3 Reasons Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s Movie Should Have Been an Anime Season (And What Wouldn’t Have Been Cut)

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The initial part of “Demon Slayer: The Infinity Castle Trilogy” has now hit U.S. theaters, generating all the buzz it promised. Animation studio Ufotable is adapting the final story arc into a trilogy of films, causing quite a stir. But with such a massive global fanbase, this film wasn’t just another international blockbuster; it broke numerous box office records domestically and abroad. The best is yet to come as we eagerly await the release of the remaining two films in the series. The story unfolds within the Infinity Castle, an endless maze created by the Biwa demon, Nakime’s Blood Demon Art.

In the opening scene of the movie, the spectacle was truly remarkable, establishing the atmosphere and whipping up excitement for the lengthy fight to come. The initial episode centers around three pivotal battles, with even more conflicts anticipated in future films. Yet, despite the greatness of the recent film, certain elements would have been better portrayed over a television season. This inaugural installment is merely the start, and we may encounter similar problems in subsequent episodes as well. Despite Ufotable’s impressive work on Infinity Castle, it might have been more effective if it had been turned into a season instead.

Warning: This article contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga!

3) An Anime Season Would’ve Left Room for Original Scenes

From the Hashira Training Arc, we’ve seen how effectively original scenes contribute to the overall success of the series. These extended scenes can provide a deeper insight into characters and enhance the main storyline, which is essentially what an anime adaptation aims for. However, the movie’s brisk pace left little room for new scenes, though it did extend the fights to amplify their excitement beyond the manga. Unfortunately, this fast pace also meant missing out on opportunities to delve deeper into characters through their backstories, which could have added even more depth and richness to the storyline.

According to the additional content, the heir from the nearby dojo in Hakuji’s (Akaza) background had feelings for Koyuki. When Hakuji was 16, the heir dragged Koyuki outside forcefully, which led to her health deteriorating. Hakuji became enraged upon discovering that she might have died if he hadn’t found her in time. This incident not only marked the start of the rivalry between the Soryu and the neighboring dojos but also played a significant role in the development of the series’ most tragic romantic relationship.

If the anime had been a TV series instead of a movie, the production studio would’ve had ample time to delve deeper into the couple’s backstory, thereby providing a clearer insight into their feelings towards each other. Additionally, anime episodes often feature bonus segments at the end that provide character information from extra volumes. However, these moments are not included in the movie, which means that fans who only watch the anime will be unaware of this additional information.

2) The Infinity Castle Arc Has Too Many Battles to Adapt into a Film Trilogy

The various point-of-view switches in the anime don’t translate effectively to a movie format. This was less problematic for Infinity Train due to its straightforward mission to vanquish Lower Rank Six. Subsequently, Akaza engaged Rengoku in battle, leading to Rengoku’s demise. Moreover, the entire arc spans only 13 chapters, which is comparable to the duration of the first installment of the Infinity Castle trilogy (approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes).

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The frequent perspective changes in the anime struggle to fit within a movie structure. However, this was more manageable for Infinity Train because it followed a simple objective: defeating Lower Rank Six. Afterward, Akaza fought Rengoku, resulting in Rengoku’s death. Additionally, the entire arc is concluded in just 13 chapters, which matches the runtime of the first film in the Infinity Castle trilogy (around 2 hours and 30 minutes).

Instead of including all 21 chapters from the manga in the film, they chose to focus on the initial 17. This decision was necessary because adapting the additional four chapters at a regular pace would have stretched the movie to approximately three hours, making it less feasible. The swift tempo of the Infinity Castle movie has proven detrimental, as seen by the omission of a significant scene from Chapter 154, where Giyu reaffirms his commitment to shield Tanjiro at all costs.

Giyu reflects on his siblings, Giyu and Sabito, who sacrificed their lives for him, intensifying his resolve never to witness another’s death before him. Omit this moment, and you undermine not only his determination but also his growth as a character. In the context of a TV series, Ufotable would find it challenging, if not impossible, to exclude such a significant scene altogether.

1) Infinity Castle Arc Has Many Powerful Moments That Just Flew by in an Instant

In the grand fortress known as Infinity Castle, the climactic struggle between demons and Corps personnel unfolds. Every participant is deeply involved in this exhilarating yet apprehensive combat. The pace is such that spectators barely have a moment to process the intense scenes before perspectives shift dramatically. For instance, Shinobu’s death could have been more poignant given her popularity among fans. The scene carries an additional emotional weight due to Kanao Tsuyuri’s distressing observation of it.

Instead, the moment passes swiftly, transitioning the perspective to Zenitsu’s fight and subsequently, the confrontation with Akaza. It would have been ideal for Zenitsu’s battle and background to unfold over several weekly episodes, providing a balanced pacing while maintaining excitement. This approach could have allowed each fight to span approximately 2-3 episodes, encompassing his backstory, creating a more focused narrative. Unfortunately, it seems the story progressed differently.

After considering everything, witnessing the Infinity Castle comes alive as a breathtaking spectacle when viewed on a large screen, largely due to Ufotable’s exceptional adaption work.

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2025-09-12 22:42