The first part of the final saga... Akaza returns.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle - Part 1: Akaza Returns is a dark fantasy action anime film based on the Japanese manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Gotouge, and focused on the Infinity Castle arc. It was produced by Ufotable, and was directed by Haruo Sotozaki. The film was initially released in Japan on July 18, 2025.
(SPOILER ALERT!!!)
(You’ve been warned!)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle - Part 1: Akaza Returns continued where the fourth season left off, with the Demon Slayer Corps rushing to their greatest enemy, the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji, before being sent to the demon lair, Infinity Castle, via door portals. The film featured three major fights; Shinobu Kocho versus Doma, Zenitsu Agatsuma versus Kaigaku, and Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka versus Akaza. It also covered flashbacks and backstories of certain characters such as Zenitsu and Kaigaku during their training days and Akaza’s life story back when he was a human.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series is known for its amazing visuals, intense action, and emotional stories that would send impact to its viewers, and this film is no different from that as it delivered what its fans and viewers had been waiting for and what they desired from it. Right off the bat, the film exuded intensity that excited the viewers even more, as our demon slaying heroes being thrown into a malevolent dimension and right into combat.
The first major fight was between the Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho and the Upper Rank Two Demon Doma. This is what I consider as Doma’s actual introduction as this was where we finally see Doma in action. Shinobu stumbled upon Doma feasting on his own female disciples, which quickly angered the Hashira mixed with the realization that the demon in front of her was the same demon that murdered her sister. The fight became psychological as it was physical with it showing the viewers Doma being a dangerous psychopath by the way he toyed with his opponent. Despite Shinobu’s speed and poison attacks, the fight ended up being one sided as she was overwhelmed by the demon’s strength and powers. This was a sad outcome but it helped me want to look forward Doma’s fall even more.
The second major fight was between Zenitsu and the newly appointed Upper Rank Six Demon Kaigaku. Kaigaku was revealed to be Zenitsu’s senior from his demon slaying training under the former Thunder Hashira Jigoro Kuwajima. With Jigoro committing seppuku due to Kaigaku choosing to be a demon, the connection between both combatants, and Kaigaku’s reasons in joining the demon league, this fight was set to be on a very personal level from both ends. With Zenitsu entering the Infinity Castle with a very different aura and serious look on his face, many fans, such as myself, was eager to see how Zenitsu will deliver on this arc. The young demon slayer did not fail to showcase himself and gave out a satisfying fight as he matched and even exceeded the person he once looked up to, and introduced a new technique of his own creation. I am just ecstatic with this fight as we not only get a flashy match but we also see a serious and very well awake Zenitsu all throughout the fight, an important character development on his part. I am just disappointed that we didn’t get a scene of the crows announcing Zenitsu’s victory against an Upper Rank Demon on a 1v1 match. Would have loved to see the rest of the demon slayers reaction upon hearing that news, considering that they just lost a vital member before that fight.
We also got to see the result of the Hashira Training from the previous season on the lower ranking demon slayers as many of them can be seen being braver and handling demons by themselves.
The third and last major part of the film was between the duo of Tanjiro and the Water Hashira Ginyu going up against the Upper Rank Three Demon Akaza. The fight was composed of different phases with all three delivering heavy blows. The fight was the highlight and the main event of the film. Akaza back in the center of the action once again since Mugen Train and Tanjiro looking to settle the score for the death of the Flame Hashira Rengoku heightened the excitement and emotions for this highly anticipated fight. Tanjiro also was able to unlock and demonstrate a new ability that helped him match Akaza, him able to see through the Transparent World. This made me cheer and feel the same excitement like I was witnessing Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece use a new Haki skill or Taiga Kagami from Kuroko no Basket entering the zone. Akaza being an unwavering monster that even being beheaded, a plot weakness for most demons in the show, still was able to stand and continue fighting, and watching that sent chills down my spine as this twist caught me off guard, yet I couldn't help but to want more.
