Crunchyroll and Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle marks the first instalment of a three-part cinematic finale for one of anime’s most successful franchises. Expectations were sky-high, and in many respects, the film delivers: it is visually arresting, emotionally charged, and anchored by some of the most spectacular fight sequences Ufotable has ever produced. Yet, its sluggish second half—dominated by drawn-out flashbacks—prevents it from reaching the emotional and narrative heights set by earlier arcs.
A strong opening: The Infinity Castle comes alive
Picking up where the Hashira Training Arc left off, the film thrusts audiences into the sprawling Infinity Castle. Gyomei Himejima and Muichiro Tokito lead the charge, carving through lower-ranked demons with ease while the rest of the Demon Slayer Corps scatter through the labyrinth. The claustrophobic, shifting setting itself is a character—rendered with meticulous attention to scale and detail, heightening the tension of every confrontation.
The first major battle unfolds when Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho faces Upper Moon Two, Doma. Their clash is both visually dazzling and narratively potent, layered with Shinobu’s grief and anger over her sister Kanae’s death. Flashbacks are woven into the action seamlessly, enhancing emotional depth without breaking the momentum. Shinobu’s desperate gambit—a final deadly attack with herself lingering on life to kill Doma—fails, leading to her harrowing demise. The moment is devastating, yet it builds anticipation for Kanao’s arrival, setting the stage for future confrontations.
Zenitsu’s thunderous moment
If Shinobu’s battle brings tragedy, Zenitsu Agatsuma’s duel with Kaigaku offers catharsis. Long dismissed as cowardly by his peers (Not Tanjiro and Inosuke), Zenitsu finally steps into the spotlight against his former senior, now transformed into a demon who mastered every Thunder Breathing form but the first. Their fight is a long-awaited showcase of lightning-fast choreography and raw emotion. While Kaigaku dominates early on, Zenitsu unveils his self-created Seventh Form, striking down his rival in one of the film’s most triumphant moments. Even so, the victory leaves him gravely injured, hinting at the steep toll these battles will continue to exact.
The pacing problem: Akaza’s backstory
By the midpoint, the movie has set an exhilarating rhythm of high-octane battles and emotional stakes. Unfortunately, the second half struggles to sustain this momentum. The much-anticipated showdown between Tanjiro-Giyu and Upper Moon Three, Akaza, is choreographed with Ufotable’s usual flair. Giyu’s Demon Slayer Mark and Tanjiro’s growing mastery of Sun Breathing inject excitement, particularly in flashbacks to Tanjiro’s father’s stoic strength.
But then comes Akaza’s extended backstory. While it offers valuable insight into his humanity and provides a poignant resolution to his arc, the pacing falters. What should have been a concise emotional beat stretches into a narrative detour, testing the patience of viewers eager for the next clash. It is here that the film most clearly reveals its structural weakness—its commitment to faithfulness over flow.
A finale that falters
Unlike the Hashira Training Arc, which ended on a sharp, energizing note setting up the Infinity Castle, this one closes in muted fashion. The emotional resonance of Akaza’s redemption is undeniable, but the lack of a rousing cliffhanger or major reveal (except Kokoshibo who is just there in a couple of scenes) makes the ending feel oddly flat for a saga-building entry.
Verdict
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is a paradox: at once breathtaking and frustrating. Its opening half exemplifies everything fans love about the franchise—gorgeous animation, compelling battles, and emotional storytelling. Yet its second half succumbs to uneven pacing, dragging down what could have been a masterpiece of cinematic anime.
Still, for fans of the series, it remains a must-watch. Few anime productions can match Ufotable’s visual spectacle, and the seeds planted here will almost certainly bloom in the installments to come. But as a standalone film, Infinity Castle leaves the audience in awe, and then—just as often—checking their watches.
