The Best Action Series of 2019 Remains an Anime Masterpiece 6 Years Later

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Just six years ago, most people didn’t recognize it, but now it’s become incredibly popular worldwide. This one anime series has achieved more global recognition than the entire anime industry has in sixty years. It’s even captivated people who’ve never watched anime before. While appealing animation, compelling stories, and endearing characters aren’t new, this series executes them exceptionally well – and with unprecedented success.

Demon Slayer has become a phenomenal success, surpassing all expectations for an anime. Its incredible popularity has led to blockbuster movies, record-breaking viewership numbers, and even a unique partnership with Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers – achievements that once seemed out of reach. Many consider Demon Slayer a groundbreaking masterpiece that redefined what anime could achieve.

Ufotable Has Made Every Frame of Demon Slayer a Masterpiece

What sets the Demon Slayer anime apart? Simply put, everything. No expense was spared, and it boasts top-tier visuals and sound design. Demon Slayer isn’t just something you watch—it’s a completely captivating experience.

2019 was a fantastic year for anime, with popular shows like Mob Psycho 100 II, Vinland Saga, and the third season of Attack on Titan all debuting. However, even amongst these hits, Demon Slayer quickly made an impression. New anime usually have just a few episodes to attract viewers, often relying on interesting ideas, exciting previews, or impressive visuals. Demon Slayer used all of these strategies, but it was the show’s breathtaking animation that really drew people in. Now, six years later, while fans still debate whether Demon Slayer deserves all the praise it gets, everyone agrees on one thing: it’s a visually stunning series.

The animation in this series is truly exceptional. The characters are beautifully designed and easy to remember, the settings are stunning, and the fight scenes are like watching a painting come to life. The way breathing techniques are incorporated into the fights makes them captivating, with smooth and fluid animation that’s visually striking. Each fighting style not only works as a technique, but also has its own distinct look. It’s rare to see an action series that makes violence so artistic without glorifying it.

Anime often keeps settings the same to save time and money, but Demon Slayer consistently uses them in impactful ways. Each story arc features a memorable and visually stunning location that enhances the emotional weight of the narrative—whether it’s the harsh blizzard at the beginning, the dazzling Entertainment District, or the ever-changing landscape of Infinity Castle.

Ufotable’s animation style is a unique mix of classic hand-drawn techniques and modern 3D graphics, a bold choice they pull off flawlessly. They also include familiar anime elements like cute chibi characters and fan service, ensuring there’s something for every viewer. The series cleverly uses first-person views at key moments, and shaky camera work effectively conveys feelings of panic, like the breathless rush of running or the impact of a fight. While none of these techniques are entirely new to anime, Ufotable’s combination of them is impressively ambitious and, importantly, serves a clear purpose within the storytelling.

Creating Demon Slayer was clearly a passion project for Ufotable, and they dedicated all their resources to it. Since 2019, the studio has focused exclusively on Demon Slayer, even putting other planned projects on hold. They used to release several major anime series each year, like Fate/Zero and God Eater. This was a big gamble, but it paid off spectacularly. Each new Demon Slayer release broke viewership records and raised the bar for animation quality, consistently exceeding expectations with stunning visuals. The latest season, Infinity Castle, is arguably the most impressive animation ever made. Its production quality and intricate detail are unmatched by anything else in anime, Disney, or any other form of animation. The dynamic camera work, blend of 2D and 3D, and sheer level of detail are simply incredible – there’s truly nothing else quite like it.

Beyond its stunning animation, the series boasts incredible audio quality. Demon Slayer features outstanding voice acting and a beautiful soundtrack. The voice actors brilliantly portray a wide range of emotions – from intense battle cries to heartbreakingly quiet moments and lighthearted comedy – making each character feel real. Both the English dub and the original Japanese voice cast have been praised for their exceptional work. The original music, created by Yuki Kajiura and Go Shiina, is also widely celebrated.

