In one of the most surprising turns of last year, at least from an international standpoint, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie: Mugen Train” became the highest-grossing film of all time in Japan. A direct sequel to the popular anime show, the movie is now set to take the world by storm, having graced theatres on the international stage. No doubt the film's preceding reputation has set expectations high, but does it live up to the hype?
Continuing directly where the anime series left off, demon slayer Tanjiro (Natsuki Hanae) boards the Mugen Train with fellow corps members Inosuke (Yoshitsugu Matsuoka) and Zenitsu (Hiro Shimono) to investigate demon activity. Once onboard, they join forces with the powerful Hashira warrior, Rengoku Kyojuro (Satoshi Hino), and soon become engaged with a fearsome demon that is feasting on the train's passengers. Tormented by the past and faced with a formidable foe, Tanjiro and co must overcome the odds to survive.
It's essential to note right from the off that the “Demon Slayer” series is required viewing for anyone looking to jump into “Mugen Train”. While some early exposition offers minimal background on the main characters and their plight, your enjoyment of the film will be significantly hindered without having some prior knowledge of the anime. In this way, “Mugen Train” is a bit of an anomaly in the world of anime spin-off films, given that it is integral to the progression of the main story. For as off-putting as this may be to newcomers, it is a welcome change for followers of the series, as it adds extra weight to the plot developments that unfold.
For all intents and purposes, the movie is an elongated episode of the series, covering plot developments that would typically span five or so chapters. However, the narrative at hand clearly benefits from the larger budget offered by a feature film. The scale of the Mugen Train story feels far grander than anything that has occurred in the series thus far, so it's only fitting that production company Ufotable had the time and tools required to do it justice.
The animation, for the most part, is top tier, with fight scenes flowing beautifully against the backdrop of the racing locomotive. Devastating total concentration attacks from the likes of Tanjiro and Zenitsu have never looked better than when bursting with colour on the big screen. Not only do the action scenes top even the highest of highs reached in the show, but there's also a distinct fluidity to them that is achieved through the swooping camera movements. Particularly towards the finale, fight scenes are nail-biting in their execution, with the ever-escalating stakes further intensified by an eerie atmosphere. If nothing else, “Mugen Train” is certainly the most cinematic entry in the Demon Slayer saga.
An action movie through and through, there's little in the way of character development in “Mugen Train”, especially when it comes to the series' supporting figures. While this may disappoint some fans, it is partly made up for by the further exploration of Rengoku, who threatens to steal the show. While seemingly no more than a throwaway badass in the early stages, we instead learn more about the fearsome Flame Hashira's past as he takes young Tanjiro under his wing.
“Mugen Train” also takes some time to delve into the psyche of our beloved heroes, even if only briefly. Tanjiro and his comrades are subjected to soothing dreams while under the influence of the slightly underwhelming demon, Enmu, and their visions reveal to us some of their deepest desires. While the fantastical dreams of Inosuke and Zenitsu are more humorous, Tanjiro's tragic family past resurfaces to bring torment once more and deliver some of the film's most poignant sequences.
Where the film suffers at times is in the pacing of certain developments and a repetitive middle portion that is occasionally tainted with an abundance of ugly CGI. An explosive and surprising finale distracts from a laborious second act as well as a sudden development that, while entertaining, is sprung out of nowhere with little explanation. However, I'm sure that such sudden happenings will be explored fully when the series' hotly anticipated second season launches later this year.
Success doesn't always reflect quality, and in the case of “Mugen Train”, it can't hold a candle to some of the more accomplished features in the history of Japanese animation. However, to judge the film on the expectations set by its box office success alone would be incredibly unfair, as it distracts from what it is trying to be: an exciting chapter in an already immensely popular series. When viewed through this lens, “Mugen Train” is enormously entertaining and is sure to be a mouth-watering watch for those keen to reunite with the Demon Slayer Corps.
