Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle
5 September 2025 Featured Review
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle is an absolute spectacle and must-watch in theaters (if you can handle the runtime.)
A fan since day 1, I found myself a little nervous at watching the beginning of the end of the global smash hit. As an anime-only watcher, I had no idea how the series would start wrapping up. Would my favorite characters survive to the end? Could the Demon Slayer corps escape heavy casualties?
In this latest movie, part 1 in a trilogy, Ufotable once again delivers exceptional animation quality paired with some of the series’ best fight scenes. Set to display why they are considered by many to be the absolute pinnacle of Japanese anime studios, this was particularly evident in the climactic battle against Akaza, Upper 3 of Muzan’s demon forces. The choreography, fluidity, and sheer pageantry of these moments had my eyes watering with joy. Director Sotozaki Haruo and his team continue to create magic on screen that will delight every fan.
Yuki Kajiura a
nd Shiina Gou also return to the series to provide the score to these hypest of moments. The pair has worked on the series since the first in 2019 and keep coming up with ways to match the intensity of Tanjiro and crew’s battles. The outstanding synth work in the first two major fights especially made those scenes feel distinct. Kajiura also helped write the credits theme performed by the incomparable vocalist LiSA, iconic in the anisong space for countless hits including, of course, fan-favorite “Gurenge” from the first season.
Not to be overlooked, the most standout element to me in Infinity Castle Part 1 was the sound design. The quiet thud of blood hitting wood. The sickening crunch of bones as characters are launched through buildings. Each of these adds another layer of intensity that kept me fully engrossed.
Infinity Castle Part 1 also dives into the villains’ backstories, adding complexity and a hint of sympathy. At times, this slows the pacing, particularly with flashbacks that briefly derail fight momentum. The movie does feel a bit back-heavy and could have lingered more on the Shinobu vs. Douma fight to give it a more satisfying emotional payoff. That said, Doma’s voice actor Mamoru Miyano perfectly captured the dangerously sweet madness of the character, and I was glad for the time we did get with him.
The final showdown with Akaza is equally layered. Akira Ishida brings depth to a character you want to see defeated so badly, but can’t help feeling conflicted about. The battle’s conclusion is as emotionally charged as it is visually stunning.
Overall, the movie sets the stage for this final arc with splendid, bombastic flair, and I simply can’t wait to see what comes next!
– Chris Torrey / Marmar Tha Midboss of KUCI’s LAG Radio
Photo Credit: Los Angeles Dodgers