Director: Haruo Sotozaki
Cast: Natsuki Hanae, Takahiro Sakurai, Akira Ishida, Saori Hayami, Hiro Shimono, Mamoru Miyano
Rating: ★★★.5
The Demon Slayer anime is easily one of the biggest cultural phenomena of the past decade. Adapted from Koyoharu Gotouge’s bestselling manga, it blends shonen (manga primarily intended for boys) spectacle with emotional storytelling and stunning animation. After four seasons and the record-breaking Mugen Train film, the saga enters its final chapter with a trilogy of films. Infinity Castle, directed by Haruo Sotozaki, kicks it off.
Led once again by Tanjiro Kamado (voiced by Natsuki Hanae / Zach Aguilar), alongside Zenitsu (Hiro Shimono / Aleks Le), Inosuke (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka / Bryce Papenbrook), Shinobu (Saori Hayami / Erika Harlacher), and the remaining Hashira, this film picks up exactly where Season 4 ended. With no time wasted, the Demon Slayer Corps are pulled into Muzan Kibutsuji’s Infinity Castle, a labyrinth of endless staircases, collapsing hallways, and deadly traps.
The good
The film’s biggest triumph is its spectacle. Ufotable once again proves why it is considered among the best animation studios working today. The Castle itself is a visual marvel, with endless corridors folding in on themselves, Japanese screens twisting into deadly traps, and gravity-defying staircases stretching beyond imagination. Watching these spaces transform mid-battle feels like stepping inside a living artwork.
The fight sequences are both thrilling and gorgeous. Shinobu’s insect breathing illuminates her duel with Upper Rank Two demon Doma in dazzling style, Zenitsu’s thunder strikes crackle across the screen with electric fury, and Tanjiro’s fiery clash with Akaza is equal parts brutal and beautiful. Every battle feels cinematic, heightened by studio’s trademark mix of fluid choreography and vibrant effects.
The soundscape swings between orchestral and electronic with ease, turning fights into near-operatic set pieces. Voice performances are some of the best the series has had so far: Zach Aguilar brings depth to Tanjiro’s resolve, Erika Harlacher infuses Shinobu with layered emotion, and Lucien Dodge delivers both menace and vulnerability in his portrayal of Akaza/Hakuji.
Narratively, the film offers meaningful payoffs for long-time viewers. Zenitsu’s arc is cathartic and rewarding, while Akaza’s extended flashback provides surprising humanity to one of the series’ fiercest villains. These moments remind us why Demon Slayer has always stood out.
The bad
The film’s structure leans heavily on the familiar rhythm of fight–flashback–fight, which, though faithful to the manga, occasionally interrupts the flow of tension on screen. Certain battles are stretched longer than necessary, while others feel cut short. Akaza’s flashback, though beautifully executed, slightly disrupts the pacing of the climax.
Another drawback is the sense of incompleteness. As the first in a trilogy, Infinity Castle doesn’t fully stand on its own. It feels less like a self-contained narrative and more like a massive, jaw-dropping setup for what’s still to come, which may frustrate casual viewers who aren’t caught up with the anime.
The verdict
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is an exhilarating start to the anime’s grand finale. It dazzles with some of the most spectacular animation ever put on screen, pairs it with a stirring score and top-notch voice work, and delivers character arcs that feel satisfying even amidst all the action. While its pacing falters in places and its structure shows the weight of being part one of three, the film’s strengths far outshine its weaknesses.
For devoted fans, this is everything one could hope for — an immersive, visually stunning return to the Demon Slayer world that raises the stakes for the battles ahead. As an opening act, it leaves you breathless and eager for the next chapter.
