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Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaibais set to adapt the most exciting chapters of the eponymous manga in the Infinity Castle trilogy. The highly anticipated movies are expected to break many box office records worldwide and reshape the anime industry forever.
So it should not be a surprise that when the trailer of such a film was officially released, social media was abuzz with excitement. While it revealed breathtaking shots of demon slayers wreaking havoc in Muzan’s lairand confronting Upper Moons, one line in the background monologue exposed the true nature of the high-stakes battle that was about to take place. Here’s why it is of such significance and probably deserves more attention than most fans realize.
The Declaration of War: Muzan and Kagaya’s Push for Victory
Muzan and His Underlings Fight Demon Slayer Corps One Last Time
The Infinity Castle movie trailer commences by acquainting viewers with the true scale of the battle ahead forthe Demon Slayer Corpsin the Infinity Castle. The enormity of the extra-dimensional space, coupled with the haunting reality of being surrounded by demons at every turn, is captured beautifully in each scene. However, one particular moment stands above the rest.
I know what eternity is. Eternity is human feeling. Only human feelings last forever and are undying. ~ Kagaya Ubuyashiki to Muzan
In the first few scenes, the narrator proclaims that this long battle will finally come to an end. It directly refers to the human-demon war that has persisted for over a millennium and has put humanity in an existential threat. But is the statement supposed to be taken literally, or does it foreshadow a far more sinister truth?
To understand this, it’s important to establish whether the battle between good and evil is waged by both parties with similar intentions. A few days before Muzan arrived at the Ubuyashiki mansion, Kagayasecretly met Gyomei Himejimaand informed him about the impending doom. He entrusted the Stone Hashira with the important responsibility of attacking Muzan Kibutsuji using him as bait. Kagaya knew that no one else amongst the Hashira would agree to handle such a burden.
However,Ubuyashiki had also told Gyomeithat he knew the blast or the subsequent beheading wouldn’t be enough to kill Muzan. He estimated that there was only one way to defeat the Demon King. The Demon Slayer Corps will have to engage with him in a battle of endurance and ensure victory by pushing Kibutsuji into the sunlight to destroy him completely. This was the only way that demon slayers could hope to win against Muzan and his underlings.
This feeling of fighting to theend was shared by Muzan Kibutsujias well. As he tricked the Demon Slayer Corps into the Infinity Castle, he told Tanjiro that he and his peers had made a horrible miscalculation. While they believed they had succeeded in cornering Muzan to fight him till the sun rose, the Demon King thought he actually had the last laugh as he trapped them in Nakime’s extra-dimensional space.
Kibutsuji laughed at Kamadoand claimed that he was going to slaughter every single member of the Demon Slayer Corps. This establishes beyond doubt that both parties knew that the battle was going to last one night and had prepared accordingly for the high-stakes showdown. But having plans is one thing, and executing them in such a complicated scenario is quite another. So, are there reasons to believe that the war is really going to end soon?
Will the Battle End in Just One Night?
The Final War Will Last One Night Only
Demon Slayer Corps' hopes of winning the war hinge on the fact that they corner Muzan Kibutsuji and force him into the sunlight. Because of the Demon King’s superior regenerative powers, the battle of endurance skews in favor of Muzan the longer it lasts. So, the demon slayers only have two options:they either defeat the Upper Moonsand corner Kibutsuji by the time the sun rises, or they risk being annihilated. They cannot afford to miss the day and continue fighting in the Infinity Castle for more than one night. The battle of attrition will always favor the demons.
Meanwhile, Muzan also understands what the Demon Slayer Corps is trying to do. He knows he has to annihilate them as soon as possible, or they may end up causing serious harm to him or his underlings. This is why he also wishes to finish the battle in just one night. Preventing any risk of sunlight exposure, no matter how small, is naturallya logical decision for the Demon King.
While both parties have arrived on the battlefield with the same intentions, one party has an advantage. Muzan has played a cruel trick on the Demon Slayer Corps by trapping them in the Infinity Castle.With the battlefield in Nakime’s control, the demon slayers are vulnerable. Furthermore, the extra-dimensional space also has other Upper Moons prepared for the battle. They understand the Infinity Castle better than the demon slayers, which gives them a clear advantage.
Even before the Demon Slayer Corps corners Muzan, they will have to deal with Kokushibo, Doma, Akaza, Nakime, and Kaigaku. The circumstances are completely against them. This means that Muzan’s plan of finishing the Demon Slayer Corps is not just talk but a well-thought-out strategy that has been extremely well-executed so far.
The heavens are not punishing me. Despite the hundreds, thousands of humans I’ve killed, I’ve been let off the hook. And I have never seen a God or Buddha over these thousand years. ~ Muzan to Kagaya Ubuyashiki
Now,the demon slayers no longer even have the choiceto decide how they wish to direct the battle since Muzan is steering the ship. They will be forced to play according to the Demon King’s rules and adapt to a battle that they not only survive but also thrive in. Interestingly, apart from the circumstances themselves, the manga also confirms that the battle will only last one night. When the dust settles, either an era of bloodshed will finally come to an end, or humanity will have to bow to Muzan’s reign of terror.
Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle trilogy’s first installment is scheduled to be released in the United States onSeptember 12, 2025.
