Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is the first feature film in the three-part cinematic trilogy representing the final battle of the anime shonen series from animation studio Ufotable. The film was also titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns, which was released in Japan on July 18, 2025. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba—The Movie: Mugen Train used to be the best movie in this franchise, but now, there is an easy contender. When this movie’s credits rolled, I was in awe—with a ravenous craving to see more.
After recovering from Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s trap and subduing Tamayo, Muzan Kibutsuji retreats into his dimensional stronghold, the Infinity Castle, and traps the Demon Slayer Corps inside. The Demon Slayers are separated and begin battling numerous powerful demons as they search for Muzan. Kagaya’s son Kiriya and daughters Kuina and Kanata lead the operation by mapping the Infinity Castle with the Kasugai crows and locating its inhabitants, with former Hashiras Tengen Uzui and Shinjuro Rengoku standing guard.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle was a near-perfect anime film based on the series. The sequence where the audience falls through the Infinity Castle from Tanjiro Kamado’s point of view is a standout, with 3D animation that feels endlessly inventive. The music builds tension and energy across the two-hour, 35-minute runtime, keeping viewers fully engaged. What set this film apart from the series were two aspects: it felt like a cinematic experience, and it was crafted with IMAX in mind.
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle was a near-perfect anime film based on the series.”
The film achieved a true “movie” feel in the same way Oscar-nominated and Oscar-winning dramas often allow characters to sit with their emotions for extended moments. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle gave its characters room to monologue, reflect, and take centre stage in their respective scenes. Even flashbacks adapted from the manga had time to capture both the wholesome and heartbreaking beats readers would recognize. For those hoping there would be no deaths in this first part of the climactic finale, be prepared—and bring tissues.
The IMAX format elevated Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle beyond what even Ufotable has previously delivered. The studio had already impressed on laptop and television screens, and with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train on the big screen. But the crystal-clear animation and still-frame artwork here were sublime, leaving audiences craving more visual spectacle. Each attack sequence felt as though Michelangelo were painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, or Claude Monet were capturing the port of Le Havre in Impression, Sunrise. The ever-shifting Infinity Castle pushed the boundaries of what 3D animation can achieve. At times, the visuals felt like the projection of a masterpiece onto the IMAX screen.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle’s IMAX experience amplified the music from start to finish, but also elevated the sound design. From the pindrop sounds of blood trickling on wooden floorboards to the thunderous side kick through multiple doors, every sound was crispy clean. When the swords clash and flash, the metal-on-metal action sings songs with every duel.
Essentially, what you saw in the trailer is what you are going to get—a pure, epic start to the conclusion of this long battle between the Demon Slayers and the Twelve Kizuki Demons. The voice acting pushed this movie to the maximum, screaming and crying their voices out. The odd one out was Mamoru Miyano’s (Death Note, Fire Force) Doma, who was a prick in the manga—Miyano’s voice was perfectly annoying to fit the role. I rolled my eyes every time Doma opened his mouth because Miyano’s whiny voice sold Doma’s condescending tone, nailing the villainous character trope.
“Each attack sequence felt as though Michelangelo were painting the Sistine Chapel ceiling, or Claude Monet were capturing the port of Le Havre in Impression, Sunrise.”
Akira Ishida’s (Solo Leveling, Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma) Akaza also deserved praise for his wide voice range. Without giving too much away, there is more to Akaza than meets the eye—no, he is not a Transformer. Rather, audiences will get to see another side of him and learn more about his backstory before he was turned into a demon. In the English dub, be sure to listen to Channing Tatum (Blink Twice) and Rebecca Wong’s (Solo Leveling) voices regarding Akaza’s backstory.
One of the biggest nitpicks I have with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba as a whole is how the backstories often drag on. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle continues this pattern, pausing the fast-paced present-day action to dive into extended flashbacks. In the manga, Koyoharu Gotouge kept the pacing tighter than the way these sequences unfold in the film.
Still, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle proves that anime films adapted from a series can be spectacular, deserving both a full movie budget and the time needed to animate a true masterpiece. While the slower moments occasionally stalled the momentum, the action and high-stakes battles quickly brought the energy back. From visuals to sound design, the film excelled on every level.
Not every character receives an action highlight in this installment, but director Haruo Sotozaki cleverly hints at what lies ahead for them in the next two films. Overall, this is a must-see adaptation and a worthy conclusion to one of anime’s most beloved series, presented through a three-part cinematic finale.
