The Filmscape Reverie

Warning, dear readers: please be mindful of movie spoilers ahead!

By: Maria Cieslarczyk

Fellow Hashira and Upper Moons, hold onto your swords and get your popcorn buckets ready! The Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie is in theaters now, and die-hard fans of the popular manga and new gen anime series (including myself) just aren’t ready.

Okay, okay correction: after over a year of waiting for this movie, I definitely thought I was ready! But after attending the premiere night on September 11^th, I got my sh*t rocked (respectfully) and was blown away by how INCREDIBLE it was…animation and plot-wise.

Demon Slayer is a beloved series written by Koyoharu Gotouge that follows a kind-hearted boy, Tanjiro Kamado, as he becomes a member of the Demon Slayer Corps after his family is slaughtered by demons. His sister, Nezuko, miraculously survives the attack but is slowly turning into a demon herself. To avenge his fallen family, and also save Nezuko by finding a cure, Tanjiro embarks on an epic, dangerous adventure of a lifetime to take down the demon leader himself, Muzan.

After a year of waiting, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle (2025, directed by Haruo Sotozaki) follows the next adrenaline-pumping arc of Tanjiro and other members of the Demon Slayer Corps as they venture through Muzan’s infinity castle domain and battle upper-rank demons. After the sacrifice of their master, Ubuyashiki, the Corps’ mission is to eradicate demons once and for all in this last fight for humanity’s survival.

After only a week and a half in US theaters, the film’s total earnings at the box office totaled $104.7 million. It then took the record for becoming the highest-earning anime movie domestically (surpassing the Warner Bros. 1999 blockbuster hit, Pokemon: The First Movie – Mewtwo Strikes Back).

The movie itself is a breathtaking work of art, with a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The attention to detail in every frame of animation in the castle is mesmerizing. Since the castle is Muzan’s lair, it continuously expands, growing larger and larger with more twists and turns as Tanjiro and his friends fight their way through. The animation has visually striking quality, which left me hooked and begging for more sequences, not just of the castle’s complex architecture, but also of the intense fighting sequences.

Aside from Demon Slayer’s emotional story-telling and character development, it never fails to dive into the humanity of its heroes…and even villains. In the anime, time and time again, Tanjiro demonstrates compassion and empathy while engaged in violent showdowns with his demon opponents. He always attempts to understand where they’re coming from, and his good heart is always rewarded in some way or another. The portrayal of masculinity and strength in this beautiful empathetic form is so important nowadays, not just for children to learn but for adults to remember as well.

For example, in this film, we see the Third Upper Moon, Akaza, battling Tanjiro and the Water Hashira, Giyu Tomioka, in an epic showdown. Not only do we witness incredible fighting animated, we also dive into Akaza’s tragic backstory and why he became one of Muzan’s top demons. It is gut-wrenching, but definitely adds to the dramatic storyline.

When I first started exploring anime about two and a half years ago, one of my best friends Alex recommended for me to try out Demon Slayer. I was hesitant at first, especially because it sounded so depressing (entire family dies, main character and his friends experience great suffering, etc. etc.). But that’s not the case at all. Apart from these dark themes, the series also wants audiences to feel hopeful – that even in darkness, there is light and in some cases, we ourselves have to be that light.

I believe that is one of the many reasons why audiences all over the world adore Demon Slayer so much. It gives hope.

Now, since the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle movie did so well…what does this mean for Hollywood? With this success, I think the film industry has to evaluate the continued popularity of Japanese animation, especially in theaters. Although I do love Crunchyroll and being able to stream the series, I totally agree with their tactic to release the movie in theaters. It was a fun experience getting to connect with other fans and enjoy it on the big screen. I will say, be prepared as it is about a 2 hour, 40 minute movie (pretty long).

Ufotable Studio did a phenomenal job, and I cannot wait to brandish my sword again when the next movie comes out.