Demon Slayer: To The Hashira Training Review (Now Showing)

Tanjiro Kamado and the rest of the Demon Slayer Corps are back for another big screen adventure with Demon Slayer Kimetsu No Yaiba To the Hashira Training movie and this time it’s on IMAX.

The film is made up of two parts namely the final episode of the Swordsmith Village arc and the first episode of the series’ next arc To The Hashira Training arc which might be a little confusing especially if you’re just jumping into the series or catching the film on a whim.

The superb animation just continues to flow smoothly thanks to ufotable however, the actual battle that we get to watch isnt the best part of the arc or the season. So instead of an awesome fight scene like “To the Swordsmith Village” we get an emotional moment for the leads Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado. Thing is, we were hoping for actual demon slaying in this picture and we barely got any.

It’s like ordering really good food from a great place only they served you the wrong parts. You know it’s still good but you went out of your way to have a specific thing. And that’s the biggest bummer for “To The Hashira Training”.

Just like past Demon Slayer movies, the film version introduces more members of the Hashira, the elite group within the Demon Slayer Corps and for this year’s film we get Sanemi Shinazugawa (the Wind Hashira) and the Snake Hashira Obanai Iguro.

And they did an amazing job leaving a good impression for viewers for this film. Sanemi of course is the older brother of Genya so the film could also set up a meeting between the brothers.

The two biggest plots here however is the Hashira’s next move against Muzan Kibutsuji and the last few remaining upper moons as well as Nezuko finally being able to walk in the sun, something that Michael Jacks err Muzan has been seeking for throughout the series.

So while we don’t have much fighting here in this film, we get tons of lore dumps and plot movement which I really did enjoy. We get more of the background behind Muzan turning into a demon and his hubris and his eventual need to get his hands on Nezuko. We have those light moments between different characters and that short and precious moment between Nezuko and Zenitsu.

The story and the animation is tremendous if I’m being honest and it will lure in more people to catch the Hashira Training arc, I know I’m going to catch the latest season but there’s really something lacking for me for the film.

Would I recommend it? Yes highly but I will have to warn you to manage your expectations as the action here is sparse and few. If you’re going to watch for the action then you might be disappointed. But if you’re in it for the plot then enjoy and go wild.

Special thanks to Viewers Choice and SM Cinema.

Verdict: 8/10

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