Daemons of the Shadow Realm 1×13 and 1×14 Review – “Daikyo and Shokyo” and “Family and Friends”

Daemons of the Shadow Realm anime season 1 episode 13, titled ‘Daikyo and Shokyo’, and episode 14, titled ‘Family and Friends’, packed lots of action as well as a major reveal for Yuru.

With Ivan sneaking into Higashio Village by using his Daemon swords’ ability on the Shaman’s body in the previous episode, ‘Daikyo and Shokyo’ was all about showcasing Ivan’s ruthlessness as he sliced and diced through the villagers to find Fake Asa and her Master. While Ivan didn’t kill any kids, I think he’s the type of character who would dispose of children if they proved a hindrance to his mission.

From what I could understand about Ivan’s special ability through his Daemon katanas, named Daikyo and Shokyo, it involved some kind of space-time travel mechanic. The katanas could be used to cut a square into inorganic or organic material. Once cut, said square could be summoned to Ivan’s location for him to then use the square to appear at the previous location of the inorganic or organic material.

Ivan had previously used this ability to create an opening for the mercenaries to attack the Kagemori Clan Mansion. In ‘Daikyo and Shokyo’, Ivan used this power to summon the (already katana-primed) Shaman’s belly to his location. He then stepped into the created empty square opening to pop out of the Shaman’s body inside the village. What’s interesting is that organic beings didn’t die while missing a large part of their body, which was being used as a portal.

As for the weaknesses, if I’m assuming correctly, Daikyo and Shokyo weren’t the easiest Daemons to get along with. During Ivan’s fight with Fake Asa, one of the katanas even injured Ivan’s leg. The weapons also weren’t keen on Ivan forming a contract with other stray Daemons. Other than that, the size of the square that could be cut depended on the surface area of the target. For example, Ivan using the abdomen-shaped portal to enter the village was a tight fit because the Shaman was human-sized.

Also, the portal could only be used once, which led to Ivan having to leave Higashi Village on foot after having used the portal to teleport away Fake Asa and a little girl, to be used as hostages. So, yay, to such an ability being accompanied by weaknesses that could be exploited. Having said that, Ivan was shown to be quite fast. Yes, he was fighting majorly unprepared villagers, but still, Ivan’s not an opponent that can be taken down easily whenever Yuru and his crew confront him.

With the village experiencing yet another attack (they should start calling it Fodder Village instead of Higashi Village), we got to see Danji being told by his mother to travel to the outside world and connect with Yuru. Our male lead character needed to be told about what had happened and that his life was in danger.

As for Fake Asa agreeing to be captured by Ivan to lure out Yuru, I liked how she decided to go along with the plan as a way to reconnect with Yuru. Fake Asa was a Daemon, but she had still cared about Yuru over the years.

Danji being given a lift by Oshirasama was quite surprising, but it made sense. Danji wouldn’t have been able to find Yuru on his own in the city. So, I’m here for such plot convenience. Also, Danji needed to be around Yuru for a major reveal to work in episode 14.

As for the aftermath of the Shaman’s murder, Hana was responsible for burying his body. Not only that, but Hana also agreed to bury the sliced relics of the Shaman’s two Daemons. That little pair had done nothing wrong. They weren’t even fighters. Again, Ivan and his Daemon katanas weren’t taking any prisoners (unless ordered by their current boss).

I liked how ‘Family and Friends’ didn’t have Hana drag out not sharing Ivan’s message on the Shaman’s body about meeting with Yuru in exchange for Fake Asa and the kidnapped little girl. I couldn’t help but chuckle at how Hana justified sharing the message with Dera. As far as Hana was concerned, she was simply talking aloud to herself. If Dera happened to be in earshot, then so be it. Ha!

Dera definitely needed to work with Jin to figure out the current threat to Yuru and Asa. So, I’m looking forward to seeing their reactions after realizing the culprit targeting the twins was Asuma’s maternal uncle.

Talking about Yuru, he spent the day looking for a place to try out his newly crafted arrows. I liked the comedic bits of Ken stopping Yuru from catching fish or shooting down pigeons inside the city. Yuru also came to a shocking realization about how killing or gravely injuring another human in self-defence could still land him in jail.

‘Family and Friends’ introduced two new Daemons to the group. Wanting to connect with someone friendly, the Daemon duo showed their alien-like appearance to Yuru, Ken, Left, and Right. Not only that, but it was revealed that the pair had made a contract with an actual dog after having been forgotten by the people who used to worship them.

I had wondered why the duo didn’t terminate such a contract. So, yay, to the writers immediately explaining to Yuru (and the viewers) how the pair had grown fond of their Master, even if it was a dog. Here’s to hoping the pair adds something substantial to the narrative instead of just being used as members of the ever-expanding Daemon roster (many of whom just exist as mere tools without much purpose).

The episode concluded with Danji finally meeting up with Yuru and changing a major part of Yuru’s backstory. Due to Daemons not naturally casting a shadow, Yuru clocked Danji as a Daemon the moment he stood in front of him. Turns out, Danji had forgotten about creating a shadow for himself over his excitement of meeting Yuru and what had happened at the village.

I have to say that I wasn’t expecting Danji to be a Daemon at all. But in hindsight, there were signs which added to the credibility of the reveal in the present. And that, in my opinion, is an example of good writing.

Danji and Fake Asa were paired Daemons. Their actual names were Zashiki-Warashi. According to lore, Zashiki-Warashi leaving a household would spell its downfall. However, another perspective was that Zashiki-Warashi leaving a household was a sign of ever-growing issues in a Clan because the duo preferred peace.

Yuru realizing he had been lied to by everyone in the village, including Danji, led to quite an understandable reaction. Of course, Yuru was angry about Danji’s betrayal of pretending to be his best friend. Also, Danji maintaining his actual childlike appearance while Yuru yelled at him. I mean, I can’t fault Danji for trying to appear as a kid so Yuru would go easy on him.

With Yuru deciding to take some time by himself to get over all of the lies and clear his head, I’m very intrigued by how the writers will get Yuru to forgive Danji. Yuru needs all the allies he can get to fight the incoming threats.

Did you watch Daemons of the Shadow Realm anime season 1 episodes 13 and 14? What did you think of them?

Let us know.

Author: Farid-ul-Haq

Farid has a Double Masters in Psychology and Biotechnology as well as an M.Phil in Molecular Genetics. He is the author of numerous books including Missing in Somerville, and The Game Master of Somerville. He gives us insight into comics, books, TV shows, anime/manga, video games, and movies.

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