This was my very first experience with Demon Slayer, so you’re getting a complete newbie’s perspective on Infinity Castle. For context, the franchise started as a manga written by Koyoharu Gotouge. It then became an anime series in 2019, followed by some films. Now, it’s back in theaters with Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Infinity Castle, the first film in a trilogy adapting the manga’s final story arc. So, it does seem like a tough entry point for a new viewer and that’s what got me curious about this film.

After watching Ne Zha 2 as my entry point into that story world, I wanted to see what Demon Slayer would be like for a new viewer coming in cold. So, the real question for me was: if I haven’t read the manga or watched the anime, can I still follow and enjoy this movie? Is this a potential entry point for new fans or is it really made for longtime fans? That is the perspective I am bringing here. I also want to hear from you, whether you are new to the series or you’ve been following it from the start. What am I getting right? What do I have to look forward to in the future films or catching up on the series itself? And what did you think of Infinity Castle?

All right, let’s get into it, and please forgive any errors! I’m doing my best as a newcomer. I promise.

You can read the review below or watch the video review on YouTube:

The Demon Slayer Corps are drawn into the Infinity Castle, the domain of the master demon Muzan Kibutsuji, for a final showdown against him and the Upper Rank demons. The Demon Slayers’ leader, Kagaya Ubuyashiki, is on the brink of death, and he decides to use himself as bait to lure Muzan, giving the slayers one night to infiltrate the castle, navigate its constantly shifting layout, defeat the powerful demons inside, and reach Muzan before time runs out.

Once inside, the Demon Slayer Corps split into smaller teams to cover more ground as they search for Muzan. While many slayers are present in the film, Infinity Castle focuses on three primary battles:

• Shinobu Kocho who takes on Doma, in a fight fueled by memories of her sister Kanae. The battle with Doma doesn’t end there, and leaves you wondering what comes next.
• Zenitsu Agatsuma who faces his former brother-in-training, Kaigaku, who betrayed the Demon Slayers by becoming a demon and whose actions led to the death of their master, Jigoro Kuwajima.
• Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka who join forces against Akaza, one of the most dangerous Upper Rank demons.

Muzan commands the Upper Rank demons, and while we see plenty of side battles with lower demons throughout the castle, the film focuses on the three major Upper Rank battles. Each new confrontation includes flashbacks that reveal the demons’ human pasts, their ties to the slayers, and the emotional losses on both sides. We also see the unique combat skills the slayers bring to battle that draw upon elemental techniques like water, fire, and insect styles.

We also see more of the Hashira, the elite warriors within the Demon Slayer Corps, and how their group functions in battle. Since this is the first film of the trilogy that is completing the series, it jumps in the middle of the action and doesn’t have a neatly wrapped ending, but the final battle in the film is the most emotional and serves as a strong jumping-off point for the next film.

First Impressions / Watching Demon Slayer for the First Time

Going into those battles, the structure of Infinity Castle feels a lot like a video game. The Hashira have to track down the lead demon inside this sprawling maze of buildings, battling through hordes of lower demons, and then facing off against upper-rank demons before they can finally closing in on Muzan. The shifting castle walls, the boss-level battles, and the sense of characters powering up as they fight all reinforce that feeling.

If you already know the manga or anime, you’ll have no trouble following who’s who and how their powers work. But if you’re brand-new like me, expect a little confusion at first. Still, if you have even a basic sense of gaming or fantasy storytelling with magic and demon lore, I think you’ll actually pick it up pretty quickly.

The Japanese Version (i.s. The Sub vs Dub Experience)

I decided to watch the film in IMAX because I wanted the best visual experience possible. That also meant I would be watching the Japanese language version with subtitles. It’s always a little more challenging, but there’s something special about foreign-made films when you can hear the native language as part of the experience. It adds a level of authenticity that I love.

That said, I always have trouble with subtitles, especially during fast action scenes where I want to watch what’s happening, and in rapid-fire dialogue that doesn’t leave much time to absorb the story visually. So much of this film is about the visuals, and the story is told as much through imagery as through dialog or subtitles, which is helpful since you can still understand the basic flow of what’s happening even if you miss some of the subtitles.

The Art, Animation, & Visuals

Visually, Infinity Castle is stunning. The film feels like a work of moving art, with textures, colors, and cultural imagery that make it seem as though the manga has come alive and leapt straight onto the screen. The film feels like everything Disney and Pixar are not, and I don’t mean that in a bad way. It’s just different. The artistic style is firmly rooted in the traditions of anime, blending flat, stylized artwork with dimension, shape, and form while still preserving its manga origins and feeling dynamic and alive on screen.

There’s a fluidity and fierceness to the artwork as it builds, flows, and explodes on screen. Then, when the action pauses, there are moments that pull us right back to the manga that inspired the story and its characters.

