This past February, “Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba: The Movie- To the Hashira Training” saw release in theaters around the world. Following the smash success of 2021’s “Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Movie- Mugen Train” (which surpassed Makoto Shinkai’s “Your Name” as the highest-grossing anime film ever worldwide), the movie sets the stage for the next chapter of the story.
The film is based on the best selling manga by Gotoge Kyoharu, and adapts material that has yet to be covered by the TV anime. After a highlight reel of the story so far, the main story acts as a prelude to the “Hashira Training arc” of the graphic novel series. As many members of the Demon Slayer Corps are dying or rendered unable to fight, a new generation must be trained to take up the fight against the army of demons led by Muzan Kibutsuji.
On a budget equivalent to $15 million USD, the film contains some of the best traditional animation seen in years. The story combines elements of action, horror and Taisho-era Japanese period drama to great effect. It does require a working knowledge of the anime and manga up to the point the film adapts to follow, but the plot does flow reasonably well over 103 minutes.
Though the compilation film may be a subgenre that has largely faded from the public consciousness, this movie does make a reasonably effective use of the format. It will be interesting to see how the anime adapts the story for television (since the TV adaptations of the “Mugen Train” and “Swordsmith Village” arcs contained new material not shown in their respective movies).
While the film may not win over newcomers, it is an ideal way for fans to get ready for the television adaptation of the manga storyline this May. Overall, “Demon Slayer Kimetsu no Yaiba: The Movie” is definitely another enjoyable film outing for the franchise. With the TV anime set to resume this May, now is the ideal time to check this movie out.
Directed by Sotozuki Haruo (Based on the graphic novel series by Gotoge Kyoharu)
Starring the voices of Hanae Netsuki, Kawanishi Kengo, Kito Akari, Shimono Hiro, and Matsuoka Yoshitsugu
Now In Theaters (Coming to Crunchyroll May 12)
Rated R
My Rating: ****/5
