Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hashira Geiko-hen Episode 7 Discussion

yellowheartren said:
So, the "40 minute" episode's total runtime is 31:55... that can't even be rounded up to 35. And that's with the opening and the ending, a pinch of rehashing, and the secret at the end, so it's not even half an hour. Yeah, I get it, actual TV programming and schedules need to account for commercials and shit, but come on, let's not kid ourselves here.

Furthermore... roughly, maybe, half of it is actually about Himejima; the rest is Zenitsu, Gen'ya, Inosuke, plus Giyuu and the older Shinazugawa, with a whole heap of long-ass panning shots and slowmo techdemo for the "surprise" duo at the end. Basically they could've thrown in any random shenanigans and had a normal length episode this week, and just make the last one an actual 40-45 minute one. Like, substance, I don't even mind, I like "behind the scenes" fillers whether it's for sillies or character/world building - it's whatever. (Although, yeah, get them dressed already, those bodies are waaaaay overdone to be enjoyable.) But what even is the point of dragging the runtime out like this? It's so superficial and makes no sense. A cliffhanger isn't requirement, especially when the season ... pretty much lacked such anyway, and it's not even a real cliffhanger that foreshadows something unexpected, so that reasoning is dubious at best.

IzanaSolos said:
This show sure does love it's lengthy episode eh...

Following Genya's advice, Tanjiro attempts Repetitive Action for the first time by recalling the faces of his family. He then heeds Rengoku's words of keeping his heart ablaze, which have always helped him focus. Initially, the boulder remains unmoved, but through persistent effort and tapping into the familiarity of his Mark, Tanjiro gradually shifts it. Witnessing this feat, Zenitsu and Inosuke are amazed. Tanjiro continues concentrating, following Gyomei's advice to engage his legs and hips, pushing onward.

We've seen plenty of backstories in this series, but Gyomei's might be the most intense yet. This guy not only heard the kids he cared for get slaughtered, but he also had to kill a demon with his bare hands and was betrayed by both the boy with the necklace and the surviving girl. It takes real courage to become a Hashira, no doubt about it. Thanks to the lengthy runtime, we once again endure the agony of filler... my god. Though this probably the best use of it yet, with it extending Gyomei's backstory, which was nice. Good job for once ufotable. I also find it funny how legit the entire last five minutes is just Muzan walking... because you need to stretch that runtime out lol.

With that, the Hashira Training Arc is over. Now onto the Infinity Castle and Muzan's here for war.