Zohakuten Takes Charge in Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 7
Zohakuten, the final form of Hantengu, is primed to fight!
Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 7, titled “Awful Villain,” finally debuted the much-awaited final form of Hantengu, i.e., Zohakuten.
Tanjiro, Genya, and Nezuko have been fighting the different emotions of Hantengu in the past few episodes; however, the stakes have increased as Zohakuten takes the field.
Zohakuten Voice Actor is confirmed to be Kōichi Yamadera while the anime’s official website also revealed a new visual featuring Zohakuten.
Wondering where to watch Demon Slayer Season 3, check out Crunchyroll.
Right, with all that out of the way, how did our heroes fair in this week s’ Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 7? Let us find out.
SOMEONE S’ BEHIND TANJIRO
Tanjiro finally catches up to a fleeing Hantengu and, using his Exploding Blood Sword, begins slicing the diminutive demon s’ neck.
The coward Hantengu lets out an awful cry as the blade burns and reaches halfway down his neck.
Suddenly Tanjiro senses an unlikely demonic presence and is startled by its scent, which is unlike that of the four demons Urogi, Sekido, Aizetsu, or Karaku.
The demon slayer continues to stand his ground but fails to cut Hantengu s’ neck as the blood flame’s worn off.
The apparition behind Tanjiro forms a double-bladed dagger with its flesh and summons a powerful shockwave that sends Tanjiro flying back.
Genya loads his shotgun but does not fire as he risks hitting Tanjiro.
Writer s’ Thoughts: Of all the manifestations of Hantengu, the coward base form is easily the most annoying demon. The shadowy introduction of Zohakuten was impressive.
ZOHAKUTEN APPEARS
Tanjiro is tossed into the air by five wood dragons who attempt to crush him using their jaws.
Somehow, Tanjiro evades them by riding on their neck but soon loses grip and falls into one of their jaws.
In the nick of time, Nezuko saves him but gets her arm and leg bitten, which regrows instantly.
When the siblings land on the ground, they are greeted by the sixth demon, Zohakuten.
By appearance, he is a short and muscular child with short hair spikes up at various angles around his head and narrow orange eyes with the daily “Upper-Rank Four engraved in them.
Zohakuten has a series of drums connected that are inexplicably floating behind his back, with each drum having the kanji of “hatred” displayed on them. He also carries around a bone-like dagger in each hand.
Zohakuten denounces demon slayers as ‘Awful Villains” who torment the weak as Tanjiro notices the disappearance of the other four demons.
Writer s’ Thoughts: the wood dragon’s attack was a throwback tribute to Hashirama from Naruto. It’s interesting to see the stance of Zohakuten, considering he is an awful villain himself.
ZOHAKUTEN S’ TRANSFORMATION
Genya is confused as he realizes the new demon was Sekido moments ago. When Tanjiro is about to slice Hantengu, Genya finally recollects that Sekido, despite their objection, absorbed Karaku, Urogi, and Aizetsu.
The demon of anger then knelt and transformed into a new manifestation of Hatred.
He covers the crying Hantengu into a wooden burl as Tanjiro yells at him, but the demon renders the demon slayer breathless with an overwhelming aura.
Not just Tanjiro but Genya and Nezuko are also crushed by Zohakuten’s Power.
Writer s’ Thoughts: Unlike previous villains, Zohakuten has a serious presence, and having a look akin to Raijin also helps to establish his character.
TANJIRO S’ VERBAL DUEL
The demon asks Tanjiro if he takes any issues, to which the demon slayer replies why he calls them villains.
The demon of hatred answers by citing the tormenting of weak Hantengu; however, Tanjiro rebukes him for calling Hantengu weak considering how many people he has killed.
Tanjiro also remarks on the blood they have shed and demands to stop acting as the victim. He raises his blade and promises to sever his head.
Zohakuten is unflustered by Tanjiro s’ resolve and asks if he has finished speaking. He also wonders if he had devoured his relatives to get him so angry.
When Tanjiro does not concur, the Demon tells him his actions are justified, and he should not be concerned.
Tanjiro retaliates by stating that helping people does not need a reason, something he will never understand.
This reply feels like an insult to the demon as he once again beats his drum summoning the dragons after Tanjiro.
Writer s’ Thoughts: it is frightening to see the lack of self-awareness in Zohakuten, who is unapologetically himself. It makes a wonderful foil to Tanjiro s’ idealistic nature.
MUICHIRO STRUGGLES CONTINUE
The scene shifts to Muichiro, who is still trapped in Gyokko s’ water prison. Seeing that Muichiro will die soon, Gyokko decides to investigate the shed wondering why it is so important.
