Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Review: This Should Have Been a TV Season

by

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle signals the climax for the illustrious shonen series. The film picks up right where season four concluded, placing Tanjiro and his companions in the midst of formidable obstacles over a two-and-a-half hour cinematic journey. Initially released in Japan earlier this year, the Demon Slayer movie will debut in theaters on September 12th. As part of our team at egmr.ru, we were granted early access to Infinity Castle to express our impressions regarding the first installment of the finale trilogy.

The story begins straight away in Infinity Castle, where Tanjiro, a member of the Demon Slayer Corps’ elite group known as the Hashira, and his fellow allies find themselves trapped within Muzan’s lair. Each character gets their moment to shine, although some, like Zenitsu, face particular challenges against demons with personal connections. Shinobu engages in a confrontation with the villainous Doma, while Tanjiro and Akaza’s much-anticipated rematch takes center stage following their first encounter on the Mugen Train. Thankfully, Tanjiro has support from Giyu Tomioka, the Water Hashira, during these intense battles. To complicate matters, Muzan observes from the shadows with a hostage in his possession.

Kicking off our discussion, let’s focus on the advantages of the newest Demon Slayer film. One of the standout features of the shonen series has always been its exceptional fight sequences, beautifully complemented by Studio Ufotable’s remarkable artistic vision. These elements are still prominent in Infinity Castle, and some might even argue that this movie showcases the best instances of both in any Demon Slayer anime to date. The battles in this film are contenders for the finest that 2025 could offer within the medium. Each clash is a whirlwind of speed and power, the movements are seamless, and the choreography builds upon what was successful in the original content, pushing it to extraordinary heights.

The stunning Infinity Castle is arguably the most captivating aspect of the movie’s visual art, as its changing environment essentially functions like a character that the protagonists and antagonists must navigate. Certain animation scenes are simply breathtaking, particularly during the final part of the film that offers viewers a panoramic view of Muzan’s transforming dwelling. Demon Slayer has grown into a powerhouse in part by providing fluid, visually stunning animation for anime enthusiasts to appreciate; and Infinity Castle undeniably capitalizes on the series’ strengths in that regard.

Regarding the original Japanese version and its English dubbed counterpart of the movie, both versions are excellent choices. The actors in both versions deliver outstanding performances, truly embodying the emotional depth and intense action scenes. The film doesn’t shy away from tragic consequences, with both heroes and villains meeting untimely ends. The acting is powerful enough to convey the underlying sadness. Fresh talents like Channing Tatum and Rebecca Wang demonstrate that they are valuable additions to the English dub cast.

Regarding the drawbacks, it’s unfortunate that there are some areas that could have been stronger in “Demon Slayer: Infinite Castle”. For context, it might help to think of this film as being similar to, yet distinct from, “Demon Slayer: Mugen Train”, the first movie in the series which became the highest-grossing anime film ever. What made “Mugen Train” so effective was its self-contained storyline that didn’t require a deep understanding of the overall narrative to follow. It’s possible, though not likely, for someone to walk into “Infinite Castle” without any background knowledge and still be confused about what’s happening. This is a minor issue. Unlike “Mugen Train”, which was a standalone movie, “Infinite Castle” is clearly part of a larger narrative, which can be felt throughout the film.

The film “Infinity Castle” struggles somewhat due to its structure feeling more like a compiled season of a TV series into a movie format. For instance, lengthy flashback sequences frequently dominate the film’s runtime, though these recollections are intriguing in their own right, they occasionally disrupt the narrative flow by introducing a sudden tonal shift.

This technique is reminiscent of “Demon Slayer”‘s storytelling style, which entails observing a demon’s human past just before it disintegrates following decapitation. However, in this context, the approach seems ill-suited and fails to effectively humanize the antagonists as it often does in “Demon Slayer.

In the main plot of “Infinity Castle”, three significant battles dominate the movie’s length, with most characters making an appearance but some unfortunately sidelined. While this issue might be rooted in the original material, certain heroes who have been absent for a long time are disappointingly underutilized in this film. Without revealing spoilers, two primary characters in particular seem conspicuously absent.

Regarding the battles, the least impressive features Zenitsu and a character who usually operates in the background but holds strong connections to the lightning-based swordsman. The weakness isn’t due to the animation or fight choreography, but rather the lack of emotional build-up in earlier storylines. A brief mention in the fourth season’s Hashira Training Arc is all that precedes this character’s appearance.

In the realm of anime, “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” presents an epic venture that builds upon the strengths of its shonen series, making them even more impactful. However, this film also showcases the same shortcomings that have been characteristic of “Demon Slayer.” These flaws, unfortunately, counteract some of the elements that make the movie enjoyable. For diehard fans of “Demon Slayer,” there’s plenty to appreciate, but it falls short of being the best anime film of the year or the most outstanding addition to the franchise.

Rating: 3 Out Of 5

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle hits theaters on September 12th.

Read More

2025-09-02 20:07