Review: Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – Heading to the training of the pillars

What is surprising and disconcerting is that the recent film adaptations of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba They are betting more on resuming the material from the episodes, instead of offering a fresh and unpublished plot, moving away from the model that the rest of the shōnen industry is used to. An uncomfortable mystery considering that Mugen Train, the first Kimetsu no Yaiba film, remains Japan's highest-grossing film, whether animated or otherwise.

Heading to the training of the pillars is a production for fans

Don't misunderstand me, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba – Heading to the training of the pillars It is an experience that is enjoyed spectacularly in the comfort of a movie theater. Reliving a fragment of the series, but in IMAX format—if it is going to be a feature film, it better be in premium quality—is a delight for any animation lover and, to tell the truth, it is authentic fanservice.

Loyal fans of other series would kill to watch at least some scenes from their favorite anime brought to the big screen. But that is precisely the biggest drawback, since the essence of this film is perceived as a screening for fans and very little as a genuine film. Fortunately, it works better and has more cohesion than Heading to the Blacksmiths' Village.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Heading to the training of the pillars follows the same suspicion

The most recent Demon Slayer film continues with the format of its predecessor: it is two separate episodes, combining the end of the previous season with the beginning of the next, which are mixed to form a long-lasting narrative.

In this installment, the cuts and editing manage to create the illusion of a “running” film that flows well. Added to that is that the original material is already spectacular: the episodes used are, without a doubt, some of the best that Demon Slayer offers in terms of action, intensity, emotional charge and even intrigue.

Heading to the Training of the Pillars is full of demon annihilation, humor, mystery and a lot of charisma through its characters. Since the beginning of the series and the manga – this film is no exception – the plot axis has revolved around the bond that Tanjiro and Nezuko have as brothers, but it takes on a new dimension in this section of the story, testing both and taking them out of their comfort zone to overcome their enemies and survive on the way to new challenges.

The interactions between protagonists, the other hunters, pillars and even secondary characters maintain their characteristic magnetism, so there is no moment when the pace feels slow; On the contrary, if something dominates Demon Slayer to perfection is the constant jump between situations of laughter, unbridled action, intrigue and a lot of emotion.

Should you watch this new Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba movie?

Obviously, being a production designed entirely for fans, what can someone who is a little oblivious to the whole phenomenon of Kimetsu no Yaiba Or who simply has no idea of ​​the plot narrated in the series? Confusion, mainly.

Director Haruo Hotozaki and his team attempted to contextualize non-fans within the film by including at the beginning an ultra-simplified summary of the most important moments leading up to the final confrontation against Hantengu—the fourth upper moon.

Unfortunately the collage of scenes does little or nothing to guide newcomers. The rest of the film could cause total confusion to someone outside, with its characters and situations, no matter how exciting and visually enjoyable they may be; but it is highly likely that they will provoke fascination and a lot of curiosity, to guide a new fan.

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