Diving Headfirst into the Chaos
The movie picks up right after the Hashira Training Arc, with the Demon Slayer Corps trapped in Muzan’s freaky, maze-like Infinity Castle. The setup is intense—Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s sacrifice blows up (literally) in Muzan’s face, and now Tanjiro, the Hashira, and the others are scattered, facing off against Upper Rank demons. The pacing grabs you by the collar from the start, throwing you into this surreal, shifting castle that’s as much a villain as the demons themselves. I loved how the film juggles all the characters—Tanjiro’s grit, Zenitsu’s surprising badassery, Inosuke’s wild energy, and the Hashira’s raw power all get their moments.
What really got me was how personal it felt. The movie doesn’t just throw punches; it digs into the characters’ hearts. You feel their desperation, their losses, and their resolve to keep fighting, even when it seems hopeless.
Animation That’ll Blow Your Mind
Let’s talk about Ufotable’s animation, because holy cow, they’ve raised the bar again. The Infinity Castle is like a fever dream—doors floating, rooms twisting, staircases going nowhere. Every frame is so detailed, I wanted to pause the movie just to take it all in. The fight scenes? Unreal. Shinobu’s poison-laced duel with Doma had me holding my breath—her graceful moves mixed with pure venom (get it?) were chilling. Then there’s Tanjiro and Giyu versus Akaza, which is hands-down one of the best anime fights I’ve ever seen. The way Tanjiro’s Hinokami Kagura and Transparent World come to life is so vivid, I could feel the heat of his blade.
Zenitsu’s clash with Kaigaku was another highlight. Seeing him whip out a brand-new Thunder Breathing form made me cheer out loud in the theater. The soundtrack, oh man, it’s perfect. The music swells at just the right moments, and the new theme song, “Taiyō ga Noboranai Sekai,” gave me goosebumps. It’s like LiSA and Aimer poured their souls into every note.
Heartbreak and Humanity
This movie doesn’t hold back on the feels. Akaza’s backstory as Hakuji wrecked me. Learning about his life, his love for Koyuki, and how it all fell apart made me see him in a whole new light. There’s this scene where he’s facing his past in the afterlife, and I swear, I heard people sniffling around me. Shinobu’s fight with Doma was another knife to the heart. Her determination to take him down for Kanae’s sake, only to pay the ultimate price, hit hard. Kanao stepping in to carry on her fight was such a powerful moment—I’m still not over it.
Even Zenitsu, who I used to find annoying, had me rooting for him. His growth from a scaredy-cat to someone who can face an Upper Rank demon head-on is so satisfying. And Inosuke? He’s still a chaotic gremlin, but his one-liners gave me a much-needed laugh between all the heavy stuff.
Not Perfect, But Darn Close
Okay, I’ll be real—there are a couple of things that bugged me. The movie’s long, like 2 hours and 35 minutes, and some of the flashbacks (especially during Tanjiro’s fight) slowed things down a bit. I get why they’re there—Demon Slayer loves its emotional context—but I found myself wanting to get back to the action. Also, it feels more like a really good anime arc than a standalone movie. If you’re not caught up on the series, you might feel a little lost. But honestly, these are small complaints compared to how much I loved it.
A Global Hit and a Must-See
From what I’ve heard, this movie’s killing it at the box office. It dropped in Japan on July 18, 2025, and made a ton of money in its opening weekend, even beating Mugen Train. It’s hitting theaters worldwide soon—September 12 in the US and UK, and earlier in some other places. I saw it in a packed theater, and the energy was electric. If you can, watch it in IMAX. The big screen makes those fight scenes feel like you’re right there, dodging Akaza’s punches.
Final Thoughts
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – Part 1 is everything I hoped for and more. It’s a visual stunner, an emotional gut-punch, and a perfect setup for the rest of the trilogy. I’m already counting down to Part 2 in 2027, dying to see how Tanjiro and the others take on Muzan’s next moves. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just love good anime, this movie’s worth every second. Grab some tissues, maybe some popcorn, and get ready for a wild ride.
What did you think of the movie? Did Akaza’s backstory break you, or were you all about Shinobu’s epic fight? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear what hit you hardest!