Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Reveals the Next Step for Hashira Power

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle quickly became one of the most hotly anticipated film events in recent anime history—and the moment it hit screens, it proved that hype was justified. The movie delivered brutal set-piece fights, including the clashes involving Giyu and Tanjiro against Akaza, while also pushing the Doma conflict into motion. Shinobu’s death during the Doma battle was a major turning point, but it didn’t end the story’s danger. Infinity Castle is moving into a new phase where the fight continues, and a signature Hashira technique is set to take center stage.

Key takeaways

• Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 2 will continue the Doma battle after Shinobu is taken out.
• Kanao and Inosuke are positioned to enter the fight, with Kanao driving much of the action.
• The film is expected to spotlight the Hashira ability “Vermilion Eye,” tied to Flower Breathing’s final form.
• Vermilion Eye lets the user perceive the world in slow motion by boosting blood flow to the eyes.
• Kanao’s use of the technique is powerful but comes with a serious risk of blindness.
• Vermilion Eye is also described as crucial again in Infinity Castle Part 3 to prevent Tanjiro from becoming a Demon King.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 2 sets up Vermilion Eye for Kanao

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle landed as a blockbuster in 2025, focusing on the Demon Slayers infiltrating the Infinity Castle to end the threat once and for all. Muzan brings his toughest forces into the fortress to challenge the Hashira, and among the horrors waiting inside is the Upper Rank 2 demon, Doma. Doma goes after Shinobu, and even with her best efforts as the Insect Hashira, she is ultimately killed and consumed.

With Infinity Castle Part 2, the Doma fight is set to pick up again. Since Shinobu is no longer there to stand in the way, the story creates a clear opening for Kanao—Kanae’s younger adoptive sister—to step back into the clash. Inosuke is expected to join her as well. Kanao’s role is framed as especially important, largely because her sword style supports her offensive pace and control.

Kanao’s performance is also tied directly to Flower Breathing, the same breathing style associated with the former Flower Hashira, Kanae Kocho. Because Kanao is Kanae’s younger adoptive sister, she has the rare advantage of learning Flower Breathing directly from her. With that setup, the upcoming movie is poised to showcase the ultimate Flower Breathing technique: Vermilion Eye—widely treated in the story as one of the deadliest Hashira powers in Gotouge’s universe.

“Why did you say that? You were preparing to sacrifice your own life, so why would you worry about my vision? She was such a kind person, so precious! I wanted to protect her. I wanted to risk my life for her. I wanted to go home together. Flower Breathing Final Form: Equinoctial Vermilion Eye.” — Kanao in Demon Slayer Chapter 162

Equinoctial Vermilion Eye: slow-motion perception, instant consequences

During her rematch against Doma, Kanao is expected to finally unleash the Final Form: Equinoctial Vermilion Eye. The technique is described as extremely lethal because it changes how the user experiences time. By increasing blood flow to the eyes, it allows the fighter to perceive the world in slow motion, maximizing visual detail and perception beyond what matters most in combat.

This ability was first revealed in Demon Slayer chapter 162, which debuted in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue #29 on June 17, 2019. In the confrontation, Kanao activates it during the final stretch against Doma. With the technique running, she is able to read through Doma’s moves, push forward, land her decisive attack, and ultimately behead him.

“Raising dynamic vision to the utmost… makes surrounding movement look slow and dull. The pressure on my eyes causes bleeding that stains them red…” — Kanao in Demon Slayer chapter 162

Even with its advantages, the technique is balanced by a steep drawback: it discourages repeated use. When it’s activated, there’s a significant chance that one eye will become blind—and in Kanao’s case, that outcome does occur. Still, the story frames the benefits as worth the risk when the fight is truly to the death.

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Kanao Will Utilize Vermilion Eyes Again In Infinity Castle Part 3 To Stop Demon King Tanjiro

Vermilion Eye is presented as one of the defining techniques across the entire Demon Slayer series. It was essential for victory against Upper Rank 2 demon Doma in Infinity Castle, and it’s expected to become just as important again in the final installment, Infinity Castle Part 3. That last movie is said to focus on the battle against Muzan, but the story’s escalation doesn’t stop there. Near the end, a new threat appears—one that pushes the heroes toward another impossible moment.

The danger is tied to Muzan’s final attempt. After Muzan is defeated by the Hashira, he almost manages to transform Tanjiro into a Demon King. If Tanjiro becomes the next Demon King, humanity is effectively finished, especially because this new Demon King would be far stronger than Muzan was. The article’s premise is that this outcome could only be avoided through Kanao and her Vermilion Eye.

With one eye already impaired after the Doma battle, Kanao activates Vermilion Eye again and administers the antidote created by Shinobu to Tanjiro. The implication is that no one else could have handled the necessary timing and execution to achieve such a transformation. Of course, using the technique a second time leaves Kanao completely blind, but the narrative frames it as a sacrifice that ultimately saves everyone.

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Why Kanae never used Vermilion Eye in Demon Slayer

Kanao is positioned as the story’s main perspective for Flower Breathing, particularly for Vermilion Eye. But she didn’t create Flower Breathing. Like Snake Breathing, Flower Breathing traces its roots back to Water Breathing, which itself comes from Sun Breathing. The original inventor of Flower Breathing is not identified, but the first known user in Demon Slayer is Kanae Kocho, who is Shinobu’s older sister. Kanae Kocho becomes a powerful Hashira known as the Flower Hashira, and she teaches Kanao everything about the style—including the Final Form: Equinoctial Vermilion Eye.

However, the story apparently never fully shows Kanae’s power on-screen. Her Doma fight is largely handled off-screen, which limits what fans can directly confirm. Still, the article notes that Kanae did not use the Final Form, partly because she was still alive and had her vision at the point where Shinobu encountered her while Kanae was close to death after the battle.

On the other hand, Kanae is said to have avoided Vermilion Eye because her plan wasn’t to win instantly—it was to stall Doma and survive until sunrise. The article claims she was close to pulling that off.

Vermilion Eye is powerful, but it’s also framed as a short-term surge that leaves the user vulnerable to blindness in one or both eyes afterward. That’s why it’s treated as a last-resort option. Kanae is described as refusing it because the risk outweighed the reward for her specific objective, and it’s also suggested that this is why Kanao holds onto the power until the very end of the Doma confrontation. The technique remains one of the most impressive Hashira abilities in the franchise, and the expectation is that Ufotable will highlight it again in the next theatrical installment.

Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Part 2 is anticipated for a 2027 release, although it remains unconfirmed even now. New information should be revealed later this year.