For years,Demon Slayerhas captivated its audiences with breathtaking animation and fluid fight scenes using impeccable CGI that affirms the standard Ufotable trademark. However, veritable developments suggesting that the Infinity Castle Arc would be adapted as a trilogy are questionable for solid reasons.
With the finale on the horizon, Demon Slayer may be treading the same path asAttack on Titanto a dubious ending. Detailed fight scenes are the core reasonsDemon Slayeris at the “best anime” roundtable discussions. Regardless,splitting the finale into three movies does not seem possiblewithout heavy padding; it could undermine the qualitative success of the franchise so far.
The Infinity Castle Arc Does Not Have Enough Substance For A Trilogy, But Ufotable Seems Bent On Dragging It Out
The Infinity Castle Arc, for those yet to see the first movie, is expected to be one of the most striking, action-filled arcs ofDemon Slayer.The reality-warping Infinity Castle, the Demon Slayers vs. Upper Rank Demons showdown, and the prequel to Muzan’s battle all seem ideal enough to spread into a trilogy.
However, once you look past the intense battles and epic scenery, there is not enough material to divide into three movies. The manga handled the arc in a relatively compact format, focusing mainly on prolonged battles with a sprinkle of dialogue and flashbacks in between. Turning these panels into three full-length movies is nearly impossible without creating inconsistencies.
Stretching out fight scenes or adding fillers is not a new loophole that animation studios exploit to meet runtime expectations. But there are usually buildable elements — character development and emotional stakes — that effectively fill up that stretch. Frankly speaking, the Infinity Castle arc does not have much of that.
Ufotable seems to be betting on style, a key contributor that keeps the series on the minds of many, inevitably prioritizing it over substance. And while there is no doubt that the animation will deliver, it can only do so much to cover up this glaring oversight, especially with a five-year release timeframe.
The Infinity Castle arc was never meant to be a stretched epic. It is a rapid series of climactic moments that work best when delivered with urgency.Breaking it into three films could dilute its strength instead of amplifying it— a trapAttack on Titanfell into by dividing the season finale into parts.
Attack On Titan’s Pacing Ultimately Undermined Its Own Epic Momentum, And Demon Slayer May Be Following In Its Footsteps
Attack on Titanhas earned its right to hang its cape in the hall of fame for anime. Factors such as unrivaled action, epic plot twists, and the stoicism of the Survey Corps — especially Captain Erwin — make the series a masterpiece. It started strong and stayed strong; that is, until the watered-down final season.
The final season was split into three parts, with the third part split into two halves. And with each part, the fanbase grew more weary. By the time the actual season finale aired, the emotional buildup had faded, the momentum was gone, and what should have been a powerful conclusion felt like a torturous ending.
Sadly,Demon Slayerseems to be treading the same path. Sure, the storylines and structure are fundamentally different, but the strategy of breaking up such a pivotal and momentous section of the series into separate parts is hauntingly similar. And it most likely leads to the same result: a loss in momentum that the series struggled to build.
Great storytelling is often measured by how captivated the material keeps the audience, and to attain that captivation, pacing is key. When the pacing becomes uneven, the material suffers, leading to a loss of captivation and.Attack on Titansuffered from this profit-driven mistake, andDemon Slayerdoes not seem to be learning from its predecessor’s mistakes.
Is Demon Slayer’s Trilogy A Strategic Business Move Or An Artistic Misstep?
There’s no denying thatDemon Slayeris a global money-maker.TheMugen Trainmovie shattered box office records, and the trend continued with every release. Naturally, the idea of cashing in on not one, but three highly marketed films is tempting.
However, when the motive leans heavily toward profit rather than narrative strength, the result tends to be underwhelming. The first movie,Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle – Part 1: Akaza Returns,which has been released in Japan and is set to be released in the United States by September, is already showing the profitable side of the trilogical strategy.
In a little over a week, the movie had already earned over 10 billion yen, breaking the record for the fastest-selling movie in Japan, a record set by the same franchise. But the artistic misstep seems to creep in ever so slowly, as a few reviews highlight issues with the film, especially the pacing.
At the very least, Yuichi Terao, the Director of Photography and Finishing Director for Infinity Castle, made the franchise’s intentions known during an interview with Crunchyroll News. And they do not seem business-driven.
“I know people chase the big megahit, but we try to look beyond that to see the happy faces on different moviegoers, and watching them engage with the story, that combination…to be able to continue making anime. For us, there’s nothing greater.
— Yuichi Terao.
Should this be trusted or taken at face value? No one knows. But one thing is for sure: placing profits before entertainment rarely ever goes well for studios, and Ufotable, no matter how breathtaking their adaptation is, is not exempt from this consequence.
After Attack on Titan’s Saga, Will Demon Slayer Fans Really Accept Another Drawn-Out, Momentum-Killing Goodbye?
Drawn-out anime endings are not exactly a new thing in the anime industry.Attack on Titan, using this strategy, took an emotional toll on several fans, and several franchises have followed suit, drawing out endings way beyond their natural length and forcing their audience to suffer for years before they get closure.
No fanbase deserves this, especiallyDemon Slayer’s. From the moment Nezuko became a demon and Tanjiro embarked on his journey, fans have stood by the franchise, eagerly awaiting each new release. Now that it is time for a well-deserved ending, Ufotable threatens to extend it for five years.
As usual, there would beDemon Slayerfaithfuls that would stay on, no matter where Ufotable leads them. However, a notable number would grow tired of waiting.
Some might revert to the source material (manga) or just give up on the franchise as a whole. Ultimately, Ufotable’sDemon Slayertrilogy is treading on unstable grounds, and fans can only hope the final movies do not compromise on the franchise’s established excellence.
