The highly anticipated cinematic adaptation of the “Infinity Castle Arc” from Koyoharu Gotouge’s globally acclaimed Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba manga has just unveiled its full trailer, confirming that renowned musical artists Aimer and LiSA will contribute the theme songs for the first film in the trilogy. This collaboration marks a powerful return for both artists to the Demon Slayer universe, promising to elevate the emotional stakes of the series’ climactic final battles.
The first film, officially titled Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Infinity Castle – Akaza Sairai (The Return of Akaza), is slated to premiere in Japan on July 18, 2025, with a massive theatrical release across 443 screens, including IMAX. International audiences will see a staggered release starting August 12 in Southeast Asia, with screenings in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and India beginning September 12, 2025.
The Significance of the Infinity Castle Arc
The “Infinity Castle Arc” is a pivotal and highly anticipated segment of the Demon Slayer narrative, forming the “Final Battle” portion of the manga alongside the “Sunrise Countdown Arc.” This arc plunges the Demon Slayer Corps and the Hashira into a surreal and deadly dimension: Muzan Kibutsuji’s shifting, otherworldly stronghold. The trailer offers a glimpse into this mysterious space, where the ultimate confrontation between humanity and demons will unfold. Unlike previous arcs that received TV adaptations or compilation films (such as the “Hashira Training Arc” or “Swordsmith Village Arc”), the “Infinity Castle Arc” will be presented as a three-part cinematic trilogy, allowing for a faithful and expansive retelling of the manga’s emotionally charged conclusion.
The story picks up directly after the events of the “Hashira Training Arc,” with Muzan Kibutsuji launching a surprise assault on the Ubuyashiki mansion, forcing Tanjiro and the Hashira into the Infinity Castle. This final saga is expected to delve deeply into character arcs, expose long-awaited revelations, and feature intense, climactic battles. The trailer itself has already hinted at significant confrontations, including the return of Akaza to face Tanjiro, Shinobu’s fateful encounter with the demon who murdered her sister, and Zenitsu’s showdown with Kaigaku.
Musical Powerhouses Return: Aimer and LiSA
The announcement of Aimer and LiSA contributing theme songs has sent ripples of excitement through the Demon Slayer fandom. Both artists have become synonymous with the franchise’s musical identity, delivering some of the most iconic and emotionally resonant tracks in anime history.
Aimer will perform “Taiyō ga Noboranai Sekai” (“A World Where the Sun Never Rises”), while LiSA will perform “Zankoku no Yoru ni Kagayake” (“Shine in the Cruel Night”). Both songs are scheduled for global streaming release on July 18, coinciding with the film’s Japanese theatrical debut.
LiSA’s Enduring Legacy with Demon Slayer
LiSA’s connection to Demon Slayer is deeply rooted, beginning with “Gurenge,” the electrifying opening theme for the first season in 2019. “Gurenge” became a cultural phenomenon, widely recognized for its powerful vocals and energetic composition, earning multiple awards and widespread popularity. She further cemented her inseparable link to the series by performing “Homura,” the award-winning theme song for the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Mugen Train film in 2020. Following this, LiSA returned to deliver both the opening theme “Akeboshi” and the ending theme “Shirogane” for the TV anime adaptation of the “Mugen Train Arc” in 2021, continuing to imbue the franchise with her signature sound. Her continued involvement underscores her profound impact on the series’ emotional landscape.
Aimer’s Distinctive Contributions
Aimer made her impactful debut in the Demon Slayer franchise with the “Entertainment District Arc,” performing the opening theme “Zankyou Sanka” and the ending theme “Asa ga Kuru.” “Zankyou Sanka” notably became her first song to top the Japan Hot 100 chart and even charted on the Billboard Global 200, highlighting her immense popularity and unique vocal style. Her contributions to the “Entertainment District Arc” were praised for their ability to capture the arc’s intensity and emotional depth, aligning with her stated intention to create a theme song that “retains the brilliance symbolizing the work” and “empathizes with every single character’s struggles and resolve.” Her distinctive husky voice and emotive delivery have made her a beloved figure in the anime music scene.
The Road to the Final Battle
The journey to the “Infinity Castle Arc” has been a meticulously crafted one, with ufotable consistently delivering stunning animation and adapting Koyoharu Gotouge’s manga with remarkable fidelity. Haruo Sotozaki directs the films, with ufotable also credited for the screenplay, and Akira Matsushima serving as chief animation director and character designer.
The preceding “Hashira Training Arc” anime, which premiered in May 2024 and concluded in June 2024, served as a crucial prelude, preparing Tanjiro and his allies for the ultimate confrontation against Muzan Kibutsuji. This training arc emphasized strengthening the Demon Slayer Corps as a whole, setting the stage for the desperate and high-stakes battles that will define the “Infinity Castle” trilogy.
The release of the Infinity Castle film trailer, featuring the powerful new theme songs from Aimer and LiSA, has ignited renewed fervor among fans globally. This trilogy is poised to deliver a visually spectacular and emotionally resonant conclusion to the Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba saga, promising an “unprecedented scale” worldwide. As the final battle against Muzan Kibutsuji looms, the combined forces of ufotable’s animation mastery and the musical artistry of Aimer and LiSA ensure that the Infinity Castle films will be a monumental and unforgettable cinematic event for anime enthusiasts worldwide.
