The final battle to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji is here. Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Part 1 is an exciting, emotional, and visually stunning story that delivers exactly what fans want.
Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Review
Sitting in a packed theater for the special advance screening of the new Demon Slayer film I couldn't help but laugh thinking about how far anime has come since I started watching Dragon Ball as a kid. We used to be made fun of for liking things like this and now look around. A Dolby theater, with every seat filled, people in cosplay/wearing shirts representing their favorite Hashira and Upper Moon demon, all excited to see Tanjiro Kamado's story blaze across the screen. (And blaze it does but I will get into that in a second) All I'm saying is, it's a good time to be an anime fan.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is poised to become the most successful anime of all time. It's already broken numerous records in Japan and other markets and now is set to do the same here in North America. The momentum for this film hasn't slowed despite being out for over 8 weeks internationally. It is likely to beat the previous holder of the title – Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Train –during its opening weekend. Rengoku would be proud. After all the anticipation and eagerness to see this adapted (manga reader here) I can 100% tell you that not only is it worth every bit of the hype but that this was the right move for this epic final arc. I left the theater feeling like Zenitsu with lightning crackling all around right before he moves with godlike speed. In fact, we spent the next hour going over all our favorite parts and geeking out about how cool it was to see this story on such a massive screen with Dolby sound. The only thing that ended the conversation was the fact that we are adults with adult responsibilities and it was midnight. Mornings come early when you're not a kid.
After a brief flashback to Ubuyashiki putting his plan to defeat Muzan into motion, the film begins where Season 4 ended with the Demon Slayer Corps endlessly falling through the Infinity Castle. This is where they will make their last stand against Muzan. But before they can reach him, they will have to all fight through hordes of demons and a few Upper-Rank Kizuki, including the formidable Upper Moon 1, Kokushibo. Tanjiro and Giyu Tomioka find their footing first after the latter uses a water breathing technique to slow them down. Eventually, the scenes shift and show the other Hashira, Zenitsu, and Inosuke landing and battling various rejected looking demons.
What follows is a visual feast that isn't just contained to the vivid fight sequences but to every frame and detail that graces the screen. Director Haruo Sotozaki alongside animation director Akira Matsushima, have elevated every aspect of the already stunning show for a cinematic experience only Demon Slayer could deliver. Koyoharu Gotouge’s original character designs leap off the screen in expertly animated perfection. If you thought Mugen Train (or newcomer Ne Zha II) was the pinnacle of animation, get ready for one spectacular ride. Equally impressive is the soundscape. Every swing of their nichirin swords, each grunt, gasp, and blood splatter are made to be heard in that cinema surround sound. Aimer and LiSA provide new songs with Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina’s boasting electronic crescendos for the battles and deeply emotional chords for the flashbacks. Not to mention they also use silence effectively, adding to the tension or heartbreak of any given moment.
Unlike a lot of anime films, Infinity Castle doesn't give newcomers much of a foothold in terms of the story and why things are happening. There are a few flashbacks to pivotable moments previously seen in the series, but they are brief and are more so meant to drive home the emotions associated with them. That's not to say that newbies won't enjoy it, it's just that they might be confused in parts and the payoff will be little-to-nonexistent. For those of us who have been on this journey from the beginning, either as manga readers or anime only, this is what we have been waiting for and it doesn't disappoint. The Infinity Castle itself (glimpsed only in small amounts before) is one dangerous fun house for our heroes. It's as expansive as it is claustrophobic, endless as it is closed off, and at any given moment can shift into something completely unexpected. That's all thanks to the Biwa Demon, Nakime, and her blood demon art.
Despite the majority of the movie spending time with Shinobu, Zenitsu, and Tanjiro/Giyu, the others get brief moments during the initial descent to remind you that they are formidable slayers. Each breathing technique on display was amazing. Some we haven't seen before and others we have, whether it was Obanai's Slithering Serpent strike or Giyu's Dead Calm, the animation was pushed beyond its limits just like any good Shōnen protagonist. I know I've always appreciated the artistry of the breathing techniques but seeing them on such a massive canvas is just a whole other experience. Thunder Clap and Flash, Hinokami Kagura, Water Surface Slash, and more blaze and dance across the screen. It might take multiple viewings just to really grasp the insane level of choreography captured in these moments.
I won't spoil anything for anime-only fans, but there is a sense that anyone could be next to join Rengoku in the afterlife… except Tanjiro of course. He is the main character after all. (It really does seem like Tanjiro had a lesson or two from a certain Universe 7 hero which naturally helped him evade certain death. IYKYK) With the stakes being so high and knowing this series isn't afraid to unalive an important character, you're going to be on the edge of your seat. Even if you've read the manga, you're going to be sitting straight up in your chair just trying to take it all in. Each fight is thrilling in its own right, Shinobu and Zenitsu have the more emotional battles, where the backstory that is woven in lays the foundation for their anguish and rage. Tanjiro and Giyu shine against Akaza, with the former using new techniques as they battle Upper Moon 3. These two have come a long way from Season 1, working together as a team and trusting one another to handle their part of the fight.
Zenitsu in particular finally earns the respect he's been due for awhile. His fight against Kaigaku proves he's not only become more powerful but that he has matured, accepting his shortcomings and making the best out of his situation. He's not the screaming, needing to sleep in order to fight Zenitsu from before. He is a lightning strike that will get you faster than you can blink. Some may criticize the flashbacks for slowing down the momentum of the fights but this is not only a staple for Demon Slayer but for a lot of other Shōnen manga as well. These flashbacks are not only important for context but help drive home the strong emotions being felt by each character, whether it be the Slayers or the Demons themselves. They provide a cathartic release for those on screen and the audience themselves. Akaza's in particular might be the most heartbreaking of them all.
Verdict
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is an epic beginning to the end of one of the most popular anime series out there. Everything this show is known for, everything that was put on display in Mugen Train has been given a massive upgrade that many, myself included, would not have believed possible. From the dynamic soundscape to the visual feast, emotional story and physics-bending fight choreography, Infinity Castle delivers on every front the adaptation fans of Koyoharu Gotouge’s work have been waiting for. I know I will be seeing it more than once and yes, it needs to be seen on the biggest screen possible, you can thank me later.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is in North American theaters September 12. It is rated R for bloody violence throughout with a runtime of 2 hours and 35 minutes.
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