The following contains spoilers for Demon Slayer Season 4, Episode 8, "The Hashira Unite," now streaming on Crunchyroll.

Demon Slayer Season 4, Episode 8, "The Hashira Unite" is the season finale fans have been waiting for. For some time now, the anime has been focusing on Tanjiro and his training under the Hashira -- but despite its name, the Hashira Training arc has not properly tested anyone so far. The meandering pace of the episodes has only raised viewers' impatience for a big payoff to end Season 4. Luckily, the Season 4 finale finally delivers.

The episode starts slow, but in no time builds up a storm that threatens to destroy everything Tanjiro holds dear. Dripping with tense drama and fierce action, Demon Slayer Season 4 Finale teases a massive counterattack against the villainous Muzan Kibutsuji, who's moving closer to his goal. It may not be the battle of a lifetime, but it's a high point in an otherwise disappointing season.

Demon Slayer Season 4, Episode 8 Is a Nerve-Wracking Finale

The Hashira Training Arc Ends With a Bang

Demon Slayer Season 4, Episode 8 introduces Muzan with reverence -- illustrating the threat that lies before an ailing Kagaya Ubuyashiki. The finale does not enter into combat immediately; instead, it lets the audience soak in the tension. Director Haruo Sotozaki takes a slow-burn approach when the leaders of the two warring clans meet for the first time. The opening act centers on Muzan, Ubuyashiki and Lady Amane, and the exchanges between them. Their interactions feel enchanting, with Ubuyashiki's speeches sounding like a snake charmer’s song. Although the dialogues are lengthy, the exposition helps reveal the reason for the Ubuyashiki family's recurring curse, among other important details.

The story shifts into the next gear when the Hashira arrive, hurrying and clamoring to reach the mansion in time. Suddenly, the audience breaks out of the trance and recognizes the gravity of a mere mortal facing a demon out for revenge. The episode promptly takes an explosive turn that changes the course of Demon Slayer forever. The entirety of Season 4 toyed with the idea of a demonic ambush, while distracting everyone with teary-eyed backstories. Now that the enemy is at the gate, the season provides that massive uphill battle.

To say that the episode does it well would be an understatement, given the sacrifice Ubuyashiki and his family had to make to get Muzan and the Hashira where they are. The second half of Episode 8 changes the whole complexion of the story, giving it a burst of energy with its swashbuckling action. Once the claws come out and the swords are unsheathed, the fight becomes increasingly gruesome and entertaining to watch. Plenty of twists and turns make up for the slowness from earlier in the season.

Demon Slayer Season 4, Episode 8 Has Strong Performances

The Voice Cast Makes Their Characters Shine Throughout

Muzan and Ubuyashiki's tense conversation is essentially a standoff between the cruel and cunning Muzan, the Demon King, and the calm yet calculated presence of Ubuyashiki. On a power scale, Kagaya is no match for a demon -- and the Demon Slayer Season 4 finale portrays this imbalance visually as well. He struggles and stays on the floor while Muzan stands over him. This feels like a predator taking measure of its prey, waiting to draw first blood... and leaving the audience holding their breath in anticipation. The episode does an amazing job of illustrating the enmity between the two nemeses, who have never met and yet know everything about each other.

Actor Toshihiko Seki is menacing as Muzan Kibutsuji throughout Episode 8. As his character mostly emotes through his eyes, Seki has to bring out Muzan's diabolical nature through the tone of his voice. It is smooth with a hint of authority that matches well with Muzan's personality. But as Muzan's patience grows thin, Seki shifts to a more rugged tone, showing why Muzan is such a terrifying character. Similarly, his co-star Toshiyuki Morikawa perfectly captures Kagaya's mellow personality. One can even hear Ubuyashiki's smile in Morikawa's slow drawl. Yet once the mansion becomes a battleground, none of the characters have any room to breathe.

In true Tanjiro fashion, the anime's protagonist leaps into battle with a war cry, shouting the name of his breathing technique. The other Hashira have similar entrances. These thrilling moments embody the sense of duty the Demon Slayer Corps possess, giving the finale a touch of emotion as the season concludes. But none of the actions of the heroes matter in the end -- because the finale includes a plot twist that tilts the action back in Muzan's favor.

Demon Slayer Season 4 Finale Goes All Out With Its Animation

Episode 8's Visuals Are Finale-Worthy

The animation is easily the standout aspect of Demon Slayer Season 4, Episode 8. The aesthetics play a big part in luring the audience into the story. Despite the shadow of death looming closer to the Ubuyashiki mansion, the viewer notices the beauty of the zen garden, with its gravel and trees shining under the light of a full moon. It is almost as if the background artists didn't get the memo that there is murder and mayhem ahead. But when it happens, even the mechanics behind burning wood as it splinters and breaks are astounding -- these visuals are stunning.

They also enhance the characters. Muzan's introduction is one of the most chilling entries by an antagonist in the anime. The slow-motion shots and wisps of mist that follow him add to the mysterious nature of the unwanted guest, with his flowing gown seeming like a homage to Dracula. When the action heats up, Lady Tamayo and the Stone Hashira, Gyomei Himejima, go all out to stop Muzan. Backing them up are smooth transitions and 360-degree spinning shots that make the scenes look spectacularly dynamic.

The end result is that the Demon Slayer finale is hauntingly beautiful. But despite the eye-popping action and awe-inspiring animation, the finale cops out story-wise -- ending the season in a stalemate. That fact might disappoint some viewers who were expecting a more definitive end. Yet it doesn't entirely take away from the shock and awe of this individual episode, which definitely leaves the audience wanting more.

Demon Slayer Season 4 is now streaming on Crunchyroll.