This episode was mostly at the pace of the manga with just a little anime original transition stuff in Iguro's training (the bathing scenes in particular). I do wish we got more Kanroji (her part was pretty much the same in the manga) but, like you said, they were likely trying to get to Genya and Sanemi. I get what you're saying about Himejima, but I think you'll be somewhat satisfied with his characterization when it comes.