Despite its slow start, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba has racked up an avid following through the years and catapulted anime studio Ufotable to the public spotlight, and making its mangaka, Koyoharu Gotouge, one of the best-selling manga authors of all time.
If you’re a fan of Demon Slayer, then you’ve been waiting for this moment for years. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle Part 1 doesn’t waste time getting into the action, with a short recap at the start and going straight into full-on storytelling and character development that took four seasons to actualize and culminated in one of the fantasy anime’s best entries.
Join us as we dive into the details that make this animated film a must watch. Spoilers ahead, so be warned.
A Story of Parallels
Watching this latest film gave me a heartbreaking realization about the story and its characters. The Demon Slayer Corps has children and young adults leading the charge, and the demons outside the upper moon were also children before they were turned into the deadliest foes of humanity.
And what is the driving force of both sides? Hurt and pain dealt by either adults to the demons, and the demons themselves for the Demon Slayer Corps. Throughout the anime’s run, we’ve seen each of Muzan’s Kizuki accept his blood because they want the power to prevent any agony or pain from affecting their lives.
Photos from Aniplex
Photos from Aniplex
In Infinity Castle, that’s best seen through the fights between Shinobu and Douma, Zenitsu and Kaigaku, and the Tanjiro-Giyu tandem and Akaza (or as we now know him, Hakuji). Each of these parallels show how the cycle of trauma affects every character, and how the difference between a Demon Slayer and a demon is how they choose to react to trauma—by fighting for the weak, or by being one of the strong.
Jaw-Dropping Fight Scenes
Ufotable did not disappoint when it came to Infinity Castle’s visuals. The details were smooth, especially the fight scenes. Each of the key players had a chance to shine—Gyomei and Muichiro fought side by side, Obi and Kanroji tag teamed with the cutest defence strategy in the series, Inosuke’s spin and slash technique drew cheers from the crowd, and the most emotional scene with Genya crying as demons swarmed him. Each battle had vibrant visuals, with techniques flashing and glowing as the swords and blood arts clashed. Fans are sure to appreciate Sinobu’s insect techniques, Douma’s icy florals, Zenitsu and Kaigaku’s breathing techniques, and Giyu’s water technique and Tanjiro’s Hinokami Kagura that flowed perfectly in-sync with each other. When we say jaw-dropping fight scenes, we mean jaw-dropping fight scenes.
An Intense Soundtrack
Aimer and Lisa are already staples when it comes to original anime songs, with their evocative and haunting voices setting the tone for the devastating events about to take place. The rest of the score perfectly reflected the intensity of each scene, and the direness of the situation for the Demon Slayers.
“Tanjiro’s Transparent World” is especially beautiful since it was played at such a crucial moment where Giyu and Tanjiro were already exhausted from fighting Akaza. It’s a moment of life or death for the duo, starting with a fast tempo as Tanjiro tries to deduce Akaza’s technique, then pauses for a breath and picks up the pace to ramp up the gravity of the situation and the urgency of his task. The moment Tanjiro realizes Akaza’s plan, the beat slows down with trumpets blaring and vocals shining through, showing how the protagonists have changed the tides of the battle, yet the score ends on a note of uncertainty as Akaza surprises the duo of Giyu and Tanjiro with a transformation.
This is just one of the many ways the soundtrack complemented each moment of the film, making for an intense and enjoyable experience.
The Redeeming Power of Enduring Love
Akaza could’ve been what Muzan was looking for, but Akaza was a good man before he turned into a demon. The moment he was decapitated, the audience was treated to his backstory. Cue the waterworks. We won’t spoil anything for you, but rest assured that the film does not treat trauma and its consequences lightly. But despite showing how one can be led down the path of evil even after experiencing injustice themselves, the film also shows how enduring love can have the greatest power of all, calling you home and urging you to remember who you really are.
A Satisfying Start for an Epic Conclusion
After all four seasons of the anime, Demon Slayer is ending with a three-part movie series for Infinity Castle. The first part concluded with an emotional sendoff, but we’re still two films away from the ending. Part 2 of Infinity Castle is set to be released in 2027, with the final film slated for a 2029 release. Despite the long stretches between the films, Infinity Castle Part 1 will definitely keep fans satisfied and wanting more, as Ufotable is taking its time with refining the last films of the franchise.
With amazing character work, solid thematic callbacks, and fantastic animation, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle Part 1 is definitely a must-watch film for Demon Slayer fans as we count down to the end of the anime. SEA Wave rates this film 4 out of 5 waves.