Crunchyroll’s new film Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village is neither a film, nor about the Swordsmith Village Arc.
Having premiered globally last week, To the Swordsmith Village was a success at the box office, however, a huge disappointment for fans.
The Swordsmith Village Arc will be the third season of Demon Slayer anime, to be released on April 9. Crunchyroll, the most popular anime streaming platform that publishes the episodes, decided to release the premiere over a month early and let the fans see the first episode in the cinemas.
So, here’s the thing about the new Demon Slayer – with runtime of 110 minutes it covers three episodes of the anime, but two of those are from last season. For the price of your regular cinema ticket you get the opportunity to see two episodes you’ve already seen! Exciting, isn’t it?
Additionally, you get a recap of everything that happened up to this moment, including the Unwavering Resolve Arc of season one, and the Mugen Train Arc from Demon Slayer‘s first movie. Crunchyroll makes sure you get the full experience by including the opening for each of the episodes and playing the end credits three times.
The only good thing about this circus is the actual new episode. If this humble reviewer were to focus their entire attention on just the newly released material, it would’ve been a fully positive article. Sadly, that it not the case and this one must drag Crunchyroll down for the clownery that they just pulled.
About the episode itself: it is good. Thankfully, it lasts an hour, so only half of your time will be wasted if you do decide to see it.
The Swordsmith Village Arc focuses around the main characters, Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado, and shows more of characters who have previously only made cameos, like Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanjori, Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito, or the mysterious and hotheaded Genya. The premiere also dives deeper into the Upper Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki, introducing its remaining members.
The animation is, as it tends to be with Demon Slayer absolutely breathtaking, completed by phenomenal soundtrack and well-executed voice acting. The first episode delivers thrill, sense of adventure and hilarity of properly shown comedy.
It is certainly worth waiting another month for it, but it is not worth wasting your money on a cinema ticket.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Swordsmith Village is now (unfortunately) streaming exclusively in theatres.
Featured Image Credit: Crunchyroll/ufotable
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Film, media & journalism student