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And of course, the story wouldn't be complete without one of the most important ingredients of the Demon Slayer formula, the heartbreaking and compelling backstories. The film poured in a lot of minutes and focus on Akaza's flashbacks, his life before being recruited by Muzan into his demon ranks, back when he was still known as the young human named Hakuji. This revealed how Akaza struggled in poverty and caring for his sick father, as well as falling into a criminal lifestyle at a very young age, and later turning his life around after his father's death and being discovered by a martial art master who took him in as an apprentice and caretaker of his sickly daughter, whom later became his fiancée. Things seemed going great until a jealous rival dojo poisoned the well and killed his master and his fiancée, leading him to brutally take his revenge by killing by his bare hands those responsible, and then being converted by Muzan into his demon after acknowledging the young martial artist's outstanding strength and prowess. His flashback story was delivered so well that it made my heart break and made me feel sorry for the Upper Rank Three Demon. I felt so sad for him that I very much had forgiven him already for killing the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku. Well, Rengoku would probably wanted that anyway. And his shocking return, his true and actual return, when Akaza finally embraced his human memories that he once lost, helped pushed even further and solidify Akaza as one of the most iconic character in this story.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle - Part 1: Akaza Returns is a dark fantasy action anime film based on the Japanese manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Gotouge, and focused on the Infinity Castle arc. It was produced by Ufotable, and was directed by Haruo Sotozaki. The film was initially released in Japan on July 18, 2025.
(SPOILER ALERT!!!)
(You’ve been warned!)
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle - Part 1: Akaza Returns continued where the fourth season left off, with the Demon Slayer Corps rushing to their greatest enemy, the Demon King Muzan Kibutsuji, before being sent to the demon lair, Infinity Castle, via door portals. The film featured three major fights; Shinobu Kocho versus Doma, Zenitsu Agatsuma versus Kaigaku, and Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka versus Akaza. It also covered flashbacks and backstories of certain characters such as Zenitsu and Kaigaku during their training days and Akaza’s life story back when he was a human.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba series is known for its amazing visuals, intense action, and emotional stories that would send impact to its viewers, and this film is no different from that as it delivered what its fans and viewers had been waiting for and what they desired from it. Right off the bat, the film exuded intensity that excited the viewers even more, as our demon slaying heroes being thrown into a malevolent dimension and right into combat.
The first major fight was between the Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho and the Upper Rank Two Demon Doma. This is what I consider as Doma’s actual introduction as this was where we finally see Doma in action. Shinobu stumbled upon Doma feasting on his own female disciples, which quickly angered the Hashira mixed with the realization that the demon in front of her was the same demon that murdered her sister. The fight became psychological as it was physical with it showing the viewers Doma being a dangerous psychopath by the way he toyed with his opponent. Despite Shinobu’s speed and poison attacks, the fight ended up being one sided as she was overwhelmed by the demon’s strength and powers. This was a sad outcome but it helped me want to look forward Doma’s fall even more.
The second major fight was between Zenitsu and the newly appointed Upper Rank Six Demon Kaigaku. Kaigaku was revealed to be Zenitsu’s senior from his demon slaying training under the former Thunder Hashira Jigoro Kuwajima. With Jigoro committing seppuku due to Kaigaku choosing to be a demon, the connection between both combatants, and Kaigaku’s reasons in joining the demon league, this fight was set to be on a very personal level from both ends. With Zenitsu entering the Infinity Castle with a very different aura and serious look on his face, many fans, such as myself, was eager to see how Zenitsu will deliver on this arc. The young demon slayer did not fail to showcase himself and gave out a satisfying fight as he matched and even exceeded the person he once looked up to, and introduced a new technique of his own creation. I am just ecstatic with this fight as we not only get a flashy match but we also see a serious and very well awake Zenitsu all throughout the fight, an important character development on his part. I am just disappointed that we didn’t get a scene of the crows announcing Zenitsu’s victory against an Upper Rank Demon on a 1v1 match. Would have loved to see the rest of the demon slayers reaction upon hearing that news, considering that they just lost a vital member before that fight.
We also got to see the result of the Hashira Training from the previous season on the lower ranking demon slayers as many of them can be seen being braver and handling demons by themselves.
