This article contains spoilers from the Demon Slayer manga.
The most exciting battles in Demon Slayer are coming to theaters with the official release of Akaza Returns, the first chapter in the Infinity Castle trilogy. As early as today, fans are reserving tickets to the movie, hoping to catch the final showdown between the demon hunters and Muzan’s upper moons as soon as possible. It’s going to be intense and heartbreaking, with only a few surviving characters in the end.
However, in a series of explosive fights set in the Infinity Castle, one major battle could disappoint some Demon Slayer fans. Apparently, this one fight feels flat and boring, almost as if it were a filler rather than a major fight. Despite the involvement of two Hashira fighting against one upper moon, this boring fight pales in comparison to the life-or-death showdown of other characters.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Trilogy Will Reveal Who's Stronger Between Tanjiro and Akaza
Can Tanjiro defeat an Upper Moon alone?
Infinity Castle’s Most Boring Fight Is Nakime vs. Obanai and Mitsuri
The Biggest Letdown in the Infinity Castle
There are more than five major fights in Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle arc, each one offering intense showdowns between members of the Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan’s upper moons. There are high expectations that each fight will deliver brutal and devastating finishes, with only the winners coming out alive.
However, the battle involving Nakime, Obanai, and Mitsuri is one of the least engaging fights in the Infinity Castle arc. In comparison to the other fights, it lacks direct combat, a satisfying payoff, and a brutal finish from a Hashira. Even with two Hashira fighting at the same time against an upper moon, the absence of a climactic payoff significantly affected the fight’s impact.
Leave this to me. I will protect everyone.—Mitsuri Kanroji
For context, Nakime is Muzan’s new upper moon four, replacing the late Hantengu. She is the architect of the Infinity Castle, meaning she can manipulate the castle’s layout at will, almost as if it's an extension of her body. While her unique ability is not powerful enough to kill people, it’s the most annoying and irritating to deal with.
The Nakime vs. Obanai and Mitsuri Is Not Really a Fight
There’s No Direct Combat
- The Nakime vs. Obanai and Mitsuri fight lacks swordsplay and direct combat.
- Nakime just plays her biwa, disorienting Obanai and Mitsuri, who fail to land a decisive blow to her.
While Tanjiro Kamado and Giyu Tomioka wield their Nichirin blades against Akaza in an intense showdown full of swordsplay and direct combat, Iguro Obanai and Mitsuri Kanroji waste their time running around in a cat-and-mouse fight with Nakime. Her blood demon art of manipulating the Infinity Castle at will consistently disorients the two Hashira until the end.
Instead of giving fans a crucial battle, they were treated to Obanai and Mitsuri’s awkward moments one after another due to their failed attempts to come closer to the demon, while Nakime sat there with her biwa, like a cyclops doll on display. In other words, there's no direct combat or swordsplay, even though Obanai and Mitsuri own two of the most unique Nichirin blades in Demon Slayer.
Worse, the action in the fight is only a setup for another major fight. It’s not a direct confrontation, as it lacks the intensity and emotional weight that other fights have in Infinity Castle. It is also short, with only two chapters, showing Obanai and Mitsuri finding openings to defeat Nakime.
There’s No Satisfying Finish in the Nakime vs. Obanai and Mitsuri Fight
It Is More of a Fight Between Muzan and Yushiro
Another major reason why the Nakime vs. Obanai and Mitsuri fight is the most boring in Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle arc is because of the lack of a satisfying finish. Instead of Mitsuri or Obanai killing Nakime after a major showdown, Muzan Kibutsuji comes in and effortlessly kills his subordinate just because she became a liability to him. He just closes his palms, and the next thing readers know, Nakime has died.
Additionally, while Muzan’s other demons had backstories to tell in the Infinity Castle arc, Nakime’s human life was only revealed in the second fanbook. There’s no space for her backstory in the Infinity Castle arc, making her death the least powerful and impactful of all the upper moons. Despite her loyalty to Muzan, on top of her contributions, her death has no meaning at all.
Meanwhile, on the side of the Hashira, Obanai and Mitsuri had to rely on Yushiro to finish their job. They became decoys for Yushiro’s bold plan, especially Mitsuri, who fools around to set the plan in motion. Just like that, Yushiro successfully captures Nakime, manipulating her sight, including her reports to Muzan, leading to the collapse of the Infinity Castle and the gathering of the remaining pillars.
- Release Date
- April 6, 2019
- Network
- Adult Swim
