SO JAPAN was extremely fortunate to catch the special press preview of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train”, organised by SEA distributors Odex. We were totally blown away by the 2-hour spectacle — it’s easy to understand how it became Japan’s fastest film to earn JPY 10 Billion (yes, with a capital B), besting both “Spirited Away” and “Your Name”.

According to Odex Managing Director Peter Go, “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train” is also one of the biggest titles they have ever distributed in the region. The Singapore Fans Screening is completely sold out with over 4,000 tickets snapped up, which led them to divert stocks of the movie premiums from other countries back to Singapore.

The hype is indeed real and with one very passionate KNY fan on the team, we let them have a go at writing a review on the exciting and enjoyable show — check it out below!

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train: Personal Thoughts

I have completed the entire manga series and never once did I feel so many emotions as the way I did during the movie. To be completely honest, the happenings on the Mugen Train itself did not leave that much of an impression as compared to what happened after. Mugen Train felt like episode 15 – 18 of the Mount Natagumo arc, and the battle between Rengoku and Akaza is the episode 19.

One major element that really made me fully immersed in the Rengoku & Akaza showdown was the soundtrack. It was completely different from the typical music used in the series and the movie — a bold but excellent move.

The emotions portrayed by the characters at the ending really brought things to the next level. Even though most people are aware of how the story ends, the tear-jerking scene of frustration and helplessness by the three leading characters really packed a punch. Since I was watching this in a theatre with booming audio, the dialogue which they sobbed and screamed through really resonated and made an impact.

Overall, the production of this movie went above and beyond expectations, and I will be happy to watch it again in cinemas.

Why Watch Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train?

ufotable Animation

Do you recall “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” Episode 19? That breath-taking and extremely iconic 23 minutes have ascended to a 2-hour long movie. ufotable really went above and beyond with their graphics. While many of us are familiar with the powerful and captivating animation behind the attack patterns and the various breathing techniques wield by the characters in the show, one element stood out and that is the attention to details of the background. There are no neon skies nor vibrant cities set against colourful mountains in this movie. Nature is captured in its basic colours, with many details and yet blends seamlessly with the characters.

The Manga and the Anime are never 100% the same (cue Little Nezuko-chan)

In my opinion, the pace of the storytelling in the manga is rather speedy, typically clearing “one episode” worth of content in one chapter, which can be easily cleared in five minutes. With a 2-hour movie, various aspects of the story can be paced out differently, some having longer and more in-depth elaborations, while some are touch and go.

Furthermore, there are moments that did not appear in the manga which made it all the more worthwhile. Yes, expect adorable NEZUKO-CHANNNNN moments that will make you go UwU, as well as the comical duo Zenitsu and Inosuke being their usual, charming selves.

Soundtrack

Most of us already know how the story will unfold prior to stepping into the cinemas, yet why does one’s heartbeat pound hard with adrenaline or why do tears flow uncontrollably? One key factor is sound, a big part to story-telling. Outstanding BGMs that will make you grip onto your seats and also scramble for tissue to wipe your sobbing mess; Intense seiyuu dialogues that overwhelm your inner thoughts as you watch the movie, making you feel what the characters feel.

BONUS

I come with the agenda to promote a certain fine gentleman in this series – Inosuke Hashibira. He is a character that is rather rough around the edges and some may not fancy him after watching the anime series. However, after watching this movie, I would like to say:

Overall Rating

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

If you can’t wait to check out these scenes yourself, the general release of “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train” NC16 Uncut version is starting on 12th November 2020 (Thursday), featuring Japanese audio with English and Chinese subtitles. The movie will screen exclusively at Golden Village cinemas including GV Plaza Singapura, GV Vivocity, GV Grand Great World City, GV Funan, GV Bedok, GV Paya Lebar, GV Tiong Bahru, GV Suntec City, GV Tampines, GV City Square, GV Jurong Point, GV Yishun, and GV Bishan.

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba the Movie – Mugen Train (Rating: NC16) General Screening
💲 Pricing: Variable
⏰ Date: 12 Nov 2020 Onwards
📍 Venue: GV Cinemas Islandwide
🎟 Tickets: https://www.gv.com.sg/GVMovieDetails#/movie/7187