Forum - View topic

EP. REVIEW: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

I dont understand all of this discussion about Nezuko being underutilized or underdeveloped or why it's a bad thing (she never really has been more than the motivation device). I mean, I sort of get wanting a particular character to get more screen time, but there comes a point where you have to realize she isn't the main character of this series...I dont know what is going to happen next but I'm going to take a shot in the dark and guess she is going to remain the main character's motivation and not change that much. I could be wrong, but I really doubt i am given how these stories go.

If you've been feeling deprived of your weekly dose of Zenitsu antics lately, then boy howdy does Demon Slayer have an episode for you.

If Zeni's little outburst had been the only time he's gone screaming bonkers, it would've been hilarious. But as it stands, it was mildly humorous. At least it was more tolerable than all his other random screaming. Really, all they needed to do was just tone it down a few dozen notches into twitchy hyperactivity and his character would've been fine.

I guess the Japanese target audience must have a greater tolerance for screaming, or are partially deaf from living in crowded cities, or find it vicariously cathartic to hear someone totally let loose like that. I have no other explanation as to why characters like Zeni and Asta are popular there. I notice there's a lot of screaming in live action samurai movies too, where it's not even meant to be funny. I don't get it. I don't think I'm supposed to.

And frankly it's an annoying problem to see this happen to the female characters most of time when there's a popular Weekly Shounen Jump anime series. Yeah there are exceptions like The Promised Neverland and arguably Food Wars (I predict an Act-Age anime to join in as well), but that's what they are: exceptions, not the norm.

This fascination with Nezuko and people demanding more screen time of her, kinda hits a nerve. It's not enough that this series steadily reminds you that the reason Nezuko doesn't have a lot of screen time than her counterparts, is solely because she needs to sleep in order for her not to grave blood from humans. She's not a main character, but is one of the supporting roles along with Zenitsu and Inosuke. Clearly, the way the plot seems to moving, we would be seeing more for of her. But this is anime universe, and majority... if not all has major female character leads. I for one love the change in trend.

Shinji Paradox wrote:

This fascination with Nezuko and people demanding more screen time of her, kinda hits a nerve. It's not enough that this series steadily reminds you that the reason Nezuko doesn't have a lot of screen time than her counterparts, is solely because she needs to sleep in order for her not to grave blood from humans. She's not a main character, but is one of the supporting roles along with Zenitsu and Inosuke. Clearly, the way the plot seems to moving, we would be seeing more for of her. But this is anime universe, and majority... if not all has major female character leads. I for one love the change in trend.

How much she needs to sleep and whether the actions happens when she sleep or when she awakes depends only on the whims of the creator/artist. If they say she needs to sleep two years, she will sleep for two years. If they say she needs two months... Also, the posters, opening, ending etc show Tanjiro and Nezuko as the main characters and many people believed that and hoped to see a sibling duo more then two one-note comic relief characters. Sure, they're funny sometimes, but why they have more screentime then Nezuko who, as a demon sibling, could be interesting character on her own, but is reduced to few cute animations most of the time.

I also have no idea what you mean bu saying that anime has too many female character leads. Look at the Summer preview guide for the quick summary of current show, plenty of them has male characters, the few exceptions are the most- or all-female cast show. Beside, Nezuko wouldn't be lead, just a stronger supporting character.

a_Bear_in_Bearcave wrote:

Shinji Paradox wrote: This fascination with Nezuko and people demanding more screen time of her, kinda hits a nerve. It's not enough that this series steadily reminds you that the reason Nezuko doesn't have a lot of screen time than her counterparts, is solely because she needs to sleep in order for her not to grave blood from humans. She's not a main character, but is one of the supporting roles along with Zenitsu and Inosuke. Clearly, the way the plot seems to moving, we would be seeing more for of her. But this is anime universe, and majority... if not all has major female character leads. I for one love the change in trend. How much she needs to sleep and whether the actions happens when she sleep or when she awakes depends only on the whims of the creator/artist. If they say she needs to sleep two years, she will sleep for two years. If they say she needs two months... Also, the posters, opening, ending etc show Tanjiro and Nezuko as the main characters and many people believed that and hoped to see a sibling duo more then two one-note comic relief characters. Sure, they're funny sometimes, but why they have more screentime then Nezuko who, as a demon sibling, could be interesting character on her own, but is reduced to few cute animations most of the time. I also have no idea what you mean bu saying that anime has too many female character leads. Look at the Summer preview guide for the quick summary of current show, plenty of them has male characters, the few exceptions are the most- or all-female cast show. Beside, Nezuko wouldn't be lead, just a stronger supporting character.

A story shouldn't break it rule, internal logic, plot coherent and theme to make more screen time for a particular character. If we do that we have stuff like Sasuke in Naruto. A good is character base on how they are use in a story, not how much screen time they have. Most Nezuko fight have little stake due to the fact she can regenerate The only stake in those fight is if she can keep it together and not go berserk and control her demon power.but it also not something you could keep pulling since it make these moment cheaper after each time so the artist/writer have to use it with caution, not throwing it around. Also the 2 new character don't have more screen time than Nezuko since they don't even show up in the first 11 episodes and each of them need to have their own moment to show off there personality and struggle.

darkchibi07 wrote:

And frankly it's an annoying problem to see this happen to the female characters most of time when there's a popular Weekly Shounen Jump anime series. Yeah there are exceptions like The Promised Neverland and arguably Food Wars (I predict an Act-Age anime to join in as well), but that's what they are: exceptions, not the norm.

WSJ targets audience are boys and boys prefers well development male characters unless it is harem. In most shonen girls are eye-candy and love interest because this is what main demographic wants. I prefer well development women but that is true. Plus Irony is that in my experience many girls targeted works have usuless, weak female leads (maybe even majority).

Super_M wrote:

darkchibi07 wrote: And frankly it's an annoying problem to see this happen to the female characters most of time when there's a popular Weekly Shounen Jump anime series. Yeah there are exceptions like The Promised Neverland and arguably Food Wars (I predict an Act-Age anime to join in as well), but that's what they are: exceptions, not the norm. WSJ targets audience are boys and boys prefers well development male characters unless it is harem. In most shonen girls are eye-candy and love interest because this is what main demographic wants. I prefer well development women but that is true. Plus Irony is that in my experience many girls targeted works have usuless, weak female leads (maybe even majority).

Kimetsu seems to have more females fans than males with 6:4 split and i would say the focus on male character is what made it this popular among them.

Source:https://hon-hikidashi.jp/enjoy/84116/
『鬼滅の刃』の読者の男女比は4：6。男女ともに10代・20代の人気が高いです

Again, I dont know why people assumed this show would focus in on Nezuko to the same extent as our lead character. I disagree with someone who said earlier that this was the premise. Enjoy it for what it is.

Apparently you dont need a strong female lead to attract a female audience (contrary to the ridiculous western notion that girls want a bunch of female leads because of representation or some such farce). What you need is a good story - even a basic story told well will draw both male and female audiences.