Demon Slayer is a true masterpiece in many aspects. Be it character designs or the visuals, the anime doesn’t fail to surprise us. It holds especially true for its stunning animation and art, but it is a double-edged sword since some praise it while others condemn it.
Interestingly, there is something unique about the anime that makes it stand out and that is the fights. It is praised and appreciated for its quality animation, yes, but the series has some of the finest fight scenes. However, it isn’t supposed to be that way, and here’s why.
![Zenitsu's Thunder Breathing in Demon Slayer. [Credit: Ufotable]](https://fwmedia.fandomwire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/19054130/zenitsu-thunder-breathing-demon-slayer-1024x512.png "‘Demon Slayer’s’ Fight Scenes Were Never Meant to Be the Best Shonen Anime Can Offer 1")
At most, it caters to two requirements of the rubric of a good fight. They’re good but not great when it comes to meeting the standard of well-done fights. There are solid reasons for that as well, but one thing stands undeniable. That is, Ufotable set a benchmark and created a new standard through the series.
Demon Slayer fights are good but not great
To say Demon Slayer is a complete visual treat isn’t an exaggeration, considering its feats. Be it art, animation, or fantasy, the series bagged several awards at the Crunchyroll Awards in 2024. And rightly so, it lives up to its win in every sense.
Notably, the series is offbeat in many elements compared to other shonen anime. The characters are one such case where Koyoharu Gotouge rendered them as complex yet profound. The demons, as well as the Hashira, are well-written and fleshed-out, which adds more gravitas to the plot.
Other than characters, there are the fight scenes that are impeccable to the T. These are well-executed and done with vibrant color schemes. A large part of the fight scene has to do with the impact, appeal, and hype. There is emotional buildup throughout the fights in the series.
Readers as well as viewers are hooked on it because of how well-put it seems. A lot of work goes behind creating a remarkable battle scene. The art design, layout, detailing as well as frames are what make it the masterpiece it is. And though the fight scenes are good, they’re not the best for several reasons.
There’s an imaginary rulebook to perfect a fight scene in anime as the YouTuber pey talks anime pointed out brilliantly. The showdowns create hype as well as an immersive user experience. There’s buildup as well, which is what makes it so appealing and alluring.
But the charm and allure of a good fight also has to do with good choreography. The fight scenes are rather unrealistic compared to the portrayal of swordplay in the series. But it is well-detailed and executed, which is where Ufotable sets a benchmark for most animation studios.
To add to it, Gotouge once mentioned how the visual effects during the fights are not real, which kind of takes away the true charm from them. At the end of the day, they become wrapped in several layers of artificial fiction that could have been avoided.
Ufotable raised the bar too damn high
Demon Slayer is one of the most visually breathtaking works by the Ufotable studio. Previously, the studio has worked on several anime, including Garden of Sinners, Fate series, and so on. They even managed to wring out praise from the legendary animator and storyteller, Hayao Miyazaki.
Indeed, it is a big feat in itself, but to recreate manga panels and art in a well-detailed manner deserves all the praise. They use a blend of manual and digital methods to render the details, and it is done seamlessly. The swordplay as well as the element breathing is slick, spick, and span in every sense.
Overall, Demon Slayer may lack in some aspects, but the fight scenes and animation are truly commendable and undisputed for the most part.
Demon Slayer is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Shueisha’s Manga Plus app.
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