By Joshua Robison / The Jambar
“Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba Infinity Castle” is the latest installment of the “Demon Slayer” anime series, directly following the events of season four’s Hashira Training Arc. The film released Sept. 11 and wastes no time continuing the storyline.
For starters, in order to truly understand the context of the film, watching the previous seasons is a must. It picks up directly after season four with a very smooth transition.
In contrast to current fans of “Demon Slayer,” who followed the series from the beginning, the movie delivered in the flashiest way possible and left audiences wanting even more.
Some of what made this animated feature so memorable is the intricate animation of the film. “Demon Slayer” has always been beautifully crafted. The movie has solidified that statement with its incredible use of 2D and hints of 3D animation, which creates a captivating experience.
Every frame is evidence that hundreds of animators spent thousands of hours creating this pure piece of art. The combination of computer and hand-drawn animation flows so effortlessly on the screen.
Not only was the animation remarkable, but the character development was also very satisfying.
“Demon Slayer” fans are already aware that the character of Zenitsu Atagsuma, voiced by Aleks Le in English, was one of the more dynamic characters in relation to his experiences as a demon slayer.
Zenitsu’s character arc began in the final episode of season four and left many questions unanswered. The movie answers those questions and completely flipped the script of Zenitsu’s character.
It’s one of the most satisfying transitions in a character that the world of fiction has ever seen. It can be said that Zenitsu is no longer a fearful boy — he is a force to be reckoned with. If Zenitsu’s character were to ever go back to what he was, it would truly be a tragedy.
Notably, Zenitsu’s character was pivotal to the progression of the story, but so was the development of the main character, Tanjiro Kamodo.
Tanjiro in the movie transcends from the Demon Slayer he was into a warrior that is completely new in the eyes of The Demon Slayer Corps. Without being a Hashira, he has faced off against many formidable opponents.
Tanjiro reached a level that permits him to overcome the challenge currently at hand and paves the way for even harder challenges after the events of the movie. The parallel from the beginning of the show showcases a level of incredible writing. It makes audiences want to see more of Tanjiro’s development.
“Infinity Castle” is simply an amazing piece of work made by Ufotable, Aniplex and Shueisha animation studios. It says a lot about their message to the audience, and promises that the story will continue.
Anyone who is caught up with “Demon Slayer” needs to see this film as soon as they can. Those who are new to the franchise should start at season one, episode one and continue from there.