After reliving a nightmare of the backstory of episode 1’s “NTR,” it is Bunkyu Year 2 where Japan’s Shogunate begins to fall from power.
Video Review
What Stands Out About This Episode?
Looking at the BIGGER Picture
In the first 14 episodes of Sword of the Demon Hunter, it was all about building the foundation of the story. That includes the motivations behind what is leading to the ruin of mankind. Due to the fact that a certain blonde-headed demon manipulated Suzune to create such a tragedy that caused more harm than helped.
How History Plays into Episode 1
That blonde-headed demon with the power of foresight did so to extend the existence of her demon-kind. Whether it leads to the destruction of the world or not, this survivalist instinct to do what it must to continue living on will go against the grain. That is exactly what episode 15 looks to tackle as it is currently Bunkyu Year 2 (1862). In a historical sense, this is where things get really bad for Japan as the Shogunate will eventually fall, with the power slowly transferring back to the Emperor. Many in Japan are weary of foreign influences and the change is so great that the “way of the samurai” is becoming more obsolete. This is because the shogunate is allowing “open borders,” where half of Japan prefers to be more isolationist.
So, how does this connect to the demon in episode 1 that caused Shirayuki to die by the hands of Suzune and made Jinta want to YEET his half-demon sister? For survival and to maintain power. The samurai are really powerful people with high status in society, and that is exactly what is being disrupted. With the introduction of Tsuchiura, another undercover demon like Ofuu and Jinya, he also looks to fight alongside Lord Yasuhide, who looks to preserve the status quo.
The lesson ultimately becomes that people may choose something worse off for society, if that means they get to keep their status and maintain power. The demon in episode 1 died, knowing that Suzune may ultimately destroy it, but by causing the death of Shirayuki—she at least extended the life of her demon brethren.
All in all, the first 14 episodes built upon the new relationships that Jinya will obtain. However, we know that he lives further in the future in modern times, meaning many of these relationships with his human friends will die. It also means that he will live through one of Japan’s most turbulent times in history. Through this next experience for Jinya, he may find new meaning in life.
We can’t forget that this episode brought up the idea of “co-existence” between demons and humans. Very early on with Mosuke and now Ofuu, we know that demon-kind isn’t inherently evil. Jinya is a demon himself. This begs the question of whether it could be Jinya who ends up helping preserve demon-kind. How that connects to Suzune though, who was teased to bring disaster upon the world is an entirely new space to speculate over.
How the “Cursed Sword” & “Yuki-no-Nagori” Ties in
Now that we have enough evidence that demons are not necessarily evil. We have Mosuke, Ofuu, Jinya and now the demon wife of Kaneomi (the guy who made the sword) Yatonomori, are all demons who lived amongst humans peacefully. In short, while the Yuki-no-Nagori sake turned people into demons, it was what was already inside you that turns you into one. Like alcohol typically does, it just brings out the “real you.”
In the case of the Yatonomori Kaneomi Cursed Sword, the belief was that it was the “curse” that caused Mataroku Sugino to YEET his wife. We later find out that wasn’t the case. While the sword is technically “cursed”—because the blood of Yatonomori infused into the sword gave it a cool power to shoot air projectiles—it doesn’t actually make you want to YEET anyone. This becomes another lesson that with great power, it just emboldens a person to act upon one’s desires. In this case for Mataroku Sugino—it was to murder his wife and potentially a leader of an opposing political faction.
Both teach us one thing that eventually leads to the idea of “co-existence” with demons. It’s not about whether you are a demon or a human, but who you truly are inside. Overall, this episode brought us the bigger picture influences and themes. In which, it will lead likely to much heartache for Jinya, as he navigates a more fractured Japan and how this may affect the people he’s built a close rapport with.
OTAKU SINH 