Demon Slayer: World Tour

 How should I explain this?

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - To the Swordsmith Village - World Tour isn't actually a movie. It's literally the last two episodes of the anime's second season (The Entertainment District Arc) paired with the hour-long premiere episode of the upcoming third season (The Swordsmith Village Arc). That means you get to see the credits at least six times. I jokingly thought to myself "show's over, time to go home" every time the end credits played. So, I was legitimately surprised when it was the end.

At least the short film packages I reviewed are all unrelated films.

Unlike Mugen Train, which was split into the second season's first seven episodes, this one brings those who came in late up to speed. Our demon slaying heroes, Tanjiro, Inosuke and Zenitsu, along with Tanjiro's demon sister, Nezuko, are sent by the high-ranking slayer Tengen Uzui to infiltrate Yoshiwara, Edo's "Entertainment District." After many shenanigans, our heroes confront the sibling demon duo, Daki and Gyutaro.

And as the first of these episodes, Never Give Up, opens, they are losing badly. But eventually, Tanjiro and a gravely wounded Tengen, join forces to slice Gyutaro's head off. Zenitsu and Inosuke, likewise, join forces to decapitate Daki, despite her very long neck. The next episode, No Matter How Many Lives, is a long flashback of Daki and Gyutaro's human lives as they disintegrate.  Also, Tengen lives and retires from demon slaying.

The main event, Someone's Dream, begins with supreme demon Muzan Kibutsuji and his best minions reviewing their situation. Meanwhile, on Tanjiro's side, he awakens from a two month-long coma. He needs a new sword, so the slayers send him off to the Swordsmith Village for a new one. He gets involved with two other top slayers, Mitsuri Kanroji and Muchiro Tokito, and goes looking for a MacGuffin. And then it ends. Also, Tanjiro dreams of a flashback involving characters who become relevant much later in the manga.

Despite any gripes, the show's animation looks great on the big screen. The battles are still spectacular and tense. The slayers' breathing attacks are as vibrant as they were in Mugen Train. The entire portion with Muzan and his minions is the animation standout, as it's set in a castle that would amaze Escher. It helps to be at the front when you're watching the show. Perhaps an advantage of seeing these episodes again is to hear a great sound mix and score from your theater's speakers.

Our returning heroes are still a likable quirky bunch. Nezuko gets her best - and funniest moments - when she easily heals Tengen and Inosuke of a nasty poison. Those who didn't tune into the Entertainment District Arc on tv, like me, will get a few new memorable characters here. Gyutaro, like Mugen Train's Enmu, is loathsome as he mocks Tanjiro's weakness. But once you see his backstory, especially what led him to take on his persona, you'll sympathize with him. He and Daki argue as they disintegrate, but it's nice to see them make up in the afterlife. Doma, the demon who inducted them into Muzan's ranks, is a sly and fun new villain. Mitsuri's cheerful personality is a delight, through and through.

Those who want to see a tv show on the big screen will get their money's worth. Others might want to wait for the official premiere. It's still fun to see this animation style and these characters on the big screen. A little editing could have streamlined the whole experience. After all, the Gundam franchise made an art form out of re-editing tv shows into feature films and those usually turn out great. But from what I've seen, Demon Slayer: World Tour's got me a little interested in catching up on the show.