**Disclaimer: This article contains heavy spoilers for the movie “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle” and descriptions of harm.

With a massive global fandom, the Japanese manga Demon Slayer premiered the first film of a new trilogy. “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle” premiered in Japan on July 18, 2025 for a later release in Korea on August 22, 2025. The fans fervently responded to the announcement, and it became the fastest movie in 2025 to reach a million viewers in South Korea.  

The series follows the protagonist, Tanjiro Kamado, whose family suffered an unexpected attack by Muzan Kitsubaji, the demon king. Though his sister Nezuko Kamado survived, the toxic blood from the monsters transformed her into one of them. Desperate to turn her back into a human, Tanjiro joins the Demon Slayer Corps. The film continues from the previous story of Muzan summoning the warriors to the Infinity Castle, the main base of demons.

Each Hashira, the highest ranking slayer, combats against one of the highest-ranking demons. The ranking system heightened the tension and excitement, but the presentation slightly disappointed me. The movie only highlighted the demons’ ranks, but I wished the director exhibited the Hashira’s ranks, too—that would add more weight to their battles and emphasize the significance of each encounter.

Each fight scene embodied its own deep meaning that the avid fans would find exciting. For example, Zenitsu Agatsuma, a young slayer, was matched up with Kaigaku Inadama, the 6th strongest demon. Their matchup stood out, as they once practiced swordsmanship under the same master–until Kaigaku sought power by drinking demon blood.  

The turn of events deepened when their master, burdened by the guilt of his apprentice turning into a demon, took his own life, igniting Zenitsu’s fury. Understanding his past made Zenitsu’s pursuit of revenge feel even more powerful. 

The way the characters evolved throughout the series left a strong impression on me. Zenitsu’s crybaby personality disappeared, with only determination left within him. As a huge fan of his, I always laughed whenever he came on screen. But in the film, his sincere demeanor made me feel just as serious and empathize with his desire for revenge. 

The emotional shift carried over to another unforgettable moment that revealed Upper Moon 3 Akaza’s past. Akaza, a formerly strong and healthy man, lost his purpose of life after Koyuki, his fiancée, got murdered. As a result, he decided to take vengeance by killing every person related to the murder, and in the end, he unwillingly became a demon—with all his memories wiped out.

The film subtly wove in details that hinted at Akaza’s lingering love for Koyuki. For instance, Akaza’s main fighting technique “Destructive Death: Compass Needle” features a distinct snowflake that represents the hairpin Koyuki always used to wear before her death, a subtle detail that made the movie even more enjoyable for me. 

During his human life, as Akaza proposed, he made a promise to Koyuki to become the strongest in the world and protect her. Even though he couldn’t necessarily keep his word, he still lived bound to this vow by pursuing only absolute strength in his demon life. 

Before this scene, I only saw Akaza as a merciless demon. However, the presentation of his humane side—like his desire for familial love—that the series largely did not depict almost brought tears to my eyes.

Although he holds a villainous role in the plotline, I respect so many aspects of him. His loyal attitude to Koyuki—spending all his day taking care of her—and his strong dedication to self-improvement inspired me. This movie not only focuses on entertainment but also conveys virtuous messages, which adds to the depth to it.

Even though I loved the film as a passionate fan of Demon Slayer, having watched all 78 episodes of the anime, I would not recommend this to those unfamiliar with the series. Although the movie tries its best to help newbies comprehend the storyline, it is largely superficial. First-timers should try to watch the anime series first to appreciate “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle.”

Overall, I would give the movie an 8 out of 10 for the range of emotions it stirred in me from start to finish. The film connected the earlier storylines smoothly and revealed surprising plot twists, including Akaza’s story. If you are a fan of Demon Slayer, I strongly recommend this movie—your eyes will surely be filled with tears when you leave the movie theater.