Sword of the Demon Hunter: Season 1 Episode 19 – Recap and Review
Sword of the Demon Hunter has its usual rebound episode, as it delivers one that may leave you in tears.
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Episode 19 Details
- Available On: HiDive
- Public Release Date: August 18, 2025
- Director(s): Kazuya Aiura
- Writer(s): Motoo Nakanishi
Storylines/Recap
- Sadanaga, with reaching old age, has one final wish: To see Ofuu, Nomari, and Jinya together like a family, and they humor him the day before he dies.
- Noatsugu, with Kinu, formerly known as Harlot, decide to go to Kyoto to overthrow the Shogunate, but before they do that, Lord Hatakeyama’s demon enforcer, Tsuchiura, is sent to kill Noatsugu. However, thanks to Jinya, he gets in the way.
- But, in having to go into his demon form to defend Noatsugu, Jinya finds himself stunning those who at one time accepted him. In this feeling of rejection, he runs away from everyone, including Ofuu and Nomari.
Review and Commentary
Highlights
An Emotional Episode that pushes you to want to know what’s next [84/100]
Between Sadanaga’s death, Jinya running from his child, and Ofuu, never mind Noatsugu potentially abandoning their friendship, this was a far more emotionally charged episode than we usually get. Sadanaga has been showing signs of aging for a while, but it wasn’t clear if or when he would die, and I would submit that it was the first tackle to break you.
Seeing him pass, right after he got an image in his head of Ofuu and Jinya together, lessening his worry as a father, and even seeing them with a child? One who referred to him as her grandfather? I wouldn’t say his life was complete, since it is sad that he and Noatsugu didn’t get to truly reconnect, but it was certainly enough to present the first crack. Follow that with Jinya consoling Ofuu after his death, and oh, I was on the ropes.
However, it was Jinya being exposed and feeling rejected that pushed me over. After all, Jinya has lived and worked in this area for a decade, keeping people safe, killing off demons, and showing himself to be one once was all it took. He got branded a freak, and then came the kicker – he believed them.
That made him running from Ofuu, and Nomari felt like something deep down inside him got triggered by all these acquaintances rejecting him in succession. It made it seem he really had this sense he didn’t belong, wasn’t worthy, and considering how he had increasingly become vulnerable and gained a sense of belonging, was even embracing it, to see it snap like that got me teary-eyed.
In fact, it is one of the few times I can recall since the first episode, since Sword of the Demon Hunter hasn’t desired to dive much into the emotions of its characters too often.
On The Fence
Jinya and Tsuchiura Not Fighting To The Death [73/100]
Jinya’s fight with Tsuchiura was teased the first time they met, and the fact that the fight didn’t reach a proper conclusion, with one of (let’s be real: Tsuchiura) dying, was a bit of a letdown. Jinya hasn’t had a notable fight since he fought his dad, and before that, because Sword of the Demon Hunter hasn’t had a vast amount of notable fights, it is hard to recall one before that without going to the beginning.
But, that is the constant issue we have with the show – because it is so inconsistent, it is sometimes hard to remember the last time it was good. So, beyond thinking back to the first episode, you have to really ponder, maybe look back on past episodes real quick, to think when was the last good fight, emotional scene, or maybe engaging moment.
With that said, I’m hoping Jinya and Tsuchiura have a proper fight and finish what they started.
Overall
Our Overall Rating [78/100]
While we always appreciate episodes where Sword of the Demon Hunter rewards us for sticking by it, honestly, I need consistency over one good episode followed by several that damn near feel like filler. And the thing is, you see the show is capable of doing better and more multiple times, which makes every time it lulls worse.
Other Noteworthy Information
- It’s 1867, this episode
Slide Text
- Intro Slide
- Recap: It’s a sad episode of Sword Of The Demon Hunter, as it is the last one we see Sadanaga in, as he dies this episode.
- Recap: But, before his death, he tries, as he always has, to push Ofuu and Jinya together, even though they are already close friends – just not lovers.
- Recap: However, whether that may last is up in the air after Jinya had to defend Noatsugu from Tsuchiura and was forced to reveal his demon form.
- Recap: The community saw, including Ofuu and Nomari, and it seems that in the rejection from the townspeople, Jinya feared Ofuu (a demon herself) and Nomari seeing what he really looks like, and so he ran.
- Review: Episodes like this frustrate me because you know Sword Of The Demon Hunter probably hasn’t reached a turning point.
- Review: This was a good episode, but you know it isn’t going to maintain this energy, explore Jinya’s fear of rejection, and handle him running from Ofuu and Nomari in such a way to keep you engaged.
- Review: After all, the show has killed off characters before and, by side-stepping death, like Jinya killing his father, or just having us jump to the future, it’s like it constantly works against itself.
- Review: Now, this time could be different, I would love that, but I set aside my hopes and whatever potential I thought this show had a while ago.
- Review: At this point, I look at it as, we have maybe five or so episodes left so minas well see it through.
- Overall (78/100): This is undeniably one of the better episodes of Sword of the Demon Hunter. The only question is, will it continue its pattern of having notable lows and decent highs, or will it finally plateau when it is in a good place?
What To Check Out Next
Sword Of The Demon Hunter: Season 1 Episode 18 – Recap and Review
It’s an uneventful episode teasing the possibility of Suzune’s return while offering nothing until that time comes.
Sword of the Demon Hunter: Season 1 Episode 17 – Recap and Review
As Jinya gets the hang of fatherhood, with Ofuu’s assistance, he meets an orchestrated rival whose skills may far surpass his own.
Sword Of The Demon Hunter: Season 1 Episode 16 – Recap and Review
What seemingly was going to be another ho-hum episode of Sword Of The Demon Hunter becomes the origin story of how Jinya became a father.
