If you’ve logged in on any social networking site in the past few days, you’re probably aware that Demon Slayer’s season two will start airing on October 10th.
The season will be divided into two arcs: the first arc will be a serialized version of the Mugen Train movie (with additional scenes, new fights, and an entire episode from Rengoku’s POV), while the second half will focus on the ‘Yuukaku-hen arc’ from the manga.
Given that most of us are already familiar with the events of Mugen Train, it’s no surprise that the majority of the anticipation is directed towards the second half of the season. Mainly since this arc (also referred to as ‘entertainment district arc’) will introduce Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira, as well as the Three Oirans to the audience.
What Is an Entertainment District/Yuukaku-hen?
In older days, an entertainment district, or Yuukaku-hen, generally referred to a location that hosted various forms of adult entertainment. Activities like gambling, prostitution and other forms of adult services were legal in these areas.
Though these places are no longer legal, they are often portrayed in relevant Japanese media to create awareness of the country’s history among the youth.
What Is Yuukaku-hen In Demon Slayer? Is It Safe For Kids?
The Yuukaku-hen arc in Demon Slayer will take the core characters on a trip across Yoshiwara, a famed entertainment district, as they investigate a series of gruesome murders with the Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui.
Nobody can tell if this season will be kid-friendly, given that it’s set in an adult environment. Still, Fuji TV has assured sources that ‘the series would undergo the usual standards-and-practices review,’ which shouldn’t make the content explicit.
However, adults are still encouraged to watch the season themselves to determine if they deem it appropriate for their child.
What Is An Oiran?
In entertainment districts, an Oiran was the highest-ranking prostitute in a brothel. These women were extremely beautiful and cultured and held a higher social rank than other prostitutes and customers.
Given their position in the hierarchy, it was often that the Oiran would choose their customers, not the other way around. And it wasn’t uncommon for an Oiran to become the mistress of a high-ranking suitor. Since they held a lot of wealth and influence among the nobility, any suitor would benefit from a relationship with an Oiran — if they proved themselves worthy of her, of course.
The Three Oiran in Kimetsu No Yaiba will play a central part in the investigation and be tangled equally in a mess between Muzan and Demon Slayer Corps.
Who Is Suma Oiran?
Suma Oiran was a kunoichi disguised as an Oiran in the Yuukaku-hen, working covertly to investigate demon activities in the area and reporting them to the Demon Slayer Corps. She was also the first wife of Tengen Uzui, the Sound Hashira.
Much like Zenitsu, Suma is known to be quite overdramatic and fearful of dangerous situations. Her struggle between fulfilling her duty as a slayer versus her fear of demons is a comedic relief throughout the arc.
Who Is Koinatsu Oiran?
Koinatsu Giving Tanjiro A Candy
Koinatsu was a kind, generous human female who worked at Tokito House as an Oiran. She was known for her exquisite looks and gentle nature and was well-liked by her subordinates. She was the first Oiran to fully appear in the Yuukaku-hen arc and became an ally to Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps.
At the beginning of the arc, it is mentioned that Koinatsu was getting married in the next few days. She explained that though there was nothing she could want more, she was concerned about the sudden disappearances in the brothel and did not wish to leave as soon.
This compelled her to help Tanjiro and his friends, which later endangered her life.
Who Is Warabihime Oiran
Warabihime Oiran, born Ume, is the primary antagonist of the Yuukaku-hen arc. She shared the rank of an Upper Six demon with her brother, Gyutaro, and was favored by Muzan for her strength and prowess. Though she’s hundreds of years old, she’s known to have the temper of a spoiled brat.
However, her temper and inherent pride are justified since she’s known to have fought, killed, and eaten seven Hashira at once.
As a child, Ume rose to the ranks of an Oiran with ease, thanks to her good looks. However, after she poked the eye of a client, her brothel burned her alive and left her for dead. Her brother eventually rescued her, but there wasn’t much he could do to save her life.
Doma, an Upper Rank Six demon, took pity on them and turned them into demons. After this incident, both the siblings became merciless killers and eventually wreaked enough havoc to garner Muzan’s attention.
Plot Of Yuukaku-hen Arc
During her mission in Entertainment District, Suma Oiran was suddenly reported missing from the brothel, and rumors said that she’d fled with a wealthy suitor. Knowing her, Tengen Uzui figured that those rumors were false.
He suspected a much sinister force behind Suma’s disappearance and decided to go down there and investigate.
He had Tanjiro, Zenitsu and Inosuke disguise themselves as women and join the brothel Suma worked in. Once there, Tanjiro befriended the kind and compassionate Koinatsu Oiran and used her friends to gather information for the investigation. Meanwhile, Zenitsu and Inosuke attracted Warabihime Oiran’s suspicions and brought her to Uzui’s attention.
The creators of Demon Slayer have promised that this arc will delve deeper into the world of Hashira and end with significant developments for both Tanjiro and Nezuko.
