The room darkens. Seated comfortably in their foam chairs, a few young boys, who have come in groups, take out loud packets of candy cleverly hidden in their bags. Those who have not lost the habit – despite the seven months of closure of the cinemas – have prepared their small package of tissues on the armrest. After long months of waiting, dozens of fans of the successful manga Demon slayer took the top spots on Wednesday May 19 to see the rest of the story on the big screen.
Beware of the unfortunate people who would like to take advantage of the release of this film to discover the medieval world of the demon hunters of Demon slayer ! This is the direct sequel to the first season of the animated series, taken from the manga Kimetsu no Yaiba written and drawn by Koyoharu Gotoge, and published since 2019 in France by Panini Comics.
In early February, the manga exceeded 150 million copies sold worldwide, becoming one of the biggest hits of the Shueisha publishing house. It tells of the adventures of Tanjiro Kamado, a coal seller of the Taisho era (1912-1926), who seeks revenge on the demons who massacred his family and who wants to help his sister, Nezuko, herself transformed into a demon. , to regain his human form.
A train to the mysterious destination
After a thrilling first season, available in France on the Wakanim broadcasting platform, the film begins on a simple station platform. Our young hero Tanjiro, his sister Nezuko and his two comrades, Zenitsu Agatsuma and Hashibira Inosuke, have for mission to take place aboard a mysterious train to bring their aid to Rengoku Kyojuro. He is one of the nine pillars of the Order of Demon Hunters, the most powerful warriors in this world. Despite a somewhat sluggish first meeting, this soldier with burning eyes and an incredible fighting spirit will quickly reveal himself as one of the most beautiful characters in the film.
From the first minutes, we happily rediscover the unique personality of young Tanjiro. If he’s so endearing, it’s not because of his incredible purple hair or even his fighting skills, but simply because of his kindness and mercy. Tanjiro’s quest is not to become the best warrior of his order, nor to take revenge on all the demons that hunt him down, but to find a cure for his sister, the only family member to survive the attack. of a demon.
In this sinister machine that sinks into the night, Tanjiro must face a particularly devious enemy. Hidden in the front of the locomotive, the demon Enmu manages to plunge the hero and his comrades into a sweet and deep dream. In this dream made from scratch by the enemy, Tanjiro reunites with his family for the first time since the beginning of the story. A test on the verge of reality that will put the young hero faced with a painful decision: to save his comrades in arms and all the passengers on the train, he will once again have to give up this peaceful life so dear to his heart.
Spectacular animation scenes
The ensuing fight scenes are spectacular. An animation feat on which the success of the series was already based. Punctuated by epic music and the voice of singer LiSA, the fabulous combat scenes that made the beauty of her animated adaptation carry the audience away. In an instant, Tanjiro’s mastery of the sword takes shape before our eyes like a canvas by Japanese master Hokusai.
The film adaptation of this new story arc of the manga Demon slayer This marks a turning point in the history of the young hero. Despite all his efforts and training, he realizes that he is not yet strong enough. Maybe it never will be. In Demon Slayer: The Infinity Train, he will have to face the facts: not all battles end in victory. The cowardly and deceitful enemy does not play in the same court and the young hero will have to rely on the strength of all his comrades in arms to hope to one day achieve his objectives.
In a sea of flames, the film then gives way to one of the most beautiful characters of Demon Slayer, Rengoku Kyojuro. In a fireworks display, the fire warrior will face one of the most terrible demons in this world. The intense and moving outcome will allow the spectator to make good use of his packet of handkerchiefs.
So many ingredients which explains why, since its release in Japanese theaters on October 16, the film has become the biggest box office success in Japan, with more than 28 million admissions. And in Japanese stores, grocery stores and boutiques, the colorful fabrics of our heroes are on all packaging. In France, the film would have, according to site information Premiere, recorded more than 50,000 admissions just two days after its release.