Any optimism that I had from the first episode of this mini-series has been dashed. Demon Slayer Mugen Train arc episode 1 had me hoping that we would get a more fleshed out version of the Demon Slayer movie. We were given the events prior to Rengoku getting on the Mugen train after all. After watching episode 2, I’m not so sure that we’re going to get anything different than the movie cut up into 20+ minute episodes. That’s a real disappointment.
Demon Slayer Mugen Train Arc Episode 1 Review
Where can I watch Demon Slayer Mugen Train arc episode 2?
The place that I go to watch anime is Crunchyroll. They hooked me long ago and it’s been my default anime streaming service ever since. Thankfully, Crunchyroll now has all of the available episodes of Demon Slayer, including the movie. For a while they only had the first season and you had to go elsewhere to watch the Mugen Train. Now that’s remedied and you can also catch the newly debuting Mugen Train arc.
If you don’t want to go to Crunchyroll then my next suggestion would be to go over to Funimation. The Demon Slayer movie was actually the reason why I got a subscription to Funimation in the first place. They had it long before anyone else in the United States did. Now they’re also airing the new episodes of Demon Slayer just like Crunchyroll.
Anywhere else?
As of the time of this writing, you can’t find the new episodes at Netflix. They do have season 1 available, but that’s it. If Crunchyroll and Funimation aren’t for you, try either VRV or Hulu. I haven’t really tried VRV and consider Hulu a less desirable option, but they’re there nonetheless. I wouldn’t be doing a good job if I didn’t at least mention them.
VRV is a site that allows you to stream content from different content platforms. A subscription there will get you access to content from other sites. Crunchyroll is one of them. If you’ve already got a subscription at Crunchyroll then you should be able to access the it at VRV without having to pay anything extra. They have a guide on how to link the two sites so you don’t have to pay double.
Hulu, on the other hand, is its own thing. While there is a good amount of anime on their site it’s not the main focus. There’s also the problem with them not removing commercials for the base level of subscription. You have to pay extra to watch content commercial free. No thanks!
Watch Demon Slayer Mugen Train Arc Episode 2 at Crunchyroll, Funimation, VRV or Hulu
How was the story in Demon Slayer Mugen Train arc episode 2?
It was pretty much the exact same story as the beginning of the movie. There really wasn’t anything noticeably different. If there was it was very difficult to pick out. Maybe it’s because I’ve watched a ton of anime since watching the Mugen Train movie, but I couldn’t spot anything different even through I tried. I kept hoping that we’d see a little more from Rengoku’s conversation with Tanjiro or possibly get the backstory on all of the children working for Enmu. None of that came though.
What we were left with was a story that felt like the studio just went “Ctrl + C” and then “Ctrl + V.” Let me put it this way, if Demon Slayer Mugen Train arc episode 2 was turned in as a homework assignment in school, the student would get a zero and possibly face the administration for plagiarizing someone else’s work. It wasn’t changed enough to be its own unique work.
Does that mean the story is bad?
No. That’s not what I’m saying. There’s a reason that Demon Slayer: Mugen Train is the highest grossing anime movie of all time. Yes, part of that reason is because of the sharp visuals, but if there was an incoherent story then it would’ve never gone this far. When I look at anime like Fena Pirate Princess and its dumpster fire of a story and compare it to this one, it’s not even close. There’s a reason why everything is happening on the Mugen Train. For the most part everything seems to follow along logically and gets explained well.
Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke meet up with Rengoku to provide backup on the Mugen Train and the four of them get put to sleep. We’re treated to Rengoku’s dream of him defeating two demons while the three boys fawn over him, all wanting to be his apprentices. In reality, Enmu is slowly enacting his plan to take out the Hashira and the main characters. Nothing is out of place in the world of Demon Slayer.
What did Demon Slayer Mugen Train arc episode 2 get right?
I always love watching the animation in Demon Slayer and the Mugen Train arc episode 2 is no exception. I guess if Ufotable just cut up the movie into multiple different episodes then this would just be a recycling of the excellent animation from there. The breathing techniques are always what catch my eye and Rengoku’s fire breathing is once again in the spotlight.
Rengoku’s flames have a fluid quality about them that I can only describe as fascinating. I’d say that it’s the same as Tanjiro’s water breathing but the design of the flames is different. The movement of the flames is the same as Tanjiro’s water, though, and that’s what makes it feel so similar. One of Rengoku’s attacks even reminded me of the wheel attack that Tanjiro has. It’s like their breathing techniques developed from the same source.
Was there anything besides the animation that you liked?
This is a hard section to fill out because I liked the episode, but I know that it’s just a rehashing of the movie. How can I say that Demon Slayer Mugen Train arc episode 2 did a great job when it’s just a copy? Anything positive I have to say can be included under the review of the movie. That doesn’t seem like something that I need to be doing.
I will mention that I did appreciate the shift in the anime’s tone once the conductor arrived. Because I knew what was coming, this moment carried more weight with me. It’s also the point where the silliness was almost completely cut out. Yes, I know that anime has outlandish characters, but sometimes they just get annoying. That was on display here in episode 2 for a little bit but once the action started to get going it got a lot better. If I’m going to watch a retelling of the Mugen Train movie then at least spare me some of the ridiculousness.
What did Demon Slayer Mugen Train arc episode 2 get wrong?
What do you want me to say here? I was disappointed that episode 2 added very little to a story that’s already been firmly established. It was completely different from episode 1 in that way. Maybe we could get some info on the other passengers. Perhaps expound a little more on Enmu’s associates. Something, anything. Please Demon Slayer! Vary things up just a little bit!
Besides that one complaint, I don’t really have anything to add to this section. I’m a fan of Shonen anime and this hits all of the notes that make me a fan. I’ll still come back to watch episode 3 despite knowing that it’s probably going to follow the same path that episode 2 did. My curiosity just won’t let me pass it up.
Is Demon Slayer Mugen Train arc episode 2 worth watching?
This is probably the most difficult time I’ve ever had in answering this question. My first answer was “It depends on if you’ve seen the movie or not.” If you’ve seen the movie, then there’s no reason to watch episode 2. If you haven’t, then episode 2 will be worth your time. Unfortunately, that brings up another question.
If you haven’t watched the Demon Slayer Mugen Train movie, what are you waiting for? It’s available on both Crunchyroll and Funimation. If you want to know what happens to Rengoku, Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke then take the two hours to watch it. Why wait for several weeks as these episodes slowly come out? If anything, it’ll give you a better understanding of how things fit if we do get a story that expands from the central plot. Don’t worry, Demon Slayer Mugen Train arc episode 2 will still be waiting here for you.
Now go watch some anime!
