Demon Slayer uses a lot of themes and symbolism related to the Shinto religion. It turns out that there are many points in the story that were not directly explained, but had to be inferred. One of those puzzling instances is observed during the Demon Slayer training arc.
During the Training Arc, Tanjiro is able to communicate with two spirits, Makomo and Sabito, who were trainees who passed away during the Final Selection. Tanjiro had no connection to Sabito and Makomo, unlike his siblings and mother. The fact that he was able to see and interact with them, even being trained, doesn’t make sense until you realize the hidden subtleties in the training arc.
Tanjiro’s ability to communicate with spirits
It is not a new phenomenon for Tanjiro to see and hear ghosts. After seeing his family massacred, and being a user of spiritual energy himself (with the help of breathing techniques), Tanjiro is extremely attuned to the spirit world.
But this only makes sense when we think of the people that he has known and met in the real world. When it comes to characters like Sabito, who were worlds apart from Tanjiro and from a different generation, it becomes difficult to explain how he could see and communicate with them.
Although there were many times Tanjiro’s mother and siblings appeared to give him that final push and strengthen his will but the way Sabito trains Tanjiro is different, with clear consciousness and two-way communication.
This happens only during the Final Selection arc, after which Sabito and Makomo disappear. Tanjiro is not seen communicating with strange spirits after the fact as well. This makes it seem like a plot hole, but the truth is, the answer was hidden within the episode itself (along with a bit of mythology).
The sword, the boulder, and the sacred rope
The highlight of the Training Arc in Demon Slayer is the fact that there is a symbolic test for Tanjiro in breaking the boulder. Although not required, it was meant to prove both his strength and growth to his mentors.
The boulder represents the seemingly insurmountable challenges that the demon slayers and Hashira will have to face. Only by having the resolve and determination to push through can humanity have a chance for survival.
But a key detail that only a few keen fans noticed is that there is a ceremonial rope tied around the boulder that Tanjiro tries to break. It is called a Shimenawa, a ceremonial rope that is tied around natural objects, which are supposed to be bound by spirits.
Comment
byu/Own-Run-9384 from discussion
inKimetsuNoYaiba
z
Did they ever explain how Tanjiro managed to see Sabito and Makomo?
byu/PinkWhitey inKimetsuNoYaiba
In essence, Makomo and Sabito were bound and attracted to Tanjiro due to his proximity to the boulder, as well as the power of the Shimenawa. By breaking the boulder, Tanjiro proves his strength, also cutting apart the Shimenawa.
Comment
byu/Own-Run-9384 from discussion
inKimetsuNoYaiba
After the binding power of the Shimenawa is lost (because it is cut), the spirits of Makomo and Sabito disappear instantly. This is a way of depicting that he has grown and surpassed his mentors, no longer needing them. This unique circumstance is the reason he could communicate with the spirits, and is not a plot hole.
You can currently stream Demon Slayer on Crunchyroll.
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