I still can’t quite believe I’ve reached the point where you’re reading this review. And it’s not because I haven’t written anything lately or at least, nothing particularly noteworthy, but rather because of the very nature of the film we’re talking about today. If you had asked me a year or two ago, I probably would’ve told you that the chances of seeing anything anime-related on this site were close to zero. Ironically or not, age-related or not, I can now undoubtedly say that I find far more interesting content and far more meaning in today’s anime than in 90% of Hollywood releases. And if as a kid I only watched the most popular titles and had fun without realizing the vast universe I was missing, nowadays I watch a lot more anime, even the lesser-known ones, and I enjoy them just as much. That’s precisely why today’s article naturally finds its place right here in this blog.
But let’s get to the point. It’s important to mention that, even though I watch quite a bit of anime, I very rarely dive into manga. On one hand, that’s a downside – I’m sure there are just as many quality series out there that haven’t made it to the screen and have completely passed me by. On the other hand, it allows me to approach each new episode with genuine excitement, eagerly awaiting the announcements of upcoming seasons and arcs to follow the story’s development. I say all this because today’s case is exactly like that – “Demon Slayer” is undeniably one of the most famous and beloved manga turned into anime in recent years, and yes, it’s one I haven’t read. But that only heightened my interest in the upcoming final trilogy, especially after I binged everything released so far. And for perhaps the first time in my life, I not only found myself truly anticipating the theatrical release of an anime in Bulgaria but actually managed to catch it at an early screening. And since there’s no point in dragging this out any further, let me tell you briefly what I witnessed, while doing my best to avoid any major plot spoilers (and let’s be honest – if you’re an anime fan, especially of this one, chances are you’ve already read the manga and know full well what’s happened so far and what’s coming in the two remaining films of the trilogy).
Ever since the trailers came out the animation level looked like it would be top-notch and this scene only proves it.
I’m throwing you straight into the action, just like “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns” does (this is the only time I’ll bother mentioning the full title, I don’t even feel like copying and pasting it again, so from here on out it’s just “Demon Slayer”). The film picks up exactly where the previous arc left off and I have to say I appreciated the brief intro that serves both as a recap and a quick refresher of the story so far, in case it’s slipped your mind. From the very first frame, the movie grabs you and doesn’t let go for nearly two and a half hours. And when you don’t even realize that much time has passed because you’ve been so locked in, eyes glued to the screen, that’s when you know the people behind the production have done their job right. Haruo Sotozaki is no stranger to the franchise, so it made perfect sense that, after all the seasons, recaps, and of course the record-breaking success of “Mugen Train” (still my favourite arc to this day, and deservedly so), the responsibility of continuing – and hopefully completing – Tanjiro’s story would once again fall on his shoulders. “Infinity Castle” is already the third highest-grossing film in Japan, and I wouldn’t be surprised if, a few years down the line, it cements “Demon Slayer” as the highest-grossing franchise altogether.
But since I’ve gone off-topic again, let’s get back to what really matters – the story and its presentation. If I had to break the film down into parts (none of which I found weak, by the way), I’d say there are roughly three major segments. The first, which I’d describe as the setup of the action inside the Infinity Castle, surprisingly packs in a lot of the film’s combat. To the delight of every action fan, we get to see two Upper Rank demons and one and a half Hashira (I’m trying my best to avoid spoilers for those unfamiliar with the story’s developments). The battles are phenomenal – visually stunning, emotionally charged, and while the outcomes are at times unexpected, they also feel entirely natural. What stood out to me was the way the relationships between the main characters were revealed. The flashbacks give meaningful context to their connections and motivations and they’re smoothly woven into the deadly fights. Even characters we haven’t really seen before are given enough depth and presence in the short time they’re on screen to make you properly take them into account.
My favourite demon since his first appearance in one of the arcs and here he only solidifies my opinion.
