With its finale on the way in the form ofa theatrical Infinity Castle arc movie trilogy, there is no doubt thatDemon Slayeris one of the best anime series out there. However, even the most enjoyable, genius pieces of media are not without their problems, andasDemon Slayer’sending creeps closer, its biggest issue has finally been illuminated.
Like so many other series,Demon Slayerhas a pacing problem that affects the flow of the story.So much happens inDemon Slayer,including demon transformations, major deaths, and characters learning to harness mysterious new powers. Considering the sheer number of different arcs inDemon Slayer’sstory, it should have been much longer to flesh out characters and plot points further.
Demon Slayer’s Complex Story Deserved More Chapters
Some Characters and Arcs Still Remain Mysteries, Even After the Manga’s Conclusion
Although 205 chapters may sound like a lot, it is not enough considering how complicatedDemon Slayerbecomes as it progresses. Especially in the final two arcs,the Infinity Castle Arcand the Sunrise Countdown Arc, the rushed nature of the story is felt, as the manga races to wrap up many different plot lines and battles all occurring at once during the fight against Muzan. Withnine Hashira, a variety of demon slayers, and at least thirteen main villains,only counting the Twelve Kizuki and Muzan, there is a lot of story forDemon Slayerto tell, and unfortunately, not every character received enough development.
Characters like Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Muichiro, for example, receive extensive character arcs and their growth is depicted throughout the story, as they overcome both personal obstacles and external challenges to grow as demon slayers and as people. However, others, like Nezuko, Obanai, and Gyomei, to name a few, feel like major wasted opportunities because their brief appearances inDemon Slayeronly offer a glimpse into who they are and leave viewers wanting more.Demon Slayercontains very little filler compared to some other series, butironically, it could benefit from a few filler episodes here and thereto clear up fans' burning questions.
Filler Is Usually Frowned Upon, but Demon Slayer Needs It
The Upcoming Infinity Castle Film Trilogy Will Likely Help the Pacing of the Story
For the most part,Demon Slayer’sfiller content is sparse, but it could actually be the solution that is needed to make the ending feel less hurried. So many ofDemon Slayer’sbackground characters need more time to shine,and filler provides a perfect avenue for the story to explore these less used but equally compelling heroes and villains. The final battle with Muzan is the culmination of all the conflict inDemon Slayer.As the most pivotal moment in the series, it should have received more chapters and a much slower pace, and the movie is taking steps to rectify this issue.
If Demon Slayer Wants to Do Infinity Castle Right, It Must Nail My Favorite Battle of the Series
Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle battles are the best in the series, but one in particular beats all the others for a significant reason.
By splitting the final chapters ofDemon Slayerinto three movies, there will be ample time to unpack the final battle in its entirety, and perhaps even include exclusive content that is not in the manga to expand on plot points or character arcs that the manga did not have the time to.Demon Slayerwill always be one of the greatest anime series of all time, but fans understandably cannot help wishing it was longer. AtDemon Slayer’scurrent length, not every character and arc can be given the careful level of detail necessary, but hopefully,the Infinity Castle trilogywill be a step in the right direction.
