Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle review - A Breathtaking, Blood-soaked Visual Spectacle
Six years after Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba first set fire to anime fandom in 2019, the “Infinity Castle” arc marks the beginning of the end. Ufotable’s first of three feature films adapting Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga finale has finally arrived in UK cinemas, and it wastes no time throwing audiences back into the action.
Picking up immediately after Season 4’s Hashira Training arc, the film plunges Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the Hashira into Muzan Kibutsuji’s twisted lair — a labyrinth of shifting walls, collapsing halls, and lurking Upper Rank demons. The stage is set for a showdown that promises nothing less than the survival of humanity.
The film wastes no time. Picking up directly after Season 4’s Hashira Training arc, Muzan Kibutsuji retreats into his lair, the ever-shifting Infinity Castle. With the Demon Slayer Corps pulled inside against their will, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Zenitsu, Inosuke, and the Hashira find themselves in a high-stakes labyrinth where death lurks behind every corner.
This arc is less about buildup and more about pure collision — every demon slayer against Muzan’s remaining Upper Ranks. The stakes are clear: this is the war to end it all. But the storytelling style — heavy on flashbacks — sometimes disrupts the urgency of that war.
What Works
• Visual Mastery: Ufotable outdoes itself once again. The seamless blend of 3D architecture with fluid 2D swordsmanship elevates every Breathing Style attack into an IMAX-worthy spectacle. Elemental effects dazzle, fights flow with cinematic precision, and the Infinity Castle itself becomes a living, menacing character.
• Soundscape Brilliance: Returning composers Kajiura and Go Shiina deliver a score that’s equal parts tragic and triumphant. Paired with vocal themes from Aimer and LiSA, the music swells at just the right emotional beats, amplified by immersive IMAX sound design.
• Standout Battles: From Shinobu Kocho’s devastating duel to the chilling introduction of Doma, Upper Rank #2, the fight sequences balance spectacle with emotional heft. The animation heightens both the horror of the demons and the humanity of the slayers.
• Faithful to the Source: Fans of the manga will find their favorite arcs faithfully — and often beautifully — adapted. The humor, emotional flashbacks, and tragic undertones all survive translation to the big screen.
What Doesn’t Work
• Bloated Runtime: At 155 minutes, the film feels stretched. Flashbacks — usually effective in the weekly anime format — stall momentum during crucial battles, cutting tension instead of deepening it.
• Incomplete by Design: Unlike Mugen Train, this is not a standalone film. Part one of a trilogy, it ends with more setup than payoff, leaving the audience suspended rather than satisfied.
• Not for Newcomers: Despite recap snippets, the narrative assumes prior knowledge. Without familiarity with Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the Hashira, much of the emotional weight is lost.
🎬 Should You watch It?
✅ Best For: Longtime fans of Demon Slayer who’ve followed the anime or manga from the start.
❌ Skip If: You’re new to the franchise — you’ll be hopelessly lost.
🍿 Watch It On: The biggest screen you can find. IMAX is highly recommended for maximum visual and audio impact.
🕰 Patience Required: At 155 minutes, expect some drag during flashbacks.
⚡ Overall: Not a standalone, but as the first chapter of the endgame, it’s a stunning, must-see experience.
Bottom Line
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle Part 1 is anime cinema at its most visceral: dazzling, thunderous, and emotionally raw. It is also indulgent, overlong, and incomplete. For newcomers, it’s a labyrinth without a map; for fans, it’s a monumental start to the endgame — one that leaves you desperate for part two.
Overall, A flawed but unmissable spectacle
Ratings: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel