While anime is extremely popular worldwide, here in the United States, it is just beginning to become more mainstream. Typically, when an Anime film is released in theaters in America, it is in the top ten at the box office for one week and then disappears. However, this week Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle not only appeared in the top ten, it debuted at number one - beating out the last of the Downton Abbey trilogy and The Long Walk, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. Grossing $70 million in the US, it earned more than the next three grossing movies combined.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle is a continuation of the season 4 arc of the television series, as well as the manga's fourth, fifth, and sixth adaptations, following the film Mugen Train (2020) and the feature-length compilations To the Swordsmith Village (2023) and To the Hashira Training (2024). Its main characters include Tanjiro (Natsuki Hanae/Zach Aguilar), Shinobu (Saori Hayami/Erika Harlacher), and Zenitsu (Hiro Shimono/Aleks Le), who end up trapped in the Infinity Castle with the rest of the Demon Slayer Corps after Muzan Kibutsuji (Toshihiko Seki/Greg Chun) retreats there. Muzan plans to destroy all of the Demon Slayer Corps with what one would consider the "home field advantage".
In the first vignette, after realizing he is responsible for her sister's death, Shinobu finds herself face-to-face with Upper Rank Two Doma. She injects him with poison, but realizes he is simply absorbing it and healing himself. In vignette two, Zenitsu takes on the new Upper Rank Six, who is his former senior Kaigaku. Finally, Tanjiro, with help from Giyu Tomioka (Takahiro Sakurai/Johnny Yong Bosch), fights Upper Rank Three Akaza (Akira Ishida/Lucien Dodge). The two seem defeated until Tanjiro enters the Transparent World and Selfless State, allowing him to mask his emotions. This gives him the advantage over Akaza and, while seriously weakened, allows the two to win the battle.
Directed by Haruo Sotozaki (Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Mugen Train), Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - Infinity Castle is a well-crafted work of art with only a few minor issues. The pacing of the movie is generally solid and moves through each vignette smoothly. This is especially important as the film clocks in at a two-hour and thirty-five-minute run time.
The animation is, of course, its only unique blend of style and form that offers clean lines and incredible details. The color palette is vibrant in places while dark and dreary in others. Regardless of the setting, the variety of hues gives the movie depth and richness throughout.
Another pleasant surprise is the music. With varied tones and beats, the soundtrack beautifully matches each scene, whether it is a dramatic moment or one filled with action. There are both fast-paced, beat-driven songs and softer, melodic tunes that complement the visuals on the screen.
While I'm not particularly a fan of anime, I did enjoy the various stories, though I felt there were too many of them. I appreciated the anime and loved the music. I didn't even mind the subtitles all that much. My two biggest complaints were that there were too many complicated stories and that I had no idea, for example, what an "Upper Rank Two" or "an insect breathing style" was. I assume those who watch anime regularly know, but if you are a novice, like me, you might find it a little confusing.
Those in the audience of the screening I attended who were obviously fans applauded at certain times and at the end of the film, which led me to believe they enjoyed it. I, too, enjoyed the movie, but maybe not quite as much as those "in the know" did. Lucky for them, this is the first of what's supposed to be a trilogy.
Grade: A-
