(not finished just writing review as I go)
Chapter 1
I wasn't that interested to read the story about Himejima and the Kocho sisters (chapter 1) at first, but I actually quite enjoyed their story and finished it in one sitting. I think it added a lot to their characters, especially with Himejima. Himejima is described very highly by other characters in the show, so it felt more authentic to be in his perspective (particularly in a timeframe closer to his backstory) and see more of his flaws, with him suppressing his emotions and viewing women and children almost condescendingly, but not so much in a way that ruins his character. In fact, I think it gave him more depth.
Not only that, but seeing Shinobu and Kanae's story from his perspective helped shine a light on who they are as characters too. Especially at the end, when he talks about Shinobu and her smile (which is referencing the way she adopted Kanae's personality) and implies that she will have the same fate as her sister, but she is okay with that, and he cannot stop her. Despite this, or perhaps in light of this, he has deep respect for both Kanae and Shinobu, and this helps to wrap up all of their characters quite well.
Chapter 2
Finished this over the course of two days. I was really excited to read this one because I love zenitsu, inosuke, and uzui, and I wanted to see more of zenitsu and uzui’s dynamic. Honestly, I think it’s there, but it kind of feels like something not super important to the writers. But whatever, it’s important to me! One thing I didn’t like was that they focused on freaky zenitsu, and why uzui would suggest that all? 😭 why would he suggest his wives. They never really cleared up that he was doing it to get zenitsu stronger or if he ordered him just so that he could have a hot spring. Either way, it’s strange, because in the end, tengen didn’t have to worry about zenitsu getting in the hot spring because he fainted and hit his head on a rock out of fear 😭, but it’s not like uzui was planning for that to happen?? So I think that was just a bit unclear which I didn’t like.
There was some really cute passages, like the interaction between zenitsu and inosuke was really cute and nice to see, because usually, the show and manga focuses more on their relationships with tanjiro or nezuko, so I love to see their interactions sm!! And I like hinatsuru’s POV at the end. For the most part, there were certain parts I just really didn’t like, but then there were parts I really did! So I would reread this chapter for sure, but there are things I wish were resolved or improved.
Chapter 3
I found it funny (and fun) the way shinobu and iguro interact. We never see that in the show, so the first scene with them here is endearing.. in a way haha. They have a sibling like dynamic, where it seems like shinobu is almost willing to let her calm smiley persona drop and tease him sometimes, like for his crush on mitsuri.
Also extra extra bonus for mentioning my Shayla muichiro. I miss my son mui
Overall, this chapter was probably my favorite so far! I enjoyed the story thoroughly and I thought it was well written. It makes me so happy that they are expanding upon Mitsuris character and her relationship with Shinobu, and using that to give them both more depth. I love how mitsuri and shinobus characters complement each other’s writing. I could write an essay about it!
I love seeing the Hashira interact with each other and this duo is especially one of my favorites!
Loved this one.
Chapter 4
Well written short snippet about genya. I don’t fully understand sanemi and genya’s relationship but I know there is miscommunication so I’m giving sanemi some grace. I’ve always found their relationship interesting, so I can’t wait to see sanemi’s perspective better. But this was a really cute little story and the flash back was cute too. I loved seeing tanjiro at the end and I love when they expand upon the writing of the butterfly mansion girls. This one was short but great!