Demon Slayer Fans Cried Harder for This Upper Moon Than Any Hashira in Infinity Castle

This article contains major spoilers from the first Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle movie.

Demon Slayer has consistently broken box office records in Japan with the theatrical release of the first Infinity Castle movie, Akaza Returns. It finally arrived in the US, and the initial results are just as explosive. Fans are flooding theaters to witness Tanjiro Kamado’s long-awaited comeback on the big screen, but the spotlight surprisingly isn’t just for him.

In Akaza Returns, Demon Slayer fans are reportedly crying harder than they did during the Mugen Train movie. While Rengoku Kyojuro’s death left the audience heartbroken, the end of Upper Moon Three Akaza strangely delivers an even heavier blow. Akaza might be the main villain of the first Infinity Castle movie, but his final moments were more of a sorrowful farewell than a satisfying defeat.

Akaza Fights Tanjiro and Giyu in Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle

Two Against One, But Akaza Is Still Superior

Akaza has a one-vs-two showdown in Infinity Castle.
Akaza is stronger than Giyu and Tanjiro combined.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle has officially been released in US theaters and, just like in Japan, it’s already making waves at the box office. Early reactions from Western audiences echo those in Japan, with most fans praising ufotable’s unmatched animation, in addition to the movie’s action-packed scenes and fluid combat choreography. One of the fights that immediately left a mark was the rematch between Akaza and Tanjiro.

This time, Tanjiro is joined by the Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka in a two-on-one showdown against Akaza in Infinity Castle. Fans have been looking forward to this fateful encounter since Rengoku Kyojuro lost his life, as the fight feels like a long-awaited continuation of that tragic night on the Mugen Train. Akaza did not waste time coming after Tanjiro, hoping to finish him as quickly as possible, but the vengeful demon slayer had significantly grown stronger.

Still, Akaza fighting against two demon slayers at the same time proves why he remains one of the most terrifying upper moons in Muzan’s army. While Giyu and Tanjiro work together to finish Akaza, the latter has more than enough power to overwhelm them both with his blood demon art and martial arts mastery.

Akaza Remembers His Human Memories

Akaza Has a Heartbreaking Back Story

Akaza’s final moments left fans heartbroken.
Fans sympathize with Akaza instead of hating him.

In the middle of Akaza’s showdown with Tanjiro and Giyu, his human memories unexpectedly resurface for some reason. It slipped through the bloodlust that has long consumed Akaza, and as the fight goes on, his moments with his father, master, and fiancée start flashing in his mind. This was very confusing for Akaza, who had long buried his humanity after Muzan turned him into a flesh-eating monster.

He deserves the world, Akaza my man. -Redditor SirBackground8543

When Akaza’s human memories were shown, from his difficult childhood to the fleeting happiness he enjoyed with Keizo and Koyuki in the dojo, the entire tone of the battle shifted. Fans were taken on an emotional roller coaster ride as they watched Akaza struggle as Hakuji just to survive poverty and loss. Not only did Akaza lose his father, but he also lost the peace and comfort he had with Keizo and Koyuki.

Welcome home, darling.—Koyuki to Akaza

Just like that, fans saw Akaza in a different light, someone who was a victim of circumstance rather than a heartless monster who killed Rengoku Kyojuro. They began to sympathize with him, with some fans admitting online that they cried harder for Akaza than they did for Shinobu Kocho.

Akaza Dies in Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Movie

Akaza Returns Home to Koyuki

Moviegoers walked in expecting to see Akaza as a ruthless villain, yet they left the theater sympathizing with him. It’s almost as if they completely forgot Akaza put a massive hole in the late Flame Hashira, Rengoku Kyojuro’s chest in the last movie. Instead of holding onto that villainous image of Akaza as nothing more than a demon obsessed with strength and power, the viewers watched how broken he once was.

I thought people were exaggerating but my eyes got so teary while watching it. -Redditor goturrise

Akaza’s final moments in the Infinity Castle weren’t about loss and defeat, but freedom. Finally, Akaza returned to the precious people he loved the most, instead of clinging to Muzan’s hatred and power. At that point, Tanjiro felt gratitude from Akaza, making his sendoff less about vengeance and more about redemption. Akaza has finally been given peace, and Demon Slayer fans couldn’t help but shed tears.