Demon Slayer: Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc (2019) Cre: Koyoharu Gotouge

A few years ago, I started watching this popular anime, created by Koyoharu Gotouge, but I only got a few episodes in, before, for whatever reason, I stopped. I think I must have just got distracted by other films or series and then just never got around to continuing it. I had always meant to start it again at some point, and, at last, I found the time and motivation to do so. I can remember enjoying the episodes that I did watch, so I was not expecting to be bored, but I did hope I would be hooked enough to keep going this time.

I have to talk about the quality and beauty of the animation first, because it was absolutely stunning. The character designs were vibrant, the setting was interesting, and the fantasy elements popped. Pretty much everything on the screen stimulated my brain and caught my attention for the right reasons. This was a very aesthetically pleasing anime. This praise also extends to the theme song and both the opening and closing titles, by the way - all are brilliant.

This first season, or arc, was very much about introducing the protagonists of the anime, and building them up into worthy and relatable heroes. In that regard, not every episode feels absolutely vital to the plot, but, in a more positive regard, they all add a little character depth, a little fun, and something slightly new to enjoy. My favourite episodes though, were, perhaps unsurprisingly, the ones where major character or storyline events happened.

I am very keen on the core set of characters already, particularly the Two protagonists, who have a very endearing sibling relationship. The way the show has integrated comedy has really helped with the likeability of some of the characters, particularly those who are more complex - less inherently good. I do enjoy the mix of personalities in the series as well, it gives a more chaotic but enjoyable feel to the action and dialogue.

Overall, I thought this was a fun and very watchable first season, which certainly kept me engaged, and made me want to continue onto the next arc, especially considering the exciting developments towards the end of the season. I like the mixture of light and dark television, so I hope that it maintains that vibe. Based on the shows fanbase and critical reception, I fully expect to continue enjoying the anime, and can't wait to see what the characters do in the future.