Demon Slayer is undeniably a gorgeous supernatural series where even its biggest hater can’t deny this fact. Ufotable has done a phenomenal job of animating every single detail. However, I was surprised to find out that the Breathing effects aren’t real, despite being a majority of why Demon Slayer is visually brilliant.
With how prominent and important the techniques are to Demon Slayer, it fooled us into believing these were effects other characters could see. These elemental visuals aren’t even the most unrealistic aspect of the series so why make them not real?
They manifest the Breathing Styles from their swords. However, if they aren’t visible to others, it just looks like people swinging their swords around. Finding out this fact ruined the immersion of many fans. I’m not watching Demon Slayer to see people just swing swords.
It’s ridiculous to draw the line at making the Breathing effects real in the Demon Slayer universe
In a world infested with literal demons, it doesn’t exactly make sense why elemental powers aren’t a thing. The characters can even rearrange their organs, dash at inhuman speed, and communicate with animals, but Koyoharu Gotouge doesn’t want the Breathing effects to be real. Make it make sense.
If none of the effects are real, how am I supposed to take the fights in Demon Slayer seriously? You can argue that the Breathing Styles are based on real-life forms of swordsmanship. It might be true but it doesn’t make the lack of any actual elements less disappointing.
Demon Slayer fans too agree with this sentiment, puzzled as to why the Breathing Styles aren’t using any elemental power and visual cues.
Anyone else find it ridiculous that the effects aren’t real? (Spoiler)
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I guess, whatever will be, will be. I’m not Koyoharu Gotouge nor am I Ufotable, which is an excellent studio. It’s a great stylistic choice to depict something invisible to the character but it could’ve potentially enhanced the series if they made it real.
Fiction doesn’t always make sense so neither will every aspect of Demon Slayer
The Breathing Styles’ visual effects not being real might be a personal issue for me and many fans, but in the end, Demon Slayer is a piece of fiction. We can’t do nor experience what most of these characters have been through.
The series isn’t Avatar: The Last Airbender. It doesn’t have to include elemental powers. Otherwise, who knows how many people Rengoku’s Flame Breathing would’ve burned? It’s probably for the best that Gotouge didn’t complicate the swordsmanship and add the elements.
It’s also not my place to question Gotouge’s motives and storytelling. Ufotable does tend to be dramatic with its visual effects but that’s anime for you. It does make me yearn for the Breathing Styles’ effects to be real, and in my mind, it is.
Demon Slayer is available on Crunchyroll and Netflix.
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