“Demon Slayer stuns fans with Zenitsu’s determination – ‘He’s really grown’ ‘If only things had been different…’”

The movie Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc – Part 1: Akaza’s Return has been playing in theaters since July 18. A special video, To the Infinity Castle: Zenitsu Agatsuma Edition, is now available on the official YouTube channel, and fans who have seen both are sharing their reactions on social media.

This special video was released to commemorate the premiere of the Infinity Castle movie. It features newly recorded voice lines and offers a look back on the story from the characters’ perspectives, as part of the seven-night special broadcast of Demon Slayer.

The video shows Zenitsu’s transformation—from his usual cowardly self to the moment he resolves to head into the Infinity Castle. Fans were moved by expressions they had never seen from him before, commenting, “Just seeing Zenitsu’s face as he falls into the Infinity Castle made me cry,” “Zenitsu was unbelievably cool,” and “Zenitsu’s growth is incredible—Inosuke too, but what Zenitsu’s doing is on another level.”

Fans reacted with comments like, “I love how his eyes alone tell you he’s clearly awakened,” and “If that hadn’t happened, Zenitsu wouldn’t be carrying such pain in his heart—but without it, he might not have gained the strength to fight in the Infinity Castle. It’s complicated.”

Demon Slayer is based on the popular manga that ran in Weekly Shonen Jump from February 2016 to May 2020. Set in the Taisho era, where man-eating demons roam the land, it follows a boy named Tanjiro Kamado whose family is slaughtered by demons. He joins the Demon Slayer Corps to avenge his family and find a way to turn his demon-turned sister, Nezuko, back into a human. The manga has surpassed 220 million copies in circulation worldwide.

The TV anime Demon Slayer: Tanjiro Kamado, Unwavering Resolve Arc aired from April to September 2019 and quickly became a major hit. In October 2020, the movie Demon Slayer: Mugen Train was released and became a social phenomenon, earning over 51.7 billion yen in worldwide box office revenue.

The series was later adapted into a video game and stage play. The TV anime continued with the Entertainment District Arc in December 2021, the Swordsmith Village Arc in April 2023, and the Hashira Training Arc from May to June 2024. The story now moves to the big screen with a trilogy of films under Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Arc. The first installment, Part 1 – Akaza’s Return, follows Tanjiro and the Demon Slayer Corps as they enter the demons’ stronghold, the Infinity Castle, for a final showdown against Muzan Kibutsuji and the Upper Rank demons. It is currently screening in 452 theaters (393 standard + 59 IMAX) nationwide.

Source : ORICON NEWS