Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Castle Part 1 Review

This Review Contains Spoilers for Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba: Infinity Castle Part 1. Reader discretion is advised.

My original plan to head to the movies on September 12 to see Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 in the theater was scrapped. I realized I would have to sit in a dark room with a bunch of other people, and that annoyed me. I decided Friday night to wait until a weekday, when everyone else was at work or school, and go alone. This was a solid decision because I was actually the only person there! I honestly didn’t expect to have the entire theater to myself, so, that was a pleasant surprise.

From the moment the previews started, I was 1000% ready to fall into the Infinity Castle alongside the Hashira and Demon Slayer Corps. I didn’t care about Tron beyond the NIN soundtrack, but Chainsaw Man − The Movie: Rez Arc looks glorious. Beyond that, I don’t remember a single preview. Probably because I was ready to start hunting down Muzan Kibutsuji and the Upper Ranks to kick some ass.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 Is Nearly Perfect

As noted in my last Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle post, I have been a fan of both the anime and manga for a while. Getting to go see this movie in the actual theater on the big screen is a huge deal for me. Settling in with my popcorn, peanut butter M&M’s and Dr. Pepper, the previews were but a minor inconvenience before the real action.

Before I get down to the nitty-gritty, I have to say the animation was pure perfection. Ufotable has always done a fantastic job with Demon Slayer, so I’m not really surprised by this. There were moments the animation paired so well with the angling that scenes looked three-dimensional. It felt like I could step right into the Infinity Castle and get involved in the fight.

The setting is dark, obviously. The Demon Slayer Corps. is heading into the final battle for humanity. We’ve already seen Muzan’s lair, but not in this capacity. It truly feels like a relentless and terrifying place, and that has little to do with the monsters waiting around every corner.

Infinite doesn’t even begin to describe it. The camera angles twisting and turning us through an ever-unfolding structure are jarring. This provides a strong sense of anxiety for what’s to come. Pairing a soft orange glow with deep shadows does an outstanding job stressing the complicated nature and endlessness of the Infinity Castle.

This is not a place one would want to take their final rest. Unfortunately, we all know this is the beginning of the end for many of our favorite characters.

Shinobu vs Doma Is Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s Second Shortest Major Battle

If there’s one Upper Rank fans want to see suffer, it’s definitely Doma. From the moment his character is introduced, he exudes petty superiority that makes me grit my teeth. The way he baits Akaza all the time is enough to get under the skin, so he can’t be destroyed soon enough for me. Unfortunately, we don’t get to see Upper Rank 2’s downfall in Infinity Castle Part 1.

What we do see is an outstanding battle between Doma and Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho. Seeing Shinobu in action on this level is truly beautiful because her drive for vengeance pushes her to her highest. From the intricate Insect Breathing to the wisteria-based poisons she’s been perfecting over time, she does manage to knock Doma down a few pegs more than once. Unfortunately, he is Upper Rank 2 for a reason. Even Shinobu’s most powerful poison does little more than temporarily inconvenience him.

Shinobu’s defeat is one of the most heartbreaking moments in the movie. As senseless as it feels, it serves as a powerful catalyst. Losing Shinobu pushes her successor, Kanao, to finally face her emotions and step into the fray. But that’s a scene for Infinity Castle Part 2.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle’s Shortest Battle Finds Zenitsu Facing Off Against Kaigaku

One of the best things about Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba has been watching the core trio grow across the series. Even though Tanjiro is the main protagonist, Zenitsu and Inosuke are still an important part of the overall story. Much like a lot of fans, Zenitsu was my least favorite character early on. He was whiny, cowardly, and downright pathetic. As the trio began to recognize the importance of their positions in the Demon Slayer Corps., Zenitsu really started to come into his own.

But then there was his fellow apprentice, Kaigaku. Kaigaku’s arrogance and jealousy was so severe, it drove him away and straight into Kokushibo’s arms. As Upper Rank 6, Kaigaku could finally compensate for the fact that he was never able to grasp Thunder Breathing’s first form. For a long time, first form was all Zenitsu could achieve, and since he was the weakest of Jigoro’s pupils, that infuriated Kaigaku.

Combining Thunder Breathing with his Blood Demon Art, Kaigaku’s black lightning makes his already powerful attacks even more intense. His shortsightedness about Zenitsu’s growth is what inevitably leads to his downfall. When using Thunder Breathing’s seventh form, which Zenitsu himself invented, he was able to take out the rival he once thought of as brother.

The Shortest Demon Slayer Battle In the World

The battle between these two is beyond short. It felt like it barely lasted ten minutes, but the real heft of Zenitsu’s role in this movie was finally gaining the acknowledgement he longed for from Jigoro Kuwajima. On death’s door after plummeting through the Infinity Castle with Kaigaku, Zenitsu encounters his former master in a dream.

