Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle (2025) Review

The Demon Slayer franchise has been on a hot streak ever since it first graced our screens with its anime debut in 2019. With each arc, Ufotable continues to raise the bar of what can be expressed through visuals, using traditional 2D animation together with advanced 3D visuals in real time. Mugen Train (2020) delivered worldwide box office receipts, ahead of the Entertainment District and Swordsmith Village arcs provided yet even more excitement. In 2025, fans can be ready for the craziest ride yet with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle, the first part of a trilogy adapting the climactic final battle from the manga.

The expectations were set extremely high by fans and financial backers alike, but the final result never disappoints. It is visually stunning, emotionally charging and narratively extravagant. It does leave some story threads to tie up for subsequent parts, but it also manages to be a cinematic event that requires it to be watched on the biggest screen possible.

What’s Infinity Castle About?

The events of the film take place post the Hashira Training arc. Muzan Kibutsuji, the demon king has finally made his mark, plunging the Demon Slayer Corps directly into the terrifying Infinity Castle. A castle where reality twists and distorts, with your life hanging in the balance. The story splits in numerous directions, with the following plotlines unfolding:

1. Tanjiro and Giyu fight Akaza in what one could argue is the most personal duel in the series, let alone one of the most brutal.

2. Shinobu Kocho fights Upper Rank Two Doma features a grueling battle layered with tension, tragedy, and clever tactics.

3. Zenitsu clashes with Kaigaku, a previous senior who is now a demon, leading to an emotional conflict that expands Zenitsu’s character.

4. Other Hashira navigate the shifting and surreal corridors of the castle, preparing for Muzan himself.

Infinity Castle, unlike other arcs, does not revolve around a singular enemy to defeat or battle. Instead, it stages multiple large scale battles in parallel, while concurrently hitting backstories, emotional closure, and non-stop action.

Major Strengths of the Film

1. Unparalleled Visuals and Animation

Ufotable shows again why they are considered to be the top of the industry. The visuals were on par from what we have come to expect; in fact the Infinity Castle felt like a character of its own. The moving walls, the upside-down architecture, and dizzying staircase work made for an unsettling environment. The dynamic camera angles in the battle sequences made the viewer truly feel the chaos of battle; as if they were in the heat of the action. The integration of 2D hand-drawn animation with light cgi effects is seamless.

What stands out most notably is the choreography of the fight sequence between Tanjiro and Akaza; every strike hits with weight, and the breathing techniques felt visceral.

2. Emotional Nuance and Character Arcs

The film does something other shonen adaptations cannot do which showcases a human side to both heroes and villains. Zenitsu’s fight with Kaigaku is one of the most resonating with regard to character growth in the shonen genre; the evolution from a cowardly comedic character to one capable of realizing true resolve.

Akaza’s backstory is handled beautifully in the brief glimpse into his humanity before his demonization. The humanization of both the heroes and villains make what may have been just powerful battle sequences momentous confrontations. 

Shinobu’s arc against Doma is equally powerful with the effective use of poison and willpower against insurmountable odds.

3. Sound Score and Audio Design

Go Shiina and Yuki Kajiura’s score highlights every emotion. From the eerie tones that accompany Infinity Castle’s architecture to the pulse pounding tracks during seemingly climactic battles, the music brings every scene together. Every element has been beautifully mixed, such as the simultaneous sound of swords clashing with the punch of exploding lightning, and the fear-inducing chilling demon voices – all capabilities perfectly choreographed, specifically in IMAX or Dolby theaters.

4. A Faithful yet Cinematic Adaptation

The manga fans have been waiting years to see and they were not let down. While everything about the film captures the essence of the source material, the film reminds us that this is a cinematic experience, replacing battles with cinematic explosions, colors with more richness, and emotions with stronger messages.

What Could Have Been Improved

1. Pacing Issues

At over 150 minutes, the film is long. While for the most part it is engaging, the number of flashbacks – while necessary for emotional payoff – does cut into the momentum of the battles. For first-time viewers, this is likely to be overwhelming, especially without any knowledge of the series.

2. Lack of Resolution

Infinity Castle is the first part of a planned trilogy, so it does not address everything. Major characters are left right in the middle of battles or about to engage in even bigger confrontations. It will make some feel that this meant to set up a lot more than address anything.

3. Uneven Representation

Not all Hashira receive equal representation in this movie. There is plenty of time given to Shinobu, Giyu, and Tanjiro but some of the other Hashira’s time on screen does not come close to these three. While this is likely because of the sheer number of characters available, some fans may feel unsatisfied.

Key Performances and Direction

The Japanese voice cast provides commanding performances: Natsuki Hanae (Tanjiro) is powerful and heartfelt as a protagonist while Akira Ishida (Akaza) displays an intriguing mixture of menace and tragedy. Director Haruo Sotozaki, in spin-off films Tanjiro’s fight against the demon Akaza, has once again demonstrated his ability to convey the emotional beats of the story in the midst of fantastic animated spectacle. Each fight sequence is not only entertaining but conveys an emotional meaning or purpose.

Thematic Core of Infinity Castle

At its core, this film is about perseverance and sacrifice; heroes are willing to risk their lives not just to win a fight, but to do so for love, for honor, and for the memory of those he lost. Villains, too, have character depth; their backstories are drawn with enough care to avoid a one-dimensional monster characterization and depict the fine edge between humanity and monstrosity.

All of this thematic complexity is what stretches Demon Slayer beyond run-of-the-mill action anime; while fighting demons is certainly part of the plot, the more profound engagement includes our experience of loss, our experience of choices, and our experience of continuing despite challenges.

Final Thoughts

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle isn’t just an anime movie; it’s a spectacle of cinema. With stellar animation, huge battles, and impactful storytelling, it showcases Ufotable’s remarkable talents. Some may find the pacing a little slow, and because it is the first part of a trilogy, it certainly is not for the impatient. However, if you have any investment in the Demon Slayer franchise, you need to see this movie.

It is worth saying that you should definitely see this in a theater; you and the movie deserve to see it on the big screen and hear it from a quality sound system. 

💬 What did you think of Infinity Castle? Did the fights live up to your expectations? Let us know what you think; we want to hear from you!

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