'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train' Review: Movie marks beginning of the end
Ever since its anime debut, 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba', which was already a popular manga has gone on to earn a massive global fan following and it's not hard to see why. Armed with a great story and stellar characters, now the movie 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train' brings to life everything fans love about the series.
If you're looking for more anime like 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba', consider checking out — 'Yasuke', 'Record of Ragnorok', 'The Seven Deadly Sins' and 'Castlevania'. Season 1 of 'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba' is also available on Netflix if you want to binge-watch it before the movie!
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'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train' continues directly after the events of Season 1 and sets the anime up for Season 2. Tamada Tanjiro and Zenitsu, Inosuke and Nezuko are still on their quest to find an end to Muzan. However, he now does so as a demon slayer, working within the ranks of the Demon Slayer Corps, taking on the missions that he is assigned. One mission is investigating the disappearances aboard a train, seeing that multiple demon slayers have gone missing while trying to do so.
Upon the gang's arrival, they soon find out that they are accompanied by the powerful flame hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro, who senses that something is afoot. Before the movie's events can unfold, he offers to take all three boys under his wing and even encourages Tanjiro to pursue the flame breathing style instead of the water style he's learned.
Tanjiro, who is on the path to uncovering the meaning behind a family ritual dance known as the Hinokami Kagura, feels as though under Rengoku, he might make a breakthrough that will bring him closer to returning Nezuko back to normal and ending Muzan. The group manages to defeat the Lower Moon One Enmu and his dream manipulation, but when Upper Moon Three Akaza arrives, Rengoku fights him to the very death and loses his life in the process.
The movie does a fantastic job of setting up Rengoku to be one of the most likely characters in the series, despite his loud and over-the-top attitude. Tanjiro and the group are gravely affected by his death, seeing that even though they spend a short time with him, Rengoku leaves a mark on them. It's the stellar way the character is written — he is a resilient man who will stop at nothing to protect those around him.
It makes for an interesting parallel that he dies at Akaza's hands, who was once a human so overcome with grief over his inability to protect those he loved. Akaza even acknowledges his strength and offers to make him a demon in exchange for his life, but Rengoku refuses, seeing that he'd rather die fighting and embrace death honourably.
The movie's animation is top-notch — the anime itself has been known to have some stunning fight scenes, and the film doesn't fail to deliver on this account. Seeing Akaza and Rengoku face off against each other is the highlight, even though it ends tragically for Tanjiro and the group.
The movie creates the perfect gateway for Season 2, since apart from Shinobu Kocho, the insect hashira and Giyuu Tomioka, the water hashira in Season 1 and Rengoku Kyojuro in the movie, there hasn't been any other real interaction with the rest of the pillars. Season 2 changes that entirely, with a new host of characters taking center stage.
'Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train' is now streaming on Funimation. You can also watch season 1 of the anime on Netflix.