A major fight scene from Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has leaked online, and it’s already one of the most talked-about moments in anime this year. The scene features a brutal and emotional battle between Upper Rank Three demon Akaza and the Water Hashira, Tomioka Giyu.
Part of the newly released Infinity Castle Arc Chapter 1: Akaza Returns, this scene is just a small glimpse of how grand the scale of the highly anticipated movie trilogy actually is. The film officially premiered in Japan on July 18, 2025, with international releases scheduled to begin in August and reach countries like the U.S., the U.K., and Canada by September 12, 2025.
The Long-Awaited Return of Akaza
In the leaked footage, Akaza comes back into action in full battle mode. He lands a powerful punch to Giyu’s head, causing him to bleed from the forehead. But Giyu doesn’t back down and launches his Water Breathing forms with incredible precision.
Tanjiro is also there during the battle but he doesn’t join the battle yet. He looks both angry and concerned, hinting that his turn will come, which makes sense because he still has his unresolved grudge from Akaza’s shocking role (no spoilers!) in the Mugen Train Arc.
This emotionally draining moment already has everyone in its grip. Fans have been waiting for Tanjiro to face Akaza again, and this scene clearly sets the stage for that long-awaited rematch.
Animation and Visuals That Go Beyond Expectations
Even though the leaked footage isn’t in high resolution, the animation still shines. Ufotable has once again proven its skill, blending 2D animation with modern visual effects that give the scene a lifelike, cinematic feel.
The fight takes place inside the Infinity Castle where the floors and walls shift around everyone which creates a weird sense of urgency and danger with every move. Fans are already calling it one of the most impressive animated fights in the Demon Slayer series, which is high praise considering past battles like Gyutaro vs. Tengen Uzui in the Entertainment District Arc.
A Clash of Styles: Water vs. Martial Arts
What makes this fight even more special is the contrast between the two fighting styles. Giyu has his calm and elegant Water Breathing techniques and Akaza, on the other hand, is all brute strength and fast, deadly punches powered by his Blood Demon Art.
One detail that caught fans’ attention was Giyu’s Demon Slayer Mark, which appears red instead of the usual blue seen in the manga. This small change caused a lot of theories. Some think it might be symbolic. Others think this might be something anime exclusive.
A Look Into Akaza’s Painful Past
The fight isn’t just about physical pain. Viewers in Japan have confirmed that the movie also includes emotional flashbacks of Akaza’s past. These scenes gives a lot more depth to his character and explain how he became one of Muzan’s top demons (and a fan-favorite of so many manga readers).
According to early audience reactions, these moments were so moving that many people in theaters cried, which, valid.
Japan Goes Full Demon Slayer Mode
The insane hype in Japan is unmatched. Theaters sold out in less than 15 minutes after ticket sales opened. Everywhere you go, be it be stores, train stations, billboards, Demon Slayer posters and promotions are hard to miss. The entire country has been swept up in the anime’s return.
What Else Happens in the Movie?
This first chapter of the Infinity Castle Arc covers several major battles. Along with the Akaza vs. Giyu fight, the movie also shows Shinobu Kocho’s intense battle against Upper Moon Two, Douma, and Zenitsu Agatsuma’s showdown with Kaigaku, a former friend turned demon.
The film wraps up around Chapter 156 of the manga, marking the halfway point of the final arc. It ends with major cliffhangers, as Muzan and the remaining Upper Moons react to the unexpected outcomes of these battles.
What’s Next for the Trilogy?
Akaza Returns is just the beginning. The second film in the Infinity Castle Arc trilogy is expected to arrive in 2027, followed by the final chapter in 2029. For now, the studio Ufotable has not announced any plans to adapt this arc as a streaming series, It’s staying on the big screen.
About Demon Slayer: Kimetsu No Yaiba
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Koyoharu Gotoge. Its publication in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump began in February 2016 and ended in May 2020 with 23 collected tankōbon volumes.
In a world filled with demons and demon slayers, Kimetsu no Yaiba follows the lives of two siblings Tanjiro and Nezuko Kamado after— the murder of their family at the hands of a demon. Their hardship does not end there, as Nezuko’s life is spared only for her to live as a demon.
As the oldest sibling, Tanjiro vows to protect and cure his sister. The story traces the bond of this brother-sister or better yet, demon slayer and demon combo against the odds of an arch antagonist and the society.
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