The captivating historical fantasy anime, Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho, continues to weave its intricate tapestry of time-traveling action and emotional depth, with Episode 23 offering viewers significant plot developments and heartfelt character moments. As the series progresses through its various historical arcs, this particular installment delves deeper into the unfolding mysteries and personal journeys of its protagonist, Jinya.
The Journey of Jinya: A Brief Series Overview
Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho is a Japanese historical fantasy series based on the popular novel by Motoo Nakanishi. Set against the backdrop of Japan’s Edo period and spanning centuries, the narrative follows Jinya, a young man who serves as the guardian to a shrine maiden in the mountain village of Kadono. His life takes a drastic turn after an encounter with a mysterious demon who foretells a distant future threatened by a Demon God. This prophecy propels Jinya into a centuries-long quest as a demon hunter, forcing him to traverse different eras and confront the meaning behind his sword-wielding existence. The anime adaptation, produced by Yokohama Animation Laboratory, premiered in March 2025 and has been lauded for its blend of historical detail and supernatural intrigue.
Episode 23: A Glimpse into the Meiji Arc and Personal Revelations
Episode 23 of Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho aired in Japan on September 23, 2025, at 12:00 a.m. JST on TOKYO MX, marking a crucial stage in the narrative as the story continues into the “Meiji Arc”. This episode builds upon the series’ ongoing mysteries while also providing poignant character interactions.
The Aragake Inari Shrine Mystery
A central plot point in Episode 23 revolves around Jinya hearing from Akitsu about a local legend concerning the Aragake Inari Shrine. This shrine is said to enshrine a fox deity and possesses an ancient iron mirror, once believed to have returned a celestial maiden to the heavens. Intriguingly, reports surface of light emanating from the main hall where the mirror is kept, accompanied by sightings of a human figure. Jinya’s subsequent visit to the shrine leads to a pivotal encounter with a mysterious woman who greets him with the cryptic words, “At last, we meet”. This encounter undoubtedly sets the stage for further revelations about the series’ overarching plot and potentially new allies or adversaries.
Jinya’s Fatherhood and Emotional Depth
Beyond the supernatural confrontations, Episode 23 offers a deeply emotional segment focusing on Jinya’s role as a father. In a particularly heartfelt scene, Jinya takes his daughter to a festival, fulfilling a promise to her. During their return, on a bridge, his daughter, now older and more curious, directly asks him about her birth mother. Jinya’s struggle to explain, coupled with his daughter’s subsequent acceptance of him as her father regardless of biological ties, highlights a powerful theme of chosen family and unconditional love. This interaction provides significant character development for Jinya, offering new perspectives on his journey and motivations beyond his demon-hunting duties.
Time-Traveler Kaoru and Shifting Identities
The episode also sees the character Kaoru traveling back in time, where she is given the name Asagao. Her presence in different eras and under different names adds another layer of complexity to the series’ intricate time-traveling narrative. Akitsu, a traveling merchant and exorcist, further teases Jinya about a potential date with Kaoru, hinting at the evolving relationships and intertwined destinies within the story.
Release and Streaming Information
For viewers eager to catch Episode 23, it premiered on September 23, 2025, in Japan. International audiences can typically find new episodes on streaming platforms such as HIDIVE, which generally premieres new episodes on Mondays. In French-speaking regions, the episode became available on ADN – AnimeDigitalNetwork on September 24, 2025. It’s worth noting that the final episodes of the series, including Episode 23, experienced a one-week postponement due to production-related circumstances.
Broader Context: The Anime’s Production and Arcs
The anime adaptation of Kijin Gentosho was initially announced in September 2021 and faced production delays, eventually premiering in March 2025. The series is structured into multiple arcs, including the “Kadono Arc,” “Edo Arc,” “Bakumatsu Arc,” and the current “Meiji Arc,” which began from Episode 22. This episodic structure allows for a comprehensive exploration of Jinya’s journey across a vast historical timeline. The dedicated team at Yokohama Animation Laboratory, with director Kazuya Aiura and series composer Deko Akao, has brought Motoo Nakanishi’s expansive narrative to life.
As Sword of the Demon Hunter: Kijin Gentosho approaches its conclusion with Episode 24 set to be the final installment, Episode 23 serves as a pivotal bridge, deepening character bonds and advancing the mystical plot towards its ultimate resolution.