The story shifts quickly, picking up the pace, moving through new locations, introducing more Hashira and demons. It’s all done in a storytelling rhythm that pulls you deeper into the film without ever letting up on the action. The result is an immersive world that swallows you whole.

Action & Pacing

Even with the near non-stop action, the film runs two and a half hours, and it did feel like they could have trimmed 15–20 minutes without losing any context.

The battles are intense and relentless, often accompanied by the characters’ internal monologues that explain how they’re feeling and why they’re fighting the way they are, layered over their verbal exchanges in combat. Combined with the many flashbacks needed to provide context, this added bulk to the story and slowed the pacing at times. Still, those moments were really important for viewers like me who would have been lost without that emotional grounding woven into the battles with the upper-level demons.

Emotional Moments & Character Drama

Because of the backstory in those flashbacks, including family members lost, comrades betrayed, and demons who still remember their human pasts, there is a lot of emotion woven into each battle. Scenes with Shinobu and her feelings about her sister, Zenitsu reflecting on his master’s teachings, Tanjiro recalling his family, and Akaza confronting his own grief all build together to give the film the emotional weight it needed to carry the story, even if some of it was hard to follow or could have used a little more fleshing out. The film ends on an emotional beat that absolutely leaves you wanting more.

Cast and Character Development

Because I’m a newcomer to the story, I judged the characters based on what the film gives us, especially in flashbacks and in battle. A few stood out for me:

• Tanjiro is all heart. His character is at his best in the moments when someone else’s life is in danger. His fight with Akaza is emotionally powerful because of what he remembers, what he learned from his father, and how he sees other demon slayers like Giyu.
• Giyu, who is teamed up with Tanjiro, is a pinnacle of strength and experience. The way he unlocks his mark shows a master-level talent that is surprising. When he and Tanjiro fight together, you see their connection shift as they both grow in the battle, forced to reach new levels of their talent or die trying.
• Shinobu carries the weight of her sister Kanae, and her fight with Doma is shaped by that grief. While she feels a little flatter than Tanjiro as a character, there is a deeper emotional pull because her battle is fueled by love and loss, which makes her dangerous in a way that Doma finds fascinating.
• Zenitsu and Kaigaku share one of the most personal fights. Zenitsu’s journey, layered with competitiveness, betrayal, and guilt, gives him more depth than just being the anxious comedic relief. When he fights Kaigaku, he taps into something sadder and angrier that fuels his strength because this battle is personal in every way.
• Upper Rank demons are given backstories that show they were once human. This makes it easier to understand what they became and what motivates them. Akaza’s story, in particular, is given room to breathe, which is important since his battle is the emotional anchor of the film. So, by the end you see both the demon and the human he once was, as well as the choices that made him who he is now.

Overall, some characters feel thinner, especially if their flashbacks are brief or their role in a battle is less central. Even so, the film does enough to show motivations and stakes so that we understand why the battles matter.

Recommendation / Is Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Worth Watching?

So, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba — Infinity Castle. Is it ticket worthy, even for someone who is unfamiliar with the series?

If you are a fan of manga, if you enjoy anime films, if you’re already familiar with Demon Slayer, I think you are going to love this movie. So, yes. I think it’s ticket worthy if you are a fan. Everything about it seems built for you. The visuals, the stakes, the battles, the emotional arcs — they all land more strongly if you know at least some of the world.

If you’re new, like me, there is a learning curve. Whether you choose the subtitled or dubbed version, you may still struggle at first because there are a lot of names, a lot of new terminology, and a lot to learn about how the Hashira’s powers work. It can be confusing. I do think it helps to watch at least a few episodes of the series first, but it isn’t essential. From a visual and storytelling perspective, there’s still so much to enjoy. For that reason, I think Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle is worth the price of admission, even for a first-time viewer but you will likely struggle a bit. Just be ready for the length, the violence, and the fast-moving action.

Final Thoughts

So, Demon Slayer fans, what did you think of Infinity Castle? Have you seen it yet, or are you planning to go soon? And for those of you who have never watched the series, is this something you’re willing to give a try? If you did see it, I’d love to hear what you thought.

And how did I do as a newbie? Did I miss anything? I feel like I may have gotten a few details wrong, and I definitely need to check out the full series for myself.

If you enjoyed this review, please give it a like, subscribe for more, and share with a friend.

Also, visit me on YouTube channel at @ErinUnderwood for videos reviews, discussions, and more.

Here are my Amazon Associate links to the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba anime and manga that you may enjoy:

• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, Vol. 1 – Purchase the Book
• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba, Full Set – Purchase the Full Set of Books
• Demon Slayer – Kimetsu No Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train – Purchase Video on Amazon Prime
• Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – Series on Crunchyroll – Purchase Access to the Video Series