Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle Snubbed by Oscars as Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters Secures Nomination
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The fallout from the recent Oscar nominations has hit the anime community hard, specifically targeting Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters. Fans of Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle are furious after the highly anticipated sequel failed to secure a nomination while the streaming feature managed to grab a spot in the race, including one for Best Original Song.
The Sony Pictures Animation title arrived with little fanfare over the summer but ended up with three Golden Globe nods before securing this Oscar recognition. Social media exploded immediately following the announcement, with disappointed Demon Slayer supporters quickly dismissing KPop Demon Hunters as "K-pop slop."
The criticism points toward a perceived bias where traditional animation techniques are sidelined in favor of streaming platform releases. Many fans openly questioned the Academy's judgment on what constitutes quality animation compared to the cultural momentum surrounding Infinity Castle.
What makes the situation particularly galling for many is that Infinity Castle was reportedly used in promotional materials leading up to the ceremony itself, yet it walked away empty-handed. The contrast is stark: a film with a very limited theatrical footprint secured Academy attention, while a major sequel was completely overlooked.
It is worth noting that KPop Demon Hunters was ineligible for Best Picture due to its restricted three-market theatrical run, though it remains in contention for Best Animated Feature. Netflix later capitalized on its streaming success by pushing a "singalong" version into theaters after the initial digital launch.
This entire episode underscores the ongoing friction within fandom regarding which titles international awards bodies choose to elevate and whether the rise of streaming services is fundamentally shifting industry standards away from traditional theatrical releases. For Demon Slayer followers, this awards season feels like a significant, frustrating miss.