Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part One [Review]
After a four year wait since the explosive success of Mugen Train, anime’s biggest current juggernaut has returned with Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle. This is the first of three planned films that will bring the series’ animated run to its conclusion, and it wastes no time throwing audiences back into the fray.
Picking up exactly where the anime series left off, Muzan finds himself ensnared in Ubuyashiki’s last desperate trap. But instead of being defeated, he unleashes his full demonic might, warping reality into the Infinity Castle and dragging the Hashira inside. The premise is simple but devastating: Muzan declares he will wipe them out before sunrise. It’s a setup that makes for a relentless, claustrophobic pressure cooker of a movie.
I caught both the subbed and dubbed versions, and each brought something to the table. Sub purists will love the intensity of the original voice work, while the dub has a polished energy that makes it a legitimate option. And yes, I saw plenty of parents in the audience braving the R-rating to bring their kids - the kind of cross-generational experience that helps anime maintain its cultural foothold. Though, in this case it was more of the kids dragging their parents along rather than the other way around!
Battles that Define the Film
Infinity Castle structures itself around three major battles, each showcasing a different corner of Demon Slayer’s sprawling cast:
Shinobu vs. Doma (Upper Moon 2): Graceful poison-laden techniques collide with raw demonic power. This fight is emotionally charged, rooted in Shinobu’s quest to avenge her sister’s death at Doma’s hands.
Zenitsu vs. Kaigaku (Upper Moon 6): A shocking tonal shift for Zenitsu, who drops the cowardly exterior and fights with focused fury. Kaigaku’s betrayal adds a personal sting, and the animation punctuates Zenitsu’s thunderous strikes with real weight.
Tanjiro & Giyu vs. Akaza (Upper Moon 3): The centerpiece of the film. Ufotable goes all out here, marrying vivid colors with jaw-dropping choreography. Every exchange feels monumental, especially with the lingering specter of Rengoku’s death giving the clash added gravity.
The pacing is brisk without being rushed. The film transitions from one battle to the next seamlessly, while still carving out moments for backstory and reflection. Shinobu’s graceful yet lethal fighting style and Zenitsu’s evolution into a warrior are given room to breathe, keeping audiences invested beyond the spectacle.
The only stumble comes in the back third, during Akaza’s extended flashback. His tragic history is compelling, and it reframes him as more than a one-note villain. But the decision to unload nearly all of it at once, late in the fight, slows the film’s momentum. Seeding those memories earlier would have made the battle more layered and prevented the pacing from sagging just as it was peaking.
Even with that hiccup, Infinity Castle stands as a triumph of animation and spectacle. Shinobu’s attacks resemble a deadly ballet, Zenitsu’s lightning strikes feel almost physical in their impact, and the fight with Akaza is one of the most stunning sequences the series has ever produced. The color design, lighting, and kinetic direction are all tuned to maximum effect.
Audience and Box Office
Fans worldwide have embraced the film with the same intensity they showed for Mugen Train. In its opening week, Infinity Castle set a new high mark for anime films in the U.S., with a staggering $70 million domestic debut. Globally, it has already cleared $470 million and continues to climb. The momentum suggests it could even surpass Mugen Train’s final tally, cementing Demon Slayer’s legacy as not just a hit series, but one of anime’s defining global events.
Final Thoughts
As a package, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is about as good as shonen anime cinema gets. It delivers spectacle, emotional catharsis, and a continuation of the story fans have been waiting years to see. The overlong flashback sequence is a blemish, but it’s not enough to overshadow the thrill of watching these battles unfold on the big screen.
Crunchyroll has already confirmed the film won’t be hitting streaming this year, which makes theatrical viewings essential. This is a movie designed for the largest screen possible…miss it there, and you’ll be waiting a while to experience its full impact.
Happy hunting!
