First Reviews For DEMON SLAYER: INFINITY CASTLE Praise Its Stunning Action, But Say Story Falls Short
The wait is over in Japan as Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle finally hit theaters, and fans have been flooding social media with praise. Now, the first major Western review has dropped, giving us a clearer picture of what to expect from the highly anticipated anime film.
The verdict? It’s visually breathtaking and packed with incredible action, but its storytelling doesn’t quite match the spectacle.
According to Anime News Network, the movie delivers on style in a big way: “stunning visuals and a great musical score,” paired with a “fantastic sense of tension throughout.” Fans on Twitter have also been calling the film’s visuals “absolutely breathtaking.”
The real standout, though, seems to be the fight scenes. The review says: “When it comes to the battles, the anime simply looks fantastic. There is not a single frame that couldn't be put up on a wall.”
That’s awesomely high praise for a series already known for its jaw-dropping animation. Adding to the intensity, the review notes, “There is an unflinching sense of danger throughout the film… The heroes don't win every battle – nor do they necessarily even manage to survive.”
So, we can expect high stakes and serious consequences this time around. But not everything hits the mark. While the action soars, the storytelling seems to stumble.
The review points out, “[The] story structure undercuts itself dulling both its emotional and action beats while also making the already lengthy movie feel like it drags on.” For a film this hyped, that’s a notable drawback.
Directed by Haruo Sotozaki, the movie continues the journey of Tanjiro Kamado, a young demon slayer determined to protect his sister Nezuko after she was turned into a demon.
Joined by Zenitsu and Inosuke, Tanjiro faces his toughest challenge yet inside the terrifying Infinity Castle as they race to save the head of the Demon Slayer Corps. This installment marks the beginning of a trilogy adapting the Infinity Castle arc from Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga and follows the explosive fourth season of the anime.
Fans will remember the franchise’s first movie, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train, which smashed records in 2020 and still holds an impressive 98% on Rotten Tomatoes. Can Infinity Castle live up to that legacy, or even surpass it?
Japanese audiences got their first look on July 18, but international fans will need to wait a little longer. Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle hits theaters in the US and UK on September 12, 2025, with an August rollout for select regions. The film stars Natsuki Hanae, Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Hiro Shimono, and Akari Kitô.