Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Kanji | 劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編 |
Revised Hepburn | Gekijō-ban Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Jō-hen |
Directed by | Haruo Sotozaki |
Screenplay by | Ufotable |
Based on | Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Gotouge |
Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Yūichi Terao |
Edited by | Manabu Kamino |
Music by | |
Production company | Ufotable |
Distributed by |
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Release date |
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Running time | 155 minutes[1] |
Country | Japan |
Language | Japanese |
Budget | $20 million[2] |
Box office | $633 million[3][4] |
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle (Japanese: 劇場版「鬼滅の刃」無限城編, Hepburn: Gekijō-ban Kimetsu no Yaiba: Mugen Jō-hen) is a 2025 Japanese animated dark fantasy action film based on the "Infinity Castle" arc of the 2016–20 manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba by Koyoharu Gotouge. It is a direct sequel to the fourth season of the anime television series as well as the manga fourth, fifth, and sixth adaptations, following the film Mugen Train (2020) and the feature-length compilations To the Swordsmith Village (2023) and To the Hashira Training (2024). It is directed by Haruo Sotozaki, produced by Ufotable, and written by the studio's staff members.
Unlike the Swordsmith Village and Hashira Training adaptations, which are compilations of episodes from the anime series, Infinity Castle is a feature-length multi-film adaptation due to the arc's content and dramatic pacing, similarly to Mugen Train. It is the first film of a trilogy announced in June 2024, immediately following the airing of the fourth season's finale.[5]
Officially titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns, it was released in Japan on July 18, 2025, by Aniplex and Toho. It was released by Crunchyroll through Sony Pictures Releasing in select Asian countries in August, before releasing in all other territories the following month. The film broke several box office records and grossed $633 million worldwide, becoming the highest-grossing Japanese film and the sixth-highest-grossing film of 2025.[a] The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its action sequences, visuals, and engaging story, although the pacing received some criticism.
Plot
After recovering from Kagaya Ubuyashiki's trap and subduing Tamayo, Muzan Kibutsuji retreats into his dimensional stronghold, the Infinity Castle, and traps the Demon Slayer Corps inside.[b] The Demon Slayers are separated and face hordes of Lower Rank-level demons as they search for Muzan and Tamayo. Kagaya's son Kiriya and daughters Kuina and Kanata lead the operation by mapping the Infinity Castle with the Kasugai crows and locating its inhabitants, with former Hashiras Tengen Uzui and Shinjuro Rengoku standing guard.
Shinobu Kocho encounters Upper Rank Two Doma, recognizing he was responsible for her older sister Kanae's death. Despite her use of poisons, Doma develops immunity to her attacks, ultimately killing and consuming her. Shinobu's adoptive younger sister Kanao Tsuyuri arrives too late to save her and takes her place in the battle against Doma, while the Kasugai crows announce Shinobu's death to the rest of the Demon Slayers.
Zenitsu Agatsuma faces his former senior Kaigaku, who became the new Upper Rank Six after an encounter with Upper Rank One Kokushibo. Angered by Kaigaku's lack of guilt over his betrayal, which led to their master Jigoro committing seppuku, they battle. Kaigaku voices his frustration at being put on the same level as the "weak and useless" Zenitsu, only to be surprised when he unleashes a self-taught seventh form of Thunder Breathing, killing Kaigaku before passing out. Zenitsu momentarily enters the afterlife and sees Jigoro, who admits to always being proud of him; he is then rescued and treated by a disguised Yushiro, who has been using his Blood Demon Art to help the Ubuyashikis map the Infinity Castle. Meanwhile, Nezuko takes a drug produced by Shinobu and Tamayo to restore her humanity and is placed under the care of Sakonji Urokodaki.
Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka fight Upper Rank Three Akaza. Though Giyu unlocks his mark to enhance his power, Akaza continues to overwhelm them. Determining that the demon is able to target people based on their willpower, Tanjiro recalls memories of Inosuke's ability to detect attacks, and observing his late father in combat. He enters the Transparent World and Selfless State, giving him heightened perception and masking his emotions, successfully beheading Akaza. However, Akaza's body continues to resist and fight Tanjiro and Giyu while headless, pushing them on the brink.
Their persistence causes Akaza to remember his tragic past; he was a young criminal named Hakuji, who stole to fund his father's medication. After being caught stealing numerous times, his father committed suicide, leading to a chance encounter with a dojo owner, Keizo. Hakuji served as his sole disciple while taking care of Keizo's sick daughter, Koyuki. Hakuji and Koyuki eventually became engaged, but she and her father were poisoned by a resentful neighboring dojo that wanted the land. The vengeful Hakuji massacred all of said dojo's members and was turned into a demon during an encounter with Muzan afterwards.
Despite regenerating his head out of sheer will to defeat Tanjiro, Akaza realizes his mistakes through his restored memories. He fatally injures himself to atone for his actions as a demon, flashing a final smile at Tanjiro. He reconciles with his loved ones and reunites with Koyuki, who embraces him before he goes to Hell. Tanjiro and Giyu pass out from exhaustion as their victory is announced by the Kasugai crows.
Kokushibo and Doma sense and are disappointed by Akaza's death, while Nakime, now Upper Rank Four, manipulates the Infinity Castle's layout to confuse the Ubuyashikis. Muzan traps Tamayo in a cocoon of his flesh, remaining confident of his victory over the Demon Slayers.
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