Gramps, as Zenitsu affectionately called him, committed seppuku after he found out Kaigaku had become a demon. In this moment, he gets to say goodbye to his former master, who tells Zenitsu that he’s his pride and joy. Talk about emotional moments! This movie is packed with them.

Tanjiro and Giyu vs Akaza Is the Real Meat of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1

Akaza has been a sore spot for since Mugen Train, when he killed Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku. Rengoku, despite only featuring in that one story arc, has become one of Demon Slayer‘s most beloved characters. Even though Muzan remains the greatest threat, the demon who took out Rengoku  is a source of sorrow and rage driving Tanjiro forward.

The epic battle Tanjiro and Giyu wage against Akaza is beautifully carried out, with plenty of action and tension. Not only does Tanjiro discover something new, but Giyu awakens his Demon Slayer Mark in the heat of the fight. Giyu all but gave up hope before, but Tanjiro drew him back from the edge, back to embrace his art and his purpose. Seeing the two of them team up after everything they’ve both been through is so exciting.

Witnessing Tanjiro’s evolution once again, we are also given a powerful glimpse into his childhood and his relationship with his father, Tanjuro. We have never really known what was physically wrong with Tanjuro Kamado, but we have seen several instances in which he pushed himself beyond his limits in ways that deeply influenced Tanjiro’s growth as a Demon Slayer.

He learned about Sun Breathing from his father, inadvertently, only to discover through other memories there were other lessons. That perhaps Tanjuro was teaching his oldest son all along, passing on the legacy and preparing him for what would later come.

Upper Rank Deaths Often Reveal Their Humanity

One thing about Demon Slayer that I have always really loved is seeing those glimpses into the lives of the Upper Rank demons after they’ve been defeated. Despite how evil they are, despite all of the wretched things they’ve done, they were all human once. Peeking through the veil at their former humanity may not redeem them, but it does act as a reminder.

Many of them faced incredibly dark circumstances that made them susceptible to the trappings of power Muzan offered. They already lost their humanity for one reason or another, and giving in to that darkness is all too easy.

Watching Akaza’s backstory unfold on the big screen was heart-wrenching. Out of all the Upper Rank backstories we’ve seen so far, his is probably the most tragic because he started his life over from a place of lawlessness. He found happiness, only to have it taken away. Death becomes a release from centuries of anger and hatred. Self-forgiveness finally allows even the most brutal of Muzan’s demons to find peace.

The unfortunate thing is that not every Upper Rank demon came from tragedy, and they won’t all feel remorse in the end.  Doma, for example, has absolutely no redeeming qualities at all. Kokushibo rightfully holds the Upper Rank 1 status. This all but confirms that those ranked in the highest positions are done so by their levels of depravity.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1’s Odds & Ends Set Us Up for Part 2

There are a lot of great bits and pieces between the three major battles that focus on the bigger picture. The ongoing struggle between Tamayo and Muzan, for example, temporarily holds the primary antagonist at bay. We also get to see the Demon Slayer messenger birds moving through Infinity Castle, mapping it out for Kirya Ubuyashiki and his sisters. Tengen Uzui (fangirl squealing) makes a brief appearance, alongside Kyojuro’s father, Shinjuro Rengoku, who found purpose again in his grief over his oldest son’s death.

For those curious about Nezuko’s role in Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle, she really doesn’t have one. Former Water Hashira Urokodaki keeps Nezuko in hiding from Muzan. Her sunlight resistance is the very thing the Demon King has been pursuing all along, which puts her in danger.

There were brief glimpses at the other Hashira scattered throught. Obanai and Mitsuri head into battle together, while Muichiro and Gyomei travel side-by-side. We also see Genya and Sanemi, but the brothers aren’t together at this point in the arc.

Inosuke has very minimal screentime in Part 1, which makes me sad because… well… Inosuke makes everything better. Fortunately, he will play a much bigger role, likely in Infinity Castle Part 2.

 

 

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 On a Scale of 1 to 10

I am so glad I took time out to go and see Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 on the big screen. It was worth sitting in a theater, even for someone who prefers watching movies and TV from the comfort of home. It was an experience that will stick with me, and has me already looking forward to Parts 2 and 3. The unfortunate thing is that there are no concrete release dates for the follow-up movies. Rumors have been suggesting Part 2 won’t release until 2027, with Part 3 possibly in 2029.

On a scale of 1 to 10, I give Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 1 a raving 10! If I didn’t hate going outside so much, I would go back and watch it all over again on the big screen.