai simply engages in sparring without imparting any real instructional guidance. Tanjiro’s progress during the training largely stems from his resilience in enduring repeated beatings and his personal revelation on how to approach the situation.
Moreover, the method of tying trainees to the training apparatus seems highly impractical. Not only does it restrict the participation to one individual at a time, but it also poses the risk of unnecessary injuries, potentially sidelining other trainees. This approach is not just inefficient but also leads to wastage of time and resources, as the individuals tied to the contraption could be engaged in more constructive and valuable activities. The rationale behind using this as a form of punishment for perceived weakness is perplexing, as the primary aim of the training is to foster strength. If trainees are not progressing, it is the responsibility of the Serpent Hashira to rectify the situation rather than resorting to punitive measures.
His forest fight with Tanjiro was a visual treat, though.
Demon Slayer Episode 5 – The Wind Hashira Just Wants To Hit People
At last, we come to the most troubling situation. Sanemi is relentlessly and brutally pushing his trainees to their limits. While tough love might be a plausible explanation, it’s clear that he’s not imparting any valuable lessons to them. Enduring such punishment serves no purpose if there’s no accompanying educational benefit. Some might argue that it’s all about developing resilience and the ability to persevere, but Sanemi is clearly neglecting to provide any constructive guidance.
He got kicked in the head by Tanjiro, which was very satisfying.
The episode ends with the main trio of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke reuniting at Stone Hashira’s training ground. Gyomei’s course is related to “mind over matter,” and from the looks of it, everyone’s in for a tough time.
Demon Slayer Episode 5 is now streaming on Netflix.
You know what? Muichiro is probably the best teacher so far. Check out last week’s article!