As a huge fan, one of the things that really got to me in Demon Slayer was how the music was woven into the fights. It wasn’t just background noise – it actively boosted the emotional impact of every clash. Take the Akaza versus Rengoku fight on the Mugen Train, for example. Their theme songs clashed and blended, not only driving the action but making the quiet moments feel incredibly weighty. Then there’s that heartbreaking scene with Giyu falling and facing Akaza in Infinity Castle – a lone piano perfectly captured the feeling of rushing water and despair. And it’s not just the big musical cues; even the sounds between fights – the ragged breaths, the cries of pain – all felt deliberate and added so much to the intensity. Honestly, every single audio element felt meaningful and made those moments hit even harder.

Demon Slayer’s Titular Antagonists Set It Apart From Other Series

The Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba anime is popular with manga fans because it stays true to the original story. However, the basic idea – a teenager who becomes a powerful fighter after a family tragedy – isn’t new. Many stories use this setup. What makes Demon Slayer stand out is its protagonist, Tanjiro. He could easily be a generic character, but the series portrays him as consistently kind, even while remaining fiercely determined to defeat demons. Unlike many anime heroes who need a darker side to feel complex, Tanjiro is a surprisingly sympathetic, yet incredibly effective, fighter.

The story’s strength lies in how it depicts its demons. The series is sometimes criticized for taking its time, as villains often receive lengthy backstories, even during fights. However, those who stick with it realize that understanding a demon’s past actually makes the battles more gripping and emotionally impactful. Often, these demons show a flicker of their former humanity as they face defeat, which mirrors the struggles of the demon slayers themselves as they push the boundaries of what it means to be human.

The visual effects in that scene were a major reason why the Mugen Train and Infinity Castle movies were so popular. Rengoku and Akaza, two characters who were already fan favorites in the manga, truly came to life on screen. During their first battle in Mugen Train, Akaza tries to convince Rengoku to join him as a demon, impressed by his incredible power and strong will. Although Rengoku declines and tragically dies, Akaza remembers him fondly, even comparing him to Tanjiro when they fight again in Infinity Castle.

After seeing Mugen Train, audiences strongly disliked Akaza. However, five years later, even devoted fans of Rengoku had complicated feelings after watching Infinity Castle. The film gave Akaza a detailed, thirty-minute backstory that moved many viewers to tears. Like several of the demon slayers, Akaza had a difficult start to life, experienced a short period of joy, and then faced immense tragedy. The story suggests that if someone from the Ubuyashiki family had reached out to Akaza, he could have become a powerful demon slayer. Conversely, if Rengoku had become a demon, he might have joined the ranks of the Twelve Kizuki.

What started as a simple story arc in the Demon Slayer manga became a powerfully tragic and moving portrayal of sacrifice in the films created by Ufotable. This resonated deeply with fans, leading to countless edits and discussions online, and ultimately earning the films millions of dollars.

Demon Slayer Has Shattered Box Office Records Around the World

Demon Slayer has become a phenomenal success, breaking all previous records for anime. Each season has been incredibly popular in Japan and on streaming platform Crunchyroll. The franchise as a whole has earned around 10 billion dollars, exceeding the lifetime earnings of major franchises like Mario, James Bond, and Lord of the Rings, and coming in just behind Dragon Ball. Its films currently hold the top two spots as the highest-grossing Japanese films ever. The latest film, Infinity Castle, is expected to continue this trend. Before Demon Slayer, only Studio Ghibli films achieved similar box office numbers, but those movies are generally self-contained and geared towards families. What’s remarkable is that Demon Slayer’s films are rated R and often require viewers to be familiar with the series, yet they still attract huge crowds.

Even people who don’t usually watch anime likely know Demon Slayer. It was a huge hit that helped make way for many of the popular action anime and big anime movies we see today. Six years after it first came out, it might not be everyone’s top pick, but it’s still one of the most important anime series of its time. It didn’t just improve action animation—it completely changed what people expected from it.

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2025-11-16 02:50