“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle” is the first of a trilogy of films directed by Haruo Sotozaki and produced by studio Ufotable. Based on “Infinity Castle,” the final arc of the 2016 to 2020 manga series, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” by Koyoharu Gotouge, the film is also a direct sequel to the anime TV series adaptation.
The film was initially announced in June 2024 by Crunchyroll, a well-known anime-focused streaming service, on YouTube. The release of the first trailer garnered immense support, largely due to the TV series’ growth in popularity since its 2021 debut. “Infinity Castle” entered Japanese theaters on July 18 and was later released on Crunchyroll in select Asian countries in August before being released in theaters in other countries on Sept. 12.
Following the highly anticipated film’s release, it achieved a box office total of $605.4 million on a $20 million budget, earning it the status of not only the highest-grossing film of 2025 in Japan but also the highest-grossing Japanese film worldwide. It is also currently the eighth-highest-grossing film of 2025.
One of the film’s greatest strengths is the detailed visuals. The fluid and striking animation, paired with the imaginative design of the Infinity Castle, the film’s setting, which features constantly changing corridors, allows for a more immersive viewing experience.
The film expertly balances the screen time of its large cast of characters by displaying more subdued scenes that follow the protagonists’ journey through the Infinity Castle before the climax, which involves the highly anticipated fights against the antagonists.
The well-constructed action sequences are undoubtedly the film’s highest points. Each time a fight occurs, the overwhelming stakes, as well as well-structured confrontations between established characters, are conveyed through quick camera action and immersive audio that follows their actions. The sudden flashbacks that interrupt the high-stakes fights depicting the demons’ backstories add emotional depth. The climax of the film involves the main characters, Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka, in a battle against Akaza, the film’s primary antagonist. The beautiful yet intense clash between the characters is enhanced through the flashbacks depicting Akaza’s tragic backstory, allowing viewers to emotionally empathize with the antagonist.
One criticism of “Infinity Castle” is the uneven pacing that results from the frequent flashbacks, which can come off as repetitive. While these scenes do interrupt the film’s pacing, they also enhance the movie as a whole, as they enable viewers to empathize with the characters, thereby creating a more immersive theatrical experience.
Overall, “Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle” is a visually stunning film with an emotionally rich and gripping plot. Despite the repetitive nature of the fight scenes, the film nonetheless delivers an emotionally charged and action-packed theater experience that I would label a must-see for fans of both the Demon Slayer anime adaptation and manga.
