Kibutsuji’s Curse // Kimetsu no Yaiba Ep. 10 Review

Together Forever: Kimetsu no Yaiba Episode 10

Otaku Voice Staff

Kimetsu no Yaiba episode 10 doesn’t go very far moving the plot along, but it does get a lot of things setup. It takes some time to mop up the events of the last episode. Even Nezuko gets a moment to shine in the battle against the temari demon. By the end of the episode it is Tamayo that steals the show.

I am impressed with the resolve of the Kibutsuji’s alleged disciples. Even in his dying breath Yahaba, the arrow demon, is still hellbent on killing Tanjiro. At the start of Kimetsu no Yaiba episode 10 Tanjiro is still not out of the woods. He beheaded Yahaba at the end of the previous episode, but the strength of the demon persists. Tossed into the air, it takes all of Tanjiro’s strength to survive.

The Curse of Kibustuji and the Might of Tamayo

Tamayo puts it pretty succinctly this episode. Demons fighting demons cannot amount to anything. Neither can deal a killing blow to the other with brute force. As fun as the dodgeball competition between Nezuko and Susamaru is, it is almost a pointless exercise in displaying brute strength. What it does show to us is how strong Nezuko has become. She can go toe to toe with an exceptional demon. Nezuko hasn’t even consumed human flesh or blood demonstrating how special she is.

There is something up Tamayo’s sleeve though. She has been around the block and knows a thing or two about demons. Tamayo is familiar with Kibutsuji’s curse.

In order to prevent demons from conspiring against him, Kibutsuji has put a safeguard into all demons he create. If they are to mention his full name, they are cursed to be destroyed from the inside out. So far in the series we haven’t seen the curse activate, but we have seen the fear in some demons when Tanjiro has questioned them. Susamaru is not as smart as though demons it turns out.

Its Tamayo’s blood art that is able to remove the temari demon’s inhibitions and accidentally speak Kibutsuji’s name. Bursting from Susamaru is the blood of Kibustuji manifested as a dozen arms. Its over for her before she even has a chance. Only members of the Demon Slayer Corps, and Kibutsuji himself have the power to kill another demon. Tamayo’s magic is extraordinarily powerful, but she otehrwise would be useless against a smarter opponent.

Future Demon Slaying

Kimetsu no Yaiba episode 10 reveals a lot about Kibutsuji’s power, authority, and potentially his weakness in this episode. Turns out that the two demon’s claims from the last episode of being among Kibutsuji’s special twelve is a lie. If not a lie, a falsehood that Kibutsuji perpetuated to get these demons to do his bidding. The temari and arrow demon would have markings on their eyes if they were in fact a member of the twelve. They don’t, therefore meaning there are at least twelve ultra powerful demons out there that Tanjiro is going to go up against at some point.

Tamayo makes a comment during her battle of the wits against Susamaru. She claims that Kibutsuji’s identity is not what he claims to be and calls him a coward. While we don’t have much more information regarding that this episode, this definitely points us in the direction of the ultimate plot to reveal that identity.

[Source and Further Reading]
[Episode 9 Review]
[Image via Crunchyroll]