Short Summary:
In Demon Slayer Season 2 Episode 11, Tanjiro prepares to fight a Upper Rank Demon. With Zenitsu missing, Inosuke, Tanjiro, and Tengen dig deeper into the location of the demon. Tengen regrets bring low level Demon Slayers into this fight and dismisses Inosuke and Tanjiro, as he intents to look for the demon alone. However, Tanjiro and Inosuke are only inspired to step up their since of urgency. Tanjiro detects the scent of the demon at the Tokito House. Alone, he encounters the Upper Rank Six Demon, Daki.
Koiuatsu’s kindess
So far in this arc I’m having a difficult time telling the Oiran apart. I wasn’t sure Koinatsu was Daki or a different character until her name was mentioned. This isn’t a big problem, but it can cause confusion. I wonder if anyone else had this issue. Regardless, episode 11 shows use the other side of the entertainment district. Koinatsu’s young assistants look up to her and she clearly cares about them. She gifts them each a hirauchi kanzashi hairpin. It’s a touching moment. However, the district is still an unhealthy environment featuring constant death and disappearances. The master of Kyogoku House is informed by a chaperone that “Zenko (Zenitsu)” is missing. Daki has used fear to gain the complicity of figures like the owners of the brothels. If they cross her she’ll kill them. Regardless, the master still feels guilty for his cowardice and is clearly heartbroken over his wife death.
The Wisteria Flower Engraving
I can’t get over how much Inosuke’s personality has change. He’s changed from a mindless brute to a think brute. He’s likely to be more effective this way. When he and Tanjiro discuss their situation, he thoroughly explains the ranking system, specifically the “Wisteria Flower Engraving.” Each member has their rank inscribed on their hand. If they wish to check their rank they can say the password and flex their arm to reveal it. After candidates become members of the Demon Slayer Corp, they’re granted the lowest rank in the organization: Mizunoto. Overall, there are ten, beginning with Mizunoto, there’s: Mizunoe, Kanoto, Kanoe, Tsuchinoto, Tsuchinoe, Hinoto, Hinoe, Kinoto, and Kinoe. According to Inosuke, our trio has reach the rank of Kanoe. The Hashira are the most elite. In order to reach this level, as Demon Slayer must “either successfully kill 50 demons or a member of Twelve Kizuki as a Kinoe.”
With Zenitsu’s kidnapping, Tengen admits his motives were selfish. He wanted to rescue his wives more than anything leaving Zenitsu vulnerable. He dismisses Tanjiro and Inosuke telling them he “regrets in making them join him in his mission.” Neither, Tanjiro nor Inosuke are going to quit. They plan to search for the demon at night. Tengen has become more directly involved and threatens the master of the Kyogoku House. He gives Tengen Daki’s location but the demon isn’t present. He runs off to the Kirimise district to speak to Hinatsuru, leaving Tanjiro and Inosuke vulnerable. Tanjiro encounters Daki, as she begins to “consume” Koinatsu. Daki seems interested in the prospect of encountering another Hashira. Seeing the Upper Six kanji in her eye, Tanjiro orders her to “let Koinatsu go.”
Upper Six Daki verses Tanjiro
Angered at the disrespect, Daki attacks him with her obi, sending Tanjiro hurling into a nearby house. Realizing he’s outmatched, Tanjiro resolves to face her. They clash, with Tanjiro using his Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide, Turbulent to counter her obi’s attack. He manages to cut one off “freeing” Koinatsu. Daki is impressed with his “mid-air” abilities. Still, Tanjiro is going up an Upper Demon, can he do it without aid? It doesn’t matter. Tanjiro knows he must face her and prepares to do so. Where in the early cat and mouse phase of this fight. Just how large is the gap between Tanjiro and Daki? Zenitsu and Tengen have conveniently been removed from the story (temporarily), leaving Inosuke and Tanjiro to fight. It would be reasonable to expect Tanjiro to defeat Daki but with a Hashira present it would be silly to leave him to fight some underling. If Daki is strong enough to kill seven Hashira, Tengen may need Tanjiro, Inosuke, and Zenitsu’s help.
