Demon Slayer is preparing to return with a bang, and we have its highly anticipated Infinity Castle arc to thank. This year, the anime will bring the arc to life with the first film of a planned trilogy. With the movie’s release date set in Japan for July 18, 2025, netizens in the US will be able to watch the movie come September 12, 2025. Not long ago, the anime fandom was gifted a special peek at the movie by way of a vibrant and striking poster that teases the epic all-out war on the horizon. But if you look carefully, there is more to the promo.

While the poster for the first Infinity Castle movie highlights the fury of the Demon Slayers, it also hides an easter egg hinting at the death of a particular character. Keen fans were quick to compare this new poster with the one used for the series’ first movie, Mugen Train, and the similarities are rather tragic. The placement of one character in the latest new mirrors Rengoku’s position in the Mugen Train poster, a popular character who met a tragic end on the big screen. And if you know the Demon Slayer manga, well – this detail suggests one character in the anime is destined for the same heartbreaking fate Rengoku suffered.

Demon Slayer Infinity Castle Poster Set Up One Character’s Tragic Fate

The New Poster Highlights Shinobu Kocho the Same Way Rengoku Was For Mugen Train

The first movie poster for Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – Infinity Castle bears a striking resemblance to the Mugen Train poster, but in this promo, we see Shinobu Kocho in the same place Rengoku once held. The characters are shown more prominently than anyone else as you can see above. At first glance, this similarity might seem like a coincidence; However, it’s highly likely that Ufotable is doing this intentionally. It only makes sense to put Shinobu in the spotlight here if she is going to die in the upcoming movie, as the anime studio would want to emphasize a beloved character before they are officially written out of the narrative.

Considering Shinobu is also a favorite amongst fans, highlighting her before her final moments would only add emotional weight to her tragic death. The fact that no other character is given the same focus as Shinobu, even when there are more prominent and stronger Hashira around, this spotlight suggests she is destined to die first in the upcoming film. While this poster’s Rengoku easter egg hints at Shinobu’s fate, a deeper look makes it even clearer why she would be the first to die in the final war.

Shibobu Kocho’s Death In Demon Slayer’s Final War Was Inevitable

The Fate For the Hashira Is Anything But Kind

Given that Demon Slayer is an anime that doesn’t shy away from killing its characters, as shown by the tragic death of Rengoku in the Mugen Train movie, there is no doubt the final war will feature the deaths of one or two major characters if not more. Shinobu’s death in this war seems all but inevitable, as she is considered the least powerful Hashira in Demon Slayer in terms of raw strength. Considering the upper moon demons have showcased unparalleled strength, Shinobu’s expertise with poison can only take her so far, but what she lacks in muscle the Hashira makes up with wit.

Given that Shinobu is one of the most beloved characters in the Demon Slayer, it would make sense for her to be the first to die in the Infinity Castle arc. Her loss would raise the stakes of the final war even higher for fans, delivering the harsh realization that anything could happen in this final battle. However, there’s a silver lining in all of this. If the anime is going to kill off the Insect Hashira, Shinobu will not go down without a glorious battle. Fans will surely get to see Shinobu’s full backstory in Demon Slayer, something the anime has kept close to chest, making her prophesied death in anime all the more tragic.

Demon Slayer

Created by

Koyoharu Gotouge

Summary

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba is a wildly popular anime and manga franchise created by Koyoharu Gotouge. Set in Taishō-era Japan, it follows Tanjiro Kamado as he battles demons and seeks a cure for his sister, Nezuko, who was turned into one. The franchise includes a manga, anime TV series, films, video games, and spin-offs. Known for its stunning animation and gripping storyline, Demon Slayer is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time.

Expand