The third and last major part of the film was between the duo of Tanjiro and the Water Hashira Ginyu going up against the Upper Rank Three Demon Akaza. The fight was composed of different phases with all three delivering heavy blows. The fight was the highlight and the main event of the film. Akaza back in the center of the action once again since Mugen Train and Tanjiro looking to settle the score for the death of the Flame Hashira Rengoku heightened the excitement and emotions for this highly anticipated fight. Tanjiro also was able to unlock and demonstrate a new ability that helped him match Akaza, him able to see through the Transparent World. This made me cheer and feel the same excitement like I was witnessing Straw Hat Monkey D. Luffy from One Piece use a new Haki skill or Taiga Kagami from Kuroko no Basket entering the zone. Akaza being an unwavering monster that even being beheaded, a plot weakness for most demons in the show, still was able to stand and continue fighting, and watching that sent chills down my spine as this twist caught me off guard, yet I couldn't help but to want more.
format(webp).webp)
And of course, the story wouldn't be complete without one of the most important ingredients of the Demon Slayer formula, the heartbreaking and compelling backstories. The film poured in a lot of minutes and focus on Akaza's flashbacks, his life before being recruited by Muzan into his demon ranks, back when he was still known as the young human named Hakuji. This revealed how Akaza struggled in poverty and caring for his sick father, as well as falling into a criminal lifestyle at a very young age, and later turning his life around after his father's death and being discovered by a martial art master who took him in as an apprentice and caretaker of his sickly daughter, whom later became his fiancée. Things seemed going great until a jealous rival dojo poisoned the well and killed his master and his fiancée, leading him to brutally take his revenge by killing by his bare hands those responsible, and then being converted by Muzan into his demon after acknowledging the young martial artist's outstanding strength and prowess. His flashback story was delivered so well that it made my heart break and made me feel sorry for the Upper Rank Three Demon. I felt so sad for him that I very much had forgiven him already for killing the Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku. Well, Rengoku would probably wanted that anyway. And his shocking return, his true and actual return, when Akaza finally embraced his human memories that he once lost, helped pushed even further and solidify Akaza as one of the most iconic character in this story.
Every fight sequence was beautifully crafted and delivered in this film, and there were no dull moment even when there are no battle happening on screen. The film managed to give thrilling fight scenes with excellent visuals and flashy animations. But even now, I still haven't seen them overtake the Tanjiro and Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui versus Upper Rank Six Demon Gyutaro as the best fight scene in the franchise. But still, I would give them the well deserved praise for the fight scenes in this film.
The fight scenes weren't the only eye-catching element in this film, as the background visuals, basically the Infinity Castle itself, was stunning and aesthetically appeasing. Fitting to be described as terrifyingly beautiful due to its magnificent design mixed with the horror and complexity factors.
The film also managed to showcase the intricate design of the demonic castle with its chaotic nature and vast structure. The castle felt like a giant ever revolving labyrinth with a mind of its own, setting and activating traps and portals to confuse and lead astray the demon slayers inside.
Knowing that the final phase will be a trilogy, it is expected that some characters will be sidelined for this film, with some important characters receiving only seconds, or a couple of minutes at most, of screentime such as Nezuko Kamado, Inosuke Hashibira, and Muzan. But with their limited amount of screentime, it only got me even more excited and craving to see more of them in the next films.
But as much I love and enjoyed the movie, it didn't feel like a full length film for me. It's a no brainer guessing that the structure and story flow would suit the anime tv series format more, and I wouldn't be surprised if they also release it as such, the same way they did with the previous arcs that received a feature film adaptations. The film felt more like a compilation of multiple episodes stitched into one long tv series episode than an actual film, like it gave me a vibe that I was just binge watching a whole season instead.
But as much I love and enjoyed the movie, it didn't feel like a full length film for me. It's a no brainer guessing that the structure and story flow would suit the anime tv series format more, and I wouldn't be surprised if they also release it as such, the same way they did with the previous arcs that received a feature film adaptations. The film felt more like a compilation of multiple episodes stitched into one long tv series episode than an actual film, like it gave me a vibe that I was just binge watching a whole season instead.
Overall, I had a blast watching Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle - Part 1: Akaza Returns, and yes, that is the official whole title, by the way. Stunning visuals, thrilling fight scenes, and emotional stories, the film managed to give justice to the hype that it received and deliver arguably one of the most astonishing anime films in history. And confidently, I would say that this is one of my favorite films of the year so far. Really excited and just couldn't wait for the next part to be released.
Rating: 9/10
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