When Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle was first announced, I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say it instantly became one of the most anticipated anime films of all time. This isn’t just another entry in the franchise, it’s the beginning of the end. Acting as the first part of the grand finale to the series, it has the enormous task of paying off years of character building, story arcs, and sky-high fan expectations. Add to that the pressure of following up Mugen Train, which still holds the record as the highest-grossing film in Japanese history, and you can see why fans have been buzzing about this release for years.
I went into my screening with excitement but also with some cautious skepticism. Could it possibly live up to the hype? For me, the answer is a resounding yes. Infinity Castle doesn’t just deliver—it raises the bar yet again for anime cinema.
As the title suggests, the entire film is set within the Infinity Castle, the eerie, shifting stronghold of Muzan Kibutsuji and his Upper Rank demons. That decision keeps the movie tightly focused. The castle itself becomes more than just a backdrop, it’s a labyrinthine stage that constantly reshapes itself, swallowing characters into different battles and creating a real sense of unease. But while the action never leaves the castle, the story does branch out thanks to flashbacks that flesh out the characters’ pasts, both human and demon alike.
The runtime clocks in at just under three hours, which had some people grumbling as I left the theater. I get it, this isn’t a short ride. But personally, I didn’t feel the length in a negative way. The pacing is steady, with a rhythm that alternates between pulse-pounding fight scenes and quieter, emotional moments that give both the audience and the characters a breather. Instead of wall-to-wall action, the movie balances its three centerpiece battles with stretches of story and reflection, making it easier to stay engaged over such a long runtime.
The film is structured around three massive battles, each one anchored by a key character facing off against an Upper Rank demon.
First up is Shinobu versus Doma. The clash is visually stunning, with Shinobu’s delicate insect breathing techniques contrasting sharply against Doma’s ice-based powers. What made this fight stand out to me wasn’t just the choreography but the emotional undercurrent. Shinobu carries the weight of her sister’s death, and her hatred of Doma bleeds into every strike. Meanwhile, Doma is given just enough backstory to complicate what could have been a one-dimensional villain.
Then comes Zenitsu against Kaigaku, his former fellow disciple turned demon. This fight hits on a different level. It’s not just about survival, it’s personal, messy, and laced with betrayal. Zenitsu, often used for comic relief in the series, is dead serious here, and it’s the most mature and commanding he’s ever felt as a character. The flashbacks to their shared past at the dojo add heft, making the outcome of their fight that much more satisfying.
Finally, the film builds to Tanjiro and Giyu versus Akaza. This is easily the crown jewel of the film’s action sequences. The choreography is relentless, with fluid movements that feel like they could only exist in animation, and the use of the Infinity Castle’s twisting architecture adds a dynamic layer to every exchange. What struck me most was how the film uses pauses within the battle to dive into Akaza’s tragic past. These flashbacks don’t slow the fight down, they enrich it, giving context to his stubborn refusal to back down and reminding us that even demons carry scars from their human lives.
Across all three fights, those flashback breaks are some of the best parts of the movie. They humanize the demons, turning them from mere obstacles into fully realized characters whose pain and mistakes led them to this moment. That’s something Demon Slayer has always excelled at, and Infinity Castle doubles down on it beautifully.
Let’s be honest, everyone expected Ufotable to deliver gorgeous animation, and they absolutely do. But even knowing their reputation, I was still blown away by how good this film looks. The action is smooth, the elemental attacks burst with color and detail, and the camera work is ridiculously fluid. You can feel the weight of each strike, the sharpness of every clash, and the dizzying scale of the castle as the camera whirls and dives through its endless corridors.
The 3D elements are especially impressive. Normally, mixing 3D with 2D animation can look clunky, but here it works seamlessly. The shifting dimensions of the Infinity Castle demand a sense of depth and scale, and the 3D delivers exactly that. The result is a setting that feels alive, constantly changing around the characters and heightening the tension of every fight.
What impressed me most, though, was the sheer consistency of the visuals. During long films, it’s common to notice shortcuts, background characters drawn off-model, frames held a little too long, but here, I couldn’t find any. Every shot, whether a close-up on a character’s face or a wide sweep of the battlefield, feels meticulously crafted. You can tell that no corners were cut.
I saw Infinity Castle in IMAX, and it was absolutely the right choice. The massive screen made the action sequences feel even more grand, and the sound design is thunderous, every clash of swords and roar of an attack reverberates through the theater. If you can, see this film on the biggest screen possible. It’s designed to overwhelm the senses, and IMAX amplifies that to perfection.
The returning cast is as strong as ever. By now, the voice actors know their characters inside and out, and that familiarity shines through. The emotional beats hit hard because you can feel the performers pouring years of growth into these roles.
One surprising highlight was Channing Tatum voicing Keizo. When I first heard about his casting, I wasn’t sure how it would work, but he nailed it. His performance is emotional and full of energy, blending seamlessly with the rest of the cast. Honestly, if I hadn’t been told it was him, I would never have guessed. It’s one of those rare celebrity casting choices that doesn’t feel like a gimmick.
One thing to note, this movie doesn’t hold your hand. There’s no recap, no lengthy reintroduction of characters, no explanation of how we got to the Infinity Castle. It assumes you’ve been following the story and are caught up, which I actually appreciated. The film is already long, and rehashing what fans already know would have bogged it down even further. But if you’re walking in cold, this isn’t the place to start, you’ll likely be lost almost immediately.
If I had to nitpick, the only part that bothered me was the way some dialogue was written. On numerous occasions, characters spell out exactly what they’re about to do, then narrate themselves doing it, and then recap what just happened. This over-explaining adds unnecessary weight to an already lengthy runtime. Personally, I would have preferred if exposition came after the fact, once the action was finished. It’s not enough to ruin the experience, but it’s noticeable.
Final Thoughts
All in all, Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is a triumph. It balances jaw-dropping action with emotional storytelling, humanizes its villains without undercutting their menace, and showcases animation that’s nothing short of breathtaking. Yes, it’s long, and yes, some of the dialogue could have been trimmed, but those are small quibbles compared to the overall achievement.
I walked out of the theater exhilarated and already eager for the next two films that will close out the series. If Infinity Castle is just the opening act of this finale, then we’re in for something truly special.
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8.5
- + Gorgeous animation
- + Great mixture of action scenes and backstory
- + Top notch voice performances
- + Sets up the closing arc really well
- - Dialogue exposition disrupts the pacing of an already long film
