Editor’s Note: This review contains spoilers.

On Feb. 23,  “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – To the Hashira Training” premiered in theaters across North America and on anime streaming services Funimation and Crunchyroll, both in English and Japanese. Animated by Japanese studio Ufotable, the movie aims to showcase events from the end of season three and briefly introduce a glimpse of what’s in store for season four. 

The film, the third in the series, begins with a recap of momentous events from the film franchise, such as the Mugen Train arc and a few battles towards the end of the season. It then proceeds to a battle scene involving protagonists Tanjiro Kamado and his sister, Nezuko. Through crisply animated tracking shots, fans can easily and excitedly follow Tanjiro’s attacks and movements as he battles an Upper Four demon. 

Later, the Hashira, the most skillful demon slayers, take over the screen and are shown having a critical discussion about the mysterious mark Tanjiro manifests during battle. With Demon Slayer Corps leader Kagaya Ubuyashiki continuously growing ill, the Hashira must come together to develop training strategies effectively to put an end to demon king Muzan Kibutsuji. 

While Tanjiro remains the main character, the movie briefly delves into Nezuko’s abnormal demon powers and Muzan’s origin story, teasing at upcoming events. 

Aside from that, side characters Inosuke, Zenitsu and Mr. Haganezuka make a short appearance on screen, stirring up occasional laughter in the audience with their antics. 

With a budget surpassing $274.8 million, Ufotable constantly exhibits high-quality hand-drawn animation throughout the film. 

The battle scenes utilize tracking shots paired with tilts to follow characters facing nasty demons. As the demon slayers call out the name of their techniques, their movements slow down, letting the audience take in the colorful visuals of the power summoning, as well as taking the time to process the progression of the fight. The result is a highly sensory experience that brings the manga chapters to life. 

While Ufotable’s breathtaking animation endlessly amuses audience members, the movie’s soundtrack adds thrill. Whether watching from home or the movie theater, the music brings out the film’s energy and adds to its zestful atmosphere. 

 Despite the grand visuals and sound, “To the Hashira Training” lacks new information and takes up more than enough time to recap previous events, making it an unnecessary watch for fans of the franchise. By the end, the audience still knows so little about upcoming events that it could be considered a long, glorified trailer. 

While the exact date is unknown, the fourth season of “Demon Slayer” is anticipated to be released in Spring 2024. With Ufotable taking on the task of animation, the standard for adapting the Hashira Training arc is set high.