Demon Slayer Infinity Castle has finally hit the big screen in India, and though the tickets have caused quite the ruckus among fans, the 155 minutes are worth the long wait. The film kicks off right at the end of the last season, with almost the entire Demon Slayer corps being pulled into the Infinity Castle after Muzan is attacked by the Hashiras at Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s house. Infinity Castle is filled with fan service as each character is touched upon, while also diving deeper into the story for a few of the characters in the same format that the show goes through.
Stars 4/5
All Demon Slayer films, or other franchise anime films, have focused on providing a recap of the final battle and then diving into the new season. However, with the new films for the Infinity Castle arc the makers are taking a filmmaking approach. For the first time, we do get a recap, but through a new perspective to avoid any kind of repetition. Instead of watching the final moments of Muzan’s fight or Kagaya Ubuyashiki’s interaction with Muzan, we get the preparation he put into the trap through Hashira Gyomei Himejima’s perspective.
Post the quick flashback, the film dives into the Infinity Castle quite literally, following each Hashira, where they are and who they will be facing. Instead of following through the Hashira one by one, the film explores the story of a few powerful upper-rank demons and some lower-rank demons. Along with new introductions and call-backs to previously hinted characters, we also get intense emotional flashbacks with major battles that change the course of the story.
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Until now the films for such anime series have been of short runtimes with glimpses at what to expect in the upcoming season, but with Infinity Castle we get the complete season in a two and half an hour movie. While there are three major fights with back stories of their own, the film does feel repetitive due to its plot format. When flashbacks appear in the middle of the intense battle moments, it slows down the momentum. But the makers have used an entire fight as a breather before the main peak moments of the season come up. The Zenitsu and Kaigaku’s fight slow down letting the viewer lead with previous information dropped on them, but the ending is nothing short of Mugen Train.
On the other hand, as usual, Demon Slayer is known for the demons’ emotional flashbacks as they recover their memories and identities before their death. And these turn out to be some of the best moments in the film too. The change in genre from intense action to essential emotional trauma does keep your heart racing. But the makers have had to force a lot of information in the short runtime making it heavy and hard hitting. While the series leaves you with weeks and days to process the stories and deaths, here the film throws a new twist every few minutes, or immediately.
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Overall, Demon Slayer Infinity Castle keeps up the moment till the end. Akaza’s fight with Tanjiro and Giyu is just as intense as the entertainment district final battle. But it is not the only thing the film offers.
Cover artwork by Patrick Gawande/Mashable India
