Episode Title:
Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka's Pain
Episode Description:
Tamayo informs Yushiro of her decision to ally with the Corps. Tanjiro learns of Giyu's refusal to join Hashira Training, with Kagaya asking that he speak to him. Despite being repeatedly dismissed, Tanjiro persists. Eventually, Giyu explains his refusal to accept he is a Hashira; as a child, he trained with and befriended a similarly-aged boy, Sabito. During Final Selection, despite Sabito defeating nearly every demon present, he was the only one killed, leaving Giyu, who was unable to kill any demons after being incapacitated, riddled with guilt and self-loathing. In Tanjiro's attempt to encourage him, Giyu remembers Sabito's words, teaching him to value his life as a gift from his sister, who died protecting him from a demon. Realizing his attempts to forget them was to avoid his own grief, he decides to participate. Shinobu, believing the time is right, decides to tell Kanao her plan regarding the demon who killed their older sister.