(REVIEW) Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train (2021)

During a pandemic like this, watching the cinema is not a safe choice. However, Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train, which was released in Japan on October 16, 2020, dismissed those fears.

In 10 days, this film managed to pocket US $ 96 million in revenue in Japan and within 3 months has managed to become the best-selling film of all time in Japan with revenues of US $ 313.9 million or more than 32.47 billion yen. took 59 days to become the all-time top Japanese box office winner, beating Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away.

Hence, his arrival at Indonesian cinemas must have been awaited. The release of Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train, might be a breath of fresh air for Indonesian cinemas, which for almost a year have been slumped by the pandemic.

Of course, those of you who want to watch this film in theaters still have to comply with health protocols by wearing a mask, washing your hands frequently and carrying hand sanitizers, and keeping your distance from people around you.

Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train releases this Wednesday, January 6, 2021. Before that, KINCIR will share a review of this film here. If you don't want to get spoiled, you can watch first and then read.

For those who have watched or those who haven't watched it, just take a look at KINCIR's typical review for Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train below!

The Long Train Journey on a Nearly Endless Train
One of the opening scenes of Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train that made you "excited".
One of the opening scenes of Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train that made you "excited". Via Special.
For those of you who follow the anime, of course you already know that this film continues its anime which does end up on the train where the next adventure will take place. However, Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train opens the film with a narrative about the meaning of life, about sadness that Kagaya Ubuyashiki might not be able to express.

This film does take the whole Mugen Train arc which brings together Tanjiro with Kyojuro Rengoku, a Hashira whose strength is recognized not only by Demon Slayers, but also by demons who are his natural enemies. Together with Zenitsu and Inosuke, the four of them go on an unexpected journey to dreamland.

Enmu, one of the Lower Rank demons was sent to kill Tanjiro to get the Upper Rank position and Mujan Kibutsuji's blood which could make him stronger. On the other hand, Tanjiro boarded the Mugen Train to meet Rengoku who might know information about Hinokami Kagura's secret style.

Enmu, the strongest Lower Moon demon.
Enmu, the strongest Lower Moon demon. Via Special.
Unfortunately, Enmu was already on the train and ready to devour them all by trapping them living in a dreamland. This is where a long journey that is almost endless begins!

In terms of plot, the background of the story is simple. However, the packaging afterwards will amaze you. The opening immediately amazes you with the landscape that looks so real that you might think twice about making it an anime or live action.

Slick Animations in Almost Everywhere

Via Special
Yep, for the landscape, Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train really spoils the eyes. Ufotable clearly manages to combine the CG effect with the 2D anime animation here. Apart from that, the camera movements and the focus on each character are also very detailed.

KINCIR salutes they position all the passengers on the train not as characters that are completely insignificant (after all, in the end they will also be eaten by Enmu). Everything is well drawn and gets a sufficient portion in this film.

Even for the anime audience, this film still has a way to create conflict without confusing you. The set up is very smooth and the flow flows without missing any important details from the manga.

Via Special
In fact, this film is so "honest" with the manga that even readers of the manga can't seem to complain about this adaptation. From the plot to the point of view of the animation, if it's head to head compared to the manga, this film is really that honest.

The animation in the battle scene in the train is really cool. In fact, you can feel the action with a scoring that really builds the atmosphere. Unfortunately, this CG effect also tarnished the animation of Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train.

There are some parts that feel unsightly. One of them was when Enmu started to merge with the train, it seemed that Enmu's "flesh" didn't blend into his surroundings.

However, it did not reduce the action which managed to make you excited and tense. Especially in the battle between Akaza and Rengoku, the action can be that intense and makes you can't wait to breathe freely.

Character Development? We don't need it!
Kyojuro Rengoku the Hashira Api.
Kyojuro Rengoku the Hashira Api. Via Special.
Indeed, the Mugen Train Arc is very short in the manga, from Chapter 54 to 69. So, there is no time for character development because the 25-episode anime has become a place to build the characters of Tanjiro and friends.

However, for a film that does continue directly what was left in the anime, this film actually needs a few more sequences to explain the character of Rengoku. Moreover, he only appeared in the last episodes of the anime so little information is known from him.

Rengoku is an important character in this film because he is Hashira who may know information about Tanjiro's father who also mastered fire breathing. Unfortunately, Rengoku didn't get enough portions to make the ending of this film really painful.

This film is arguably slow enough to get to the top. However, the background story of each character is important for the climax and that is what builds the conflict in this film. Instead of giving room for character development, this film reinforces the character of each character with the stories they see in their dreams.

Nezuko who this time is not the main star.
Nezuko who this time is not the main star. Via Special.
For KINCIR, the background story of each character here has the right portion. However, it feels like there is still room for building Rengoku characters and digging deeper into his past. This is important for those who don't read the manga so that the scene at the end of the film is relevant. The spirit of Rengoku, the strong desire to protect, these are the characters of Rengoku that cannot be ignored.

However, when it comes to the story of Rengoku in this film, of course that is what has been shown in the manga. So, if KINCIR says it's lacking, it means that the manga doesn't exist. This film is about Rengoku, but KINCIR doesn't feel that Rengoku is that important in this film. After all, Rengoku had just been all-out in the last 30 minutes and that's where he finally looked important for this arc.

Hence, KINCIR feels that this film is actually dedicated to loyal fans of the manga and anime. This is not something bad, especially after seeing this film really "honest" with what is in the manga. Naturally, in the end, Kimetsu no Yaiba loyal fans don't need an additional portion of character development in this film.

source : https://umarycontinuinged.instructure.com/eportfolios/5166/Home/Demon_Slayer__Kimetsu_no_Yaiba_Mugen_ResshaHen_2021_Pelcula_Completa_

The action? No Need to Doubt!

Via Special
What can't be opposed from Kimetsu no Yaiba The Movie: Mugen Train, though, is clear in action. KINCIR doesn't understand whether it's because it has been a long time since I watched the cinema due to a pandemic, but it's very clear that the action will amaze anyone watching.

When Zenitsu in his "sleep mode" starts to move quickly to help Nezuko, it feels like Zenitsu there looks really tired. Even Inosuke didn't want to miss acting with Tanjiro to finish off Enmu.