My Cultural Diet

I’m sure that a few otaku were upset that KPop Demon Hunters beat Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle for “Best Animated Motion Picture” at this year’s Golden Globes. But having seen both films, I have to say that KPop Demon Hunters is the more satisfying of the two, and not just because of its bangin’ soundtrack. Make no mistake, the new Demon Slayer feature — which is actually the first in a trilogy of films that will conclude the series — is visually stunning, thanks to a nigh-seamless blend of cel and computer animation that makes the film’s many action sequences pop and brings the titular lair to life. Based on its visuals alone, it’s no surprise that Infinity Castle smashed box office records both in Japan and abroad. But its pacing is all over the place, and the film feels less like a single, cohesive work and more like a collection of loose threads. (Note: The film takes place immediately after the events of Demon Slayer’s fourth season.) Of course, like any good shōnen title, it’s packed with battles that, if this were a normal TV season, would span several episodes as opponents call out their special attacks — Blue Silver Chaotic Afterglow! Setting Sun Transformation! — with gusto and conviction. But the film’s final act, which is supposed to be its emotional climax, slows to a crawl as the characters’ epic duel is broken up by existential crises and melodramatic breakdowns that get increasingly tedious and drawn out.

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