The second part, in my opinion, is the most powerful and emotionally charged, featuring a well-known Upper Rank demon who quite literally storms into the action, along with two of the most recognizable characters around whom much of the plot revolves. Here, the pacing kicks into high gear, the hand-to-hand combat reaches its climactic peak (at least for this first instalment of the trilogy), and we’re treated to the anime’s signature storm of fists, blades, breathing forms and blood. I also appreciated the classic anime-style use of comic relief in the midst of tense, high-stakes moments. These brief interjections lightened the mood just enough and even managed to make me laugh which is becoming increasingly rare these days, especially given how forced most of Hollywood’s attempts at “quality comedy” feel.
In contrast to the typical narrative structure, where the action is usually crammed into the final 20 minutes, the third and final mini-arc of the film gives us the calm after the storm. What we get here is perhaps the most detailed backstory yet of an Upper Rank demon. Time practically comes to a standstill, the pacing slows to a near-frozen state, and we’re invited to truly experience his tragic past – so much so that he’s portrayed as just as much of a main character as the heroes we’ve followed all along. His entire journey is an emotional rollercoaster that’s hard to remain indifferent to. In fact, it’s almost strange at times how, as viewers, we’re able to connect so deeply and empathize so strongly with animated characters – even far more than with many of the real-life portrayals in modern live-action cinema.
The colour gamma is incredibly well-picked and the important details catch the viewer’s eye naturally.
All of these stories – both past and present – are backed by a brutal visual style, a brutal soundtrack, and a brutal setting. Light and darkness, thunder and lightning, fire and water – everything intertwines into stunningly beautiful frames. Every explosive moment, every character highlight is perfectly underscored by music that both pumps you up and sends chills down your spine. I didn’t watch the film in IMAX and even so, the background score was on such a high level that at times I genuinely felt like I was inside the castle myself, hearing crows cawing behind and around me. For a setting that’s relatively static and somewhat monotonous in terms of landscape, the Infinity Castle looked absolutely incredible on the big screen. I don’t know why, but it kept reminding me of the mirror dimensions from “Doctor Strange” and the dreamscapes from “Inception” – and honestly, I’d gladly keep watching more of that world, especially given how it constantly reshapes and regenerates itself. The voice acting was top-tier – not only crystal clear and distinct, but also emotionally convincing enough to fully sell the reactions and intentions behind every character’s expression or action.
Normally, I lean toward the episodic format – it feeds you the story bit by bit each week, but at least you know you won’t be starving for more for a while. With films, it feels a bit more depressing, since you know you’ll likely have to wait at least two years for the next instalment (not that seasonal anime arcs are much better in that regard). That said, I’m genuinely glad we got this film in this format. “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” feels just like another tight, 20-minute episode – it flies by before you even realize it but still manages to tell several parallel storylines without ending on a completely unresolved cliffhanger. Even though I only caught a word here and there, and even though I had a few minor nitpicks with the translation (maybe I’m just too used to watching with English subs), I’m really glad we got to see the film in its original form, without any English or Bulgarian dubbing.
If for any reason you don’t know who the character above is (along with the rest of the screenshots), watch the entire series – it’s worth it.
Some might argue that the film was split into three parts purely for profit (and to be fair, plenty of major franchises have already done just that), and they might be right. But in reality, Ufotable’s production manages not only to satisfy the current craving for more “Demon Slayer”, but also to ramp up anticipation for the upcoming epilogue even further. I’m genuinely happy that Crunchyroll (hey, they’ve earned that subscription – I’ve been paying for it for years now) and Sony Pictures managed to bring this film beyond Japan’s borders, and I’m confident the global audience will appreciate it as much as it deserves. As for a rating – well, I’m not going to give one. After all, the film itself makes it clear: this is just the first part of the final story. But I do know this – waiting for Part 2 just became a lot harder.
One thing’s for sure: this newly “reanimateed” series of mine isn’t going to be a one-off. You can definitely expect more content on the topic (I might even finally read the manga, even though I don’t want to spoil the story for myself entirely – though who knows, maybe one day we’ll even get to see it published in Bulgarian?). Until that happens, though, you’ve got more than enough material to catch up on, or rewatch and reread, because if nothing else, Koyoharu Gotouge’s creation at the very least deserves to be experienced in whatever form suits you best.
