Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle, also known as Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Akaza Returns, has taken the world by storm. Following its release on July 18 in Japan, it has become one of the highest-grossing films in the country in just a few weeks. The movie has also broken many records in Taiwan, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and South Korea. In the U.S, it raked in $10 million in advance bookings alone and is expected to shatter every anime box-office record by the time it ends its theatrical run.

The film is being praised for quite a few reasons, and it can now be said beyond a reasonable doubt that the anime has set such a high standard that it will always be one step ahead of Solo Leveling, the latest hit that is touted by many as the next big anime phenomenon. Here are a few reasons why the latter will never surpass Demon Slayer’s legacy.

Breathtaking Animation That Beautifully Captures High-Stakes Battles

Every Fight in Demon Slayer Leaves a Lasting Impression on the Viewer

picture: tanjiro kamado in infinity castle poster.

A-1 Pictures’ Solo Leveling is yet to replicate the cinematic fight experiences that Ufotable pulls off with effortless consistency

High-stakes battles are a culmination of good character development and the rising tension between two opposing ideals, making every clash seem inevitable and captivating the audience. But to truly taste the thrill of such moments, cinematic fight sequences and impeccable animation are indispensable. While Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba thrives in emotionally connecting the viewers with each character, Ufotable takes the drama to another level by bringing every manga panel to life with its extraordinary animation that captures the brilliance of each moment. Every battle in the series is an unforgettable experience that leaves the fans awe-inspired.

Tengen blocks Gyutaro's attack in the anime - Demon Slayer

In Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Chapter 1: Akaza Returns, Ufotable surpassed its own benchmark by delivering an unforgettable battle that shocks the fans to the core. Every moment is choreographed brilliantly and seems like a moving painting. It is impossible to find fault with the animation, as Ufotable appears to have pushed artistic limits to new heights.

Although Solo Leveling’s battles are also fun to watch, they are far from being on the same level as Demon Slayer. Sung Jinwoo’s one-sided fights are exciting, but since other characters barely get any attention, the fight fails to replicate the emotional weight, and in turn, lacks the intensity too. Unfortunately, as good as A-1 Pictures is, they have yet to replicate Ufotable’s magic that has become the new standard in the anime industry.

Character-Centric Storytelling That Thrives on Emotional Stakes

Demon Slayer’s Almost Entire Gets the Limelight at Some Point

Solo Leveling is the story of Sung Jinwoo’s rise from being humanity’s weakest hunter to one of the strongest beings in existence. His dramatic rise to power is breathtaking to witness, but his lonely journey often neglects every character around him. This slowly becomes a huge problem as the supporting cast seems like a mere pawn, meant to be used and discarded for the protagonist’s sake. Over time, the story becomes one-dimensional and predictable.

Demon Slayer is far better at accommodating a diverse cast and weaving a narrative that gives the limelight to every side character. Since fans get to hear about the traumatic past experiences and struggles of the entire cast, they tend to become more emotionally invested in each battle. The series thrives even when the protagonist is not directly involved in an event. In the Infinity Castle arc, the most exciting clash takes place when Kokushibo crosses paths with Muichiro, Sanemi, Gyomei, and Genya. Even without Tanjiro and Muzan’s involvement, it ends up being arguably the most memorable battle of the arc. The emotional stakes do not diminish as the side characters are developed so well. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said about Solo Leveling.

Interestingly, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Akaza Returns will forever be remembered for Tanjiro’s quest for vengeance and the high-stakes battle involving Akaza. But for this clash to become so intense, Rengoku’s death had to carry the immense weight. The build-up took years in the making, and when Kamado eventually confronted Akaza, fans were left mesmerized.

Great Villains With Moving Backstories

Demon Slayer Villains Are Just Better

picture: akaza in demon slayer infinity castle poster.

Solo Leveling Fails to Develop Compelling Villains

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Akaza Returns was special primarily because of the main villain, Akaza. His brutal clash with Kyojuro Rengoku had served as a painful memory for the fans, villainizing him enough to be detested by many in the fandom. As Akaza made his return in the highly anticipated film, the viewers expected a great fight in which Tanjiro would avenge his old friend. While those things did happen, the anime left fans wondering if the Upper Moon deserved to be hated as much once his backstory was revealed.

Demon Slayer’s unique storytelling often makes viewers sympathize with the villains. Its ability to humanize such characters who often seem irredeemable is its greatest strength. Unfortunately, Solo Leveling villains are not as well-developed. They often lack a compelling backstory, and fans barely know anything about them. This makes the story not as emotionally moving and often just seems too repetitive.

Infinity Castle Part 1 is scheduled for release in the United States on September 12, 2025.

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