There’s no real reason for these reality-altering powers within the narrative it’s transparently a plot device made to give us character development and insight into Tanjiro and our new supporting character, Rengoku Kyoujurou: a compassionate high-ranking Demon Hunter with firey-hair and forked eyebrows. He desires to send the demon slayers into pleasant dreams just before killing them. Unlike prior horrific villains in Demon Slayer, our central antagonist is solely motivated by sadism. Aside from the hideous CGI creatures and tentacles, it is visually excellent. While it does not quite deserve the R+ rating, the detailed animation and fight choreography will surely impress even the most cynical viewer. Similar historically accurate wooden interiors, passengers conveniently sleeping while the bloody and stunningly animated fights rage on in the center aisles. Three-quarters of the two-hour-long film takes place on the titular Mugen Train, a brave choice for one of the least interesting settings the series has to offer.
Is a film that sells millions of tickets objectively better than one that sells fewer tickets? Demon Slayer: Mugen Train’s record-breaking box office performance may lead you to believe it is one of the greatest films ever made, but the truth is. One common misconception among the anime community is that sales and profit are proportional to an anime’s quality. *This review contains spoilers in a marked section*
