The full-series rebroadcast of the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime continued on July 26, 2026, with Episode 16, “Don’t Be Led Astray by Someone Who Isn’t Yourself.” Fans took to social media to share their reactions to this memorable installment, calling it “an episode that really sticks with you from the early Natagumo Mountain arc” and “a masterpiece that hits you in the heart no matter how many times you watch it.”
Based on Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga, Demon Slayer follows Tanjiro Kamado, a boy whose family is slaughtered by demons and whose sister Nezuko is turned into one. He joins the Demon Slayer Corps to find a cure. The series, animated by ufotable, began airing in April 2019 with the “Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc.” The latest theatrical trilogy, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Infinity Castle, opened its first chapter on July 18, 2025.
Note: The following contains spoilers for Episode 16.
Murata Steps Up
In Episode 16, Inosuke Hashibira uses his “spatial awareness” to locate the demon controlling the Demon Slayer Corps members, but they cannot advance. Fellow slayer Murata volunteers to hold the line, saying, “Leave this to me and go on ahead!” Fans cheered for the previously minor character: “I really like Murata here!” “Murata, you’re so cool!!” “Murata is doing his best!” “Murata, the mob representative, is a real manly man!” “Murata is a great senpai.”
Thanking Murata, Tanjiro runs off with Inosuke. Soon they encounter a female slayer who, under the demon’s control, tearfully begs them to bring a higher-ranked officer, or else everyone will be killed.
Meanwhile, the Mother Spider demon controlling the slayers is pressured by her “son” Rui, who asks, “Mother, you can win, right? Isn’t this taking a bit too long?” He threatens to tell Father if she doesn’t hurry. The Mother Spider tightens her threads, desperate to kill quickly to avoid punishment. Viewers sympathized: “Rui is scary…” “What kind of power dynamics does this family have?” “Is the Mother Spider afraid of Rui?” “They’re just playing family among demons.” “Rui is the scariest demon in Demon Slayer for me.” “I feel sorry for the Mother Spider.”
A Brutal Sunday Morning
The controlled female slayer moves at superhuman speed, but her bones break from the strain as she attacks Tanjiro, screaming in pain. Other controlled slayers suffer similarly, with bones piercing internal organs, and they beg Tanjiro to kill them. Tanjiro struggles to find a way to save them, while Inosuke is ready to finish them off. Fans noted the harshness: “The part where they ask to be put out of their misery is painful.” “The slayers are too pitiful.” “It’s too gruesome.” “Tough to watch on a Sunday morning…”
To immobilize the controlled slayers, Tanjiro dashes forward, leaps at the female slayer with full concentration, and flips her into the air, entangling her in tree branches. Inosuke exclaims, “What the heck was that! I wanna do it too!” He successfully copies the move, boasting, “See that! Anything you can do, I can do too!” Tanjiro replies, “Sorry! I wasn’t watching!” Inosuke: “What!” Fans found their banter hilarious: “Their conversation is like a comedy skit lol” “Inosuke is so competitive with Tanjiro.” “Inosuke just wanted Tanjiro to praise him.” “He’s like a kid saying ‘Mom, look at me!'”
The Mother Spider, realizing her puppets are useless, decides to deploy a new one.
Fighting Together
Calling her puppets “useless,” the Mother Spider snaps their necks and abandons them. Enraged by the deaths of the slayers, Tanjiro burns with quiet fury. “Tanjiro’s silent anger is palpable,” fans observed. “Even Inosuke quiets down at Tanjiro’s anger.”
Following the scent, they find a headless giant puppet controlled by the Mother Spider. Inosuke charges but gets caught in spider threads. Tanjiro saves him and proposes, “Let’s fight together! Let’s think together!” Inosuke, flustered but grateful, realizes that Tanjiro focuses on the overall flow of battle, not just his own actions. Using Tanjiro as a springboard, Inosuke leaps, and they coordinate Water Breathing attacks to defeat the headless puppet. Inosuke again shouts, “Anything you can do, I can do too, you idiot!” and flings Tanjiro high into the air. Fans loved the teamwork: “I really love their joint battle scene!” “Tanjiro and Inosuke’s coordination worked perfectly!” “Inosuke is learning!!” “Their combo move is amazing even now.”
Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought
Despairing after losing her strongest puppet, the Mother Spider looks up to see Tanjiro, launched by Inosuke, poised with his Nichirin blade, ready to use Water Breathing First Form. As the blade approaches, she thinks: if she dies, she will be freed, she can rest. But Tanjiro sees her expression and changes his attack to Fifth Form: Blessed Rain After the Drought. As her neck is cut, she feels as if she is being bathed in a gentle rain—no pain, no suffering, only warmth.
Fans were moved: “Tanjiro’s deep compassion in switching to Blessed Rain at the last moment.” “Tanjiro’s kindness really sinks in…” “I was surprised that such a merciful form existed when I first saw it.” “Even after so many comrades were killed, he showed mercy…” “Water Breathing truly responds not only to the situation but also to emotions—it’s a flexible breathing style.”
As she dies, the Mother Spider looks into Tanjiro’s eyes and remembers a time when someone once looked at her with kindness. She warns him, “There’s a member of the Twelve Kizuki here. Be careful…” Fans noted: “Getting that crucial information because Tanjiro gave her a merciful death is a brilliant play.” Tanjiro steels himself.
Ami Koshimizu as the Mother Spider
The official Demon Slayer account released a cast comment for Episode 16 from Ami Koshimizu, who voiced the Mother Spider. Known for roles like Holo in Spice and Wolf, Ryuko Matoi in Kill la Kill, and Mizuki Nakahara in Lycoris Recoil, Koshimizu said: “I’m very happy that the rebroadcast allows viewers to revisit the early episodes. Although the Mother Spider is an enemy, I performed her with the feeling that she ultimately receives liberation and salvation. I think of Tanjiro and the others’ harsh journey ahead, and thank you for the salvation!”
After the broadcast, fans shared their feelings: “That mother’s ending… I get teary-eyed every time…” “Her performance as a mother constantly under psychological pressure is amazing.” “The demon mother did terrible things, but she’s pitiful and it’s hard to watch.” “The scene where she accepts death as relief always makes my eyes sweat.” “Ami Koshimizu did an excellent job.” “Sad, but her clear voice made for a beautiful end.”
Next week’s preview teases that Inosuke finally remembers Tanjiro’s name—and it’s not “Kamaboko Gonpachiro”! Fans are excited: “Next week is Zenitsu’s episode!” “Finally, the dice steak senpai?” “Next week is the episode that got me hooked on Demon Slayer.”
Rebroadcast Details
The full-series rebroadcast of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba airs every Sunday from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM on Fuji TV and other stations (check local listings).
Cast (Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc)
- Tanjiro Kamado: Natsuki Hanae
- Nezuko Kamado: Akari Kito
- Zenitsu Agatsuma: Hiro Shimono
- Inosuke Hashibira: Yoshitsugu Matsuoka
Staff (Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc)
- Original Creator: Koyoharu Gotouge (Shueisha Jump Comics)
- Director: Haruo Sotozaki
- Character Design & Chief Animation Director: Akira Matsushima
- Sub-Character Design: Miyuki Sato, Yoko Kajiyama, Mika Kikuchi
- Script Production: ufotable
- Concept Art: Koji Eto, Masaru Yanaka, Kasumi Takeuchi, Yuri Kabasawa
- Director of Photography: Yuichi Terao
- 3D Director: Kazuki Nishiwaki
- Color Design: Yuko Omae
- Editor: Manabu Kamino
- Music: Yuki Kajiura, Go Shiina
- Production Producer: Hikaru Kondo
- Animation Production: ufotable
- Opening Theme: LiSA “Gurenge” (SACRA MUSIC)
- Ending Theme: LiSA “from the edge” (SACRA MUSIC)
(C) Koyoharu Gotouge / Shueisha, Aniplex, ufotable
