"Demon Slayer," the movie "Infinity Castle," is in theaters right now and is breaking all kinds of box office records for anime. The story draws the Demon Slayer corps into the Infinity Castle, where Taniro, Nezuko, and the Hashira face terrifying upper-ranked demons in a desperate fight as the final battle against Muzan begins.
I am a big Demon Slayer fan, and it's one of my favorite anime titles currently on. I think the animation in this show is absolutely spectacular. I loved the "Muggan Train" movie; it was one of the first times I went with my wife back to the movie theater after the pandemic, and I have really fond memories of that and of course, the show.
This movie, in terms of animation, feels futuristic. It's an amazing time for anime. After seeing what Science Saru has been doing with "Dondon" and now what EUO Table has done with this Demon Slayer film, I am absolutely blown away.
This film represents what I've always imagined anime films and shows would look like in the future, when I first watched them in the 90s and 2000s. Lately, we've had a lot of rushed productions, where some of my favorite shows ended up with sequel shows that didn't look very good, sometimes due to artists not being paid properly or not given enough time to complete their work.
But when I watch movies like "Demon Slayer" Infinity Castle and the "Dondon" episodes, it looks like what I always imagined. It's a progression, with absurd levels of detail, hyperactive and lengthy fight sequences, and killer sound design. I've always said that one of the biggest reasons to go to the movie theaters is for the sound design, which is mixed for theater experience, not for home viewing.
This film sounded exceptional, with fight sequences that included clashing swords and a phenomenal musical score. The movie features a long sequence of increasingly intense fight scenes inside the Infinity Castle, which also explores characters' backgrounds and motivations in emotional and revealing ways, especially the villains.
Our heroes face extreme foes, one of whom gains a major flashback, lasting maybe 20 to 25 minutes to explain his backstory and reasons for becoming a demon. Initially, you loathe this character, but through the exhaustive flashback, there's empathy generated for his troubled past, causing mixed reactions amongst audiences eager for the action rather than the narrative.
I had one of the worst audience experiences during these sequences due to their impatience. However, in true Demon Slayer fashion, the narrative remains clear through voiceover explanations, an unusual choice for films.
Demon Slayer remains one of my favorites, and "Infinity Castle" is a 2.5-hour, fast-paced anime film. It's renewing box office records, and I recommend checking it out. It's well-edited, with a great story, amazing character animations, and thrilling fights. Whether you're a fan or new to the series, this film is a must-see on the big screen.