Innovative Promotion
The hype for Infinity Castle went beyond online reactions and reviews. Ufotable’s promotional campaign was truly impressive. In Japan, they showcased a 28,000 square-meter rice field in Gyoda City, carefully designed to resemble Tanjiro Kamado. This massive artwork highlighted their dedication to the series and drew attention from around the world.
In Indonesia, the excitement was boosted by the FamilyMart x Demon Slayer collaboration, starting on July 14. Visitors could collect exclusive merchandise such as drink sets with collectible cards, pins, acrylic keychains, and standees, while select stores were specially decorated for the event. These creative promotional efforts made anticipation for the film feel like a shared global experience, setting the stage perfectly for its stunning animation and story.
The buzz from these campaigns made the wait for the film feel charged with excitement. By the time Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle reached Indonesian theaters last August, I had already seen reactions from abroad, and the excitement was impossible to ignore.
Join the hype, grabbed my demon slayer drink at Famima, hehe!
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Indeed, most overseas reactions praised the film as a visual masterpiece, while others said it was slowed by “filler” and long pauses. The swirl of excitement and criticism didn’t put me off. Instead, it made me even more eager to see it for myself, especially knowing Ufotable’s animation almost never misses and can turn every frame into something unforgettable.
When the lights dimmed and the opening scene began, I quickly realized how different this film was meant to be. Unlike Mugen Train, which was adapted straight into the series, Infinity Castle is essentially the next season in disguise, almost like watching the first part of season five in one sitting. That shift changes everything. It feels less like a side story and more like the beginning of the final storm. The moment the visuals unfolded, I felt a rush of goosebumps. The animation was every bit as stunning as people had promised, the kind of breathtaking work Ufotable delivers again and again.
Following Demon Slayer Through the Years
Infinity Castle was never just another anime movie for me. I’ve followed Demon Slayer for years, devouring every manga panel and waiting week by week for new episodes. This series has been a companion through different seasons of life, so seeing it reach this point on the big screen felt personal. It was like seeing an old friend step into a final act, and I know that sounds a little sentimental but it’s true.
That’s why I can’t help comparing it to the earlier film. Mugen Train was powerful in its own right, but it was still part of a storyline we had already seen unfold in the anime. Infinity Castle is different. It doesn’t recycle the past; it opens the door to what’s next. It is bold, tense, and determined to push the story toward its endgame.
From Panels to a Living World
One of the things that struck me most was how accurately yet creatively the film translated the manga. Every panel I remembered from the page seemed to come to life on screen with new depth. Sometimes a single moment that would flash by in seconds on paper was stretched into a scene that lasted fifteen minutes without ever feeling slow. Rather than filler, it felt like enrichment, giving extra meaning to each moment.
It reminded me why I fell in love with this story in the first place. The manga set the foundation, but Ufotable adds the heart and soul. They do not just adapt, they build, layer, and improvise in a way that makes the world feel alive.
Ufotable’s Signature Magic
And then, of course, there is the animation. If you have followed Demon Slayer, you know Ufotable has a reputation that borders on legendary. Their work has always been stunning, but Infinity Castle feels like the studio showing off just how far they can go. The smoothness, the details, the way the camera sweeps through impossible angles almost makes you forget you are watching animation.
It is not just a question of budget, though it’s obvious no expense was spared. It’s about artistry. Ufotable transforms each fight into a dance, turning even the simplest exchanges into breathtaking spectacles. This is anime crafted so masterfully that you don’t just watch it, you become part of it.
Music That Breathes with the Story
What makes Demon Slayer stand out even more for me is how it treats music as a character in its own right. Every Hashira has their own theme, every battle its own rhythm, and the Infinity Castle movie takes that to another level. The background music did not just accompany the story, it lived inside it, hitting perfectly at every beat and leaving me covered in goosebumps.
Hearing familiar themes like Giyu’s theme elevated into something more epic during his clash with Akaza left me breathless. Even Akaza’s own theme resonated deeply, mirroring his presence in ways words alone could not capture. The music and animation did not compete, they completed each other. It is rare to find a series that nails both so consistently, but Demon Slayer proves again that it refuses to cut corners.
Fights That Carried More Than Blades
For Zenitsu, the clash with Kaigaku was deeply personal. Kaigaku was not just another Upper Moon but his senior who had betrayed their master, Jigoro Kuwajima. That betrayal crushed Jigoro and ultimately drove him to take his own life, leaving Zenitsu with grief and unresolved guilt. Watching Zenitsu face Kaigaku with steady resolve felt like witnessing someone finally step out of a shadow. His finishing move, an original Thunder Breathing form, was not just a victory; it was his way of honoring the teacher who had always believed in him. Once the fight ended, Jigoro’s final words reached him: You are my pride and joy, Zenitsu. That line hit me right where it matters.
Meanwhile, Tanjiro’s fight with Akaza gave us one of the most breathtaking sequences in the film. By entering the Transparent World and embracing the Selfless State, he calmed every trace of his fighting spirit, making himself unreadable. In that stillness, Tanjiro moved with a clarity and speed that even Akaza’s Compass Needle could not follow. It was more than just technique, it was the moment he stepped into the kind of power that sets apart legends.
And then there is Akaza. This movie wrapped up his side story in such a touching way, reminding us all that the villain was once a victim. Seeing his memories and pain unfold gave the story a bittersweet weight, showing that even those we see as enemies carry human scars and tragedies.
The Pain of Shinobu’s Death and What Awaits
One part that left me completely undone was Shinobu’s death. Even though I already knew it was coming from the manga, watching it unfold on screen was raw and devastating. I shed tears in that scene, and it was not the only time; Akaza’s flashback also made me cry, a reminder that tragedy lives on both sides of the story.
Knowing what lies ahead fills me with tension. Muichiro, Genya, Obanai, Mitsuri, and Gyomei are all destined to meet their deaths, and I cannot help but wait in anticipation. At the same time, I feel unprepared to see their deaths brought to life on screen. Yet it is precisely that tension that keeps me invested. The Infinity Castle Arc proves that Demon Slayer is not just about action; it is about loss, sacrifice, and the weight carried by every life the story touches.
Final Thoughts
When the credits rolled, I sat for a while, letting it all sink in. For me, Infinity Castle was more than just a spectacle. It was the perfect blend of story, animation, and music that made the whole experience feel whole. Where others might see flaws, I saw choices that deepened the narrative and gave the characters room to breathe.
As someone who grew up following Naruto, with its countless fillers, I know how easily side stories can feel like interruptions. Some viewers compare Infinity Castle to the Entertainment District Arc, the previous season’s battle between the Sound Hashira and Upper Rank Six; every flashback there was carefully placed. But for me, every filler in Infinity Castle was perfectly positioned. It made the story feel complete rather than interrupted.
So no, I do not agree that Infinity Castle is “only” carried by its visuals. To me, it is proof that when storytelling, animation, and music all come together seamlessly, you do not just watch an anime. You live inside it. Knowing this is just the first part of a trilogy, I am bracing myself for the heartbreaks ahead, even as I cannot wait to see the story continue.
At the end of the day, I just love how this movie makes you feel like you’re living inside the story for a bit. It’s the little things that stick with you, it’s worth the tears, the wait, and all the emotions in between.
Warm regard,
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