Muichiro, with limited oxygen, tries Mist Breathing, First Form: Low Clouds, Distant Haze, but the blade does not pierce through the water.
The mist Hashira concedes to the fact that he cannot escape with a chipped and death is inevitable.
He starts thinking about Kagaya and tells his leader about his death which would mean he needs to find two new Hashiras.
Writer s’ Thoughts: Muichiro is emotionless facing death, but his relationship with Kagaya is the final memory that shows how the leader has impacted his life.
TANJIRO GIVES MUICHIRO HOPE
As Muichiro unexpectedly resides to his fate, Tanjiro appears and asks him why he is giving up since no one can guarantee the future.
Muichiro is confused as to why Tanjiro is here since no one ever spoke those words to him.
The mist hasher s’ vision begins to fade, but Tanjiro reminds him that he is not the one to decide when life ends. He also reassures him that someone will come to help him, but the Hashira says it’s pointless to expect help from others.
Muichiro states nobody can help since they are weaker than him, and on second thought, he ought to have improved.
But he committed a deadly error by misjudging his strength as a Hashira. Tanjiro concurs with his statement but tells him it will turn out okay.
Writer s’ Thoughts: this episode has many back and-forth conversations featuring Tanjiro, whose principle as a human remains unaverred despite the contrasting personality of Muichiro and Zohakuten.
KOZO FACES UP TO GYOKKO
Gyokko reaches the shed but finds Kozo with a knife attempting to stop him from entering further.
The demon laughs at the pathetic sight of the swordsmith and asks if he believes he can stop him.
Kozo holds his position, but Gyokko slashes him and his knife with a water stream.
Gyokko questions Kozo why he is protective of the shed since it does not house the village chief, and as he looks past him, the demon sees Hotaru polishing Tanjiro s’ blade.
Writer s’ Thoughts: despite his twisted nature, Gyokko is the fun villain, and his whole artist persona adds to his character development.
HOTARU S’ DETERMINATION AND WILL POWER
Despite the demon s’ presence, Hotaru keeps polishing the blade and marvels at the steel s’ quality.
Gyokko is annoyed at the lack of acknowledgment and feels defeated as an artist. The demon sends multiple stream water attacks, but the swordsmith does not budge and continues his work.
The pot demon is now irritated and attacks again, which causes several wounds, including breaking his mask.
But Hotaru s’ willpower remains strong as he carries on polishing the blade and even remarks that to have such an exceptional blade means its maker possessed incredible determination.
Gyokko decides to kill him will be too simple as the real artistic brilliance will be to let go of the sword instead and break his concentration.
Writer s’ Thoughts: this scene depicted the true power of a swordsmith as Hotaru s’ passion for his craft and resoluteness in the face of adversity was admirable.
HELP ARRIVES FOR MUICHIRO
Muichiro s’ eyes close due to suffocation, but he suddenly hears a voice stabbing at the water pot.
The Hashira sees Kotetsu trying to break the prison with a knife stating he will not let him die.
Kotetsu tries his best but fails to cut through, and Muichiro tells him to prioritize the village chief instead of him.
Suddenly, a bladed fish demon appears behind Kotetsu and slashes his arms and shoulders.
Muichiro yells at Kotetsu to run away, who gets stabbed in the solar plexus. On the verge of death, Kotetsu touches the water prison and blows bubbles into it, allowing the Hashira to breathe.
Muichiro contemplates Tanjiro s’ words wherein helping others will eventually return and help him.
He also sees a red-eyed individual saying to them that humans are creatures capable of unbelievable strength when helping each other.
Writer s’ Thoughts: Kotetsu was the star here as he paid back Muichiro for saving his life from the big fish demon in episode four.
MUICHIRO BREAKS FREE
Using the oxygen of Kotetsu, Muichiro uses Mist Breathing, Second Form: Eight-Layered Mist, and cuts through the water prison.
After breaking free from the mist, Hashira notes the similar red eyes of Tanjiro and his father as he understands why the former is pivotal for him.
Writer s’ Thoughts: although Muichiro is free, this episode has the tamest ending as fans long for more than an escape from Gyokko s’ entrapment.
RECOMMENDED:-Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 6: Genya s’ Emotional Backstory
CONCLUSION
Demon Slayer Season 3 Episode 7 was not as exciting as the previous episode, but we did witness a new villain in Zohakuten.
Gyokko continues to engage in his theatrics while the now-free Muichiro realizes the impact of Tanjiro.
All in All, episode seven provides a decent setup for the upcoming battle between the Upper-Rank Demons and demon slayers.
