Demon Slayer’s Infinity Castle Nails the 2D+CG Fusion — Ufotable’s Best Work Yet
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle arrives in U.S. theaters on Sept. 12, 2025, with production by Ufotable. The film continues the anime’s run of big-screen releases and highlights the studio’s approach to mixing traditional 2D animation with computer-generated imagery (CGI).
What to expect from the film
The movie follows the Infinity Castle arc and features multiple battles between Demon Slayer Corps members and Upper Rank demons. Scenes include a confrontation between Shinobu and the Upper Rank demon Doma. Likewise, the film continues the franchise’s emphasis on detailed fight choreography and character moments.
How Ufotable blends 2D and CG
Ufotable combines hand-drawn animation with CGI elements for backgrounds, effects, and complex camera moves. Studios often use CG to render objects or scenes that are difficult or time-consuming to draw frame-by-frame, such as large crowds, detailed machinery, or sweeping camera work. In Infinity Castle, the studio applies those techniques across action sequences and transitional shots.
During an early press screening, a reviewer said they only recognized the use of CG after watching several scenes closely. That observer pointed to sequences like Tanjiro’s fight with the Temari and Arrow demons as moments where the technical work becomes more apparent.
More context for that fight is available on Crunchyroll:
Tanjiro vs Temari and Arrow on Crunchyroll
Comparisons and past CG issues in anime
CG in anime has a mixed reputation. Some productions use it sparingly, while others rely on it heavily. Historically, certain CG-driven projects have faced criticism from fans and reviewers for appearing stiff or clashing with 2D artwork.
For example, the 2016 adaptation of Berserk drew negative reactions related to its heavy CG approach. Similarly, the newly announced Fist of the North Star CG anime received immediate backlash after initial visuals were released.
Dragon Ball Super: Broly is another case where the transition between 2D and CG was noted as noticeable by viewers, though later productions adjusted their approach. Attack on Titan also shows contrasting examples: Wit Studio’s first three seasons used CG with restraint, while MAPPA’s season 4 used more CG. Early MAPPA episodes, before home-release polishing, were pointed to by some viewers as showing rougher CG integration. One discussion on that topic can be seen on Reddit:
Reddit discussion about CG in Attack on Titan season 4
Meanwhile, full 3D animated films such as Ne Zha and its sequel illustrate how 3D animation can produce highly detailed, action-heavy sequences when the production is built around that medium.
How Demon Slayer’s approach differs
Ufotable’s work on Demon Slayer over several years has allowed the studio to refine its pipeline for mixing 2D and 3D elements. The studio’s process often aims to make CG elements match the lighting, motion, and texture of hand-drawn frames to reduce visual contrast between techniques.
Technically, that involves consistent lighting passes, matched camera moves, and careful compositing so that 3D models sit naturally within 2D backgrounds. Counting the original TV run and subsequent films, Ufotable has had multiple production cycles since the series’ debut to develop and adjust those methods.
Release info
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Movie: Infinity Castle opens in theaters worldwide on Sept. 12, 2025. For footage and promotional material, see the related clips and trailers posted by the studio and media outlets.
Further viewing and sources mentioned above:
