In recent years, anime has steadily pushed deeper into global consciousness, not just as niche fare for devoted fans but as cinematic works that rival Western blockbusters in scale, artistry, and emotional impact. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle (Part 1) is one such film, leaving many to ask: does it merit Oscar consideration?
Let’s break down the case for, and perhaps against, Infinity Castle’s Oscars bid.
The Case For
1.Spectacular Animation & Visual Craftsmanship
There is little debate that Infinity Castle is a visual tour de force. Studio Ufotable has long been praised for its ability to blend traditional 2D animation with modern techniques, effects, and cinematic framing. Audiences and critics alike speak in awe of its fight scenes, fluidity of motion, framing, lighting, the design of the “Infinity Castle,” and the depth of action choreography.
These are qualities that Oscar voters often reward in the Best Animated Feature category, which is attentive to innovation, aesthetic beauty, and how animation supports storytelling.
2.Strong Box Office and Global Reach
The film has smashed records. It became Japan’s second highest-grossing film ever (overtaking Spirited Away) and has set numerous other milestones both domestically and globally. @mathrubhumi+4Images+4Wikipedia+4 Such commercial success helps in two ways:
- It demonstrates widespread appeal — the ability to draw in audiences across cultures, languages, and markets.
- It can help the distributors mount a serious Oscars campaign (which Infinity Castle is doing).
3.Emotional Depth & Faithful Adaptation
Critics note that the film isn’t just spectacle — there is emotional weight in the storytelling. The backstories of demons, the sacrifices, the inner struggles of the protagonists — all of which are brought to life via flashbacks and character interactions — lend the film more than just action.
Also, part of its strength is its faithfulness to the manga source, which relates to fans’ expectations. But more importantly for Oscars, it manages to use that source material to create scenes of real emotional resonance, not just fan service.
4.Industry Support & Campaigning
Recognition at awards depends partly on how much push a film gets behind the scenes. As of now, Crunchyroll has signaled that Infinity Castle will be actively pushed for the Oscars. They believe in its merits, and are planning to support its eligibility for Best Animated Feature and perhaps other categories.
This is not a minor detail. Campaigns help in raising awareness among Academy voters, arranging screenings, promoting the artistic and technical qualities that might otherwise be overlooked.
The Case Against / Challenges
1.Pacing & Story Structure Concerns
While the visuals are often lauded, several critics and audience members have criticized its pacing — in particular, the frequent use of flashbacks and the way the narrative sometimes slows or feels fragmented. For some viewers, the oscillation between fight sequences and backstory makes the film uneven.
Also, since this is Part 1 of a trilogy (the Infinity Castle arc), the movie ends without full narrative closure. It’s setting up for what comes next. For Academy recognition, standalone strength can matter: films that feel self-contained often fare better.
2.Accessibility to Non-Fans
Related to that is how much prior knowledge is assumed. Some reviews mention that if you come into Infinity Castle without familiarity with the Demon Slayer series (the manga or anime seasons), certain character motivations, relationships, or emotional stakes may feel less impactful. That can reduce how broadly the film connects with Academy voters who may not be anime or manga fans.
3.Competition & Category Dynamics
The Best Animated Feature category has become more competitive, with strong projects from major studios and many international submissions. The Oscars tend to balance popularity with artistic innovation and emotional storytelling. A blockbusting anime must also show it isn’t just flashy — it needs subtlety, originality, and perhaps something thematically fresh. Also, the Academy has historically been more receptive to certain types of animated stories (family stories, original works, heavily symbolic or aesthetic ones) than purely action-oriented ones.
4.Awards History & Bias
Anime has broken through before (Spirited Away, The Boy and the Heron), but often via Japanese auteur works with distinct voices. Franchise-based anime entering large sweep sequences can sometimes be undervalued by voters. Whether Infinity Castle can overcome that franchise bias may be a challenge. Also, the Oscars vary in how international/in-genre works are recognized; sometimes they lean toward films with universal themes or high artistic novelty. Infinity Castle has universal themes (loss, courage, identity) but also many genre conventions (demons, supernatural combat, etc.). Whether that balance will be judged favorable is an open question.
